The year 2023 is quickly approaching, bringing with it a new beginning for everything—including our makeup. With the proverbial palette clean, refreshed takes on existing trends and entirely new approaches have space to shade, delineate, and contour the coming months, filling it with all of the colors and sparkle that a new year requires. Blush will continue to provide buildable warmth, eyeliner will be the go-to for the bold seductress, and refractive details will allow you to channel the vibes of mermaids and robots alike. A common thread is a persistent desire for play—a way to cope with darker days through rampant (and striking) self-expression.
Here are five beauty trends that will dominate in 2023.
Longer and Sharper Cat-Eye Wings
With the help of an upgraded guard of liners, kittenish flicks, and TikTok’s alluring and elongating siren eyes will grow in popularity (and ease). “With so many brands developing high-technology eyeliners that do not budge and are smudge-proof, the graphic feline liner look will be one to wear for a fun night out,” says Henney, who suggests pulling the eye shape upward and outward. Dark femininity will undoubtedly be a major trend in 2023.
More Blush
Blush has had a renaissance in recent years, with blendable cream options and more-is-more application methods making cheeks (and eyes and nose bridges) romantically rosy. “There was a time when bronzer and highlighter were all the rage, but blush is back and bolder than ever,” Kristina says. “Adding blush is like giving your skin new life.” The trend is already well-established, having played a key role in several of 2022’s most memorable TikTok beauty looks, including sunburn blush, cold girl, and crying girl makeup.
Statement Lips
Lips will be bolder than ever in the new year—so bold, in fact, that they may be ready to work on their own. “This is a model-off-duty/off-the-runway type look that can look amazing from day to night,” says makeup artist Tobi Henney, who suggests keeping skin clean and lightly grooming brows and lashes to center the lip. She also mentions a resurgence of lipliners that are darker than lipstick hues, which work better to draw attention to your natural pout. “It can help you achieve the perfect lip color and enhance lips by giving the appearance of more fullness.”
Face Embellishments
The Euphoria effect is not going away. “We’ll see more experimental looks with gems, pearls, glitter, and other accents that will cover not only the eyes but other parts of the face and body,” makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran predicts. Invest in a collection of flat-backed rhinestones and the like in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to be secured with clear lash glue—if self-adhesive options are available, even better.
Futuristic Metallics
Depending on how you use it, alloy-inspired shimmer can be whimsical or robotic. Mermaidcore dominated the spring 2023 runways, and the collective conversation about AI—and the influx of new technology—will undoubtedly elicit futuristic beauty. “Blame it on our obsession with AI, fairies, and all things extraterrestrial, but whatever the reason, I’m all in,” makeup artist Jenna Kristina says. She suggests starting with Pat McGrath’s on-point palettes, such as those from the makeup legend’s Star Wars collaboration. “In the real world, it’s our meta selves.”
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