Hello Kitty’s influence on fashion, beauty, and pop culture is nothing short of prolific. In her 50 years of existence, Hello Kitty has inspired countless fashion designers (think: Balenciaga, Blumarine, Converse and Nike), and cosied up to the biggest cultural icons of the day (everyone from Mariah Carey to Lady Gaga adores her). But her impact on beauty sometimes goes unrecognized.

In helping pioneer the super-kawaii aesthetic – a Japanese aesthetic rooted in the idea of unapologetically embracing cuteness – and exporting it to the rest of the world, Hello Kitty changed the way many women approach beauty. The kawaii aesthetic eschews minimalism and ‘no makeup-makeup’ in favour of bold, statement eye makeup, rosy cheeks and adorable accessories. And thanks to the Y2K maximalism favoured by makeup artists like Doniella Davy (the lead makeup artist on Euphoria and founder of Half Magic beauty, now available at Mecca), and Isamaya Ffrench, this aesthetic feels more relevant than ever in 2024.

Want to explore the trend yourself? Start with the eyes. A cat-eye is a must – we love the easy usability of Glossier’s liquid eyeliner (available at Mecca), though, if you’re feeling bold, Paint Lab’s Kitty Kat Eye Stickers (available at Sephora) offer the cat-eye look, in bold metallic shades of cobalt and emerald (and no tricky application!). When it comes to eyeshadow, favour a Hello Kitty palette of pinks and reds. The Pixi + Hello Kitty Eyeshadow palette will naturally help you, with its beautifully pigmented mix of metallic bronzes and soft pinks and whites. Finish the look by pressing Half Magic’s Glitterpuck Multi Use Pressed Fairy Dust, a final touch of sparkle, into the lids.

Finish the look with Nars’ cult-favourite ‘The Multiple’, which triples as a highlighter, blush, and eyeshadow. ‘Orgasm’ is a super-kawaii shade of peachy pink with a subtle shimmery pigment. Apply liberally to cheekbones and the bridge of the nose. On the nails, lean into the cute factor with Canmake’s nail polish in ‘Lavender Pink’ (available at W Beauty), then decorate with nail stickers from GUCCI, available at David Jones. And for the final touch, apply a stunning black bow to your hair. We love Lovisa's curl ribbon clip in black – elegant but adorable, exactly what Hello Kitty herself would want.

Need more Hello Kitty in your life? From 20 September until 27 October, the highly anticipated Hello Kitty Cafe will open at Chadstone in The Social Quarter, where you can enjoy delectable Hello Kitty themed treats and peruse our curated selection of Chadstone x Hello Kitty merchandise. During the school holidays, we’ll also host a series of interactive activities and our Hello Kitty craft workshops. You’ll also want to snap a selfie in front of our marvellous interactive artwork, created in collaboration with artist Sofles, which will sit in the Luxury Mall.

Shop our edit of the best Hello Kitty-inspired beauty below.