Looking Sick, Asia’s Next Big Beauty Trend

Much to my horror Etude House launched their Proof Ten Shiny Eye Sticks in Korean about two years ago to endorse the puffy eye beauty trend. Seriously? How many times have you heard me moan, whine, and moan some more about my puffy eyes. I have larger eyes and when they are puffy I look old and positively scary. Mothers hide their crying children when I pass by, lakes of water freeze over, and milk spoils when my eyes are presented to the world in such a state.

It isn’t pretty.

Around 2013, the puffy eye look was pretty huge in Korea and on some levels it is still a bit of a trend. To get the look products like Proof Ten Shiny Eye Sticks could be applied under the lower eye area, a little below your natural lash line. The colors used would be softer, iridescent shades and these would create a puffy effect. If you’re younger you might just be able to rock the look! If you already have puffy eyes, guess what? You’re so freaking trendy!

Personally it’s not a look I personally loved.

Fast forward and this week it’s all about looking sick. This isn’t really a new look in all honesty but suddenly has become a topic of interested within the Western world. Girls within Japan and the cosplay world have been embracing what these articles have dubbed the “sick” look for quite a while.

However, it’s become an interest topic of discussion as of late. To create the look a pink or red colored pigment or blush is painted higher on the cheekbones and directly under the eyes. The style is actually very street and likely won’t be something you see outside of Harajuku and conventions. You can see the look by clicking here.

On a certain girl, with a slimmer face, it can be quite kawaii! Especially if you’re embracing a Lolita, doll-like look. I play up my larger eyes and I enjoy the doll-like look of porcelain skin, blushing cheeks, and full lashes however, if I attempted to apply pink or red anywhere near my eyes I would in fact really LOOK sick. Of course, running around the house in red eyeshadow pretending to be Lady Vengeance has happened on more than one occasion around here but don’t tell anyone about that.

They way the look is being promoted across blogs currently is unusual to me. People are calling it the “sick” look but I actually think it is quite the opposite and most cosplayers would agree with me. It’s more about looking like a doll or evoking a look of innocence. Of course, if you’re embracing your inner Gothic Lolita the “sick” might not be far off as the paler look with darker circles might appear sickly on some where as others completely rock the look 😉

None the less, beauty trends can be interesting to say the least.

Lord knows within the US we’ve had a few interesting ones and the current contouring trend? Well, that one is getting out of control. We’re going to contour ourselves into oblivion by the time Summer comes along.

What do you think of intentionally make yourself look sick?

Or even embracing a puffier eye look?

Can you pull it off?

Personally, I cannot. But I do think the look works well for Asian girls as they have finer more exotic features and the look seems to adapt well.

Me? I look like Bambi caught in the rain when my eyes are puffy! Imagine how I’d look attempting to recreate a look of sickness?