It makes a case for our obsession with bygone eras.
Even if you lives on the outskirts of a city with a poor internet connection, chances are you have come across the sunburnt or heatstroke makeup. The makeup that imitates sunburn was on the lips of fashion stalwarts last July when an international fashion magazine from China did a steamy, summer-evoking editorial shoot, featuring a group of hunky models donning skimpy outfits while posing alongside tropical must-haves. The viral trend then sparked an outbreak of sunburnt infatuation, where influencers and celebrities vied to churn out tutorials while media preached about it like a sermon.
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This is not the first time the cult beauty trend has broken the internet. Back in 2022, the trend was already embraced by celebrities like Emily Ratajakowski, Hailey Bieber, and Billie Eilish, as well as favoured by TikTokers. The sun-kissed look homes in on natural finish, using sheer rosy blush. However, the 2024 iteration is an antithesis of it, shining light on the “intense sun exposure”.
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While the makeup trend has been greatly worshipped by beauty enthusiasts in recent years, the origins can be traced back to the 1990s. The conceptual makeup was famously worn by Faye Wong, a Hong Kong diva known for her avant-garde beauty looks. Case in point? The Sing and Play album launched in 1998, where the celebrated singer wore a sunburnt makeup that is highly coveted today. When it was first unveiled, the experimental look quickly earned its place in the pantheon of popular culture, thanks to the deft hands of makeup artist Zing, who rewrote the rulebook of aesthetics with his radical ideas.
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Through fine brush strokes, Zing’s sunburnt makeup exudes a sense of innocence and whimsy, reminding us of a kid having fun at the playground. The 2024 rendition strays away from the bubbly vibes and embraces the sunburn chic that has been taking over the internet instead. The modern-day sunburnt makeup is achieved with intense blushes and contouring techniques, mimicking the effect of “beaten down.” And don’t forget the thirst trap, the key to creating the sun-induced, sweltering look.
Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our August 2024 issue.