Since I just did some experimenting with gal (gyaru) makeup styles, I thought I would talk about my usual go-to makeup look, which takes inspiration from 00’s J-pop idols and Japanese fashion magazines. I like to keep my makeup light and simple but shimmery – a casual idol princess look. I’m not an expert, but I’ve tried a lot of things over the years and have settled on some favorites.
Here’s what I use (contains Amazon affiliate links):
Foundation and Concealer:
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector Tinted Moisturizer + Neutrogena Hydro Boost Concealer Stick + MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation. I don’t usually use primer, but if I know I’ll be taking a lot of photos, I use Benefit POREfessional Primer. I used to use full coverage liquid foundation all the time, but as I’ve gotten older with fewer blemishes, it’s starting to feel too heavy for day-to-day wear. These days, I keep it light with tinted moisturizer and use concealer if I have any problem areas. If I feel like I need full coverage (and when I’m wearing Lolita or cosplay), I’ll use Estee Lauder Double Wear. Finishing with powder is essential for me, since I have oily skin, and MAC’s Studio Fix Powder has good coverage too.
I feel I should mention here, years ago I tried bareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation (with their Mineral Veil) and was amazed by how good it made my skin look. I was actually getting compliments on my complexion from strangers, which was baffling to me as someone with eczema and acne-prone skin. However, because this foundation is slightly shimmery, I found that it does not photograph well, particularly with flash. Unfortunately, the shimmer is also what makes it look so good, so when the matte version of the foundation was released, I was unimpressed. Since I don’t normally wear makeup unless I’m dressing up (and often taking photos), the bareMinerals sadly just did not fit into my routine, as much as I loved it. I would definitely recommend trying it if you wear makeup every day, though.
Contour and Highlight:
Anastasia Contour Stick in Shadow and a matte powder foundation for highlight. Occasionally I will contour my cheeks and temples a bit, but mostly I use it on my chin. I have bad chin genetics, and now that I’m 40+ and everything has started to droop, this has become an essential step in my routine (hah). I’m currently using a powder foundation in the lightest color as a matte highlighter, but if I want a little bit of shimmer, I use NYX Jumbo Multi-Use Face Highlighter Stick. I did try NYX Wonder Stick, which seemed like it would be really convenient, but it was too oily for my skin and slid right off.
Blush:
Bourjois Paris Blush in Rose d’Or. ULTA used to carry this brand a long time ago, but I don’t think it’s sold in the US any more. I have this blush in a couple colors, as well as a backup of Rose d’Or. I also have a bunch of the old NYX blushes, but I’m allergic to their new ones. If I needed new blushes, I would go for MAC Mineralize Blush (I have one and it’s SO pretty). I also use MAC’s Extra Dimension Blush and Extra Dimension Skinfinish if I want shimmery highlights.
Eyeshadow:
Urban Decay Primer Potion + Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Sin (metallic light peach), Roach (metallic warm brown), and Zephyr (white frost). Again, as someone with oily skin, I find it essential to start with the Primer Potion. This really helps the eyeshadow to stay put and last all day. Urban Decay eyeshadows are my favorite. I have a lot of their old single shadows, including bright colors, but tend to use warm or pinkish beiges and browns for most days. Depending on my outfit, I’ll add a bit of burgundy, gold, bronze, or light blue. I also use shimmery white eyeshadow for highlighting the inner eye, which is a very 00’s J-pop idol look (NYX Jumbo Multi-Use Face Highlighter Stick in Vanilla Ice Cream is good for this, too).
I’m not a palette person, but if I had to recommend one all-purpose palette, it would be the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette. It has a nice range of rosy neutrals, perfect for pink princess and J-fashion looks. I got this palette when it was first released and loved it, but just didn’t use it because I have everything I need in singles. I do have the Naked Mini Sin Palette, though, which I find convenient for traveling. Naked Mini Foxy looks great if you like earthy tones (like for mori girl or Classic Lolita), and Naked Mini Half Baked has nice golden colors. There’s also a Naked 3 Mini Palette if the full size one is too much. Naked 2 is cool toned but all matte, and the idol princess in me is just not into matte eyeshadow. For cool tones, I like Lancome Drama Hypnose Eyeshadow Palette in Taupe Craze.
