Imagine a woman with perfectly manicured red nails, confidently applying her favorite shade of red lipstick while delicately touching her face. Whether you’re aiming to add a touch of shimmer and sparkle to your overall look or prefer a more subtle and minimalist approach, rest assured that any makeup style you desire can be brought to life with practice and experimentation.
The world of makeup is filled with endless possibilities, allowing you to explore a variety of looks that perfectly complement your unique face shape and suit any occasion. By mastering the right combination of products and techniques, you have the power to create stunning makeup styles that not only enhance your natural beauty but also boost your confidence.
In this guide, we are thrilled to share with you 14 captivating types of makeup styles, along with invaluable tips on how to recreate them. Get ready to embrace your inner makeup artist and showcase your signature look with grace and flair. We are eagerly anticipating the moment when you effortlessly rock any makeup style you choose!
Natural Makeup
Natural makeup is all about enhancing your features and creating a fresh, effortless look that highlights your natural beauty. It aims to create a flawless complexion while maintaining a subtle and understated appearance. The key is to use lightweight products that allow your skin to breathe and appear natural.
Typically, natural makeup involves using minimal foundation to even out the skin tone, followed by a touch of concealer to cover any blemishes or dark circles. Soft and neutral shades are used for the eyes, with light mascara to define the lashes. The eyebrows are groomed and filled in lightly to maintain a natural shape. Blush is applied sparingly to add a subtle flush of color to the cheeks, and a nude or soft lip color completes the look.
The goal of natural makeup is to create a radiant and fresh-faced appearance, as if you’re not wearing any makeup at all. It’s perfect for everyday wear or when you want to achieve a more low-key, effortless vibe.
Glam Makeup
Glam makeup is all about achieving a bold and glamorous look that exudes confidence and sophistication. It embraces high-impact features and dramatic techniques to create a standout appearance. The focus of glam makeup is often on the eyes, with intense and smoky eyeshadow, dramatic winged eyeliner, and voluminous lashes.
Contouring and highlighting techniques are used to sculpt and define the facial features, giving a chiseled and radiant effect. Full coverage foundation is applied for a flawless complexion, often accompanied by a generous dusting of setting powder to ensure longevity. The cheeks are often accentuated with a pop of color through well-blended blush, and a statement lip color, such as a bold red or deep berry shade, adds the finishing touch.
Glam makeup is popular for special occasions, red carpet events, or anytime you want to make a striking impression. It allows you to unleash your creativity, experiment with intense colors and textures, and create a glamorous transformation that turns heads wherever you go.
Smoky Eye
The smoky eye makeup style is a classic and versatile look that adds depth and allure to the eyes. It involves blending different shades of eyeshadow, usually in darker tones, to create a smoky and gradient effect. The key to achieving a smoky eye is seamless blending and gradation of colors.
Typically, darker shades like black, charcoal, deep browns, or rich jewel tones are used on the outer corners and crease of the eyelids, while lighter shades or shimmery tones are applied to the inner corners and center of the lids to add dimension. The eyeshadow is blended meticulously to create a soft and diffused transition between the colors. To intensify the smoky effect, eyeliner, either in pencil or gel form, is applied along the upper and lower lash lines, and smudged for a smoldering look.
To complete the smoky eye, volumizing mascara or false lashes can be added for extra drama and definition. The smoky eye makeup style is a go-to choice for evening events, parties, or when you want to add a touch of mystery and allure to your look. It can be adapted to various color palettes and can range from subtle and understated to bold and intense, depending on your preference and the occasion.
Cat Eye/Winged Eyeliner
The cat eye or winged eyeliner style is a classic makeup technique that adds a captivating and feline-like allure to the eyes. It involves creating a bold and elongated line along the upper lash line, extending outward into a wing or flick at the outer corner of the eye. The key to achieving a perfect cat eye is precision and symmetry. It’s typically done using liquid or gel eyeliner, although pencil or eyeshadow can also be used for a softer effect.
To create the wing, the liner is extended slightly beyond the outer corner of the eye and angled upwards towards the end of the eyebrow. The line is then connected back to the upper lash line, forming a sleek and elegant wing shape. The thickness and length of the wing can be customized according to personal preference. The rest of the eyelid can be kept minimal or enhanced with a neutral eyeshadow, depending on the desired look.
The cat eye or winged eyeliner style is a versatile option that can be worn for both daytime and evening occasions. It adds a touch of retro glamour and can be paired with various eyeshadow looks to create a more dramatic effect. Mastering the art of the cat eye takes practice, but once perfected, it becomes a powerful makeup technique that accentuates the eyes and creates an alluring and seductive gaze.
No-Makeup Makeup
The no-makeup makeup style, also known as “natural” or “barely-there” makeup, focuses on creating a subtle and minimal look that enhances your natural features while giving the illusion of wearing little to no makeup. The goal is to achieve a fresh-faced and radiant complexion while maintaining a light and effortless appearance.
To achieve the no-makeup makeup look, a lightweight and sheer foundation or tinted moisturizer is used to even out the skin tone while allowing the skin’s natural texture to shine through. Concealer is applied sparingly to cover any blemishes or imperfections. The emphasis is on creating a flawless and luminous complexion, so products like highlighter or illuminating primers can be used to add a subtle glow to the high points of the face, such as the cheekbones and bridge of the nose.
