These makeup styles are no better than one another, just that the 2 cultures have different techniques in applying makeup and emphasize on certain features and differ in desired outcomes, and it's just something I've observed after being keen in Korean makeup and beauty trends which has been rising in popularity over the years, and being mainly exposed to Western makeup tips in magazines previously.
I choose to compare Korean makeup instead of Asian as a whole as they have strong and easily identifiable techniques which originate from them.I came across this YouTuber (Soyoung Beauty Room) that compared the application methods between these two countries a few months back, which allowed me to see the differences even more.
Very often, girls from these two countries try to cross-reference and use the techniques of the other culture and it doesn't really work well. The makeup styles are created for people in that culture itself and what suits their facial characteristics may not match well with another. Like Asian girls who try to create the smokey eye look by following the Western method of shading, applying eyeshadow, end up looking like they have bruised eyes. And on the other hand, for example, a Caucasian who tries to follow the big-eyed look that is evident in many Asian makeup tutorials looks too much like a life-size doll, albeit on the scary side because of her already natural larger eye shape.
These are some of the differences between the two styles, Korean and American.
Feel: Fresh-faced VS Glam
Koreans emphasize largely on preserving youth and fairness, and their makeup often aims to create dewy, soft, baby-like flawless skin. This is also why they are the country which popularized the BB creams, as well as the newer innovation of CC creams throughout the world.
Americans prefer a more glamorous feel and that usually involves bronzed skin on top of makeup with shimmers to exude a classy and sexier feel. Many Americans like tanned skin which gives off a healthy, bronzed holiday goddess kind of look whereas many Asians girls tend to avoid the sun or religiously apply sunblock, and slather whitening and brightening products which are usually the popular lines in Korean skincare brands.
Lines: Soft VS Sharp
Koreans who go through plastic surgery often opt for fat injections into
areas like sunken foreheads, laugh lines and cheekbones to re-create a baby face for a fuller, younger and more impish feel. Jawlines which are too defined or sunken in due to aging causes a more mature look overall. Koreans also utilize contouring products to further create a smaller face shape, the highly sought after V-line shape which is considered a highly desired trait in Asian beauty definitions.
Americans also use contour powders, but rather than softer shapes, they prefer more defined features with sharper cheekbones, with more obvious contrast and strong facial lines as seen on Angelina Jolie and Kim Kardashian.
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| Baby face VS Chiseled cheekbones |
Eyes: Bright VS Volume
I used to always draw my eyeliner either straight out or flicked slightly up at the end, until I came across the initially amusing way that Koreans draw theirs slightly downwards. I realized it actually suited Asian eye shapes well, whether you had single or double eyelids and it gave this more docile, friendly and round-ish eye look. Some may also extend it down and outwards for elongated eyes.
While Asians do use false eyelashes, they are usually done to create slightly lusher lashes and to create larger eyes but overall maintain a clean look, and heavier styles are used for night or special events. Americans are usually seen with heavier eye shadow colors, coupled with their deeper set eyes result in more dramatic eye makeup framed with voluminous mascara.
Lips: Tinge VS Pout
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| Gradient VS Full lips |
The talked-to-death gradient lips is one innovative method of putting on lip products. The lips are given just a tinge of color such as obtained from eating a cherry flavored lollipop, with only the central area of the lips filled. Once again it goes back to promoting youthfulness. I'm really amazed by the observations and creativity of the inventor(s) of this technique, as the pursuit of being young actually leads to discovering the attractiveness of an undefined, naturally colored lip with a innocent and child-like vibe to create a youthful look. Koreans may not have invented this technique, but they definitely popularized it now.
Americans prefer a fuller-lip look, and this is evident in plastic surgeries there where it is one of the more highly requested procedures. Lip liners are usually used to define and mark a clearer lip shape, and are filled in fully with lipsticks or tints, and topped off with lip-gloss for a thick and alluring pout.
I tried experimenting with the two styles.
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| Korean and American makeup styles |
(Should have watermarked them after editing instead of individually >.<)
It may look like comparing lighter and slightly heavier makeup, but the two techniques make subtle changes and give an overall different feel. I honestly felt it weren't going to be to obvious on camera while I was doing the looks. But I realized it did make quite a difference while I was editing and put the pictures side by side. I look slightly younger on the left and more mature on the right?
In the first picture, I had straight brows, eyeshadow, eyeliner drawn downwards and gradient lips. For the second one, I had arched brows, eyeshadow which was blended in the 'triangle' method at the ends which had a slight cat-eye, and filled my lips fully with lip color.
These are the products used to create both styles,which are exactly the same. You know, like in an experiment where you have a 'control' that remains a constant variable so that other factors can be compared, in this case, makeup techniques. (I hope that was correct. I loved language subjects in school and Science was at the other end of the spectrum. LOL)
A different style can be achieved using the same cosmetics you have now merely by changing the way you apply them.
More pictures using "American style" makeup:
From the "Korean style' makeup:
Thanks for reading :)
Have a goood weekend!
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