We have turned the page on yet another year, which indicates that change is on the horizon for fashion, beauty, and makeup.
Makeup trends change seasonally and are dictated in part by fashion designers, makeup artists, beauty editors, and viral tutorial vlogs. These changes are often cyclical and reinvented, updated versions of beauty trends from the past.
I don’t believe in hard and fast rules when it comes to makeup: You should wear whatever makes you feel good and gives you an extra boost of confidence.
That being said, I do recommend occasionally experimenting with different looks and new products as you never know what you might find. A new makeup trend that doesn’t appeal to you on paper may actually surprise you by delivering flattering results. New makeup innovations are advancing every day, and products are constantly being made more efficient, environmentally friendly, and healthier for our skin.
Fortunately, this year’s makeup trends run the gamut and offer something for makeup minimalists to maximalists.
What’s In For 2023
Skinimalism
This movement has been gaining popularity for some time now and continues into 2023. “Skinimalism” is about focusing on a simple, effortless beauty routine, using only what’s essential to let your natural complexion shine through. This is a simple routine that highlights natural, clean, bare skin with light coverage and no sculpting or contour.
Blush Draping
We saw this technique all over the Spring 2023 Fashion Week runways, and experts predict you will see more of it in the coming year. “Blush draping” is all about the placement of blush: While using a brush, create a “C” shape with your blush from cheekbones to temples and blend well.
Goth Glam
Also seen on many of last fall’s runways and expected to be a popular makeup look this year is the 90s-inspired goth-rocker theme. This look consists of grungy, smudged dark shadow on the eyes paired with a bold lip.
Graphic Eyeshadow
You’ve no doubt heard of graphic eyeliner (thank you very much Euphoria), but now come graphic shadows. Bold shadows can be used in conjunction with graphic liner or alone to create graphic shapes in bright or pastel shades of blue, green, and coral.
Smudged Lips
In keeping with the minimalist trend, barely-there effortlessly-blurred lips will come into play this year. Achieve this look by simply applying a small amount of your favorite lip shade and blending it out along the edges of your lips with your fingers.
Gelled-up Eyebrows
This look is a more natural version of laminated brows that doesn’t require a visit to the salon or a ton of product; amplified brows without looking shellacked. Start by brushing brow hairs upwards so they lay flat and fill in with a pencil where needed following the natural contour of the brow. Finish with a pomade or gel to set and keep them in place.
Multi-use Makeup Products
Makeup products with skincare benefits and more than one purpose will simplify and cut time on your beauty routine this year. This can include cheek and lip balm combos or SPF and hyaluronic acid-infused foundations. Products that blur the line between makeup and skincare and have multiple uses make for effortless beauty in a flash in 2023.
Brownie Glazed Lips
This look is achieved by lining the lips with a shade of brown and topping them with gloss or balm for a shiny, chocolate-colored pout. Like many makeup trends, this look is nothing new. In fact, women of color have been using it for decades, proving that what’s old is one day new again.
Coral & Watermelon Tones
Soft washes of coral or watermelon in all textures will be a hot trend in 2023. From glossy vinyl to satin or matte, focus on either the eyes or lips and pair with a relatively bare face to replace last year’s pinks and soft reds this spring.
Loose Powder
Loose powder is more finely milled and typically less pigmented than pressed powder, providing more natural coverage. It also absorbs more oil over the course of the day, making it a more maintenance-free option.
Face Embellishments
Another Euphoria-inspired stronghold carrying over to 2023 is face embellishments. Bedazzling the face—especially the eye area—with gemstones, rhinestones, or foil continues to be a popular trend this year.
Lip Oils
Somewhere between a balm and a gloss, plumping oils will be the new go-to lip product this year. They provide plenty of moisture with a hint of color for a naturally plump, slick, rosy pout.
Bleached Eyebrows
Here to stay, according to experts, is the bleached brows trend we saw so much of in 2022. They work well when paired with some of this year’s other makeup trends like goth glam or smudged lips.
Wet Makeup Look
Between the recent trends of glass skin and dolphin skin, the super-dewy complexion is not going anywhere this year. Enter the latest iteration of this trend, the wet makeup look. It can be accomplished by using a serum foundation with a liquid highlighter to produce a luminous shine and flawless complexion.
Pops of Color on Lashes
Brightly-colored mascaras are predicted to make a comeback in 2023. This trend is a great way to add fun and glam up simple makeup looks with a pop of color.
Invisible Eyeliner
Makeup minimalists rejoice! This is a subtle but effective way to line the eyes with concealer by utilizing negative space. It involves framing the outside of what would be the eyeliner with concealer and blending out, leaving your natural bare skin (which is darker than the concealer) to serve as the liner. This is also a perfect look for sun-drenched summer days.
Disco Brows
Makeup maximalists rejoice! Disco brows (aka glitter brows) were heavily featured on the runways of last Fashion Week. They are easily achieved by combing in a layer of brow gel to grip loose glitter applied on top. Try using metallic or shimmery eyeshadow instead of chunky glitter for a more subtle version of this look.
Tinted Sunscreen
Tinted sunscreen plays into both the skinimalism and multi-use product trends above. It’s yet another way to simplify and cut time off your beauty routine.
