As trends evolve, certain makeup practices become outdated, making way for fresher, more modern approaches. In 2025, it’s time to part ways with some of these styles that have dominated our beauty routines for too long.
Whether you’re a makeup enthusiast or a professional artist, knowing which trends to retire will keep your look current and polished. Here’s a guide to eight specific trends to bid farewell to, alongside interesting insights and tips.
1. Full Coverage Foundation
The era of thick, full-coverage foundation is fading fast. With the growing popularity of embracing natural beauty, many are opting for lightweight formulas that enhance rather than mask their skin. Heavy foundations can often lead to a cakey appearance.
Instead, consider foundations that offer buildable coverage, allowing your skin’s natural texture to shine through. This shift also echoes the ongoing trend of skincare-first beauty routines. By focusing on skin health, you can reduce the need for excessive coverage. Embrace products that allow flexibility and maintain your skin’s radiance.
2. Exaggerated Highlighter
The days of blinding highlighters are diminishing. An overly intense highlighter can detract from a cohesive makeup look, drawing attention away from your natural radiance. Opt for formulas that offer a more subtle sheen. The goal is to highlight your natural features, not overshadow them.
Products with a soft, pearlescent finish can add the perfect touch of glow, without overpowering your makeup. These newer highlighters are designed to work harmoniously with your skin tone, offering a refined sophistication to any look. It’s all about enhancing your natural beauty with grace.
3. “Baking” Your Setting Powder
This once-popular trend of applying thick layers of setting powder has lost its charm. Often resulting in a dry, heavy finish, baking can exaggerate fine lines. Many makeup lovers are now choosing more subtle and hydrating setting techniques.
Modern setting powders are designed to blend seamlessly, providing a natural finish. Focus on lightly dusting powder to set your makeup, ensuring longevity without sacrificing comfort. These new methods allow for a more breathable feel, complementing dewy or satin skin finishes that are now en vogue. Say goodbye to that dry, chalky look.
4. Incredibly Matte Makeup
The stark matte look is stepping aside for more luminous finishes. Incredibly matte makeup can often appear flat, lacking the vibrancy of more radiant counterparts. This shift highlights a preference for skin that looks alive and hydrated.
Incorporate products like cream blushes and highlighters to add dimension and a natural glow. Dewy foundations and luminous setting sprays can transform your look, offering a fresh, youthful appearance. Matte makeup is not entirely out, but balance is key. Embrace a few matte elements, but let your skin breathe with a bit of shine.
5. Overlining Lips
Overlining lips to achieve plumpness is becoming a thing of the past. This technique can sometimes create an overly dramatic look that’s less desirable in the evolving beauty landscape. Embrace a more natural approach to lip enhancement.
Focus on using lip liners that match your natural lip color, enhancing your lips’ shape subtly. Lip care products that plump and hydrate can also contribute to a fuller appearance without over-exaggeration. This subtlety aligns more with the clean, minimalist trends that are gaining popularity. Let your natural beauty shine through.
6. Too Much Concealer
Overusing concealer can lead to a heavy, unnatural appearance. In 2025, less is more when it comes to concealer application. Applying too much can highlight texture and fine lines, rather than hide them. For a more youthful and fresh look, use concealer sparingly, focusing on areas that truly need coverage.
Opt for formulas that offer brightening properties. This will help in achieving a natural look while still effectively covering blemishes or dark circles. The goal is to enhance your features without overloading the skin.
7. Overtweezing Your Eyebrows
The trend of overtweezed brows is making way for fuller, more natural shapes. Sparse brows can age the face and require constant maintenance to keep a specific look. Embrace the beauty of your natural brow shape, focusing on enhancing rather than drastically altering.
Use brow gels and subtle pencils to fill in gaps, promoting a lush appearance without overdoing it. Allowing your brows to grow naturally can rejuvenate your overall look, offering a youthful, fresh vibe. It’s time to put the tweezers down and celebrate your natural features.
8. Heavy Contour Or Bronzer
Intense contouring and bronzing are stepping aside, allowing for softer, more blended techniques. Heavy application can create harsh lines that detract from a natural appearance. In 2025, the focus is on subtly enhancing the face’s natural structure.
Use bronzers and contour products to add warmth and depth, not to redefine your features completely. This approach offers a refined enhancement that works with your natural beauty, rather than overshadowing it. Softer techniques also contribute to a more approachable and polished look, aligning with current aesthetic preferences.