When we took a look at Beauty Trends last fall, we found Skin Cycling, NOTOX, K-Beauty, Russian Manicures, Brown Mascara and a few more, mostly driven by influencers. We can’t quite decide whether we prefer the viral speed of almost daily TikTok trends to the semi annual edicts from the catwalks … mostly we wear the same make-up and hair for years anyway. But it’s fun to take a look at what’s coming to your phone this spring and summer. Some seem almost plausible, and some completely out of the realm of possibility for the QC fashion scene. You do You girls.
The Eyes Have It
Glitter Eyes, Frosty Eyes, Graphic Eyes (color eyeliner, heavy strokes, color mascara) are all over the videos. This is the opposite of last year’s somewhat problematic Clean Girl Aesthetic and is part of the hot-last-week #mobwifestyle. Look for literal glitter on the eyelids and under-eye plus very frosty, silvery palettes and extreme liner. Also, blue mascara continues its moment, joined by pink, red, mulberry, often paired with eyeliner and shadow in the same colourway.
Heavy Smoky (Grungy) Eyes. 90s throwback. Worn with a monochromatic face and lip so the eyes really stand out. Again with the heavy liner, tight-lining, lower lid liner, etc.
Boy Brows. These super natural brows are thick and almost bushy, not arched, appearing to be not at all manicured, but of course they are. AKA ‘fluffy brows’. Only do-able if you already have most of it going on though, and not if you’ve been plucking for years.
Balletcore and Mermaidcore Continue
Big last summer, still hanging in.
Balletcore = demure, pink, clavicles, slick back buns, hair accessories, ribbon braids, rosy cheeks, doll like blush, pearly highlighter, naked eyes with spidery lashes, hyper dewy finishes, wrap sweaters, tulle, BOWS, ballet flats (duh), leotard looks paired with voluminous skirts or dresses.
Mermaidcore = sequined columnar gowns, particularly scale-like paillettes, fishtail hems (sorry we don’t make the rules or the puns), seafoam green, watery pastels, wet-looking, slicked back hair or waves, dewy skin, shell accessories, pearls. If you watched the Oscars or read the red carpet reviews, you know that mermaidcore is the style of the moment.
90’s Looks
What do they say, if you lived it once you shouldn’t wear it again? Well, that’s not gonna work since apparently style now is a frenzy of recycling trends, decades, and looks faster than you can download IOS 17.4. As BAZAAR says “Welcome back to the era of brown lips, dewy skin, grunge liner, and shaggy cuts” Say Hello again to Bobbi Brown, now of personal fave Jones Road Beauty. Think: barely there brows (do not recommend heavy tweezing!), nudes, coffee, latte palettes, heavy liner (again, grunge), shaggy haircuts. And above all, the nude or brown based lip. Bye Bye Barbie.
All About Skin
We are still obsessing with our skin, including (sadly) the pre-teens among us. Hyper-glowy skin starts with the skin care regimen and so influencers are skin-cycling, slugging, getting cryofacials, thinking about their own stem cells and more. All to achieve the best No Makeup look possible, which of course has as its base beautiful skin. We checked in with Dr. Elizabeth Rostan at Charlotte Skin & Laser for her thoughts on a couple of the more buzzy trends:
From a clinical perspective, skin cycling really doesn’t do much other than to create a social media sensation.
Dr. Rostan
Dr. Rostan prefers a more regular routine that is easier to remember and follow: Aim for retinol every night or every other night – but consistent use – and exfoliate no more than once a week ~ less if your skin feels soft and subtle. “Retinol and glycolic acids will take care of natural exfoliation without the need for harsh scrubs and potential damage.”
And while skin slugging may sound gross, the technique is quite old-fashioned and very helpful. I like to call it “soak and seal” or “soak and grease” and it really is a no brainer:
Dr. Rostan
Per Dr. Rostan, “if your skin is really dry or just for super hydration, apply water (ideally a spring water but any water will do), rub around or let soak in a bit and then apply an occlusive petrolatum containing moisturizer like Vaseline or Aquaphor to seal in that moisture. Easy. You can also just apply this over non-occlusive daily products. An even better moisturizer to do this wonderful technique with is Elta Moisture Seal.”
Dr. Rostan also tells us that if you really want to have the newest tools for your skin, the new buzz is regenerative skin care – the use of peptides and growth factors and even exosomes to stimulate your skin to renew and re-invigorate itself. Combine these latest tools with the 3 anti-aging essentials – retinol, anti-oxidant, and sun block – and you will be armed with the latest and greatest tools for healthy, youthful skin. “Do not let social media trends steer you away from the modern skin care science that will help you achieve your best skin!“
Fake Freckles!
Fake Freckles and Beauty Marks – tattoo’d or semi-permanent are an interesting trend among the Gen Z, interesting we guess… seems a little crazy honestly for those of us who have spent years trying to fade any marks away from visibility.
Middle Parts
If last few years were for the deep-side-part, the middle part is now the It part. Whether it’s in a pony or a bun, long and lanky, shaggy or lobbed, the middle part is the one to have. Universally hard to wear unless your face is beautifully symmetrical, or at least beautiful or symmetrical.
