By Megan Willett, INSIDER
A good red lip, a quality mascara, and a great concealer seem to be on-trend no matter where you live. But certain beauty looks have been taking off in some areas of the globe more than others.
[post_ads]INSIDER reached out to senior makeup artists with MAC Cosmetics - which has stores around the world, including in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, United Arab Emirates, France, India, Brazil, and Mexico - to see what kind of trends they're spotting in their home countries. We asked them about the top makeup trends, styles, and products.
Keep reading to see their responses, and how to do your makeup like a local around the world.
1.
In the US, intense color and big lashes are key.
In the US, intense color and big lashes are key.
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"It's been great to see an emergence of color being requested. I've been using so much more color on the eyes with navy and deep plum eyeliners," Ashley Rudder , a MAC senior artist in the US, told INSIDER. "Color on the lips has been a hit as well … specifically, bold matte lip shades in red, orange, burgundy, and eggplant have all been strong requests as well."
Another major trend she's seeing? Big, beautiful lashes.
"This look is achieved with lots of mascara, and possibly with the addition of false lashes everywhere," she said. "I think it's pretty smart since it's one of the easiest ways to dress up your eyes with minimal effort. Plus, it looks great with any lip shade from nude to deep plum."
To get the look, Rudder recommends MAC's Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash in 3D Black : "This mascara creates deep ebony lashes that are voluminous and crazy long. It basically creates a lash wig, since it has tiny fibers that weave in between your lashes to create a gorgeous glamazon lash!"
Another major trend she's seeing? Big, beautiful lashes.
"This look is achieved with lots of mascara, and possibly with the addition of false lashes everywhere," she said. "I think it's pretty smart since it's one of the easiest ways to dress up your eyes with minimal effort. Plus, it looks great with any lip shade from nude to deep plum."
To get the look, Rudder recommends MAC's Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash in 3D Black : "This mascara creates deep ebony lashes that are voluminous and crazy long. It basically creates a lash wig, since it has tiny fibers that weave in between your lashes to create a gorgeous glamazon lash!"
2.
In Brazil, people go for a natural look, with matte lips.
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| MAC Senior Artist Fabiana Gomes. Fabiana Gomes/Instagram |
Fabiana Gomes , a MAC senior artist based in Brazil, said that Brazilian women love an opaque or matte finish for the lips (her favorite is MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo ), as well as the "no makeup" look.
"Brazilian makeup culture was and still is based on a natural look," she told INSIDER. "In past years, the bold lip statement style took over Brazilian's woman faces, paired with natural and effortless skin and eyes."
And just like women the world over, the perfect makeup is tied to what's cool on social media.
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"With constant posts on social media related to makeup, I am seeing an increasing interest in learning how to achieve certain looks on their own," Gomes said. "It's very interesting that we are transitioning into a mindset that is more about learning how to do the look and getting the perfect selfie."
"Brazilian makeup culture was and still is based on a natural look," she told INSIDER. "In past years, the bold lip statement style took over Brazilian's woman faces, paired with natural and effortless skin and eyes."
And just like women the world over, the perfect makeup is tied to what's cool on social media.
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"With constant posts on social media related to makeup, I am seeing an increasing interest in learning how to achieve certain looks on their own," Gomes said. "It's very interesting that we are transitioning into a mindset that is more about learning how to do the look and getting the perfect selfie."
3.
Canadians love their bold brows and matte lips.
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| MAC Senior Artist Melissa Gibson (right) with MAC Senior Artist Cynthia. Melissa Gibson/Instagram |
In Canada, women are leading with their brows - whether those brows are bold and wild or bleached and barely there.
"Both [looks are] striking and pair well with the second major trend of strong, matte lips," Melissa Gibson , a MAC senior artist in Canada, told INSIDER. "Beige nudes and deep reds are making an appearance simultaneously."
If you're trying to tame your brows, Gibson recommends MAC Brow Set in Clear : "The ultimate gel based formula to control the brow and keep it in place without flaking or becoming stiff but still leaving a slight shine. Great for lashes as well!"
"Both [looks are] striking and pair well with the second major trend of strong, matte lips," Melissa Gibson , a MAC senior artist in Canada, told INSIDER. "Beige nudes and deep reds are making an appearance simultaneously."
If you're trying to tame your brows, Gibson recommends MAC Brow Set in Clear : "The ultimate gel based formula to control the brow and keep it in place without flaking or becoming stiff but still leaving a slight shine. Great for lashes as well!"
4.
