Battle of the makeup trends

I have always viewed makeup as a form of art. Not just a way to enhance your features, but to bring out your favourite colours in your outfit. Or to make you feel more put together as you walk in late to your 10 am seminar. Personally, nothing makes me feel more confident than doing my makeup. There’s something almost calming about blending out my Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter, even if I’m frantically rushing to leave the house. Whether it’s a full glam for my Neon night out or just a bit of mascara and lip gloss for a motivational Steamhouse trip, makeup is a constant in my life.

However, makeup is never consistent. Everyone is trying to find what works for them while keeping up with the latest trends. People try to avoid looking back at pictures in ten years and feeling extremely embarrassed. One of the best ways to achieve this is by seeking advice from the internet. Here are some of my favourite trends from this year:

‘Berry’ makeup
With the release of Hailey Bieber’s new Rhode collection and MERIT’s extensive line of blushes, we can expect a rise in berry-coloured makeup looks, specifically blushes. The discovery of purple blush, with its bright undertones and summery glow, was revolutionary for the makeup community. Berry makeup follows in its footsteps, perfect for 2025’s spring aesthetic.

Rhode released a new Pocket Blush in the shade ‘Plum’, matching perfectly with their tried-and-true ‘Raspberry Jelly Peptide’ Lip Tint. These shades perfectly encapsulate berry makeup, focusing on jam-like tones. It takes inspiration from the rich pinky-purple tones in raspberries, blackberries, and even plums. Whilst a flushed cheek is key, lips are fundamental to this trend. Moving on from the soft pinks and ‘Cold Girl’ aesthetic of winter, berry makeup usually includes a bold, glossy lip.

Sister to last year’s ‘Clean Girl’ makeup, it simulates that fresh-faced holiday glow without leaving your room

‘Glowy’ makeup
Moving on from the ‘matte base’ epidemic of the 2010s, glowy makeup has taken the internet by storm. Sister to last year’s ‘Clean Girl’ makeup, it simulates that fresh-faced holiday glow without leaving your room. Glowy (also known as dewy) makeup is all about the skin prep. It usually relies on a skin serum like Glow Recipe’s Niacinamide Dew/Hue Drops or Saie’s Glowy Super Gel, followed by minimal concealer or a lightweight skin tint/foundation. ‘Dewy’ blushes have become quite popular, with people turning to Glossier’s buildable Cloud Paint or Glow Recipe’s new line of Watermelon ‘flushes’.

This look is usually accompanied with a highlighter. It could be from Saie, Benefit’s infamous Cookie shade (and the lesser-known Tickle colour), or the criminally underrated REFY Gloss Highlighter. There was also a brief period of ‘blonzing’. However, its less-than-subtle effect quickly lost popularity.

There is no shortage of products to achieve this look. Still, honourable mentions must be given to Urban Decay’s Moondust Eyeshadow, specifically in the shades Space Cowboy and Benefit’s Dew La La. It truly works as marketed, unlike some other deceiving products (I’m looking at you, Glow Recipe).

We’ve seen Mermaid makeup, Victoria’s Secret Angels makeup, and the well-loved Clean Girl Aesthetic

‘Skincare’ makeup
The ‘skincare’ makeup is not to be confused with the aforementioned ‘glowy’ look. ‘Skincare’ makeup relies on similar practices, focusing on perfecting your skin and using tints in place of full-coverage products. Focusing entirely on skincare, it emphasises serums to achieve skin that looks like it’s just been washed. Products like MERIT’s Instant Glow Serum, or, again, our trusty Saie, are very popular but unfortunately equally expensive.

Whilst this trend is definitely not for everyone and favours acne-free individuals, tinted SPFs are always a medium to full coverage option that also falls into the skincare-makeup category. ILIA and Supergoop are TikTok sensations, but La Roche Posay offers a version that is not too expensive. Skincare-focused brands like Glossier, Drunk Elephant, and Summer Fridays have taken over. Drunk Elephant’s range of bronzing drops took the internet by storm and remains constantly sold out. However, it must be said that their shade range is hardly inclusive and a definite waste of money for those with darker skin.

Makeup-centric brands have also dived into skincare, specifically through lip ‘peptide’ treatments and balms. Rhode’s infamous Peptide Lip Tints are highly sought after, both for their flattering shade range and aesthetic packaging. Ole Henriksen has followed suit with a new ‘peptide’ balm, and both Glossier and Summer Fridays are still leaning into this ‘balm boom’ with new flavours/shades constantly being released.

Makeup trends have dramatically shifted from dramatic full-faces to ‘no makeup’. It’s gone from thick brows to thin, from big fake lashes to natural ones, and back to extensions. We’ve seen Mermaid makeup, Victoria’s Secret Angels makeup, and the well-loved Clean Girl Aesthetic. I can’t wait to see what trends arise over the rest of this year.