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Unlike “I’m Cold” makeup look or the e-girl aesthetic, douyin-style makeup is one trend we can’t credit TikTok for, at least not directly. Although we can give the TikTok credit for helping to enlighten the American beauty community about it.
Douyin makeup refers to the name of a different video-friendly social media platform, known as Douyin (pronounced doe-yeen), created by the same company that created TikTok, Bytedance.
If you’re not familiar with this viral makeup look, read on to find out what it is and how you can apply this adorable look on yourself.
What is Douyin Makeup?
Douyin makeup is a popular Chinese makeup style that typically involves shimmery and glittery eyeshadow, a liberal application of blush (typically in more cool-toned shades), and blurred lips. The overall effect is very soft and a more cutesy doll slash fairy-like appearance.
@heartensheaven I think the only part I messed up in was the amount of blush and eyeshadow I used #douyinmakeuplook #xyzbca #blackgirlmakeuptutorial #4upage #fyp ♬ Dream - The Pied Pipers
What Are The Differences Between Douyin and K-Beauty Makeup Techniques?
At first glance, it might appear that Douyin and various techniques popular in the K-beauty style of makeup are one and the same. While there are definitely some overlaps between these popular Chinese and South Korean makeup styles, there are a few key differences to note as well.
Similarities
- Lips. Unlike the American style of a full, often over-lined lip, in South Korea and China, it’s more common to see lipstick and other pigmented lip products focused on the center of the lips and faded outward, similar to the look of your lips after eating a popsicle.
- Aegyo-sal makeup techniques. There is a Korean term known as “aegyo” that refers to an adorable display of affection expressed through exaggerated and cutsey facial expressions, gestures, and a higher-pitched voice.
In South Korea, the roll of skin beneath your eyes that frame the lower eye lids is referred to as the aegyo-sal, which can roughly be translated to “charming fat”, because it’s believed to provide a youthful and “charming” look to the individual. The aegyo-sal can be highlighted by applying a light-colored glitter along the inner part of the lower lid line and by using a cool-toned eyeshadow or pencil (lightly applied!) to create a hint of shadow underneath the roll of skin beneath your eyes.
@wholesalesoymilk natural aegyo sal tutorial ✨ hope this helped someone! #makeuptutorial #aegyosalmakeuplook #aegyosalmakeup ♬ moonlight sunrise sped up all - 🎧
Differences
- Foundation base. While South Korean and Chinese foundation techniques both love that beautiful glow-from-within type of look, South Korean foundation techniques focus on a more dewy, glass-skin effect. Whereas, Douyin-inspired makeup looks tend to be a bit more full-coverage and matte, creating a doll-like effect to the skin.
- One of the major distinctions of a Douyin-inspired look is the use of long lashes to define the eyes, especially at the tail end of your eye shape to create a kitten-ish effect.
- Eyeshadow colors. With the exception of a music video or two, South Korean-inspired eye makeup focuses on more light pink and neutral-brown tones for a more minimal effect. Douyin makeup is a lot more colorful and more sparkle-intensive. You can go with the more subtle pinks and browns commonly associate with K-Beauty, with a shimmer and or glitter shade over the lid and especially in the inner corners and along the aegyo-sal. Shimmery shadows that have a shift of color, like from pink-to-gold or gold-to-green, are becoming more popular in Douyin for a fairy-like effect.
- Like with eyeshadow, K-beauty blush tends to be on the softer, more minimal side with soft “white”-toned blushes in shades of lavender or very pale pink or more fruit-inspired shades like cherry or fig. With Douyin-inspired makeup, there is no such thing as too much blush, especially in cool-toned red and pink shades. The blush is typically applied heavily across the bridge of the nose and on the apples of the cheek, below the center of your eye.
If you’re a fan of glitter and bold but girly makeup looks, then give Douyin-inspired makeup a try!
