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Bold Beauty Trends Around the World

The only thing better than a round-up of the best beauty trends is a round-up of the best beauty trends from around the world! 

We’re lucky to live in a time when we’re so connected as a world and can mix and match inspiration and ideas from countries far and wide. 

The result? 

We get the best beauty tips and secrets from each part of the globe and can take and leave whatever we like. 

Young and happy model posing in the street

Love Mexico’s bold lip? Give it a go next time you’re glamming up for a night out. Do you want dreamy, spotless skin? Look to South Korea for its advanced skincare trends and products. 

Prefer natural makeup? Australian women have got this down to an effortless art. 


This is why makeup is so much fun; you can experiment with new colors, looks, and products using these cultural trends as inspiration every day. 

Here are nine of the biggest beauty trends from around the world

Enjoy experimenting with your favorites and incorporating them into your everyday makeup routine!

Mexico: The bold lip

Latina women are infamous for daring to wear bold red lipstick, which pairs perfectly with their sun-kissed skin. And it always looks stunning! 

The secret?

Confidence. 

So many women are afraid of painting on a bold lip out of fear of drawing too much attention or not being comfortable with such an intense look. But finding the courage to rock a red lip might give you the confidence and power you’ve been searching for. 

Why not give it a try and see?

Another misconception is that red lipstick doesn’t suit everyone. This is a total myth! There is a shade of red out there to suit all skin tones—you just need to find the right one for you.

Line your lips first for neatness and extra definition. Finish by filling in your lips with a striking swipe of red. Check out our Long-Lasting Matte Lipstick in Coral & Classic Red for some inspiration. 

Save it for a special occasion or a random Monday morning when you want to feel like a goddess.

Latina woman with red lipstick

India: Beauty comes from within

Indian women have always taken a more holistic approach to beauty and makeup. They look to their individual skin type as a guide for what products and skincare routines they need to create balance in their body. 

They’re big on using natural products in their everyday skincare routine

This includes using coconut oil to moisturize the skin or as a hair mask to create extra shine. The neem plant has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties and is widely used to soothe and treat acne. Turmeric is often mixed into face masks to soften skin and reduce wrinkles. 

Keep in mind that you should always test any new product or treatment on a small area of your wrist or elbow before applying it to your face. 

India reminds us that beauty doesn’t need to come in the form of expensive store-bought products. Many of the ingredients for their most popular beauty trends can be found in your home and whipped up in a matter of minutes!

Woman with healthy skin

Japan: The doll blush

Many Japanese women have a playful, eccentric approach to makeup, and the doll face look is one of their most popular beauty trends

The number one thing that stands out is the rosy pink pop of blush. It’s always applied slightly higher on the cheeks, directly under the eyes, making your facial features appear rounder, softer, and more youthful. 

Who wouldn’t want that?

Blush is often paired with fake lashes and colored contacts to create a more bold and playful look. But you don’t have to go too wild with this trend. A pop of pink blush on its own can look really fresh and vibrant.  

Smiling woman with beautiful skin

France: Strobing makeup

If there’s one makeup trend French women loathe, it’s contouring, and we totally understand where they’re coming from. So, instead of using dark pigment to shape the face, they prefer using highlighter to accentuate the parts they want to catch the light. 

It’s all about working with the natural angles and beauty of your face, as well as natural light. This brings focus and shape to the face in a subtler way. 

It makes sense that French women are a fan of strobing makeup because if there’s one thing they’re renowned for, it’s looking naturally beautiful with minimal makeup. 

Combine strobing with a swipe of Classic French Mascara (i.e., the best selling mascara on Amazon), and you’re Paris ready in minutes!

French girl with natural makeup 

South Korea: Cream skin

South Korea is, without a doubt, leading the way when it comes to many skincare trends

First, they brought us “glass skin” (dewy, reflective looking skin). Next came skip-care (minimizing your skincare routine into fewer steps). And the biggest beauty trend right now is “cream skin.”

Based on the skip-care philosophy, cream skin combines toner with moisturizer to create a soft and springy look. It focuses on hydrating and moisturizing the skin with minimal effort. 

More hydration + less work? That sounds fabulous to me! 

