Beauty Trends to Watch Out For This 2020

Fashion and make-up trends come and go every season. And while last year saw a good mix of nostalgic throwbacks (think neon make-up and retro haircuts) and fresh styles, we've got even more to look forward to this 2020—especially in the world of beauty.

After all, the previous decade set the foundation for a more progressive industry, both for brands and beauty lovers alike. From pushing for inclusivity and embracing imperfections, to shaking up the status quo and advocating for a cleaner industry, this is the direction we'll hopefully keep up as we move forward.

That being said, here are some beauty trends that we want to keep seeing on our radar this 2020.

Sustainable Beauty

Sustainability, especially in cosmetics and skincare, is nothing new. But with the state of our environment becoming more drastic each day, beauty brands are starting to give sustainability more thought. Recently, Net-a-Porter even kicked off 2020 with an entire magazine dedicated to sustainable beauty with supermodel and climate activist Amber Valletta on its front cover. As for beauty products themselves, we’re definitely going to be seeing more toxic-free ingredients, organic products, and even low-impact packagings.

K-Beauty

K-beauty is something that has been steadily gaining momentum in the Western beauty world. Everything from this beauty trend is “natural”—from its ingredients to the glow-up it promises. And while others may have raised their eyebrows at ingredients like ginseng and propolis, such is not the case anymore. In fact, on Pretty Me’s review of Snail White Whipp Soap, beauty writer Sheena Dizon notes that ingredients like snail extract are so well-loved among global consumers because they are more natural than most commercial products. Since they contain more plant extracts than chemicals, they’re well-suited for most skin types too.

Probiotic Skincare

Most of us probably grew up being told not to touch our faces to avoid germs, but not all bacteria is bad. As a matter of fact, there are over 1,000 species of bacteria that is necessary to keep skin healthy and radiant. These facts are what lead to the rise of probiotic skincare. Furthermore, on Byrdie’s blog post about Aurelia Probiotic’s miracle cleanser, it is explained how probiotics can help prevent inflammation too. This means that it can calm symptoms of acne, eczema, and other skin conditions.

Balayage

Last year, we saw a flurry of balayage trends —from 3D balayage to balayage mapping. But since 2020 is embracing more natural looks, the trend seems to have come back to the good old balayage. If this treatment sounds unfamiliar to you, "balayage" literally means “to sweep” or “to paint," much like how highlights are hand-painted onto your hair. Compared to other dyes, a balayage is designed to make your growing roots pop out in such a way that’s natural, which means fewer trips to the salon for a retouch.

Colored Mascara

Eye make-up is a huge part of this year’s trends. And while we’ve been seeing a lot of vivid eye shadows and eyeliner lately, even more striking is the bright-colored mascara trend. Beauty guru Amelia Harvey mentions how there’s a right mascara color for every eye, such as eggplant purple for green or hazel eyes, navy blue for blue or gray eyes, and turquoise for brown. Try it—it'll really help your eyes pop.

Natural-Looking Lip Stains

Then again, you don't need to be rock neon or flamboyant glitter to make a statement. For those looking for something more subtle, you'll be glad to know that blurred lip stain is becoming all the rage. Instead of the usual bold lips, we've got best-selling sheer mattes like Glossier's Gen G, which have been flying off the shelves since launching years ago. Other brands are now following in their footsteps with such natural, "my-lips-but-better" shades that are easy to blend and use for everyday.

So, what are you waiting for? Start the decade right by exploring these exciting trends. Whether you like it minimalist or fun, there's something to try for everyone.

Sustainability Archives @ AOC