Image: Laneige
I don’t know about you, but I’m always been all about “mermaid” complexion – the goal is skin with a sexy sheen, as if you’ve just swam a few laps and emerged on the edge of a Siloso beach rockpool. (My foes might say I’m more of an Ursula than Ariel, but heed not those haters!)
The perfect pairing for your moist mermaid-ey mien? Why, “Korean mermaid” eyeliner, natch. Spotted on starlets like Lee Sung Kyung as well as Instagram ulzzangs both legit and aspiring alike, this absolutely adorable micro-trend is essentially a subtle spin on the conventional cat-eye.
How so? Well, for starters, the feline flick has shrunk to a tadpole-like tail that ends a literal hair’s breadth beyond your lash line, which is then smoked out to provide depth and dimension. The overall effect? K-Beauty at its most cutesy and captivating
Daunted by the difficulty involved? Don’t be. A subtly smudged glimmer on the outer rim of your lids adds an alluring gloss to your entire ensemble, and is embarrassingly easy to execute for both beauty buffs and beginners alike. Here’s how to nail this truly “eye-conic” look for yourself.
Want more? Check out my hot hacks for layering on liquid lipstick to nail a plump Kylie-esque pout, as well as my guide to instantly erasing eye fatigue and perking up your peepers. For your daily dose of beauty, head over to www.herworldplus.com/beauty.
What instruments do you need? Just three: A gel or felt eyeliner, a dual-shade shadow palette and an angled brush. Super simple!
First, lay down the base by buffing in a taupey shadow all over your upper lids to diminish discolourations, then ratchet up the drama by tapping a high-wattage shimmer right smack in the centre of your lids. The flirty flash of metallic when you lower your gaze is incredibly fetching indeed.
Next, swirl your brush with a beguiling bronze and blend at the outer edge of into the socket. Finish by using a small domed brush to buff and blur – this delicate diffusion of colour creates a soft wash that’s very Korean (and office-friendly!) indeed.
Try: Lunasol Nuance Eyes in Nude Beige and Mauve Pink, $58 each at Kanebo Singapore counters.
Want more? Check out my hot hacks for layering on liquid lipstick to nail a plump Kylie-esque pout, as well as my guide to instantly erasing eye fatigue and perking up your peepers. For your daily dose of beauty, head over to www.herworldplus.com/beauty.
Now for the liner proper .Felt tips are terrific for thinning out your swoosh – we’re not gunning for an exuberant Nike logo tick here.
Big bonus: Felt tips are also great for greasy lids because the polymers in most formulas bind to your skin like a temporary tattoo – making them a top choice for creating that charming “mermaid-tail” tick.
Try: Laneige Edge Drawing Eyeliner Pen, $29.
Want more? Check out my hot hacks for layering on liquid lipstick to nail a plump Kylie-esque pout, as well as my guide to instantly erasing eye fatigue and perking up your peepers. For your daily dose of beauty, head over to www.herworldplus.com/beauty.
First, rest the tip of your felt liner – if you’re using a gel, dip it in a stiff angled brush – and start about two-thirds the way in from the outer corners to trace out the outer wing. Restraint is of the essence here. No wild wings, please – try to stop lining at the farthest end of your natural lash line.
After you’ve reached the tail end of your line, work backwards to the inner eye again to thicken the line, gently sweeping your pencil nub in a windscreen wiping motion. The jaunty tick at the outer edges gives downturned single-lidded eyes a beguiling Botox-like lift.
Try: Make Up For Ever 260 Bent Eyeliner Brush, $42 from Sephora Singapore.
Want more? Check out my hot hacks for layering on liquid lipstick to nail a plump Kylie-esque pout, as well as my guide to instantly erasing eye fatigue and perking up your peepers. For your daily dose of beauty, head over to www.herworldplus.com/beauty.
Image: Laneige
In keeping with the K-Beauty vibe of this look, stick to a clean canvas for a super minimalist and ultra Ulzzang take: Just a kiss of nude blusher, maybe a little mascara, a slick of gloss on the lips. The beauty is in the perfect little imperfections – hair that’s mussed up and not too “done”, lips that don’t appear lacquered on. Elegant, easy to pull off, and very “visionary”, in all senses of the word.
Right, then. Try this look out for a beachside date with your beau – and speaking of beaches, I trust this mermaid makeup trend will of use to fellow aspiring Ariels. Click play on the blow-by-blow tutorial below if you’re more of a visual learner, and good luck getting your fishy face on!
Want more? Check out my hot hacks for layering on liquid lipstick to nail a plump Kylie-esque pout, as well as my guide to instantly erasing eye fatigue and perking up your peepers. For your daily dose of beauty, head over to www.herworldplus.com/beauty.