Woman facing a sunny window

Sweden: The nude lip

Nobody does minimalist chic quite like the Swedes do. So it makes perfect sense that their makeup is also simple and understated. A popular, staple makeup trend across Scandinavia is the nudish-grey toned lip. 

This is a new take on makeup in the '90s, updated with a taupe or mauve base with gray undertones. 

Pair a nude lip with minimal makeup elsewhere for a simple, natural look. Or go for extra drama around the eyes with a smokey eyeshadow and volumizing mascara to make your lashes pop. 

Woman with a nude colored lipstick on

UK & Dubai: Bold brows

Both the UK and Dubai have welcomed the bold brow trend with open arms. Perhaps this is a backlash from the over-tweezing and waxing culture we’ve become so used to?

Either way, we say hell yeah to embracing our natural brows. 

You can still tweeze or wax in the middle and over the top of your brows, but avoid going underneath. Follow the natural shape of your brows and allow them to guide you. This is what bold brows are all about.  

Use a colored brow gel or powder to fill in any gaps and create a more defined look.

Pretty girl with bold eyebrows 

Africa: Glittery eyeshadow

African women are pioneers when it comes to countless makeup trends over the past decades. But one of the most fun trends has been incorporating glitter into makeup products.

Glitter on the eyes, lips, and cheeks first became popular through superstars Pat McGrath (makeup artist) and Keyshia Ka’oir (celebrity stylist), who used glitter like it was their religion

The beautiful thing about glitter is you can be as subtle or theatrical as you like with it. Opt for a sheen of glitter in a highlighter, or go all-in with dense, textured glitter on the eyelids.

Woman with African glittery eyeshadow on 

Australia: Natural makeup that is barely there

Few do natural makeup better than Australian women do. Maybe it’s because they’re so used to the vacation lifestyle, with a constant stream of sun, sea, and sand? 

Whatever the reason, we’re all for it. 

Think glowing sun-kissed skin, neutral eyeshadow tones, a touch of highlighter, and a natural swoosh of mascara to brighten up the eyes.

Top tip: Aussie ladies love doubling up on their bronzer and using it as an eyeshadow too.  

Woman with clear skin and natural makeup 

Egypt: The dramatic smokey eye

If we go right back to ancient times, the Egyptians were actually the first people to create an iconic, smokey eye, using a combo of eyeliner, mascara, and eyeshadow.

Kohl was used back then to accentuate the eyes and create a powerful look. It was made using natural ingredients, mostly charcoal and galena.

Today, it’s especially popular with Arabic and Middle Eastern women. But women worldwide want to know how to create this iconic look, to frame and highlight their eyes

Model with smokey eye makeup 

So whatever your style, try giving some of these bold trends a go! We’re sure you’ll enjoy the process, and ultimately the way you look. Have fun connecting with beauty cultures from around the world, and turn some heads in the process. Be bold, be beautiful, be you.

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The Marie Kondo Method Meets French Beauty
April 15, 2021
The Marie Kondo Method Meets French Beauty