Neon & Pastel Colors
This trend was all over Fashion Week runways for Spring 2023. Everything from neon green and fuchsia to pastels in lilac and lavender is expected to be popular on faces this year.
Curled Lashes
Kevyn Aucoin’s #1 makeup tip reemerges this year as experts anticipate lashes will be ultra-curled and chunky in 2023.
Bold Lips
Dark or bright lips paired with simple makeup on the rest of the face makes your pout the focal point and is predicted to be on-trend this year.
Stick & Cream Blush
Blush in cream and stick formulas will continue to dominate in 2023 by providing a seamless simplicity for achieving a natural flush.
Clean Beauty Brands
The clean beauty movement is here to stay. In 2023, clean brands like Kosas, Merit, and BareMinerals will continue to expand and gain popularity, according to experts.
What’s Out For 2023
Single-use Beauty Products
The green beauty movement continues in 2023 with sustainable products gaining traction. In fact, many new beauty brands are launching as sustainable. Products with refillable packaging and natural ingredients produced from renewable raw materials are the way of the future.
Glitter Eyeshadow
With the holidays behind us, so is the need for over-the-top glittery eyeshadow. It can be time consuming and messy to apply and does not fit in with the skinimalism trend of 2023. Try using metallic or shimmer shadows for a similar but more subtle effect.
Intense Blush
Over-blushing cheeks with intense color is another trend to leave in 2022. Experts say this year will be more about a healthy glow that looks natural and active. Use a cream blush applied with a brush to ensure seamless blending and a flawless, natural flush.
Contrasting, Dark, Overlined lips
This 90s-inspired trend was huge in 2022 but is predicted to fall out of fashion this year. To stay on-trend, use a liner that more closely matches your lip color for a fuller pout in 2023.
Contouring
2023 is all about simple, natural, skinimal makeup and skincare routines. Leave the heavy, time-consuming contouring in the past.
Cat-winged Eyeliner
This timeless classic makeup trend will never fully go out of style, but this year is expected to give way to more creative versions. Double-winged and negative-space eyeliner (a ’la Euphoria) will step to the forefront in 2023, offering a more creative take on this staple look. You can also try using a color other than black to add a little flair.
Perfectly Defined Eyebrows
Sharply defined “Instagram” eyebrows are out in 2023. Well-groomed, natural-looking brows are expected to be trendier this year. Brows will be filled in enough to not look too pale or sparse and will have softer edges.
Over Highlighting
The highlighting craze of late can easily go sideways if applied wrong, making skin look shiny and sweaty instead of glowy. Don’t ditch the highlighter completely; Instead, use less and be wary of where it’s applied and how its affected by light.
Traditional Bullet Lipsticks
It is predicted that traditional lipsticks in their bullet form will lose popularity this year. More effortless products like tinted balms, conditioning oils, and moisturizing liquids will reign supreme in 2023.
White Eyeliner
Even with benefits like making your eyes appear larger when applied to the water line, white eyeliner will fall out of style and be considered dated this year, according to the experts.
Thin Eyebrows
Another 90s-inspired trend to say goodbye to this year is skinny brows. Experts recommend either bleaching brows or brushing out, filling in, and blending natural brows to soft edges.
Heavy Concealer
Full coverage concealer is another product that can easily go wrong when not applied correctly. Simple mistakes like using the wrong formula, applying in the wrong area, or not blending and setting properly can all yield unflattering results.
This year will be more about color-correcting and spot-checking with thin, sheer, and more natural coverage that allows the natural complexion to shine. Cream concealers are one of the most versatile and convenient products to easily camouflage and brighten.
Fake Freckles
This viral TikTok trend’s moment is over. Originally meant to encourage individuality and self-expression, the time has come to let those with natural freckles rock them.
Over-the-Top Lashes
Wildly dramatic false eyelashes with a fake-looking appearance are out in 2023. Try a pair that are more subtle and shorter for a natural, more believable look, or just simply curl and add mascara to your real lashes.
Frosty Shimmer on the Inner Corners of the Eyes
Frosty shimmer on the inner eye corners is no longer a hot trend this year, experts say. Try using concealer or a natural illuminator on the inner corners to open and brighten the eyes.
Nude Lips
Using foundation or concealer on the lips to make them more unnoticeable so the eyes will pop is considered passe’ in 2023. Nude lips are still on trend, just opt for a natural color a shade or two darker than your lips.
Excessive Bronzer
Pull back on the bronzer in 2023. This year will be more about a subtle, sun-kissed glow rather than a full-on tropical vacation tan. Bronzing sticks will take over powders and liquids for a more effortless application that delivers a natural radiance.
Lubricant as Primer
TikTokers swear by how personal lubricant applied as a primer helps their makeup last longer while providing exceptional dewiness. However, dermatologists warn that the skin on your face may be sensitive or allergic to certain substances in lubes like caster oil, chlorhexidine, and spermicide. You are safer using an actual moisturizing facial primer.
For questions, concerns, or article ideas, feel free to reach out to our eCosmetics Beauty Editor directly at beauty@ecosmetics.com