For the eyes, neutral eyeshadows in shades close to your skin tone are applied to enhance the eyelids subtly. Mascara is used to define and lengthen the lashes, but in a natural and clump-free manner. Eyebrows are lightly filled in to enhance their shape while maintaining a soft and natural appearance.
The cheeks are given a gentle flush of color using a natural-looking blush in shades like soft pinks or peaches. The lip color is kept natural as well, with shades that closely match your natural lip color or using a sheer lip balm for a hydrated and subtle look.
Bold Lip
The bold lip makeup style is all about making a statement with vibrant and eye-catching lip colors. It focuses on drawing attention to the lips as the focal point of the look. Bold lip colors can range from rich reds, deep plums, vibrant oranges, to bold pinks and even unconventional shades like blues or purples.
To achieve the bold lip look, the lips are first prepared by exfoliating and moisturizing them to ensure a smooth canvas. Next, a lip liner that matches or complements the chosen lip color is applied to outline and define the lips, preventing the color from bleeding or feathering.
Then, the bold lip color is applied with precision using a lip brush or directly from the lipstick tube. Layering the color or using a lip brush allows for better control and a more even application. Blotting the lips with a tissue and reapplying another layer can help to intensify the color and increase its longevity.
The rest of the makeup is usually kept minimal to let the lips take center stage. Soft, neutral eyeshadows, subtle eyeliner, and natural-looking lashes are often chosen to balance the overall look. The complexion can be kept fresh and glowing with minimal foundation and a touch of blush to add some warmth and dimension to the face. The bold lip makeup style is a great choice when you want to make a statement or add a pop of color to your overall look. It can be worn for special occasions, evenings out, or whenever you want to channel confidence and showcase your unique style.
Dewy/Glowy Makeup
The dewy/glowy makeup style is all about creating a radiant and luminous complexion that exudes a healthy and youthful glow. This makeup look focuses on achieving a fresh, hydrated, and natural-looking skin finish.
To create the dewy/glowy makeup look, it’s important to start with a well-prepped and moisturized base. Hydrating primers or illuminating primers can be applied to add a subtle luminosity to the skin. Next, a lightweight and dewy-finish foundation or tinted moisturizer is used to even out the skin tone while allowing the natural skin texture to show through.
To further enhance the glow, liquid or cream highlighters are strategically applied to the high points of the face, such as the cheekbones, brow bones, bridge of the nose, and cupid’s bow. This helps to catch the light and create a radiant effect.When it comes to the eyes, soft and shimmery eyeshadows in neutral or light pastel shades can be applied to add a touch of sparkle and brightness. Mascara is used to define and lengthen the lashes, while still keeping them soft and natural-looking.
For the cheeks, cream blushes or liquid blushes are preferred over powder formulas as they blend seamlessly into the skin and provide a more natural-looking flush of color. The blush is applied to the apples of the cheeks, giving a youthful and rosy glow.To complete the dewy/glowy look, a hydrating and glossy lip balm or a sheer lipstick with a slight sheen can be applied to keep the lips looking plump and moisturized.
Vintage/Retro Makeup
Vintage/retro makeup is a style that draws inspiration from the beauty trends of past decades, particularly the 1920s to the 1960s. It embraces classic elements and iconic looks that were popular during those eras, adding a touch of nostalgia and timeless elegance to your overall appearance. Flawless, matte skin with a porcelain-like finish sets the stage, while eyes take center stage with smoky, defined shapes or classic cat-eye/winged eyeliner looks.
Well-defined and shaped eyebrows complement the specific vintage style. Classic red lipstick, often in matte or satin finishes, becomes a signature element for the lips, accompanied by subtle blush and a hint of highlighter for a touch of glow. Vintage/retro makeup allows you to channel the glamour and sophistication of bygone eras, celebrating the elegance and beauty of the past while adding your own modern twist.
Avant-Garde Makeup
Avant-garde makeup is an artistic and experimental style that defies traditional beauty norms and pushes the boundaries of creativity. It is characterized by bold and unconventional techniques, colors, and shapes, creating a dramatic and expressive visual impact.
Avant-garde makeup embraces innovative and imaginative concepts, often drawing inspiration from art, fashion, and even fantasy. It prioritizes self-expression and uses the face as a canvas for artistic exploration.
In avant-garde makeup, traditional rules are broken, allowing for unconventional color combinations, exaggerated contours, and abstract designs. It may involve the use of unconventional materials such as feathers, sequins, glitter, or even non-makeup items to create unique textures and effects.
Avant-garde makeup artists often play with unusual shapes and illusions, transforming the face into a work of art. Geometric lines, asymmetrical patterns, and exaggerated proportions are common features, challenging the traditional notions of beauty and symmetry.
This style of makeup is often seen in avant-garde fashion shows, editorial photo shoots, and artistic performances. It is a form of artistic expression that goes beyond enhancing natural features, aiming to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and make a bold statement.
