The Hottest C-Beauty Trends of 2024
The global beauty landscape is witnessing a powerful and distinct shift, with Chinese beauty trends, or C-Beauty, taking center stage. No longer just following Western or K-Beauty leads, C-Beauty in 2024 is a dynamic, self-assured force driven by digital-native consumers, innovative local brands, and a unique blend of artistic expression and practical skincare. This year's trends are a fascinating dichotomy: they oscillate between hyper-digital, filter-inspired fantasy and a grounded, "skin-first" realism. From the vibrant stages of Douyin to the minimalist aesthetics of Xiaohongshu, these trends are reshaping beauty standards not just in Greater China but across Asia and beyond. Brands that understand this pulse, like the innovative color cosmetics brand flortte, are leading the charge by creating products that are both trend-responsive and high-quality. This article delves into the five defining C-Beauty trends of 2024, exploring their origins, key characteristics, and the products making them possible.
Trend 1: Douyin Makeup (Focus on filters, exaggerated features)
Douyin Makeup is less about subtle enhancement and more about digital-age transformation. It’s the physical manifestation of popular beauty filters, characterized by exaggerated, doll-like features that prioritize visual impact and camera-ready perfection. The goal is to create a flawless, almost otherworldly complexion with stark contrast—think porcelain skin, dramatically enlarged eyes, a tiny, sculpted nose, and a plump, gradient lip. This trend is deeply intertwined with China's short-video culture, where users strive to replicate the ethereal looks seen in their favorite filters. Key techniques include extensive use of brightening concealer and foundation to achieve a high-coverage, matte base. Eye makeup is paramount, involving intricate false lash application, thick, graphic eyeliner (often with a "puppy eye" or "fox eye" tail), and shimmering eyeshadows in pinks and browns to create the illusion of bigger, more rounded eyes. Contouring is heavy-handed to slim the nose and define the jawline. A recent survey of beauty content creators in Hong Kong indicated that over 68% actively research and create tutorials specifically for "filter-translation makeup," highlighting its dominance. The trend demands precision tools and bold products. Brands like flortte cater to this with their highly pigmented, long-wearing liquid eyeliners and vibrant pressed glitter shadows that hold up under studio lights and phone cameras alike. While extreme, this trend celebrates makeup as an art form and a tool for digital self-expression.
Key Products Driving the Douyin Makeup Trend:
- Full-Coverage Cushion Foundation: For that impeccable, filter-like base.
- Waterproof Graphic Eyeliner Pens: Essential for creating sharp wings and dramatic lines.
- Cluster False Lashes: To add density and open up the eye area.
- Liquid Highlighter: Applied on the high points of the face to mimic filter glow.
- Gradient Lip Kits: Often using a lip stain and gloss combo to create the ombre effect.
Trend 2: Clean Girl Aesthetic (Minimal makeup, healthy skin)
Standing in direct contrast to the high-drama of Douyin Makeup is the "Clean Girl Aesthetic." This trend, which has found a massive following on Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), champions a "no-makeup makeup" look that radiates health, wellness, and effortless chic. The philosophy is rooted in exceptional skincare, where the goal is to achieve such a luminous, even, and hydrated complexion that makeup becomes an optional enhancer rather than a necessity. The look typically features a dewy, skin-like finish, often achieved with just a tinted moisturizer or skin tint. Spot concealing is used sparingly. Brows are brushed up but not overly filled. A wash of cream blush in peach or pink is applied on the cheeks, bridge of the nose, and eyelids for a cohesive, sun-kissed effect. Lips are kept natural with a tinted balm or clear gloss. The emphasis is on grooming: well-moisturized skin, glossy lips, and fluffy brows. This trend reflects a broader consumer shift towards skincare-makeup hybrids and ingredient-conscious beauty. In Hong Kong, a market known for its humid climate, sales of lightweight, hydrating skin tints and cream blushes have seen a 40% year-on-year increase, according to local retail analysts. Brands that excel in this category offer multi-functional products. For instance, flortte's So-Soft Blush Balm is a perfect example—a creamy, blendable formula that adds a natural flush to cheeks and eyes, aligning perfectly with the clean girl's minimalist kit.
