Kawaii makeup is all about achieving a soft, cute, and youthful look that highlights your natural beauty with playful and pastel colors. Inspired by Japanese culture, this makeup style emphasizes big eyes, rosy cheeks, and soft lips, creating a dreamy, doll-like appearance. Whether you’re going for a full-on kawaii transformation or just want to incorporate some cute elements into your everyday makeup, YouTube has a wealth of tutorials to help you get the perfect look.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the key elements of kawaii makeup and link to helpful YouTube videos that show you how to master each step.
Step 1: Prep Your Skin for a Soft, Dewy Base
The foundation of any great makeup look starts with skincare. For kawaii makeup, you’ll want a soft, glowing complexion. To achieve this, begin with a hydrating primer to create a smooth canvas for your makeup. Then, apply a lightweight foundation or BB cream that offers a natural finish—nothing too heavy, as the goal is to keep your skin looking fresh and dewy.
If you’re looking for a more youthful look, try using a brightening concealer to cover any dark circles, and set everything with a light dusting of translucent powder to keep your makeup in place.
YouTube Tutorial:
How to Get a Dewy Glowing Skin for Kawaii Makeup
This tutorial will teach you how to prep your skin with the perfect dewy glow, setting a flawless base for your kawaii look.
Step 2: Create Big, Doll-Like Eyes
One of the most iconic elements of kawaii makeup is the focus on creating large, bright eyes. To make your eyes appear bigger and more expressive, follow these steps:
- Eyeshadow: Use soft pastels like pink, peach, or lavender. A simple wash of pastel eyeshadow will give your eyes that soft, innocent look that defines kawaii makeup.
- Eyeliner: Keep the eyeliner thin and delicate along the upper lash line, or create a subtle wing to enhance your eyes. Some kawaii looks use double wings for extra cuteness.
- Mascara & False Lashes: Use volumizing mascara to add length and volume to your lashes. For a more dramatic effect, you can apply falsies with fluttery, doll-like ends that make your eyes appear even bigger.
YouTube Tutorial:
Kawaii Eye Makeup Tutorial for Big Eyes
This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to create that wide-eyed look with easy techniques for eyeshadow, eyeliner, and lashes.
Step 3: Rosy Cheeks for a Youthful Glow
Kawaii makeup is all about that natural, youthful appearance, and nothing says cute like a healthy flush of color on your cheeks. Use a rosy or peach blush and apply it generously to the apples of your cheeks, blending it upwards towards your temples for a soft, natural look. For a truly kawaii effect, try applying a little blush to the tip of your nose for an added "flushed" appearance.
YouTube Tutorial:
How to Apply Kawaii Blush for a Natural, Rosy Look
In this video, the creator demonstrates how to apply blush to create a cute, rosy-cheeked appearance that fits the kawaii aesthetic.
Step 4: Soft Lips with a Gradient Effect
Kawaii lips are often soft and youthful. Opt for soft pinks or peachy nudes. One of the most popular lip trends in kawaii makeup is the gradient lip, where the inner part of the lips is a darker color that gradually fades into a lighter shade at the edges. This technique makes your lips appear fuller and adds a touch of sweetness to your overall look.
YouTube Tutorial:
How to Create a Kawaii Gradient Lip
This tutorial shows you how to achieve the perfect gradient lip using a combination of lip tints and gloss for that soft, doll-like finish.
Step 5: Add Extra Kawaii Accessories
Once your makeup is complete, it’s time to elevate your kawaii look with some cute accessories! Think pastel-colored hair clips, bows, cute headbands, or even Hello Kitty-themed items. These accessories help to enhance the playful, youthful nature of the kawaii style.
YouTube Tutorial:
Kawaii Makeup and Hair Accessories Haul
This video gives you some great ideas for accessories that will complement your kawaii makeup and help you create a fully cohesive look.
Step 6: Final Touches—Setting and Shining
To make sure your kawaii makeup stays in place all day, set everything with a setting spray. Look for a product that gives you a soft, natural finish to maintain that dewy glow without making your makeup look too matte. A quick spritz will also give your skin that fresh, hydrated finish that’s a key part of the kawaii aesthetic.
YouTube Tutorial:
How to Keep Your Kawaii Makeup Fresh All Day
This tutorial explains how to set your makeup in a way that enhances your dewy, kawaii look while ensuring it lasts all day.
Final Thoughts
Kawaii makeup is all about embracing cuteness and creativity. With soft pastel tones, big eyes, rosy cheeks, and gradient lips, you can easily achieve a dreamy, youthful look that’s perfect for any occasion. YouTube offers an endless array of tutorials that will guide you through each step, from flawless skin prep to the perfect gradient lip.
So, grab your makeup tools, check out these tutorials, and start experimenting with your kawaii transformation. Whether you’re going for a full kawaii makeup look or just want to add a little cuteness to your routine, YouTube has everything you need to help you create the perfect kawaii style.
Ready to get started?
Check out the tutorials linked above, and don't forget to have fun with your makeup! Embrace the cuteness, and let your inner kawaii shine through!