If you love beauty as much as we do, it can be easy to get into a mindset that “more is more.” But after a while, we find ourselves overwhelmed by a large, disorganized makeup collection, with more items than we can ever dream of using!  For French beauty enthusiasts, having too much stuff just isn’t helpful, since the French approach to makeup is simplified and precise.  It turns out that by organizing your makeup collection according to the tips of Japanese tidying guru Marie Kondo, it’s much easier to achieve an effortless French beauty routine!  Follow our guide to learn about the KonMari organizing method and how to apply it to your makeup storage.  The basic elements of KonMari organizing In her book, The Art of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo outlines both her philosophy and methodology for tidying homes. The basic principles of KonMari are fascinating and incredibly helpful.  Tidying is a special event As Marie Kondo explains, tidying is a special event and you should only do it once in your lifetime (or, at least the very least, extremely infrequently), as a total reset. She views it as a life-changing and joyful experience with a spiritual element.  Before beginning the process, she also recommends taking a moment to visualize your ideal life in as much detail as possible. This will help direct and guide you through the process of organizing and decluttering your life.  Working in categories KonMari organizing is done in categories of items, not room by room or drawer by drawer. The categories are precise, but within them, there are more loose subcategories. It’s important to go through them in the order she outlines:  1) Clothes: Tops, bottoms, items that hang, socks, etc.  2) Books: Pleasure reads, practical books, etc.  3) Papers: Documents, receipts, bills, etc.  4) Komono or miscellaneous items: Electronics, office supplies, skincare, makeup, and more. 5) Sentimental items: Photos, keepsakes, love letters, etc.  Discard what doesn’t spark joy Now the tidying really begins! Working in categories (starting with clothes), make a large pile of all of the items within that category that are in your house (as well as in your bag, car, or garage).  One-by-one, take each item, examine it briefly, and see if it “sparks joy.” That’s the only criterion by which you decide whether to keep or discard something. This way, at the end of the process, you’ll feel calm knowing that you only own objects that bring you joy. If you decide to discard something, take a moment to thank it for its service.  Afterward, as a separate process, you can sort through the discarded items to see what you’ll toss, what you’ll recycle, and what you’ll donate.   A place for each item Once you’re left only with objects that spark joy, you need to decide where to store them. While Marie Kondo isn’t a fan of fancy storage solutions, she does emphasize that each object should have its place, usually in a drawer or even an open shoebox.  Knowing where each item belongs simplifies life in two ways: You’ll always know where to find an object, and you’ll always know where to put it once you’re done with it. This is the simple beauty of KonMari organizing  Another one of Marie Kondo’s tips is to store all related items together, like-with-like. Shirts in one drawer, socks in another, pens together, etc. When it comes specifically to clothes, the KonMari folding method is its own organizing marvel.     She doesn’t recommend “flow planning” methods of organization, primarily because they make returning things to the place where they belong a little harder.  Organizing your makeup collection Now that you understand the basics of KonMari organizing, let’s apply it to the task of organizing your makeup collection. Makeup is part of the ‘komono’ category, which includes miscellaneous items you can collect over your lifetime. While you can apply Marie Kondo’s tips just to your makeup bag, it’s better to do the entire process at once.  Visualizing your beauty routine Visualization is especially helpful when it comes to makeup. Before you start gathering everything, take a moment to consider what your ideal makeup routine looks like and how you want to look. This will help you through the whole process. Decluttering your makeup Collect all of the makeup you own (including the lipstick that hides in your car and the pressed powder that lives in your purse), and put it on the floor or counter, to sort through and figure out what sparks joy.  When you do this, also consider how long you’ve owned each product and whether it might be expired. Put all the makeup products that don’t spark joy in a bag or bin, to either discard or donate.  Makeup storage and vanity organization  Finally, make sure to store the items in a way that makes sense, so that products with similar functions are all in the same location. Never pile products one on top of the other. Instead, store them in such a way so that you can see everything at once and quickly find whatever you want to use.  Vertical storage (much like books on a bookcase) is ideal for palettes, foundation bottles can stand upright, while lipsticks and eyeliners can be stored either upside down (so you can see the colors at a glance), or lying down flat.    Keep them all in one vanity or bathroom cabinet. If you don’t have dedicated makeup storage, a transparent drawer set can be incredibly helpful.  Marie Kondo your makeup bag After you’ve whittled down your collection to only include makeup that sparks joy, you can decide which products will go in your makeup bag.  According to KonMari, your purse shouldn’t be another storage space. Instead, she recommends that every morning (or at least every few mornings), you should repack your handbag. We think that should also apply to your makeup bag.  Every morning, after you finish doing your makeup, consider which items you’d like to bring with you, and put them in a dedicated makeup pouch. Once the day ends, take them out and put them back where they belong in your organized makeup vanity.  Goodbye, makeup clutter! KonMari isn’t necessarily a minimalist or anti-consumerist philosophy. It’s not about getting rid of all of your earthly possessions — instead, it’s about ensuring that you truly love everything you own. By organizing your makeup according to Marie Kondo’s tips, you guarantee that your beauty routine will always spark joy. 