Eyeliner:
NYX Epic Ink Liner in Black + UD Bourbon + UD Faux Doe. NYX’s liquid liner goes on smooth and solid, lasts well, and also comes in browns for a softer look (particularly for if you have light-colored hair). I used to use Dolly Wink’s liquid liner, but the new version is not as good. I also tried Heroine Make and K-Palette 1Day Tattoo (popular Japanese eyeliners), but I liked NYX the best. On the lower lash line, I use the brown eyeliner at the outer edge and then the shimmery beige starting at the inner eye and blending outward into the brown. Sometimes I use UD Wild Side instead of beige if I want more color.
On more casual days, I actually like to use pencil eyeliner for the top as well. Smoky eyes were popular in the 00’s when I was learning makeup, so a lot of times I find myself still defaulting to Lancome Le Crayon Khol. I do love thick, dark eyeliner. If I’m wearing blue, I like to use Lancome Drama Liqui-Pencil in Parisian Night (metallic navy).
Glitter:
MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Diamond Powder. It’s a super fine loose glitter. Sephora used to carry this, but now I think you have to order it online. I have all the colors, and they’re all amazing, but I use white gold the most. I use it on my eyelids and temples. There is almost never an occasion where I would wear makeup and glitter would not be appropriate, so I use it pretty much every time (kawaii idol princess for life). It’s subtle enough for casual looks – so subtle, that as you can see, it didn’t photograph at all. Trust me that it’s there. It’s very sparkly. If you don’t like loose glitter (it can be messy), Urban Decay Moondust Glitter Eyeshadow in Cosmic is also great. Space Cowboy is their super popular viral shade, but it has an orangey beige base color that I’m not a huge fan of (I only own this color because my sister gave it to me, but I do use it). Cosmic has a sheer base, so it’s better for layering. If you like liquid formulas, Stila Glitter Liquid Eye Shadow in Perlina in amazing. Photos do it no justice, it’s actually a multi-color glitter. Speaking of Stila, I heard their Heaven’s Dew All Over Glimmer in Silverlake is really good, but I haven’t tried it myself.
Eyebrows:
I use a dark taupe matte eyeshadow (currently an old NYX one) for filling in my brows. I have very fine hair and don’t do much with my brows, just tweezing strays and filling them in.
Eyelashes:
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler + Lancome Cils Booster XL Primer + Definicils Mascara. I almost forgot to include the eyelash curler, but it’s part of my routine, so there it is. When I was getting into makeup, people said it was the best, and it worked for me, so I haven’t thought about it since. I haven’t even needed to replace the pad in the 20 years I’ve been using it. My lashes are long and fine, though, so I imagine they’re easy to work with. I tried the Lancome combo of mascaras because I would get them as a free gift with Lancome purchase at Macy’s, but I just keep coming back to them. They go on so smoothly! The travel size mascaras are the best deal, which works out because mascaras should be replaced often anyway. I have heard people say that any mascara looks great over the Lancome Cils Booster. I did a lot of experimenting with various mascaras, with primer and without, and my conclusion is that using the Lancome primer has the same effect as using two coats of mascara, but less clumpy. It’s a subtle but definite difference. L’Oreal Voluminous Primer is an inexpensive alternative and works well, too. As for mascara, Lancome Definicils gives a nice clean look but doesn’t give much volume. I tried Lancome’s Monsieur Big and Hypnose Drama mascaras, and while they did make my lashes look fuller, they were also very clumpy. I guess it’s up to individual preference whether it’s worth it, but my feeling is that I might as well use fake lashes instead. I’ve also tried a lot of different drug store brand mascaras, and nothing really stood out. Maybe next time I’ll try L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara along with the primer and see if it makes some kind of magical combination.
I don’t usually wear fake lashes outside of Lolita or Cosplay, but when I do, I use Ardell 102 lashes, because they’re more natural looking than my other lashes. I’ve tried a lot of lash glues, and D-UP 501 Rubber Type is my favorite. It dries fast and strong and lasts all day. It can actually be a little hard to remove, so be gentle. Rubber Type dries flexible, which I find less irritating. A friend recently gave me DUO’s new Quick-Set glue, and that one seems good too. When I use lashes, I skip mascara entirely.
