12 Japanese Makeup Tutorials You Should Try

Japanese makeup is renowned for its emphasis on natural, elegant looks that enhance one's features without appearing overly dramatic. For those interested in exploring Japanese beauty trends, here are 12 makeup tutorials that offer a diverse range of styles and techniques.

1. Everyday Look

The everyday Japanese makeup look focuses on enhancing natural features. Key elements include:

Eye Makeup: Emphasis on mascara, eyeliner, and eye shadow to create a subtle yet defined look.
Lips: Natural pink tones that complement the overall natural aesthetic.
Base: A light foundation or tinted moisturizer to even out skin tone without heavy coverage.

2. Everyday Office Look

This look is tailored for a professional setting, toning down the makeup to maintain a natural appearance:

Minimal Eye Makeup: No false lashes and a neutral pink or beige lip color.
Subtle Enhancements: Use of Japanese drugstore cosmetics to achieve a polished yet understated look.

3. No Makeup Look (Suppin Makeup)

Suppin makeup is ideal for those who want to look like they're not wearing makeup:

Light Coverage: Minimal foundation and concealer to even out skin tone.
Natural Enhancements: Subtle use of eye shadow and lip balm to maintain a fresh, natural appearance.

4. Schoolgirl Look

This look is popular among Japanese schoolgirls who need to adhere to strict makeup regulations:

Tear Duct Emphasis: Applying white or pink glitter eye shadow to the tear duct to make the eyes appear larger.
Natural Colors: Use of light, natural shades to avoid detection.

5. Idol Look

Inspired by Japanese idols, this look emphasizes innocence and purity:

Eye Liner and Mascara: Heavy use of eye liner and mascara to create a dramatic yet innocent look.
Minimal Eye Shadow: Less colored eye shadow to maintain a youthful appearance.

6. Gyaru Look

Gyaru makeup is known for its bold and eye-catching style:

Heavy Eye Makeup: Extensive use of mascara and eyeliner.
Bright Colors: Often includes bright lip colors and bold eye shadow.

7. Seiso Gyaru Look

A toned-down version of the Gyaru look, suitable for school or office:

Brown Eyeliner: Instead of black, to soften the overall look.
Natural Colors: Use of brown and neutral shades to create a more subtle Gyaru look.

8. Hime Gyaru Look

Influenced by Lolita culture, this look combines Gyaru with princess-like elements:

Pastel Colors: Use of pastel shades and frills to create a princess-like appearance.
Soft Makeup: Less dramatic than traditional Gyaru, with a focus on cute and feminine features.

9. Lolita Look

Characterized by an innocent and childlike appearance:

Heavy Eye Makeup: Extensive use of eye makeup, including false lashes.
Light Foundation: Foundation lighter than natural skin tone to create a doll-like complexion.

10. Gothic Lolita Look

A darker version of the Lolita look, influenced by punk culture:

Heavy Black Eyeliner: Use of heavy black eyeliner and grey or blue eye shadow.
Toned-Down Cheeks: Less emphasis on cheek color to maintain a dramatic, Gothic appearance.

11. Harajuku Look

Known for its bold and colorful style:

Bright Colors: Use of bright pink, blue, or yellow eye shadow and lip colors.
Glitter and Stickers: Application of glitter and stickers to create a striking, attention-grabbing look.

12. Kimono Look (Oiran Makeup)

Inspired by traditional Japanese Oiran makeup:

White Face Paint: Use of white face paint to create a pale complexion.
Red Powder (Beni): Emphasis on the eyes with red powder to create a dramatic, historical look.

Recommended Beauty Creators for Japanese Makeup Inspiration

For those looking for inspiration and detailed tutorials, here are some popular Japanese beauty creators:

Tsumiki: Known for detailed reviews and comparisons of Japanese and Korean products. Her swatches are highly regarded for their neatness and thoroughness.
Gabby Makeup Lab: Offers honest reviews of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese products. Her channel is particularly helpful for those with darker skin tones.
Miki Kawanishi: A former model turned beauty guru, known for her natural look tutorials and lifestyle content. Her videos often include auto-translation captions.
Alisa: A professional makeup artist and licensed beauty instructor, specializing in almond-doe eye tutorials and hair tutorials.
Kawakita Yusuke: A celebrity makeup artist and hair stylist, focusing on natural, classy looks and his own brand "&be".

These creators provide valuable insights and step-by-step guides that can help you master various Japanese makeup styles.