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A Japanese Makeup Artist Lets Us in on How to Do the 'Muted Makeup' Look

Rina Ogata shared tips and tricks on how to create the ubiquitous defined yet subtle makeup look. Sounds contradicting, but it’s easier than it seems! 

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Chuchie Ledesma

<p>Before we dive into the details, what is a <strong>muted makeup</strong> look anyway?</p><div><br/></div><p>To put it simply, it’s a fresh and natural look using softer and diffused colors. The usual defining makeup products, such as eyeliners and mascaras, are still used but with desaturated or softer hues instead of the classic black.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/44c75e83-0f63-4476-ad5f-a388854960d2_1 jb.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The muted makeup trend<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> @kpalette_jp  </em></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/b1e68da6-a244-4384-8896-f7e444b9f143_kpalette 2.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The muted makeup trend<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> @kpalette_jp  </em></span></span></span></span></div><p>This type of trend might pose as a challenge to some beauty girlies who are so used to having their makeup done in a precise and intensified manner—even if it’s just a cute winged liner or a sunkissed blush. But you know what they say, don’t knock it ‘til you try it!</p><div><br/></div><p>To make the transition easier, we spoke with <strong>Rina Ogata</strong>, K-Palette’s Japanese makeup artist, to ask her a few pointers on how to achieve the muted makeup look without looking sickly or washed-out.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/0393418f-a974-4ce9-803e-f0918164b78c_20240319_141833.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">We joined K-Palette&#x27;s intimate event at Lusso Balmori</span></span></span></div><p>Here’s how to sashay into your soft-girl era:</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>1.	Use a monotone color palette</strong></div><p>Using monotone color palette on the face that may consist, although not exclusively, of beiges and browns can do the trick, Ogata explained. You just have to find the right kinds of colors that will flatter your skin tone instead of making it look dull, she added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>2.	Lighten the brows</strong></div><p>Ogata, who has been to the Philippines a couple of times before, has noticed “a lot of thick and very dark eyebrows”. Instead of just using a dark pencil brow liner all over the brows, she suggested that a taupe or light brown powder brow product may be used first to fill in the sparse areas. It can be followed by a pencil brow liner to define the ends and finished off with a lighter shade of brow mascara to fuse all the colors into one solid but softer brows. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/23305d09-620e-465c-892c-9e7f7d8caf00_rina ogata.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Japanese makeup artist Rina Ogata</span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/29f5b3e9-d874-488b-a1af-1f59796272c8_20240319_153120.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Skip black and try brown, pink, or reddish-brown eyeliners</span></span></span></div><div><strong>3.	Skip black and try brown, pink, or reddish-brown eyeliners</strong></div><p>A black liquid eyeliner is definitely a classic, however, for the muted makeup look, this shade can appear a little too harsh for the soft-girl effect you’re after. Ogata’s not asking you to ditch the good ol’ liquid eyeliner but to simply try a brown, pink, or reddish-brown liquid eyeliners instead. This way, you can still emphasize your pretty peepers and create your favorite eyeliner technique sans the intensity and boldness of a black eyeliner. </p><div><br/></div><p>If you&#x27;re one to be intimidated by a liquid eyeliner, Astuko Fujiwara, overseas marketing and makeup artist for K-Palette Japan, has this to share: “For those who are scared to apply liquid eyeliners, I would suggest not trying to apply all the way to the eyelids. Just apply a little bit on the outer corner so it’s easier. Using an eye pencil is easier which can also be mixed with the liquid eyeliner.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>4.	Try a brown mascara</strong></div><p>Just like the eyeliner, most of us are so used to the color black when it comes to mascaras. But, trust Ogata when she says that a brown mascara can deliver a softer but the same eye-opening results (pun may be intended) that we thought only a black mascara can give.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/beauty/makeup/inked-semi-permanent-makeup-lala-flores/37678" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Makeup Artist Lala Flores Finds New Purpose In Her Business INKED Beauty Studio</a></div><div><strong>5.	Don&#x27;t forget your cheeks and jawline, too!</strong></div><p>The muted makeup technique may seem to suggest that you skip the blush or contour because of the subtlety of its effect. But, it’s not always the case for Ogata. “For muted makeup, you really need to also implement makeup on your cheeks and your jaws to make a more good-looking face line,” she explained. “I would still recommend you use that together with the eye makeup look. You need to search your right colors, your right approach and have your own version of the muted makeup.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/beauty/hair/taylor-swift-factory-settings-hair/37735" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Everything You Need to Know About Taylor Swift&#x27;s Factory Settings Hair</a></div>