Everyone these days seems to be a makeup expert.
Regardless of age, gender, or training, applying makeup is easy if you know the basics.
However, those of Asian descent have it a bit harder than others. It’s not that they cannot use makeup, but rather that they cannot follow standard makeup tutorials and get the same result as others.
Their talent has nothing to do with it – it’s just that the standard instructions don’t cater to them.
This is why I wanted to share what I have learned as a mobile makeup artist about how to apply makeup to Asian eyes.
Why Is Asian Makeup Different?
Asian makeup isn’t exactly different; instead, one prominent feature must be considered. This feature is the eye. Asians have what is known as single eyelids or monolids. Asian monolids are a type of eye shape found in certain East Asian populations.
They are characterized by having a very flat, narrow eyelid crease that gives the eyes a more open and almond-like appearance. This is in contrast to the rounder, wider look common to other ethnicities. To be fair, not only Asians have them, but it is a predominantly Asian trait. Due to these creaseless eyelids, standard makeup techniques for the eyes do not work. However, this does not mean that all hope is lost. You can still apply makeup to your eyes if you’re Asian; you just have to know how.
How to Apply Makeup for Asian Eyes
As a mobile makeup artist in Kitchener-Waterloo, I have been fortunate to learn a lot about what works and what might not when it comes to the application of makeup on asian eyes. Let’s take a closer look at some makeup tips and tricks you can use to make your eyes pop!
Eye Primer Is Your Friend
The main problem that people with creaseless lids have been that their eye makeup never stays in place. It tends to smudge and blur into each other. Therefore, eyeliner ends up on your lids, and mascara ends up under your eyes, creating dark smears. A makeup primer is one of the best makeup items to use that will prevent this from happening.
Using a makeup primer before applying your eye makeup ensures that the makeup has something to hold it in place. It will not smudge, and you will avoid getting what’s called raccoon eyes! It’s also great for keeping eyeshadow from becoming one big blur on your lid.
Ombré for the Win
Eye makeup tends to look different on Asian eyes because the shape is not suitable for horizontal shading. Most makeup techniques recommend working colours from the inner eye outward, emphasizing the crease with the darkest colour. However, Asian makeup looks better if you create an ombre look vertically. The darkest shade will be closest to your lash line, and the eyeshadow colours will get lighter as you move up.
After applying the colours that you want to approximately half of your lid, you just have to ensure that you blend well to create an ombre effect. You can use a blending brush to blend the two colours together, making sure that the colours smoothly transition into each other. You can also use your finger to blend the colours together and create an even more seamless look.
Fake a Crease
Faking a crease is something that takes a bit of time to perfect. This is because even with monolids, everyone has a unique eye shape.
There is no one way that works for everyone. You have to play around with where you want your crease to be.
The best way to do this is to create a crease using a dark eye pencil while looking in the mirror.
Do it with your eyes open to get a better idea of how it looks, while you blend it into your eyelid, creating a crease.
You can further enhance the effect with eyeliner, which we will discuss next.
Get in Line
Eyeline is probably the easiest thing to use on Asian eyes, and it is many people’s go-to solution as a workaround when applying makeup for those beautiful Asian eyes. However, instead of always rocking the solid sweep across your lash line, you can use eyeliner at the outer corners to make your eyes look larger. You should also avoid taking a downward turn.
Creating a wing that extends to where you create your crease will give your eyes a lift. The best way to do this is to line your outer corner with your eyes open. This will show you exactly how it looks. You can then extend the line inward toward your lash line. Using eyeshadow to do this instead of a liquid liner will create a softer look that will easily blend into the crease you create.
Luscious Lashes
Having defined eyelashes completes your eye makeup. You can use an eyelash curler and mascara to help curl and define your lashes. You can also opt for fake lashes, but try to stick with the lighter versions instead of the heavier ones that will overshadow your eyes. If your lashes are too long and thick, they will make your eyes look smaller, erasing all your hard work.
Tips From a Pro
As a mobile makeup artist, I have seen many common mistakes when it comes to Asian eye makeup. Here are a few tips for avoiding them.
- Don’t shy away from colour. Just because you have monolids does not mean you can’t be bold with colour and make use of the whole range of that eyeshadow palette.
- Doing your eye makeup with your eyes open makes a huge difference because you will see exactly where the makeup sits on your eyelid. It also makes it easier to create the shape and look you are aiming for.
- Practice makes perfect. Don’t give up after a single try! Keep practising, and you will eventually master your eye makeup.
- You need good blending brushes in at least two sizes to create the perfect blends. A smaller one for the lash line and a larger one for your eyelid.
Conclusion
Knowing how to apply eye makeup for Asian eyes is a great advantage. It will enhance your makeup by highlighting your unique features. Asian eye makeup does take practice, but if you persevere, you will soon learn what suits your eyes. If you are still hesitant, there’s no shame in visiting a professional makeup artist to see how it’s done in person.
