She’s the latest celebrity to pay tribute to the cutesy flush popular in Japanese animation
It’s no secret that celebrities like Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion , and more count themselves fans of anime. And last weekend, for her 31st birthday, Doja Cat took her appreciation to the next level with a whimsical, anime-inspired kawaii , or “cute,” beauty look.
To celebrate the occasion, Doja hosted a Sanrio-themed party and dressed as the Japanese company’s character Mocha, complete with flower-adorned and oversized floppy ears, a matching furry two-piece bikini and heels, and standout “anime blush.”
Unlike the cherub-like makeup worn by stars in the past, Doja’s monochromatic flush features layers of rosy blush across the apples of her cheeks and nose, along with pink diagonal lines on each cheek, often used in anime illustration to represent a character’s embarrassment, shyness, or excitement. The pink tone of her blush matched the singer’s glossy pink lips and eyeshadow, which was enhanced with inner-corner highlights and defined, jet-black lashes, likely created by her makeup artist, Ivan Núñez .
Doja isn’t the first celebrity we’ve seen paying tribute to anime with a blush look. Earlier this month, singer Zara Larsson was also spotted in kawaii beauty makeup during night one of her world tour in Tokyo, pairing her flush with purple eyeshadow , winged liner, and graphic eyelashes. Thanks to the trend’s ease and impact—and the fact that Halloween is just around the corner—we’re betting more and more makeup lovers will be wearing anime blush this season and beyond.
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