What Is Manga Makeup? How to Get the Anime Look Step by Step

Quick answer: Manga makeup is an anime-inspired look that makes your face read like a comic book character: big, wide-open eyes, spiky lashes, rosy cheeks and shiny lips. You don't need special tools or sculpting skills. Start with a soft eyeshadow wash, add wispy, spiky lashes, sweep on blush and finish with a sparkly lip. Our Manga Makeup Routine "First Love" and "It-Girl" sets cover the eyes, cheeks and lips for $23.50 each.

What makes makeup look "manga"?

Think about how manga artists draw faces. The eyes do most of the talking, the cheeks are flushed, and everything else stays simple. Manga makeup copies those same choices with real products. Here's what usually gives it away:

• Big, round-looking eyes: color and shimmer pulled toward the center of the lid, where it catches the light.
• Spiky lashes: separated, wispy clusters instead of one smooth fringe.
• Rosy cheeks: a clear pop of blush, the kind a blushing character gets when their crush walks by.
• Soft, glossy lips: a sheer, shiny finish so the eyes stay the main character.
• A little sparkle: glitter or shimmer in a spot or two, like the stars drawn into a manga heroine's eyes.

Is manga makeup the same as anime makeup?

Pretty much. Manga refers to Japanese comics and anime refers to Japanese animation, and most people use the two terms interchangeably for makeup. Both point to the same features: expressive eyes, defined lashes and rosy cheeks. Cosplay is where it gets more specific. Cosplay makeup recreates one exact character, while manga makeup borrows the mood and leaves the rest up to you. You can wear it to class, to brunch or to a convention.

How do you do manga makeup step by step?

This routine takes the look from "cute" to "main character" without any advanced skills. We've used the pieces in the First Love and It-Girl sets, but the same order works with what's already in your makeup bag.

1. Wash the lid. Sweep a matte shade over your eyelid with a brush or your fingers.
2. Add dimension. Press a shimmer shade onto the center of your lid to make your eyes look rounder. The Chibi Manga 9 Color Eyeshadow Palette is made for this: matte shades to sculpt and define, and shimmer shades to add dimension.
3. Apply your lashes. Peel the lashes from the outer edges with tweezers and hold them against your lash line, trimming if needed to fit. Apply a moderate amount of lash glue along the band and let it get tacky for a few seconds. Use tweezers to place them, then press lightly onto your lash line.
4. Bring on the blush. With a brush, apply blush to the apples of your cheeks. Use one shade alone or blend the two together for a multi-dimensional flush.
5. Add a little glow. Apply highlighter to the high points of your cheeks, nose and cupid's bow.
6. Soften the edges. Want some shape? Use the contour shade on the hollows of your cheeks, temples and jawline, keeping it light so the look stays soft.
7. Finish the lips. Start with clean lips and swipe on a lip oil or balm. Add a second coat for more shine.

A quick note on the palette: the ingredient lists for these eyeshadow palettes include pigment and glitter shades, and pressed pigments aren't intended for use in the immediate eye area. Check the shade details on the product page before you start blending.

Which Manga Makeup Routine should you pick?

Each routine is a three-piece set with a four-in-one face palette, a 9-color eyeshadow palette and a lip product. Choose by the mood you want:

What's in the First Love routine?

First Love is the blushing-love-interest pick. Its star is the Sparkling Lip Oil in Strawberry, which applies clear, then reacts to your natural pH and body temperature to create a custom pink-hued stain with hints of sparkle. So your shade of pink is all yours. Plot twist, right? The Sweetheart Sawa-Chan face palette adds two blushes, a highlighter and a contour in a compact with a mirror, and the Puppy Love eyeshadow palette brings a mix of shimmer and matte shades.

What's in the It-Girl routine?

It-Girl is for the character who walks in late and steals the scene. The Shimmer Lip Balm in Cinnamon Butter is a bold, high-voltage orange packed with gold glitter for a metallic effect, in a lightweight, non-sticky formula. The Rebel Rudeko face palette gives you the same four-in-one setup, and the Treasure Hunt eyeshadow palette rounds out the look with blendable shimmers and mattes.

Which lashes work for manga makeup?

Lashes are what really sell the look, and the routine sets don't include them, so pick up a pair on the side. Our Manga 3D Faux Mink Lashes are modeled after the manga aesthetic, with a dramatic, spiky, wispy shape. They're $5, made with faux mink fibers on a soft cotton band, and reusable with proper care. There are four character styles, Rudeko, Kirei-Sama, Sawa-Chan and Neko-Chan, ranging from natural to bold with lengths from 8 to 13 mm.

Want a matching set? Pair the Sawa-Chan lashes with First Love, or the Rudeko lashes with It-Girl, so your face palette and lashes share a character.

FAQ

Can beginners do manga makeup?

Yes. The steps are simple: eyeshadow, lashes, blush and a glossy lip. If false lashes feel like too much at first, start with the shadow and blush, then add lashes when you're ready.

Can you wear manga makeup every day?

Absolutely. Keep the shadow soft and use a natural lash style for class or work. Then go bolder with blush, shimmer and a longer lash when you're heading out.

How much does a Manga Makeup Routine cost?

Each routine is $23.50. Based on current prices, the three pieces would cost $28 to $29 if you bought them separately.

Are the Manga Makeup Routine sets vegan and cruelty-free?

Yes. The First Love and It-Girl sets are vegan, cruelty-free and free of parabens. The Manga 3D Faux Mink Lashes are vegan and cruelty-free too.

Do manga lashes come with glue?

The product page doesn't list lash glue as included, so plan on using your favorite lash adhesive. A moderate amount along the band is all you need.

Ready to start your main character era? Shop the First Love and It-Girl routines and Manga 3D Faux Mink Lashes at rudecosmetics.com.