Contouring
Contouring has gained popularity in recent years, particularly through social media and beauty tutorials. It offers a transformative effect, allowing individuals to play with the shapes and proportions of their face and create the desired look. However, it is important to remember that contouring is an art and can be tailored to suit individual preferences. It’s a technique that, when executed skillfully, can enhance facial features and add a sculpted and polished touch to any makeup look.
The primary goal of contouring is to create shadows and highlights that mimic the play of light and shadow on the face, emphasizing certain areas and creating the illusion of more prominent cheekbones, a slimmer nose, a more defined jawline, and a sculpted forehead.
Contouring typically involves the use of matte bronzer or contour powders in shades darker than the skin tone. These darker shades are applied to areas that should recede or appear more defined, such as the hollows of the cheeks, the temples, the sides of the nose, and the jawline. The product is blended carefully to achieve a seamless transition and a natural-looking effect.
Gothic Makeup
Gothic makeup is a bold and dramatic style that draws inspiration from the goth subculture. It embraces dark and edgy aesthetics, creating a striking and mysterious look. The key elements of gothic makeup include a pale complexion, intense eyes, and deep, rich lip colors.
To achieve the gothic makeup look, start by creating a pale or porcelain-like complexion using lighter shades of foundation or concealer. Emphasize the eyes with dark, smoky eyeshadows and black eyeliner, creating a dramatic and intense effect. Choose deep and rich lip colors like dark reds or purples to make a bold statement.
Contouring techniques can be used to add depth and dimension to the face, while dark and vampy nail polish complements the overall aesthetic. Gothic makeup allows individuals to express their uniqueness, embrace a darker style, and create a captivating and unconventional look that is empowering and empowering.
Bohemian Makeup
Bohemian makeup, inspired by the free-spirited bohemian lifestyle, is a style that embraces natural beauty with a touch of whimsy and an effortless, carefree vibe. It focuses on creating a fresh, radiant complexion, enhancing the eyes with earthy tones, and adding a pop of color to the lips.
For bohemian makeup, the skin is typically kept light and luminous. A lightweight foundation or tinted moisturizer is applied to even out the skin tone while allowing the natural texture and glow to shine through. To enhance the luminosity, a liquid or cream highlighter can be applied to the high points of the face, such as the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and cupid’s bow.
The eyes are a focal point in bohemian makeup. Soft, earthy tones like browns, bronzes, and copper are used to create a natural and sun-kissed look. These shades can be applied to the eyelids and softly blended into the crease. For a touch of bohemian whimsy, a hint of shimmer or metallic eyeshadow can be added to the center of the eyelids. Finish the eyes with mascara to define the lashes while keeping them soft and natural-looking.
In bohemian makeup, the lips can be a statement feature. Opt for shades that range from natural nudes to vibrant berries or coral tones, depending on personal preference. Tinted lip balms, sheer lipsticks, or lip stains are great choices for achieving a fresh and effortless look.
Monochromatic Makeup
Monochromatic makeup is a minimalist and cohesive style that revolves around using a single color or variations of shades within the same color family to create a harmonious and monochromatic look. It is a versatile and effortless approach to makeup that focuses on simplicity and uniformity.
In monochromatic makeup, the idea is to use the same or similar shades for the eyes, cheeks, and lips, creating a seamless and coordinated effect. This creates a streamlined and balanced appearance, enhancing your features while maintaining a cohesive and unified look. Whether you opt for a soft and subtle monochromatic style or a bold and vibrant one, this approach to makeup allows for creativity and experimentation within a single color palette.
It’s a versatile and adaptable style that can be tailored to any occasion or personal style, showcasing the beauty of simplicity and harmonious color coordination.
Korean/Japanese Makeup
In Korean and Japanese makeup, achieving a flawless base is crucial. A light to medium coverage foundation or BB cream is used to create a smooth and even complexion. The emphasis is on achieving a natural and dewy finish, giving the skin a healthy glow. Concealer is used sparingly to cover any imperfections while still maintaining a natural look.
The eyes play a central role in Korean and Japanese makeup. The emphasis is on making the eyes appear larger and brighter. Soft, neutral eyeshadows are used to create a natural contour on the eyelids. Subtle shades of brown, beige, or pink are popular choices. Eyeliner is applied thinly along the upper lash line to define the eyes, while tightlining the waterline with a beige or white liner helps to make the eyes appear more open and awake. Mascara is used to enhance the lashes, with a focus on length rather than volume.
Blush is applied in a soft and natural manner to give a healthy flush to the cheeks. Soft pinks, corals, or peachy shades are commonly used. The blush is blended upward towards the temples to create a youthful and fresh appearance.
Lips in Korean and Japanese makeup are often kept soft and natural. Tinted lip balms or sheer lipsticks in shades of pink, coral, or MLBB (my lips but better) tones are popular choices. The focus is on achieving a natural, just-bitten look.
Overall, Korean and Japanese makeup styles embrace a youthful and innocent appearance. The emphasis is on enhancing natural features, achieving a fresh and radiant complexion, and creating doe-eyed and doll-like eyes. These styles celebrate natural beauty and tend to have a soft and subtle approach, showcasing a charming and adorable aesthetic.
