Turkish Delight Makeup Is Having a Moment on TikTok

Beauty trends on TikTok come and go, but this one feels like a love letter to Yeşilçam’s most iconic leading ladies. As Sezen Aksu’s Kusura Bakma plays in the background, videos channeling the signature glam of Türkan Şoray, Filiz Akın, and Gülşen Bubikoğlu are everywhere. With its bold eyeliner and classic allure, Turkish Delight makeup strikes the perfect balance between vintage and modern.

The key to the look? A dramatic eye. Start with your usual foundation and concealer, but save the main event for the liner. “The formula doesn’t matter—it can be liquid, cream, or pencil,” says celebrity makeup artist Akgün Manisalı, who has worked with Adele, Cameron Russell, and Adriana Lima. “What matters is how you apply it.” His technique: First, blend a soft wash of eyeshadow along the lash line, then apply black eyeliner and smudge it slightly for a seamless effect. Looking down instead of closing one eye helps keep the line smooth. A cotton swab or a small brush can clean up any mistakes without disrupting the shape.

Manisalı also recommends curling your lashes and never skipping mascara on the lower lashes. A swipe of white or nude liner along the waterline gives that signature wide-eyed effect.

Of course, no Turkish Delight-inspired look is complete without softly sculpted cheeks and glossy lips. Blend a warm-toned blush and bronzer from the apples of your cheeks up to your temples for a lifted effect. As for lips, Manisalı suggests applying gloss just to the center and blending outward for the perfect understated shine.

His Yeşilçam muses include Filiz Akın, Hülya Koçyiğit, Türkan Şoray, and Ayla Akman. If you’re feeling inspired, now’s the time to curate your own list of beauty icons and bring this timeless look into the present.

Eyes