People in the UK love natural-looking contouring and highlighting.
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| MAC Senior Artist Rachel O'Donnel (right). Rachel O'Donnel/Instagram |
"In the UK, contour and highlighting is still the most requested from clients," Rachel O'Donnel , a MAC senior artist in the UK, told INSIDER, adding, "but it's becoming more of a natural enhancement rather than a dramatic change that consumers desire."
In other words, makeup in the UK is becoming less costume-y and more a way to bring out your natural beauty.
"Makeup is becoming more real again, less artificial looking but more enhanced," O'Donnell said. "Skin is looking plump and fresh, lips are full and brows are always groomed and filled."
For the natural look, O'Donnell said people are reaching for opaque, long-wearing lipsticks, like this MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolor as well as lightweight foundations like the MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation .
In other words, makeup in the UK is becoming less costume-y and more a way to bring out your natural beauty.
"Makeup is becoming more real again, less artificial looking but more enhanced," O'Donnell said. "Skin is looking plump and fresh, lips are full and brows are always groomed and filled."
For the natural look, O'Donnell said people are reaching for opaque, long-wearing lipsticks, like this MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolor as well as lightweight foundations like the MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation .
5.
People in India wear bold makeup looks like smoky eyes, winged eye liner, and bright lips.
People in India wear bold makeup looks like smoky eyes, winged eye liner, and bright lips.
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Lots of makeup mavens in India are taking their inspiration straight from social media.
"Clients usually show various references from social media of what they are looking to achieve," Sonic Sarwate , a MAC senior artist in India, explained to INSIDER. "Bold makeup looks like smoky eyes, winged eye liner, contouring, highlighting, bright and bold lips are the most popular trending looks today."
Some big trends include smoky eyes with glitter and bright lip colors, especially if it's a strong red lip (Sarwate likes MAC Lipsticks in Ruby Woo , All Fired Up , and Feel So Grand ) or a metallic pout.
"Reflective lips are becoming something more frequently requested," Sarwate said. "Clients want to try something different and new. There's definitely more awareness and willingness to wear more makeup as compared to past few years, and I think social media plays a major role in that."
"Clients usually show various references from social media of what they are looking to achieve," Sonic Sarwate , a MAC senior artist in India, explained to INSIDER. "Bold makeup looks like smoky eyes, winged eye liner, contouring, highlighting, bright and bold lips are the most popular trending looks today."
Some big trends include smoky eyes with glitter and bright lip colors, especially if it's a strong red lip (Sarwate likes MAC Lipsticks in Ruby Woo , All Fired Up , and Feel So Grand ) or a metallic pout.
"Reflective lips are becoming something more frequently requested," Sarwate said. "Clients want to try something different and new. There's definitely more awareness and willingness to wear more makeup as compared to past few years, and I think social media plays a major role in that."
6.
Australians tend to gravitate toward practical long-wearing, sweat-resistant products.
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| MAC Senior Artist Carol Mackie (left) giving a presentation. Carol Mackie/Instagram |
Carol Mackie , a MAC senior artist in Australia, says that trends are still heavily based around social media and celebrities, whether it's muted matte lips, highlighting, or glamorous eye makeup.
But the way Australians wear the trends can differ by region.
"The northern section of Australia has a more tropical influenced climate, hot and humid in the summer, and quite warm and dry in the winter, while the southern parts are cooler with mild summers and cool, sometimes rainy winters, which means trends in foundation selection change," Mackie explained to INSIDER.
She says across Australia, she's seen MAC clients gravitate towards long-wearing, sweat-resistant products, and said the most popular product is MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation .
But the way Australians wear the trends can differ by region.
"The northern section of Australia has a more tropical influenced climate, hot and humid in the summer, and quite warm and dry in the winter, while the southern parts are cooler with mild summers and cool, sometimes rainy winters, which means trends in foundation selection change," Mackie explained to INSIDER.
She says across Australia, she's seen MAC clients gravitate towards long-wearing, sweat-resistant products, and said the most popular product is MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation .
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7.
7.
In the United Arab Emirates, strong brows and lashes are popular, even for "no makeup" looks.
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"The Middle Eastern woman is globally renowned for her dramatic makeup," Vimi Joshi , a MAC senior artist based out of the United Arab Emirates, told INSIDER. "The women in this region love experimenting with beauty trends and are very social media savvy in achieving the latest looks."
That even applies for "natural" or "no makeup" looks that Joshi says still rely heavily on makeup.
