Can you believe that 2025 is in about two months? I certainly can’t, and it seems like 2024 flew by. However, there’s definitely one thing I have to admit—I absolutely LOVED the beauty trends we saw throughout this year. So, I can’t help but feel excited about the 2025 beauty trends too.
If you’ve been examining the trends in makeup and hair as closely as I have, chances are you’re starting to notice a slight shift from the well-loved, pandemic-inspired clean girl aesthetic that was so prominent from 2020 up until now. Of course, we’re still not back to the full glam era of 2016 makeup; however, we are seeing a middle ground between these two spectrums.
So, if you’re curious to learn what we can expect from 2025, join me in examining the biggest makeup trends I’ve noticed in the last couple of weeks that I believe are about to become even bigger in the following year.
Full Face, No Eye Makeup
One of the biggest beauty trends for 2025 is surprising, yet refreshingly simple: a full face of makeup without any eye makeup. Yes, you heard that right—no mascara, no eyeliner, and no eyeshadow. This trend ditches the classic eye-focused looks we’ve been used to and instead puts all the emphasis on a flawless complexion, bold lips (not particularly bold in color, but well-defined and GLOSSY), and perfectly sculpted cheekbones.
At first, I was a bit weirded out by this trend, however, I have to admit – it’s a fresh, modern approach to makeup that still looks polished and sophisticated, without all the fuss of smudged liner or clumpy mascara. It makes you look put together, but still like you’re only wearing minimal amounts of makeup.
The rest of your makeup routine gets more attention here, which helps create a look that’s polished and intentional. Imagine glowing, even skin with softly defined cheekbones, paired with crisp lip line topped with gloss. The lips and complexion become the stars of the show, and your natural eyes stand out even more here.
I would strongly encourage anyone to give this trend a try, however, I have to warn you right away. At first, I was a bit skeptical too. It was so weird seeing my face all glammed up without any mascara. However, after trying it out for I while I learned to appreciate it. And the best part? It’s so easy to take off your makeup at the end of the day.
Skin-First Makeup
Now, the next trend that I have noticed is kind of tied to the previous one. And it’s a makeup look that focuses on the skin first. It’s no secret that skincare has been having a moment for a while now, but in 2025, it’s all about making your skin the star of the show. However, it’s not particularly about wearing less makeup, but about making your complexion look as realistic as possible.
This method includes small details like using a faux freckles pen, enhancing your beauty marks after finishing your makeup, or not worrying too much about covering every imperfection. Your skin should still look like your skin, even when you have makeup on.
What I find to be particularly great about this beauty trend is that you can wear a full face of makeup while still not looking “overdone”. Your natural beauty will still be able to shine through, and your complexion will be looking fresh and healthy.
Satin Matte Skin
The final beauty trend for 2025 that I have noticed in the niche of complexion products is that we’re finally moving away from overly dewy makeup formulations. And honestly, I’m so here for it, because no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t make that “ultra-dewy, wet-looking skin” work for me.
But don’t worry—this also isn’t the comeback of the harsh, flat matte of the early 2010s. Instead, it’s about a middle ground called satin matte skin. Satin matte is all about finding the sweet spot between matte and dewy. It offers a soft, velvety texture that smooths your complexion while still maintaining a hint of natural radiance. Think of it as that perfect airbrushed, flawless look, but without the dryness or heaviness that older matte formulas often had.
This satin matte finish is ideal for those who want to blur imperfections and even out their skin tone without losing that healthy glow. It enhances your natural beauty by giving skin a polished, refined appearance without completely masking it. You’ll likely see more foundations, setting powders, and even blushes embracing this trend, offering a sophisticated and modern alternative to the super shiny or intensely matte looks of the past.
Fluffy, But Thinner Brows
Next up, let’s talk a little bit about eyebrows. Remember when thick, bold brows were the ultimate trend? Well, in 2025, we’re still loving the fluffy, natural look, but with a subtle shift—brows are getting a bit thinner. Don’t worry, though! This isn’t a throwback to the pencil-thin brows of the early 2000s. We’re just embracing a soft, natural shape that frames the face without overpowering it.
The idea here is to stay true to your natural brow shape while giving them a slight trim to keep things looking light and polished. The result? A softer, more youthful vibe that feels effortlessly chic. Fluffy brow gels and tints are still key, but the goal is to enhance what you’ve got, rather than creating bold, blocky arches. It’s like giving your brows a little breather after years of intense brow game.
The Highlighter Comeback
It’s not only the satin-matte skin that’s coming back next year, we’ll also witness the comeback of good old highlighter. Just not in the blinding, see-you-from-space way it used to be. 2025’s highlighter trend is all about a soft, natural radiance that gives you a lit-from-within glow. It’s not about overpowering your makeup with shimmer but about accentuating your features in a more refined way.
Baked highlighter formulations (such as the OG – MAC Soft and Gentle, or the Hourglass highlighters) will be the biggest players. And honestly, I can see why – they melt seamlessly into the skin, and create a barely-there glow. Think cheekbones that catch the light, the bridge of your nose with a soft sheen, and just a touch of glow on your cupid’s bow. It’s subtle, elegant, and a refreshing change from the over-the-top highlighter trends of the past. If you’ve been hesitant to dive into highlighter before, 2025 might just be the year you find your perfect glow.
