Sparkly eyeshadow, flushed cheeks, and a diffused lip — they encompass the popular Douyin and Xiao Hong Shu makeup looks that have dominated the Chinese social media space in recent times.
As the trend has now become increasingly popular on Western platforms like TikTok and Instagram, we thought we’d round up some of the most popular products that Chinese beauty influencers have been raving about lately, as shared by “East meets West” beauty guru, Stacy Chen!
Blushes and highlighters
NARS Cosmetics Blush in “Sex Appeal”
Credit: @Showa Era/Xiao Hong Shu
This pressed powder blush features the same silky, award-winning formula that’s in the popular “Orgasm” shade blush from the brand and has risen to notable popularity on Xiao Hong Shu in recent months.
Described by some as the perfect tender peach colour, “Sex Appeal” gives off an innocent and youthful look that’s great for everyday wear.
NARS Cosmetics Blush in “Sex Appeal” retails for S$53.50 at Lookfantastic.sg. A sale is available at the time of writing. Click in to see the latest price!
Clinique Cheek Pop Blushes
Credit: @Clinique cabinet sister Yu Yu/Xiao Hong Shu
Makeup always gets better when it comes in cute and aesthetic packaging, and that’s probably why Clinique’s Cheek Pop Blushes are going viral online.
The blush comes in 13 natural-looking shades for all skin tones, and features a virtually powderless, silky-smooth formula that glides onto the skin, leaving a thin and non-heavy feeling.
Some of the more popular shades amongst Chinese netizens include “Nude Pop”, which gives off a natural look akin to the effect we saw from the “clean girl” makeup trend; “Lavender Pop”, which features a slight lavender hue; and “Melon Pop”, a peach with pink undertones that screams summer.
Clinique Cheek Pop Blushes retail for S$44 at Lookfantastic.sg.
Flower Knows Blush in “Snowy Pearl”
Credit: @flowerknows/X
Within the C-beauty makeup brand’s Unicorn Collection, this embossed blush in the shade “Snowy Pearl” has been the standout product amongst Chinese makeup enthusiasts.
Designed as a blush with highlighting effects, this particular pale pink shade gives your face a healthy, natural flush. It also serves as a great base blush colour, or a matte highlighter if you have a deeper skin tone.
You can also apply it on your nose, chin, and forehead for a youthful and radiant look.
Flower Knows Blush in “Snowy Pearl” retails for S$72.36 at Shopee. A sale is available at the time of writing. Click in to see the latest price!
LilyByRed Cream Blush in #02 “Innocent Pink”
Credit: @Netizen Xiao Peng/Xiao Hong Shu
As a true Barbie pink colour, LilyByRed’s cream blush in the shade “Innocent Pink” has been circulating on the platform in recent months for obvious reasons.
Stacy describes this as a dupe for Dior’s popular Rosy Glow Blush in #01 “Pink”, just that this is a cream-based version that’s also much more wallet-friendly.
Pull off the perfect doll-like look with this adorable blush!
LilyByRed Cream Blush in #02 “Innocent Pink” retails for S$13 at Shopee.
NARS Cosmetics Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder
Credit: @fragrant milk house/Xiao Hong Shu
Xiao Hong Shu and Douyin users are big fans of NARS Cosmetics, and the Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder is another product that’s got them in a chokehold.
This pressed powder blurs and mattifies your skin, creating a soft-focus effect by optically fading fine lines, wrinkles, and pores.
It also doesn’t give you that thick and heavy appearance that some powders do, so it’s easy to see why this is the number one bestselling product from the brand in Asia.
NARS Cosmetics Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder retails for S$65 at Sephora.sg.
Eyeshadows
Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in “Space Cowboy”
Credit: Shopee
This eyeshadow has gone so viral on Chinese social media that it’s simply referred to as “Cowboy” (in Mandarin) by users. The champagne eyeshadow features micro shimmers that leave a gorgeous wet-looking effect that lasts up to 16 hours. Wear it for a night out or to jazz up your everyday look.
Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in “Space Cowboy” retails for S$45 at Shopee. A sale is available at the time of writing. Click in to see the latest price!
Tom Ford Eye Color Quad Eye Shadow Palette
Credit: @the golden pig is me/Xiao Hong Shu
Looking for a high-end option? Tom Ford’s eyeshadow quads have been trending hard in the Chinese beauty community as well. With their buttery-smooth formula, a mix of mattes and shimmers, and bougie feel, what’s there not to like?
Tom Ford Eye Color Quad Eye Shadow Palettes retail for S$150 at Sephora.sg.
Lip products
Sephora Collection Outrageous Plump Lip Gloss in #02 “XXL Nude”
Credit: @du du chong/Xiao Hong Shu
This nude, milk tea lippie is the perfect buildable gloss for “no makeup” makeup days. You can even wear it on its own for an even more natural look!
Sephora Collection Outrageous Plump Lip Gloss in #02 “XXL Nude” retails for S$22 at Sephora.sg.
NYX Buttergloss in “Praline”
Credit: @It’s orange peel/Xiao Hong Shu
Described as an “oolong milk tea” colour, this pinky-brown shade is perfect for that “plain water” trending look that was coined by Xiao Hong Shu users. It gives a soft, romantic effect and looks great on virtually any skin tone.
NYX Buttergloss in “Praline” retails for S$18.90 at Shopee.
Into You Lip Muds
Credit: @Sanshan/Xiao Hong Shu
According to Stacy, almost every Chinese influencer has a Lip Mud from Into You. The most popular shade yet is EM05, a peachy milk tea shade that’s most suitable for those with warm tones.
These lippies are also very popular because of their formula, which provides a blurring soft matte finish that doesn’t leave your lips feeling dry, unlike a regular matte lipstick.
Into You Lip Muds retail for S$12.50 at Shopee.
Featured image credit: @Showa Era and @It’s orange peel/Xiao Hong Shu, @thestacychen/TikTok