Lips:
MAC Angel. I think this is the only lipstick color I’ve ever completely used up and repurchased. It’s the perfect soft girly pink, and I find myself reaching for this color by far the most. I have a lot of MAC lipsticks in frost, matte, and satin finishes. The funny thing is, when I first tried the matte lipstick, I hated it because it felt dry. Then I realized how well it lasts and photographs, so now I love it. It’s my go-to if I need a bright color. Mostly though, I like to wear very light colors. I’m not sure why, because people tell me my full lips are perfect for bright colors. I’m also not a huge fan of the liquid lip colors that are popular right now. I did try Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink after seeing good reviews. The texture is very smooth and it really does last all day, but most of the colors are too bright or dark for my tastes. I also just can’t get into the sheer bright lip colors that are currently popular in Asia. Frost lipstick and glitter lip gloss in light pink or peach will always be my favorites.
I didn’t use lip gloss this time, but I often layer sparkly gloss over my lipstick. MAC Dazzleglass is my favorite, and I was devastated when it was discontinued. Again, I was put off by the sticky texture at first, but I think that’s what makes it last so well and look so good. The glitter is so pretty, and I would get lots of compliments in public. MAC still sells their regular Lipglass, and I’ve heard that some people like to mix MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Diamond Powder into it (and I have plenty of that). I also just tried Focallure Shimmery Tinted Lip Balm in Sour Sugar (gold glitter) and Guest From Sky (blue glitter), which aren’t gloss, but I love the sparkle and moisturizing texture.
I used to have a ton of NYX lipsticks and lip glosses (they were SO good and had so many great colors), but they’ve been discontinued and I’ve had to throw a lot of them out by now. I found their new matte lipstick and liquid lip color too dry, and their Butter Gloss too sheer and oily. NYX Butter Gloss Bling caught my eye though, and while none of the colors really wowed me, this seems like a decent glitter gloss option. (NYX, please bring back Shimmer Down!) I also have some really pretty Lancome lipsticks and glosses, but they keep changing their colors, so I stick to MAC these days.
I usually only use lip liner for bright colors. I like NYX Mechanical Lip Liner Pencil because it doesn’t need to be sharpened.
Setting Spray:
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray. I don’t usually use setting spray, but I have friends who use this one and say it really makes makeup last longer, so I decided to give it a try. It seems to work better than the other ones I’ve tried. With my oily skin, I usually set my makeup with loose powder like Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. However, for heavy makeup days, like cosplay, Lolita, and idol performances, I could definitely use the extra staying power.
And Finally… Makeup Remover:
Removing your makeup thoroughly at the end of the day is important for keeping your skin healthy! I use Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover, but Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover is a good less expensive alternative. I usually shower at the end of the day, but I find that face wash alone is not enough to get everything off, even in the shower, so I use makeup remover first. If I don’t shower, I use Garnier Micellar Water after the makeup remover to clear off any residue. I’ve heard Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water is the best and specifically formulated not to irritate skin, but I haven’t tried it, and the Garnier one is popular, too. I try not to use makeup wipes very often because they can be irritating, but I find Almay Biodegradable Makeup Remover Pads and Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes convenient for traveling.
I just got a set of MakeUp Eraser microfiber cloths to see if they’ll help get my face clean without so much scrubbing. I actually learned about this brand because they did some Hello Kitty and Sanrio designs, but I didn’t quite like the colors. I’m not sure how I feel about smearing dirt and makeup all over Hello Kitty, anyway (but you know I’m a sucker and if they come out with a pink set, I will probably get it).
If I had to stick to one makeup brand, it would probably be either Lancome or MAC. Lancome is high quality but not the most exciting, and MAC is good with excellent color selections and amazing glitters. Twenty years ago, I probably would’ve said NYX, but they’ve discontinued most of their great staples (like the Twin Cake powder foundation, their original blushes and lip glosses, the Round Lipstick, the single eyeshadows, the trio eyeshadow palettes, and the glitter eyeliner). It’s a good thing I don’t have to choose just one brand, though, as I’ve tried a lot of things and now have a carefully curated collection of favorites.