Lip Treatments and Balms Over Glosses and Lipsticks
Next up, I believe that the hype for lip treatments and colored lip balms will become even bigger in 2025. However, I also believe that they will be slightly more pigmented than the ones we’re seeing on the market right now. I’ll talk about color trends a bit more in the next parts of this article, but I do believe that we’ll witness the comeback of a slightly bolder lip. And even though I have been loving these sheer lip oils and balms that we have been wearing for the last couple of days, I think that it’s finally time to be a bit bolder when it comes to our choices of lippies.
Berry and Burgundy Tones
Next, I want to talk a little bit about the color when it comes to the 2025 beauty trends. One I believe that we will be seeing everywhere, especially when looking at the newest makeup releases, is the return of berry and burgundy tones. These rich, warm shades are showing up everywhere, especially in lip and cheek products. But I also believe that we will be seeing them a lot in eyeshadow pallets (the word on the street is that Natasha Denona has already trademarked a name for a berry-toned palette). And honestly, as a green-eyed girly, I’m really excited about this. They’re perfect for adding depth and warmth to your look without feeling too dramatic.
And don’t even get me started on a deep burgundy lip. It has the power to elevate even the most minimal makeup look. But as I have already explained, don’t expect the lippies to be too opaque and to matte, we’ll most likely see them in the forms of balms and lip oils. Especially during the colder months.
The beauty of these shades is their versatility. Whether you’re going for a bold, vampy lip or a soft, rosy glow, berry and burgundy tones can work for any occasion. They’re especially flattering for a wide range of skin tones, making them an easy go-to for anyone looking to switch up their makeup game this year.
Cool-Toned Makeup
One of the most striking trends coming back this year is the use of cool tones in both lips and eyeshadow. After a long reign of warm, sun-kissed bronzers and earthy tones, we’re seeing a shift towards icy blues, cool taupes, soft lavenders, and frosty pinks. These colors give off a sleek, modern feel and are perfect for creating fresh, futuristic looks.
Cool-toned lipliners will be particularly popular in my opinion. This is actually a huge plus, because they are so much more convenient for overlining your lips than a warm lip liner ever could be. For eyes, icy shades and silver glitters will be all the hype. Just look at the latest launch from Huda Beauty and their Icy Nudes palette. And finally, I do believe that we’ll also see more cool-toned blushes, such as lilacs and mauves.
Sleek, Straight Hair and Hair Glosses
Next up, let’s talk a little bit about hair. We haven’t seen too many changes when it comes to hair trends in the last year, however, hair glosses, and sleek, straight, and glass-like hair have been making the rounds lately. And I believe that this trend will only keep growing in 2025. After a few years of effortless waves and natural curls ruling the scene, the pendulum is swinging back to polished, straight locks taking center stage. Shiny, smooth hair is set to be the ultimate accessory, and the rise of hair glosses is making it easier than ever to achieve.
Hair glosses are the real game-changer here. They add a lightweight layer of shine and smoothness to your hair, making it look like you just stepped out of the salon without the heaviness of oils or serums. And we have seen so many brands launch them in 2024. From drugstore brands like L’Oreal to higher-end brands like Ouai and Redken. And as someone with straight hair naturally, I can actually appreciate this trend. Expect to see this look everywhere, from the runway to the streets, as sleek hair once again takes its place as the must-have style of the year.
Hair Color Trends
When it comes to hair color, it’s all about earthy neutrals with soft, subtle dimension. People are moving away from high-maintenance fashion colors like platinum blonde and vibrant pastels and are embracing more natural, rich hues that blend seamlessly with their base color. Think warm chestnuts, honeyed browns, and cool mocha tones, all with soft, natural highlights that give the hair depth and movement.
One of the key elements to this trend is that the colors are low-maintenance but still feel fresh and modern. Balayage and soft ombré techniques are being used to create that subtle, lived-in look that doesn’t require constant touch-ups. For those looking to try something different, muted pastels or cool grays woven into earthy bases are also making waves. The result is hair that looks healthy, shiny, and effortlessly chic—without the need for constant salon trips.
Hair Accessories
Finally, let’s talk about hair accessories. We’ve already seen the rise of these trendy pieces throughout 2024, but I believe they’re only going to become even more popular in 2025. The two standout styles will be hair bows and hair bands. Hair bows have already made a splash this year, especially among the Gen-Z crowd, but I’m confident we’ll start seeing them embraced by Millennials and Gen X as well. And I love that! I truly believe you can never outgrow the bow phase.
As for headbands, I’ve noticed them everywhere on social media lately. When paired with a fresh blowout, sleek bun, or ponytail—and topped off with statement earrings—they create an effortlessly chic and feminine look. It’s the perfect way to add a touch of style to any hairstyle!
Mini-Sized Beauty Products
My final prediction is that we’ll be seeing a significant increase in mini-sized or travel-sized beauty products, particularly in the makeup category. Honestly, this trend makes so much sense to me. As we become more aware of waste and overconsumption, the beauty industry is stepping up by offering smaller versions of our favorite products. When you really think about it, purchasing the mini version is often a smarter choice, especially for items that take a while to use up, like blushes, highlighters, and lip glosses.
I’ve already noticed that many popular brands, such as Rare Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, and Fenty Beauty, are expanding their lines to include more mini versions of their best-selling products. This shift not only makes it more accessible for consumers to buy these items but also allows them to experiment with new formulations and colors without the financial burden.
Mini-sized products also cater to our increasingly mobile lifestyles, making it easier for us to carry our beauty essentials on the go. Whether you’re traveling or just want to toss something in your purse for touch-ups throughout the day, these smaller sizes are incredibly convenient. Plus, they encourage a more mindful approach to beauty, allowing us to enjoy a variety of products without the guilt of excess.