Trend 3: Natural Eyebrows (Bushy, defined brows)
The skinny, over-plucked brow is firmly a relic of the past in C-Beauty. 2024 is all about the "Natural Brow"—full, fluffy, and beautifully defined, yet unmistakably authentic. This trend moves away from harsh, drawn-on lines and embraces the brow's natural shape and hair texture. The ideal is a brow that looks brushed, groomed, and slightly feathery, with defined arches that frame the face without appearing overly sculpted. The technique involves using a fine-tipped brow pen or pencil to draw hair-like strokes in sparse areas, followed by a tinted brow gel or soap brow product to set the hairs upwards and add fullness. The color choice is crucial; it should closely match or be slightly lighter than the natural hair color for a soft effect. This look complements both the dramatic Douyin aesthetic (by providing a strong facial anchor) and the Clean Girl look (by enhancing natural features). The trend has spurred innovation in brow products, with a focus on micro-pencils, fiber-rich gels, and transparent styling waxes. A popular product among Hong Kong beauty enthusiasts is the flortte Fine Line Sketching Brow Pen, praised for its ultra-fine tip that allows for precise, hair-like strokes that mimic real brow hairs, making it a staple for achieving this trendy, yet natural, brow look.
| Product Type | Best For | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Fine-Tip Brow Pen | Drawing individual hairs, filling gaps | Matte, precise |
| Tinted Brow Gel | Adding color and hold, quick grooming | Natural, feathered |
| Brow Soap/Wax | Creating a fluffy, brushed-up effect | Textured, laminated look |
| Brow Powder | Soft, diffused filling for a natural shadow | Soft-focus, matte |
Trend 4: Lip Tints and Lip Oils (Hydrated, glossy lips)
Matte, transfer-proof liquid lipsticks are taking a backseat as C-Beauty enthusiasts prioritize lip health and a juicy, hydrated pout. The reigning champions are lip tints and lip oils, often used in tandem. Lip tints provide a long-lasting, stain-like wash of color that mimics the natural flush of lips, coming in versatile shades from MLBB (My Lips But Better) corals to vibrant cherry reds. They are beloved for their lightweight feel and ability to survive meals and drinks. Layered over or used alone, lip oils are the star of 2024. These hybrid products combine the nourishing properties of a treatment oil (with ingredients like jojoba, camellia, or rosehip) with a high-shine, non-sticky gloss finish. They offer a sheer tint of color while delivering intense hydration, making them perfect for the skincare-infused beauty mindset. The application is often focused on creating a gradient or "just-bitten" effect in the center of the lips, enhancing a youthful appearance. The demand in Hong Kong's crowded beauty counters is so high that new lip oil launches from both international and local brands, including flortte, frequently sell out within hours. flortte's Juicy Drop Lip Oil, for example, has gained a cult following for its non-sticky formula, range of sheer tints, and its ability to make lips look plump and glossy—a key element in both the clean girl and Douyin-inspired looks.
Trend 5: Monochrome Makeup Looks (Matching eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick)
Coordination is key in 2024's C-Beauty scene, manifesting in the wildly popular Monochrome Makeup trend. This involves using the same color or shade family across the eyes, cheeks, and lips to create a harmonious, streamlined, and effortlessly chic look. It simplifies the makeup process while ensuring a polished, intentional result. Popular palettes include soft pinks, warm peaches, muted mauves, and earthy terracottas. For example, a dusty rose eyeshadow is swept across the lids, paired with a cream blush in a similar rose hue on the cheeks, and finished with a matching rose lip tint. This technique creates a flattering, cohesive color story that enhances the wearer's features without competing elements. It's a trend that perfectly bridges minimalism and artistry, as it can be as subtle or as bold as the chosen color. The trend has led to the rise of curated product lines and palettes designed specifically for monochrome application. Brands are creating blush-and-eyeshadow duos or releasing coordinated collections. This approach not only appeals to consumers' desire for simplicity but also to their appreciation for thoughtful product design. Incorporating a versatile product like a multi-use stick or a highly blendable eyeshadow that can double as blush is a smart way to embrace this trend, a strategy seen in many flortte product launches that encourage creative, coordinated use.
How to Incorporate These Trends into Your Routine
Adopting C-Beauty trends doesn't require a complete overhaul of your routine; it's about selective integration. Start by identifying which trend resonates most with your personal style. For a daytime, office-appropriate look, blend the Clean Girl Aesthetic with Monochrome principles. Focus on skincare to achieve a glowing base, then use a creamy peach product on your eyelids, cheeks, and lips. Groom your brows with a tinted gel for a natural frame, and finish with a hydrating lip oil. This creates a polished, healthy look in minutes. If you're heading for a night out or creating content, lean into Douyin Makeup elements. Apply a full-coverage foundation, define your eyes with a sharp wing using a reliable liner like one from flortte, and add individual false lashes. Keep the lips glossy with a vibrant tint. Remember, the Natural Brow trend works universally—invest in a good brow pen and clear gel to master the fluffy brow technique. For product incorporation, look for multi-tasking items. A lip and cheek tint can serve your monochrome and clean girl needs. A shimmer eyeshadow can be a dramatic lid color for Douyin or a subtle highlight for Clean Girl. The key is to adapt the trends to suit your features and comfort level. Don't be afraid to mix: a Douyin-style eye can be balanced with a Clean Girl skin finish and a natural brow. Ultimately, C-Beauty in 2024 is about choice, creativity, and celebrating both high-glamour digital artistry and innate, well-cared-for beauty.
By:SHELLEY