眉メイク

• Reading: まゆメイク
• Romaji: mayu meiku
• Kanji breakdown: 眉 (eyebrow) + メイク (makeup) → eyebrow makeup
• Pronunciation: /ma.jɯ me.i.kɯ/

Meaning

Eyebrow makeup; shaping, filling, and styling eyebrows, which is a major trend topic in Japanese beauty.

眉メイク is considered one of the most impactful parts of a makeup routine in Japan. The 'ideal eyebrow' shape changes dramatically with trends — from the thin, arched brows of the 1990s to the straight, natural-looking Korean-influenced brows of the 2020s. Beauty content about 眉メイク consistently ranks among the most viewed, and products like eyebrow pencils, powders, and tints are bestsellers. Getting eyebrow shape right is seen as the key to looking polished.

Examples

1. 眉メイクが一番難しい。左右対称にならないんだけど。 Eyebrow makeup is the hardest part. I can never get them symmetrical.
2. 眉メイク変えたら顔の印象が全然違うって言われた。 People told me my whole face looks different after I changed my eyebrow makeup.
3. 眉メイクの流行りってすぐ変わるからついていくの大変。 Eyebrow makeup trends change so fast that it's hard to keep up.

Usage Guide

Context: beauty, makeup, tutorials, daily conversation

Tone: practical, trend-aware

Do Say

• 眉メイクのコツ教えて？いつも上手くいかないの。 (Can you teach me eyebrow makeup tips? I can never get it right.)
• 今っぽい眉メイクってどんな形？ (What shape is trendy for eyebrow makeup right now?)

Don't Say

• 「眉なんて適当でいいじゃん」はメイクの努力を軽視 (Saying 'eyebrows don't matter, just wing it' dismisses the effort)

Common Mistakes

• Thinking eyebrow trends are universal — Japanese/Asian eyebrow trends (straight, soft) differ significantly from Western trends (arched, defined)

Origin & History

Compound of 眉 (eyebrow) + メイク (makeup, from English). Eyebrow grooming has been important in Japanese beauty since the Heian period, but 眉メイク as a modern trend topic exploded with YouTube beauty tutorials and Korean beauty influence in the 2010s.

Cultural Context

Era: Perennial beauty topic, 2010s-2020s peak trend focus

Generation: All ages who wear makeup

Social background: Universal beauty topic

Regional notes: Used across Japan. Eyebrow shape trends shift frequently and are heavily influenced by both Japanese and Korean beauty standards.