I am deeply passionate about the techniques used in Chinese makeup, captivated by their understated but captivating allure.
After delving into various makeup styles and gathering insights from diverse individuals, I’m excited to use this wealth of knowledge to provide you with an overview of the most important and well-known Chinese makeup styles.
Table of Contents
Chinese Makeup Style
Let’s go back in time to uncover how Chinese makeup kicked off and see how it’s changed since then. I’ll break down the basics of Chinese makeup and highlight the differences between the old-school styles and today’s trends.
From ancient looks to the latest faves, join me for a casual chat about all things Chinese makeup!
Han Dynasty Style
During the Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE), makeup techniques from the Western Zhou Dynasty (1045 – 771 BCE) continued to be popular. Natural beauty was valued, and women preferred a minimalistic approach to their makeup.
Important: Less is more! Emphasizing one feature at a time can create a similar effect.
Key makeup elements of the Han Dynasty style:
- Light foundation
- Subtle blush
- Natural lip color
Tang Dynasty Style
The Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 CE), was a period of great cultural and artistic expression. Makeup trends at the time were bold and colorful, reflecting the dynasty’s prosperity and artistic influence.
Chinese makeup during the Tang Dynasty saw dramatic changes in application and technique.
Tang Dynasty makeup trends included:
- Bold, curved eyebrows
- Bright red lips
- Vivid cheek colors
- Blended eyeshadow
Qing Dynasty Style
Lastly, within the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912 CE), makeup trends once again evolved. The style during this time leaned towards elegance and intricacy.
Women often focused on creating a flawless foundation and emphasized their facial features with various makeup techniques. This traditional Chinese makeup stood out and truly made an impact.
Three key aspects characterized the Qing Dynasty makeup style:
- An emphasis on flawless, porcelain-like skin
- Delicate detail to eyebrows, often shaped like willow leaves
- Intricate facial decorations, such as beauty spots and dimple makeup
Modern Chinese Makeup Styles
In this section, I will briefly cover some popular modern Chinese makeup styles that have caught my eye and will give you a glimpse of what makes them so special.
Ulzzang Style
The Ulzzang style originates from South Korea but has gained popularity in China as well. This style is all about looking youthful and achieving flawless skin. Some key aspects of this style include:
- Dewy foundation for a radiant complexion
- Straight, natural-looking eyebrows
- Highlighted aegyo-sal (eye bags) to create a youthful look
- Gradient lips
If you want to achieve the Ulzzang style use a light hand with makeup and focus on creating a soft, dreamy look.
Natural Look
Unlike Western makeup trends that emphasize a natural look, Chinese makeup styles still focus on cosmetic perfection while maintaining a natural appearance. Douyin makeup is one example that presents an elegant and subtle style using:
- Shimmery eyeshadow
- Pigmented pink blush
- Blurred lips
For a more natural look, try using lighter shades of makeup and blend well to avoid harsh lines and show fewer imperfections.
Chinese Opera Look
Drawing inspiration from Chinese imperial aesthetics, the Chinese Opera look features dramatic makeup styles characterized by vibrant colors and intricate design patterns. Key elements include:
- Bold eyeshadow colors
- Dramatic eyeliner to create exaggerated shapes
- Contrasting lip color to make a statement
Trying the Chinese Opera Look can be a fun and creative experience, allowing you to dive into the fascinating history of Chinese makeup style.
Key Makeup Products for Chinese Styles
Cushion Foundations
✅ Doesn't cause breakouts
✅ Lightweight
❌ May not fully cover hyperpigmentation
From what I’ve learned about Chinese makeup, cushion foundations are a real godsend when it comes to creating a flawless base, which is typical of the Chinese makeup style.
They offer lightweight, moisturizing and buildable coverage. Here are my top picks:
- Florasis: Known for its beautiful packaging and quality formula.
- Laneige: A popular Korean brand also favored by Chinese makeup enthusiasts.
- Pechoin: A domestic Chinese brand providing good quality at an affordable price.
Pro tip: Apply the cushion foundation in thin layers using a tapping motion for the most natural finish.
