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What’s Been Up

What’s the watercolour makeup trend—and how to recreate it

By
Radhika
3
min read
Makeup
What’s the watercolour makeup trend—and how to recreate it
What’s Been Up
Makeup

What’s the watercolour makeup trend—and how to recreate it

By
Radhika
By
Radhika
What’s Been Up
Makeup
3
Min read
The soft-girl era is getting a poetic little makeover and we’re here for it
What’s the watercolour makeup trend—and how to recreate it

We've done full glam. We've done no-makeup makeup. We've done blush blindness.  

And now we’re leaning towards soft, sheer washes of colour that carry a sense of whimsy. The watercolour makeup trend offers a fresh middle ground for beauty enthusiasts. It’s more than bare skin, but nowhere near as high-maintenance as a full face of makeup—and its appeal lies in that very sweet spot. It puts the focus on sheer, translucent eyelids, flushed cheeks and lips that look stained rather than painted. If you’ve seen this trend blowing up on your social feed and have been wondering how to make it work for you, you’ve come to the right place.

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Discover the secret to rosy, flushed cheeks with Pixi Beauty’s On-The-Glow Blush. The swipe-on stick will instantly become the best blush in your makeup kit by offering ease of use when travelling or on the go—adios, messy fingers. The creamy formula brings ginseng extracts and aloe vera to the table for a hydrating flush of colour. After applying moisturiser, simply twist the stick up and apply across the apples of your cheeks for a radiant flush.

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What exactly is the watercolour makeup trend?

If you've ever tried your hand at a watercolour painting, you'll know that strong pigment has no place in the process. Colours are always softened to the point of blurring, allowing them to feather into the paper. The watercolour makeup trend works much the same way. Rather than treating your face like a canvas that needs to be concealed and painted over, watercolour makeup relies on lightweight formulas and thin, buildable layers that let your skin peek through. Be it the diffused watercolour eyeshadows or the sheer washes of blush on the cheeks, this trend has a certain light-handedness to it, but it should not be confused with barely there makeup. You can still go for expressive colours, however, the key is to make them look like they've been washed over your face.

How to nail the watercolour makeup look

Before you ask: No, you don’t need to be Monet to get this dreamy look right. In fact, the whole point of the watercolour makeup trend is that it should not look like you worked too hard on it, which is precisely what makes it so appealing right now. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how to get the look, including all the products you’ll need for it.  

Step 1: Get the base right


Hate to break it to you, but a heavy foundation will immediately kill the vibe. Instead, go for a lightweight skin tint or tinted moisturiser that gives you a thin layer of coverage without erasing too much dimension. Spot-conceal only where you need it, then add a little bit of liquid highlighter to the high points of your face.

Tira recommends:


NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Spf 30 Pa+++ - Mykonos
M.A.C Skinfinish Lightstruck Liquid Highlighter - Space Slippers

Step 2: Trade the bright blush for a natural flush


This is the important bit. Choose a liquid or cream blush in a soft pink, peach, berry or coral shade, then tap it onto the apples of your cheeks and blend it upwards with your fingers. Instead of creating a sculpted blush placement, let the colour melt into the skin. You can even dab the excess colour on the bridge of your nose for a sun-kissed effect.

Tira recommends:


Huda Beauty Blush Filter Liquid Blush - Cotton Candy
PIXI On-The-Glow Blush - Fleur

Step 3: Mute the eyeshadows but keep the whimsy


Watercolour eye makeup and precision do not go hand in hand. The idea is to create a blurred effect with hazy edges and tones that seem to bloom into one another instead of being overly shaped. A cream eyeshadow or sheer powder formula works best here, especially in shades like lilac, peach, rose, soft blue or muted gold. Sweep the colour across your eyelids, then use your fingertip to blur the edges so the hue resembles a cloud. If you're feeling artsy, you can even blend a few colours together to resemble a watercolour painting palette.

Tira recommends:


M.A.C Pro Longwear Paint Pot - Babe In Charms
Oulac Cream Color - P04/Shell

Step 4: Keep the lips looking au naturel


A proper matte lip would interrupt the softness of the rest of the look, so keep things easy with a natural-looking lip tint or a glossy balm. Consider using your fingers to apply the tint as that'll diffuse the colour even more. And don't even think about lining your lips—the less precise, the better.

Tira recommends:


Laneige Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum - Peach Glaze
TIRTIR Waterism Glow Melting Balm - 05 Scotch Shot

No items found.

What exactly is the watercolour makeup trend?

