ONE of the biggest beauty trends in 2022 was the glowy blush. Think Charlotte Tilbury’s Beauty Highlighter Wand in Pinkgasm, or Benefit’s now discontinued Bella Bamba which is similar to NARS Orgasm.
Lush lashes, whether because of mascara or lash extensions, were also very popular, probably as a result of the pandemic when people were mostly masked. New Lounge was the favorite go-to of those who regularly got lash perms and/or extensions.
Another trend were glossy lips. Every self-respecting beauty girl had a tube of lip gloss and/or lip oil. It’s not that matte lips were out in 2022; it’s that lip glosses and oils were preferred not just for the look but also for their moisturizing benefits. The Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb and the Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil were the beauty girls’ favorites in 2022.
Brow lamination was a big thing. A professional brow lamination uses a chemical straightening treatment that fixes the hairs in place making them look thicker and perfectly groomed. You can do the look at home with Benefit 24-hr Brow Setter.
For 2023, “Y2K beauty” will still be on-trend. As someone who lived through Y2K, I don’t even know what “Y2K beauty” is. I just remember my best friend’s then-teenage daughter in 2000-2004 wearing mostly The Body Shop Lip and Cheek Stain. Today, “Y2K beauty” includes holographic shadows, metallics and frosted details.
I thought the wolf cut was over but I guess it’s not—thanks to Billie Eilish, who still wears an edgy and shaggy variation of this cut.
Hybrid beauty products, such as foundations and skin tints with skin-care properties, will be big this year. Must-tries are NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation, Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25, and Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Medium Coverage Liquid Foundation with Hyaluronic Acid. Also in this category is a new generation of perfumes that are considered wellness fragrances. Estée Lauder recently launched a line of eight fragrances under the Luxury Collection range. For this collection, the brand hired an independent neurosensorial study to find out the emotional effects of each scent on the wearer. My favorite in the line, Blushing Sands, claims to put the user in a state of sensuality and relaxation.
Grunge makeup—smudged eye makeup and makeup that looks lived-in—is also one of 2023’s biggest makeup trends. For eyeliner, smudging it deliberately with a brush after application and cleaning up the excess with a cotton bud does the trick. Or you could fake the look of smudged black eyeliner with black eyeshadow.
Vinyl red lips take glossy lips to another level. Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipstick is a product that will give you the desired effect.
Iridescent makeup is also a big trend for 2023. Skin that looks mirror-like in places is an example of this trend. Amped-up glass skin can be achieved with highlighters and pearlized skin creams.
I’m not sure if the viral TikTok “I’m Cold” makeup trend will still be carried to 2023. This trend is inspired by being out in the cold when your skin gets a natural flush.
The main technique required is to apply a cream blush on the apples of the cheeks and cheekbones and blend it upward with a brush or your fingers. Usually, makeup artists also apply blush to the tip of the nose and around the mouth. Perfect for this trend is the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush. The lips must look chapped and frost-bitten.
Another TikTok beauty trend is “I’m Crying” makeup with rosy cheeks and glistening eyes in shades of pink.
I’ve noticed that many of these trends are anchored on blush, which has seen a renaissance in the last two years. Blush is back and it’s bolder than ever. As someone who has a tendency to use too much blush, I am happy with these trends. I’ve never seen so many new blushes from different brands and there are so many textures and colors. Tower 28 BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush in After Hours and Benefit Flora Tint are favorites.