11 top beauty trends from around the world

Whilst a staple Australian beauty look often involves bronzed and glowing skin teamed with long fluttery lashes, the beauty scene across the globe differs significantly. As new makeup and beauty trends emerge, from timesavers to new techniques like draping and non-touring, it’s clear that women all over the world are keen to take their beauty looks and know-how to the next level.

Here are the top beauty trends proving most popular in these 11 countries and the celebrities who showed us how to nail each of them, according to a recent marie claire article.

#1 / Doll face in Japan

Makeup artist Jenny Patinkin says that “a rosy blush worn high up under the eyes got its start in the cutting edge Harajuku community, but has quickly become a big trend everywhere in Japan.” The look involves a flush of sheer pink blush under the eyes to make the facial features look rounder, softer and younger. Beauty looks in Japan also tend to sway towards the more eccentric as YouTube star Michelle Phan says “they love the doll-like face, wearing colour contacts, and applying fake lashes daily instead of on special occasions.”

#2 / Glowing and flushed in Korea

“Korea is the beauty innovation hub these days” says Patinkin, with many global trends originating there. Cushion compact foundations are incredibly popular (a trend we’ve seen expand globally) as “they’re a natural extension of the BB and CC cream fad,” says Patinkin. Similarly blush cushion compacts are gaining in popularity as the lightweight formula creates a luminous flush on the cheeks. She also notes that a ‘water’ trend is popular whereby “water thin textures, hydrating mists, skin finishers, water sleeping masks, water encapsulated pigments and raw materials that provide maximum hydration levels” are favoured at the moment.

#3 / Bold lips in Thailand

In Thailand, a beauty look that continues to gain popularity is straight and full shaped brows, as well as brightly coloured lipsticks, which pop in contrast on pale skin, says Phan.

#4 / Bold brows in the UK and Dubai

The adoption of bold brows is a beauty trend that has swept the globe in recent years with the UK and Dubai both embracing the trend the most. The difference between the two countries is that “the UK loves lush brows with a bit of an arch and Dubai prefers a straight, flat look,” says Smashbox Global Makeup Lead Artist Lori Taylor-Davis.

#5 / Lined lower lashes in Brazil

“Women in Brazil typically have thicker, darker upper lash lines, so they are mimicking that by bringing subtle definition and balance to the lower lashes lines,” says Taylor-Davis. She also details how the lower lash line can be defined with either waterproof mascara or a waterproof pencil liner, dotted in between lashes and blended out with a brush to soften the look.

#6 / Coloured liner along the lower lash line in Latin America

Makeup artist Stephanie Flor has noted that within Latina cultures, coloured liner is quickly replacing highlighter under the eyes. A trend she says she hasn’t seen much of in the US.

#7 / Contrasting eyes in India

Patinkin has witnessed a trend in India whereby women are applying “feminine pastel coloured eyeshadow on the lid with a strong contrasting eyeliner in shocking green, electric blue or magenta pink.”

#8 / Greige lips in Sweden

Nude lips have always been, and will continue to be, a popular makeup look across the globe but it is the edgier take on a classic nude lip that is popular in Sweden. Lip products with a grey-beige tone are an “update on the ‘90s look, a neutral cool toned taupe of mauve base with a little touch of a grey undertone,” says Patinkin.

#9 / 3D lashes in Russia

Bold, voluminous lashes have always been a popular trend in Russia but now 3D extreme lashes are the rage according to Patinkin. She says “they’re a super soft, very lightweight synthetic fiber that doesn’t weigh the follicle down as much as mink or other natural hairs, so a ‘bouquet’ can be applied to each natural lash, fanning it out with up to a 6:1 volume ratio instead of the more typical 1:1.”

#10 / Strobing in France

Rather than embracing the contouring movement, French women have tended to sway towards strobing to accentuate different parts of the face instead. Alex Box, Creative Director of Illamasqua told the London Evening Standard that “it’s about using reflection on high planes and points of the face that catch the light to create spotlit areas.” He says “it’s a much more forgiving way to bring focus and shape to the face.”

#11 / Self-tanning in Ireland

Fake tan formulas have come a long way in recent years with a natural looking bronzed glow now achievable for those with pale skin. Consequently, people with fair complexions in Ireland have wholeheartedly embraced the trend according to Patinkin.

Image credit: Getty