The Best Makeup Gifts to Give to a Friend
April 09, 2021
The Best Makeup Gifts to Give to a Friend

If you have a friend or loved one who loves makeup, it only makes sense to buy them a makeup gift. The best gift is one that’ll be used, after all.  When buying gifts for makeup lovers, you still have to put a bit of thought into your purchase. Some products, like foundations and concealers, require very precise color matching, so they can’t be bought on a whim. That’s why we’ve put together this gift guide with the best makeup products to give as gifts, whether for small occasions or for bigger celebrations.  We’ve put together a range of beauty gift ideas, including simple crowd-pleasers and thoughtful bundles. With the help of our list, we know that your friend will love what you give her!  Vivienne Sabó Mascara Mascara is a universal makeup gift that’s always appreciated. It’s an unskippable part of every makeup routine, but it’s also one of those products that have to be replaced frequently, so you know that your gift will serve its purpose. There is zero chance that it will sit in the makeup drawer unused!  When choosing the best mascara for your friend, consider her tastes. Is she the kind of person who leads an active life and needs waterproof mascara? Maybe she likes a dramatic look, in which case our Provocation mascara will give her lashes instant volume. On the other hand, if she keeps things subtle but defined, the Cabaret Première is a classic choice that keeps the lashes full yet separated.  You can even give her a mascara gift set with a few different options, so she can customize her look based on her needs for any specific day.  Matte Constance Lipstick Lipstick is the kind of beauty gift that requires a bit more consideration, but it also means that it can be very thoughtful. If you just pick a color at random, chances are your gift may not land too well. However, if you make sure to select a lipstick that will suit your friend’s personality and aesthetic, nothing could make her happier. If she has a more natural, polished style, then a nude lipstick will work best, while if she’s a classic beauty with a fiery side, opt for a red.  If you’re still not sure, check out our guide to the meaning behind different lipstick colors, which will surely point you in the right direction.  Feutre Fin Eyeliner   Like mascara, eyeliner is another staple that gets used up with some regularity and needs replacing fairly often. Whether liquid liner is one of your friend’s staple looks or it’s something she’s still working to perfect, the Vivienne Sabó Feutre Fin eyeliner is a wonderful makeup gift. It offers the precision that makeup lovers crave but it’s easy to use so even those new to makeup will quickly get the hang of it.  Brow Arcade Eyebrow Pencil Eyebrow pencils might not be as glamorous as mascara or lipstick, but they’re still an important part of the makeup routine. For that very reason, the Brow Arcade certainly deserves a spot on our list of makeup gifts for her.  We think it works best as a gift for a friend that is very pragmatic and doesn’t care about sentimentality as much. It’s a good makeup gift that she’ll be sure to use. Just make sure to select a shade that’s a touch lighter than her hair color but with the same undertone.  Le Grand Volume Lip Gloss   Lip gloss is perfect for days out with its fun and playful look, making it an excellent summertime gift! And if you have a younger friend or family member with a playful style or who’s a little newer to makeup, lip gloss makes for the best makeup gift. It doesn’t have the intensity or maturity of lipstick. Instead, it gives the lips a youthful sheen without much color, so it’s the kind of makeup product that parents will also approve of easily.  Cabaret Première Mascara Primer  What do you give to makeup lovers that seem to own everything already? We think the Cabaret Première primer is a great choice, especially for lash enthusiasts. A lash primer helps to build a base layer of length and volume, so the lashes look extra dramatic. Most importantly, it’s the one product your friend probably doesn’t have in her arsenal yet!  Makeup gift bundle   Individual items work well as “just because” gifts for makeup lovers. However, when there’s a special occasion and you need to impress, a large, customized makeup gift set can be a wonderful gift. The key to creating a gorgeous beauty bundle is to pair products that make sense together.  For an eye-focus, put together a set of eyeliner, mascara, mascara primer, and maybe even an eyebrow pencil.   For a lip set, give your dear friend lipstick, gloss, and lip liner.  You can also customize a French beauty set with beloved staples, like red lipstick, a liquid eyeliner, and volumizing mascara.  Make sure to package everything nicely, and even consider putting it all in a makeup bag, which will become another part of the gift.  Makeup subscription A makeup subscription is one of the best makeup gifts we can think of, which is why we’ve saved it for last. It’s particularly useful if you’d like to give something to a friend who lives far away and that you don’t get to see often.  Pick a product that you know is a staple for them, like mascara, eyeliner, or brow pencil. Then, set up a subscription where they can receive a new package every few months, depending on how often they go through the specific item.  A subscription beauty gift will remind them of you periodically and cheer them up if they’re going through a hard time. That’s one of the reasons why we have this option available for all Vivienne Sabó products. L'art de faire un cadeau  In France, l'art de faire un cadeau  (the art of giving a gift) is cherished. The best gifts are personal and thoughtful. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to give something meaningful—you just need to consider the person to whom you’re giving a gift.  For that friend who loves makeup, a thoughtful beauty gift is an easy choice that will show them that you know and love them.    