If you've ever tried your hand at a watercolour painting, you'll know that strong pigment has no place in the process. Colours are always softened to the point of blurring, allowing them to feather into the paper. The watercolour makeup trend works much the same way. Rather than treating your face like a canvas that needs to be concealed and painted over, watercolour makeup relies on lightweight formulas and thin, buildable layers that let your skin peek through. Be it the diffused watercolour eyeshadows or the sheer washes of blush on the cheeks, this trend has a certain light-handedness to it, but it should not be confused with barely there makeup. You can still go for expressive colours, however, the key is to make them look like they've been washed over your face.

How to nail the watercolour makeup look

Before you ask: No, you don’t need to be Monet to get this dreamy look right. In fact, the whole point of the watercolour makeup trend is that it should not look like you worked too hard on it, which is precisely what makes it so appealing right now. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how to get the look, including all the products you’ll need for it.  

Step 1: Get the base right


Hate to break it to you, but a heavy foundation will immediately kill the vibe. Instead, go for a lightweight skin tint or tinted moisturiser that gives you a thin layer of coverage without erasing too much dimension. Spot-conceal only where you need it, then add a little bit of liquid highlighter to the high points of your face.

Tira recommends:


NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Spf 30 Pa+++ - Mykonos
M.A.C Skinfinish Lightstruck Liquid Highlighter - Space Slippers

Step 2: Trade the bright blush for a natural flush


This is the important bit. Choose a liquid or cream blush in a soft pink, peach, berry or coral shade, then tap it onto the apples of your cheeks and blend it upwards with your fingers. Instead of creating a sculpted blush placement, let the colour melt into the skin. You can even dab the excess colour on the bridge of your nose for a sun-kissed effect.

Tira recommends:


Huda Beauty Blush Filter Liquid Blush - Cotton Candy
PIXI On-The-Glow Blush - Fleur

Step 3: Mute the eyeshadows but keep the whimsy


Watercolour eye makeup and precision do not go hand in hand. The idea is to create a blurred effect with hazy edges and tones that seem to bloom into one another instead of being overly shaped. A cream eyeshadow or sheer powder formula works best here, especially in shades like lilac, peach, rose, soft blue or muted gold. Sweep the colour across your eyelids, then use your fingertip to blur the edges so the hue resembles a cloud. If you're feeling artsy, you can even blend a few colours together to resemble a watercolour painting palette.

Tira recommends:


M.A.C Pro Longwear Paint Pot - Babe In Charms
Oulac Cream Color - P04/Shell

Step 4: Keep the lips looking au naturel


A proper matte lip would interrupt the softness of the rest of the look, so keep things easy with a natural-looking lip tint or a glossy balm. Consider using your fingers to apply the tint as that'll diffuse the colour even more. And don't even think about lining your lips—the less precise, the better.

Tira recommends:


Laneige Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum - Peach Glaze
TIRTIR Waterism Glow Melting Balm - 05 Scotch Shot

No items found.

No items found.
About

What exactly is the watercolour makeup trend?

If you've ever tried your hand at a watercolour painting, you'll know that strong pigment has no place in the process. Colours are always softened to the point of blurring, allowing them to feather into the paper. The watercolour makeup trend works much the same way. Rather than treating your face like a canvas that needs to be concealed and painted over, watercolour makeup relies on lightweight formulas and thin, buildable layers that let your skin peek through. Be it the diffused watercolour eyeshadows or the sheer washes of blush on the cheeks, this trend has a certain light-handedness to it, but it should not be confused with barely there makeup. You can still go for expressive colours, however, the key is to make them look like they've been washed over your face.

How to nail the watercolour makeup look

Before you ask: No, you don’t need to be Monet to get this dreamy look right. In fact, the whole point of the watercolour makeup trend is that it should not look like you worked too hard on it, which is precisely what makes it so appealing right now. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how to get the look, including all the products you’ll need for it.  

Step 1: Get the base right


Hate to break it to you, but a heavy foundation will immediately kill the vibe. Instead, go for a lightweight skin tint or tinted moisturiser that gives you a thin layer of coverage without erasing too much dimension. Spot-conceal only where you need it, then add a little bit of liquid highlighter to the high points of your face.

Tira recommends:


NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Spf 30 Pa+++ - Mykonos
M.A.C Skinfinish Lightstruck Liquid Highlighter - Space Slippers

Step 2: Trade the bright blush for a natural flush


This is the important bit. Choose a liquid or cream blush in a soft pink, peach, berry or coral shade, then tap it onto the apples of your cheeks and blend it upwards with your fingers. Instead of creating a sculpted blush placement, let the colour melt into the skin. You can even dab the excess colour on the bridge of your nose for a sun-kissed effect.