Lip Tints
✅ Like leggings for your lips
✅ Beautiful color
✅ Smells really good
❌ May fade away while eating
Chinese makeup style often features gradient lips that give a youthful, innocent appearance. Lip tints are perfect to achieve this look. Some favorites include:
- Catkin: Their Long-lasting Lip Stain range offers lovely shades and staying power.
- Peripera: Known for their velvety, highly pigmented, and lightweight lip tints.
- Kailijumei: The Flower Jelly Lipstick adds an element of mystique as it changes color based on your body temperature.
Gradient Eyeshadow Palettes
✅ Beautiful colors
✅ Matte and shimmer colors
✅ Long-lasting
❌ Chemical scent
No Chinese makeup style is complete without gradient eyeshadow palettes. These versatile palettes offer different shades that can seamlessly blend together, providing depth and dimension.
- Florasis: Their exquisite phoenix-inspired eyeshadow palettes have stunning packaging and rich shades.
- Perfect Diary: A popular Chinese brand with beautiful eyeshadow palettes that cater to different tastes.
- ZESEA: This brand offers highly pigmented eyeshadow palettes for bold and vibrant looks.
Iconic Chinese Makeup Brands
Let me share my experience with three iconic Chinese makeup brands that you should definitely know about.
Pechoin
Pechoin, a brand with a long history dating back to 1931, focuses on using natural ingredients like ginseng and pearl powder in their products. Their affordable prices make this brand popular among younger consumers.
Mistine
Known for its bold colors and innovative formulations, Mistine offers a wide range of products for makeup beginners and experts alike.
Some of my friend’s favorites are their long-lasting lipsticks and blendable blushes. The vibrant shades truly highlight the Chinese makeup style and make a statement.
Perfect Diary
Perfect Diary is a brand that rose to fame in recent times, especially among social media influencers and beauty enthusiasts. It has a plethora of makeup products catering to various styles and needs.
One particular standout is their eyeshadow palettes, which come in various textures and shades that can be mixed and matched easily.
The Influence of Chinese Makeup Trends Globally
Chinese makeup has a rich history and has evolved over thousands of years. It’s been used not only for enhancing attractiveness but also for cultural and social purposes, such as performances, religious ceremonies, and weddings.
This unique aspect makes Chinese makeup styles truly special and fascinating to observe.
One of the latest trends making waves globally is Douyin makeup. Originating from Chinese makeup influencers, this trend focuses on accentuating the eyes and giving the face a more doll-like appearance.
Here’s a quick overview of some popular Chinese makeup trends:
- Flawless cosmetic perfection: Unlike Western makeup, which emphasizes a natural look, Chinese makeup trends aim for flawless perfection in cosmetics.
- Vibrant eyeshadows: Eyeshadow colors are often bold, with unique combinations to create a dramatic and captivating look.
- Strong eyebrows: Defined eyebrows create an intense focal point and give the face more structure.
I feel that the growing popularity of Chinese makeup styles offers a fresh perspective on how we view makeup and encourages us to experiment with new techniques.
Chinese Makeup Style: The Essentials
Starting with the base, Chinese makeup emphasizes a flawless complexion. A soft, matte finish is achieved using a pigmented foundation to create the illusion of perfect skin.
I’ve noticed that concealer plays a crucial role in hiding any imperfections and brightening the under-eye area.
One of the most striking aspects of the Chinese makeup style is the eyeshadow. It typically leans towards shimmery shades with subtle hints of color, like pinks and oranges, which give an ethereal effect.
Eyeliner comes into play to define the eyes, while soft, wispy lashes complete the look.
Of course, we can’t forget about the blush. A pigmented pink blush is applied high on the cheeks to create a youthful, flushed appearance. This is a delightful trick that truly sets Chinese makeup apart from Western styles.
Finally, one of my favorite parts of the look – blurred lips. It gives the illusion of naturally rosy lips by blurring the edges, which truly completes the enchanting Chinese makeup style.
To summarize this makeup style:
- Flawless complexion with a matte finish
- Shimmery eyeshadows in soft, pastel shades
- Pigmented pink blush applied high on the cheeks
- Blurred lips for a natural, rosy effect
If you liked this blog article about the topic of Chinese Makeup Style, don’t forget to leave us a comment down below to tell us about your experience.
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