There’s a new beauty trend in town and it’s called ‘Igari makeup.’ According to new BEAUTY PIE research, the trend – set to take your blusher game to the next level – has seen a 460% rise in Pinterest searches and a 400% spike in Google searches.
What is The Igari Makeup Trend?
Originating from Japan, Igari makeup, also known as ‘hangover makeup,’ is characterised by its youthful, flushed appearance. The trend focuses on creating a slightly rosy, under-the-eyes blush that mimics the natural flush of the skin after a day in the sun, post-workout or the morning after a great night out. Obviously, nobody wants to look hungover, so the Igari trend is all about harnessing that look but with a cleaner, fresher overall complexion.
This trend has taken social media by storm, with Pinterest searches rising by an impressive 460% over the past three months. The main reason behind its popularity is its power to take blush and rose tones to brighten up the complexion, with one TikTok user saying “It totally made my tired eyes pop!”
How to Recreate The Igari Look
Recreating the Igari makeup look is simple and requires only a few steps. Nicola Moulton, in-house beauty expert and Editorial Director at BEAUTY PIE has shared her step-by-step guide:
- Prep the Skin: Begin with a hydrated and even complexion. Reach for a water-based cleanser, such as Japanfusion™ Pure Transforming Cleanser followed by a hydrating serum and moisturiser, like the Triple Hyaluronic Acid Deep Moisture Miracle Cream to ensure your skin is plump and ready for makeup.
- Base Makeup: Apply a light layer of your favourite formula; a light coverage foundation will work, but a BB cream will help you fully lean into your J-Beauty era. The Luminous Mineral Skin Tint Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 offers a sheer, natural finish, perfect for this barely-there look, all while offering protection against damaging rays.
- Blush Placement: The key to Igari makeup is the blush. To start, you will need a cream or liquid formula to build your blusher up. Using Supercheek™ Cream Blush in the shade ‘Universal Pink,’ apply the product just under the eyes and across the cheeks, blending it out towards the temples using a dense brush or a beauty sponge. The blush should be visible but not too intense, giving a natural flushed look. Then, to make the look seamless, tap over a powder blush like Supercheek™ Vitamin Powder Blush to soften any harsh edges and gently disperse it over the apples of the cheeks and the ridge of the nose.
- Eyes and Lips: As you don’t want to detract away from your flushed finish, you need to keep the eyes and lips as paired back as possible. To tie everything together, you can take the same brush you used to apply your powder blush and sweep it over your eyelids. For your lips, take your favourite hydrating lip balm or gloss and dab it over your lips for a super clean and shiny pop to your pout.
- Finishing Touches: To maintain the dewy finish, lightly dust over a gentle powder like the One Powder Wonder™ Translucent Powder across the T-zone, avoiding the cheeks to keep the glow intact and keep shine at bay.
Nicola Moulton, Head of Editorial at BEAUTY PIE, comments: “Variations of Igari makeup have been in and out of fashion over the past year, as it is a perfect blend of minimalism and artistry, which explains why it was all over the catwalk in 2024. It’s playful, fresh, and easily adapted to suit different skin tones and styles by playing with different tones from light rose pinks through to bright fuschia. At BEAUTY PIE, we love how this trend embraces a healthy, natural glow—something we champion, whilst also experimenting with the power of different formulas and colours.
This is also the perfect makeup look to take into the next season, as skin can sometimes feel the full effects of colder weather, the Igari trend is a great way to bring some colour back into your cheeks and create a healthy glow.”