Tira recommends:


Huda Beauty Blush Filter Liquid Blush - Cotton Candy
PIXI On-The-Glow Blush - Fleur

Step 3: Mute the eyeshadows but keep the whimsy


Watercolour eye makeup and precision do not go hand in hand. The idea is to create a blurred effect with hazy edges and tones that seem to bloom into one another instead of being overly shaped. A cream eyeshadow or sheer powder formula works best here, especially in shades like lilac, peach, rose, soft blue or muted gold. Sweep the colour across your eyelids, then use your fingertip to blur the edges so the hue resembles a cloud. If you're feeling artsy, you can even blend a few colours together to resemble a watercolour painting palette.

Tira recommends:


M.A.C Pro Longwear Paint Pot - Babe In Charms
Oulac Cream Color - P04/Shell

Step 4: Keep the lips looking au naturel


A proper matte lip would interrupt the softness of the rest of the look, so keep things easy with a natural-looking lip tint or a glossy balm. Consider using your fingers to apply the tint as that'll diffuse the colour even more. And don't even think about lining your lips—the less precise, the better.

Tira recommends:


Laneige Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum - Peach Glaze
TIRTIR Waterism Glow Melting Balm - 05 Scotch Shot

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Spf 30 Pa+++ - Mykonos (50 ml)
NARS
1184309
Know More
M.A.C Skinfinish Lightstruck Liquid Highlighter - Space Slippers (15 ml)
M.A.C
1182396
Know More
Huda Beauty Blush Filter Liquid Blush - Cotton Candy (4.5 ml)
Huda Beauty
1147721
Know More
PIXI On-The-Glow Blush - Fleur (19 g)
PIXI
1140348
Know More
M.A.C Pro Longwear Paint Pot - Babe In Charms (5 g)
M.A.C
1153601
Know More
Oulac Cream Color - P04/Shell (6 g)
Oulac
1166295
Know More
Laneige Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum - Peach Glaze (12 g)
Laneige
1172359
Know More
TIRTIR Waterism Glow Melting Balm - 05 Scotch Shot (3.3 g)
TIRTIR
1184602
Know More

What exactly is the watercolour makeup trend?

If you've ever tried your hand at a watercolour painting, you'll know that strong pigment has no place in the process. Colours are always softened to the point of blurring, allowing them to feather into the paper. The watercolour makeup trend works much the same way. Rather than treating your face like a canvas that needs to be concealed and painted over, watercolour makeup relies on lightweight formulas and thin, buildable layers that let your skin peek through. Be it the diffused watercolour eyeshadows or the sheer washes of blush on the cheeks, this trend has a certain light-handedness to it, but it should not be confused with barely there makeup. You can still go for expressive colours, however, the key is to make them look like they've been washed over your face.

How to nail the watercolour makeup look

Before you ask: No, you don’t need to be Monet to get this dreamy look right. In fact, the whole point of the watercolour makeup trend is that it should not look like you worked too hard on it, which is precisely what makes it so appealing right now. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how to get the look, including all the products you’ll need for it.  

Step 1: Get the base right


Hate to break it to you, but a heavy foundation will immediately kill the vibe. Instead, go for a lightweight skin tint or tinted moisturiser that gives you a thin layer of coverage without erasing too much dimension. Spot-conceal only where you need it, then add a little bit of liquid highlighter to the high points of your face.

Tira recommends:


NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Spf 30 Pa+++ - Mykonos
M.A.C Skinfinish Lightstruck Liquid Highlighter - Space Slippers

Step 2: Trade the bright blush for a natural flush


This is the important bit. Choose a liquid or cream blush in a soft pink, peach, berry or coral shade, then tap it onto the apples of your cheeks and blend it upwards with your fingers. Instead of creating a sculpted blush placement, let the colour melt into the skin. You can even dab the excess colour on the bridge of your nose for a sun-kissed effect.

Tira recommends:


Huda Beauty Blush Filter Liquid Blush - Cotton Candy
PIXI On-The-Glow Blush - Fleur

Step 3: Mute the eyeshadows but keep the whimsy


Watercolour eye makeup and precision do not go hand in hand. The idea is to create a blurred effect with hazy edges and tones that seem to bloom into one another instead of being overly shaped. A cream eyeshadow or sheer powder formula works best here, especially in shades like lilac, peach, rose, soft blue or muted gold. Sweep the colour across your eyelids, then use your fingertip to blur the edges so the hue resembles a cloud. If you're feeling artsy, you can even blend a few colours together to resemble a watercolour painting palette.

Tira recommends:


M.A.C Pro Longwear Paint Pot - Babe In Charms
Oulac Cream Color - P04/Shell

Step 4: Keep the lips looking au naturel


A proper matte lip would interrupt the softness of the rest of the look, so keep things easy with a natural-looking lip tint or a glossy balm. Consider using your fingers to apply the tint as that'll diffuse the colour even more. And don't even think about lining your lips—the less precise, the better.

Tira recommends:


Laneige Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum - Peach Glaze
TIRTIR Waterism Glow Melting Balm - 05 Scotch Shot

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