Perfect Corp, the editor of a suite of augmented reality makeup apps, has analysed the preferences of the 280 million users of its YouCam Makeup flagship app. The data provide a large array of information on global and regional lipstick trends:

– Millennial pink is the most preferred lip color globally. Millennial pink proves to be a trending favourite across the globe. Over 20% of lipstick try-ons in the United States and the UK are Millennial pink shades, and 15% of lip colour try-ons in China and Japan are Millennial pinks.

– All shades of pink dominate in the West, while classic reds are favoured in Asia. Overall pink is the most preferred colour in the United States and the UK, with almost 50% of the top lip colours being pink shades, significantly higher than the other countries with pinks making up only 20% - 35% of all try-ons. China shows the most diverse lipstick colour trials overall YouCam Makeup’s Beauty AR Reveals Global Lipstick Trends in Celebration of National Lipstick Day (Graphic: Business Wire) with purples, oranges and lighter sheer shades taking the top spots. In contrast, Korean users prefer bold darker pinks, purples, and reds, playing off many of the K-Beauty trends that continue to surface.

– Lip finishes matter, with matte ruling the West and sheer reigning in Asia. “Matte is a fact” in the United States and the UK, with over 40% matte lip try-ons monthly. Users in East Asia prefer sheer textures overall. China favours sheer (40%) and satin (28%) finishes. Users in Japan clearly favour sheer lip finishes, taking the top spot with over 50% of the total try-ons in a month. The K-Beauty fans in Korea favour matte (35%) and sheer (33%) lip finishes as their top choices.

– The two-toned lip trend is the fastest growing globally. While ombré lips became popular last year, two-toned lips (different colours on top and bottom lips) are now the fastest growing trend. AR try-ons of two-toned lip colors have grown 74% this summer, indicating a huge interest in this new lip style. Two-tone lips were first noted on the New York Fashion Week runway in Jason Wu’s Fall 2017 collection, and now beauty brands such as Estée Lauder and Laneige have also released two-toned lipsticks in their collections.