My makeup routine usually consists of throwing on some mascara and foundation before heading out the door. (If it’s something I really want to look nice for, there will be eyeliner involved, too.) With such a simple regimen, it’s easy to forget that makeup not only defines some people, but that cosmetic routines vary greatly by country. Here’s a list of several cities with equal devotion to beauty, but different ways of achieving it.

1. London.  In London right now, bold lips (the source references Angelina at the Oscars) are all the rage. But possibly the biggest source for Brit beauty inspiration comes from Kate Middleton. When she wore a particular shade of Bourjois nail polish at her wedding, it sold like crazy. Nice nails are important to women in London, a trend that actually stems from New York style. According to the source, “You can’t get away without having a manicure and tidy nails any more, and that’s the influence of the US.”

2. Paris. Ah, Paris: the go-to source for most beauty inspiration. Right now, simple makeup is in, and the look is best exemplified by French Vogue editor Emmanuelle Alt (above). “She has that typically French, easy, effortless look with the glossy hair, fabulously cut jacket, no make-up except for a bit of bronze – the most I’ve seen her with is a bit of black smudged pencil,” says says Lloyd Simmonds, who is the creative director of make-up at Yves Saint Laurent. To get the Parisian look, invest in some bright red, orange or pink lipstick, and keep the rest simple.

3. New York. Like Paris, beauty insiders in New York prefer a natural look, especially during the summer. But there’s still a bit more cosmetics involved, including brown eyeliner and earthy eyeshadows. Bright red lips are also a trend that could be emerging soon, and wild nails already define a number of personal styles.

While my makeup routine isn’t going to change anytime soon, it is interesting to see the differences in cosmetic styles across the globe. Head on over to the source to see lots of additional trends from fashion-forward cities! [via FT]

Which look do you like best?

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