"The current trend that most women are requesting is the 'no makeup' trend which translates to the 'no makeup full coverage' look complemented by strong brows and nude lips, lots of mascara and soft nude eye makeup," Joshi explained. To achieve the look, she recommends M AC 4 Lash and MAC Brow Set in Deep Dark .
That even applies for "natural" or "no makeup" looks that Joshi says still rely heavily on makeup.
"The current trend that most women are requesting is the 'no makeup' trend which translates to the 'no makeup full coverage' look complemented by strong brows and nude lips, lots of mascara and soft nude eye makeup," Joshi explained. To achieve the look, she recommends M AC 4 Lash and MAC Brow Set in Deep Dark .
8.
In Japan, highlighting and red lips are the latest beauty obsessions.
In Japan, highlighting and red lips are the latest beauty obsessions.
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| MAC Senior Artist Rumiko Ikeda Harris (left) and fashion blogger Maiko Sano. Rumiko Ikeda Harris/Instagram |
MAC's Japanese clients are also obsessed with highlighting the skin on the cheekbone area - something that Rumiko Ikeda Harris , a MAC senior artist based in Japan, said is the biggest upcoming trend in Japan.
For an everyday look, Harris said it was all about, "well-groomed thick eye brows, contoured face, plumped lips, and eyes emphasized to appear bigger."
Another trend? Red lips. "Lip focused makeup is definitely an interest for women in our region," Harris said. "Accentuated by a red toned lip colour, terracotta red, orange toned red, and more yellow based red lips are popular and easily accessible." Her pick is MAC's Lipstick in See Sheer .
For an everyday look, Harris said it was all about, "well-groomed thick eye brows, contoured face, plumped lips, and eyes emphasized to appear bigger."
Another trend? Red lips. "Lip focused makeup is definitely an interest for women in our region," Harris said. "Accentuated by a red toned lip colour, terracotta red, orange toned red, and more yellow based red lips are popular and easily accessible." Her pick is MAC's Lipstick in See Sheer .
9.
Bold, intense lips are super popular in Mexico.
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| MAC Senior Artist Beatriz Cisneros (right) and actress Esme Pimentel. Beatriz Cisneros/Instagram |
Bright or neutral tones of matte lipstick are super popular in Mexico in addition to a lot of mascara, according Beatriz Cisneros , a MAC senior artist in Mexico.
"The matte lip is still the preferred texture among Mexican women," Cisneros said, adding that MAC's Liptensity is a popular product. "We are seeing very bright tones, such as orange and red, and at the same time a very strong trend with nude, matte lips. The nudes we are seeing today are not the usual skin-colored nudes, but more so a notable brown and grey pigment."
And just like everyone else, well-defined intense brows are still very much in.
"Women are looking to define and modify the shape of their brows using products like shadows, gels, and brow pencils in various forms," she said.
"The matte lip is still the preferred texture among Mexican women," Cisneros said, adding that MAC's Liptensity is a popular product. "We are seeing very bright tones, such as orange and red, and at the same time a very strong trend with nude, matte lips. The nudes we are seeing today are not the usual skin-colored nudes, but more so a notable brown and grey pigment."
And just like everyone else, well-defined intense brows are still very much in.
"Women are looking to define and modify the shape of their brows using products like shadows, gels, and brow pencils in various forms," she said.
10.
And in France, flawless skin is of the utmost importance.
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| MAC Senior Artist Tom Sapin (left) makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench. Tom Sapin/Instagram |
"Skin is definitely a focus that is always on trend," explained Tom Sapin , a MAC senior artist in France. "Women, especially in France are longing for perfected skin, but most of the time in a very natural way with invisible coverage. This is why new technologies in foundations and BB creams are meeting and exceeding everyone's expectations."
In other words, perfect skin is of the utmost importance for beauty obsessives in France.
"I often see women looking for invisible foundation and primer that will make the skin perfect without massive coverage," Sapin went on. "Products like M AC Timecheck Lotion offer that two in one guarantee to smooth and prep the skin. Combine this with a foundation like MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation and the lightweight look is completed."
And of course, this is France - lipstick is still very much in style.
In other words, perfect skin is of the utmost importance for beauty obsessives in France.
"I often see women looking for invisible foundation and primer that will make the skin perfect without massive coverage," Sapin went on. "Products like M AC Timecheck Lotion offer that two in one guarantee to smooth and prep the skin. Combine this with a foundation like MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation and the lightweight look is completed."
And of course, this is France - lipstick is still very much in style.
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