Calling all anime and manga fans! Ever wanted to recreate the captivating eye looks of your favorite characters? Manga makeup is all about creating big, expressive eyes that pop off the page – and your face! Whether you're cosplaying or just want to experiment with a fun, dramatic look, this guide will show you how to achieve the iconic manga eye with easy-to-follow steps and product recommendations.
Building Your Manga Makeup Arsenal
Before we dive into the application process, let's gather the essential tools for your manga makeup transformation. Here's what you'll need:
- Light Base: A light foundation or BB cream will even out your skin tone without looking heavy.
- Concealer: Target dark circles and blemishes for a flawless canvas.
- White Eyeshadow: This is a key player in creating the wide-eyed manga effect.
- Neutral Eyeshadow Palette: Opt for browns and pinks to add depth and dimension.
- Black Eyeshadow: For dramatic definition in the crease and outer corners.
- Black Eyeliner: Both liquid and pencil liners will come in handy for creating different eyeliner styles.
- False Lashes (Optional): Elevate the drama with voluminous falsies or individual lashes.
- Mascara: Choose a volumizing and lengthening mascara to define your lashes.
- Eyebrow Pencil or Powder: Shape and define your brows for a polished look.
- Makeup Brushes: A flat eyeshadow brush for base application, a fluffy blending brush, a precise angled brush for eyeliner, and a spoolie brush for your brows.
Creating the Perfect Manga Eyes
Now that you have your arsenal ready, let's get started! Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving those captivating manga eyes:
- Prep Your Skin: Start with a clean, moisturized face. Apply your chosen base and concealer to create a smooth, flawless canvas.
- White Eyeshadow Base: This is the foundation for your big, bright eyes. Use a flat eyeshadow brush to apply a generous amount of white eyeshadow across your entire eyelid, extending slightly upwards towards your brow bone.
- Define the Crease: Use a fluffy blending brush and a neutral brown eyeshadow to create a soft crease in your eyelid. This adds depth and dimension, preventing the white base from looking flat.
- Highlight the Inner Corner: To further enhance the wide-eyed effect, apply a shimmery white or light pink eyeshadow to the inner corner of your eye.
- Line It Up: Here's where the magic happens! Manga eyeliner is typically bold and dramatic.
Classic Manga Eyeliner: For a classic manga look, use a liquid eyeliner to create a thick, slightly winged line along your upper lash line. Extend the line slightly upwards at the outer corner to create a lifted appearance.
- Puppy Eye Eyeliner: For a more innocent and cute look, try the "puppy eye" eyeliner style. Draw a thin line along your upper lash line, slightly thickening it towards the outer third of your eye. Instead of flicking the line upwards, curve it downwards slightly at the outer corner.
- Lower Lash Line: Line your lower lash line with a black pencil or eyeliner, focusing on the outer two-thirds. You can smudge the line slightly for a softer look.
- Lashes for Days: Apply mascara generously to your upper and lower lashes. For extra oomph, consider adding false lashes for a truly dramatic effect.
- Brows on Point: Define your brows with an eyebrow pencil or powder. Aim for a natural shape that complements your face.
- Keep it Simple on the Lips: Manga makeup focuses on the eyes, so keep your lips simple with a light gloss or a natural-toned lipstick.
- Try our Eyeliner Genie eyeliner tool to help perfect your look.
Pro Tips for Mastering Your Manga Look:
- Blending is Key: While manga makeup features bold lines, don't skip blending! Use your fluffy blending brush to soften harsh lines and create a seamless transition between colors.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Like any makeup technique, mastering manga makeup takes practice. Don't be discouraged if it doesn't look perfect the first time. Experiment with different eyeliner styles and lash application techniques to find what works best for you.
- Have Fun! The most important thing is to have fun and express yourself through your makeup. Don't be afraid to experiment!