Using Mascara on Lash Extensions
March 30, 2021
Using Mascara on Lash Extensions

Maybe you’ve got your very first set of lash extensions, or perhaps you’re thinking about getting some. But you’re wondering, “can you put mascara on lash extensions?” Great question. And if you’re going to invest money in lash extensions (along with sitting still for that long), you want to make sure you’re taking care of them the right way.  Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll be answering all your burning questions. By the end of it, you’ll be a lash extension and mascara pro.  Can you put mascara on lash extensions? So, should you wear mascara with eyelash extensions? Or is it a total no-go? You can wear mascara on lash extensions. When your lashes are fresh, you won’t have a huge need for mascara, but towards the end, you may want to reach for it! That being said, if you prefer to wear mascara with your lash extensions from the start, you can definitely do so! Estheticians recommend to avoid applying it to the base, as this can create a clumpy look. So keep it to the tips, and you’ll be golden. It’s worth pointing out that if you’re opting for volume lashes (the 2D, 3D, or custom-made fans), you probably won’t need mascara. Adding it will likely cause the fans to close and ruin the effect. Why wear mascara with lash extensions? Mascara will help darken and add volume to both the upper and lower lashes.  Synthetic lashes are thicker than your natural eyelashes, whereas silk extensions taper out at the ends. Mascara helps give you that extra impact all the way to the tips — perfect for a more dramatic look.     Many women also choose lash extensions that match their natural lash color. Adding a darker shade of mascara allows you to deepen the color as you like.  And like we mentioned above, when your fake lashes are on their last legs and begin to shed, you can fill in the gaps with mascara. They’ll look as good as new! Which type of mascara should I avoid? Be careful; if you use the wrong kind of mascara, you’ll ruin your lash extensions.  Here’s what to avoid:   Waterproof mascara Waterproof mascara is designed to stay put through extreme conditions. You know, like thunderstorms and balling your eyes out on your wedding day. It’s great when you need it, but it’s a no-go when it comes to lash extensions.  It can make your lashes brittle, and it’s extra tough to remove. You need an oil-based makeup remover, which can pull off flares, sometimes your lashes, and the glue holding your extensions in place.   Tube mascara Although tube mascara can be removed with water, it’s not suitable for lash extensions. Why? Because it will stick to them like glue, and water will not be sufficient to get them off once that happens. Fiber mascara Like waterproof and tube mascara, fiber mascara is also difficult to remove. Plus, the purpose of fiber mascara is to add length to your natural lashes. If you’ve got extensions already, you probably don’t need it.    Mascara you can use with extensions Oil-free mascara is best for lash extensions. That means the best mascara for lash extensions is a water-based formula. This is the only safe choice and will keep your lashes in tip-top condition. And it’s perfect for all types of falsies.  If you have sensitive eyes or wear contact lenses, opting for an oil-free mascara is always the best choice. This will prevent unwanted irritation.     What you want is a mascara that glides flawlessly across your lashes and comes off with minimal effort at the end of the day.  When it comes to consistency, you want a mascara that is not too thick or too dry. A thick mascara can cause tension on the lashes, tangling, and clumping.    Choose your brush wisely, and make sure it doesn’t grip your lashes too tightly.  How to safely remove your makeup when wearing lash extensions Choosing the right mascara isn’t the only thing to consider. If you choose the wrong makeup remover, you can still end up damaging your lashes. There are many makeup removers and cleansers that contain oil, which you don’t want. A water-based product is what you’re after here again. The best way to remove your makeup while wearing eyelash extensions is to use a water-based wipe or lash shampoo with a charcoal brush. Avoid cotton pads or balls because they may get lint on your lashes!     Remember, when you take care of your lash extensions and keep them clean, they’ll last longer and look better. So it’s in your best interests to pick the right products and treat your lashes with the love they deserve.