Trends, whether they are of the fashion, makeup or hair variety, are cyclical.
Revivals of tried and tested styles are super common, but the beauty of it is that they almost always make a comeback with a little twist.
This year, it’s all about revamping classic trends and embracing new looks, while also shelving outdated ones.
Here are what the numbers and industry experts say are going to be the biggest beauty trends of 2025.
Mocha mousse
In 2024, coffee makeup was big in the beauty world, and this year, similarly-themed brown shades are set to make an impact.
Pantone announced Mocha Mousse as the colour of the year for 2025, paving the way for this once “old-fashioned” shade to make a huge comeback.
This rich, warm shade is described by Vogue as “the meeting point of the ‘Latte Girl’s’ minimalism and the ‘Cinnamon Girl’s’ cosy warmth”.
Whether you want to use this hue on your lips, eyes or cheeks, look for smooth, blendable formulas that will help you to create either creamy eyeshadow or a bold eyeliner.
Cult Beauty reported that Google searches for mocha mousse makeup are up 74%, while “chocolate nails” are up by 160%.
Searches for “brown lips” have soared to over 300%, so make sure you include more brown tones into your collection this year.
Sabrina Carpenter makeup
Beauty Pie’s 2025 Beauty Trends Report calculates the total search volume for hundreds of different trends to see the biggest growth in popularity and interest to predict which trends will be popular in this year.
One of them is Pop princess Sabrina Carpenter’s signature makeup looks, which are set to take the world by storm.
The blonde bombshell is known for her winged liner, subtle eyeshadow shimmer and rosy cheeks, a fresh and youthful look that resonates with Gen Zs and younger Millennials.
Experiment with the singer’s iconic cat eye look with a liquid eyeliner or give yourself that youthful flush with pink blush to your cheeks.
‘Aura’ beauty
According to Pinterest’s trend predictions for 2025, one of the beauty looks that will stand out will be ‘aura’ (the distinctive atmosphere or quality that is supposedly generated by a person, thing or place) makeup.
Remember mood rings, the early 2000s accessories trend where special rings were meant to change colour according to how you were feeling? Well, aura makeup is somewhat inspired by this Y2K trend.
Aura-effect and golden aura-inspired looks are growing in popularity, while full-colour makeup eyes are also on the rise.
All about zeroing in on one colour, from your nails to your eyes, this makeup trend is meant to give your look a monochromatic vibe that is solely your own aesthetic.
Whether you go tonal with neutrals or go with bright hues, this look is all about personalisation and celebrating what makes you uniquely you.
Go get that glitter
This year, don’t put off shimmery eyeshadow to December, as this is going to be a leading trend all year round.
Embrace glitter all day, every day, which is going to be easy with the countless formulas out there in the market.
The new era of glitter eyeshadows aren’t all heavy duty and bold – light shimmers with zero fallout are aplenty out there, along with translucent sparkles.
Of course, chunky and thick options will still be making their rounds, but now it’s possible to elevate your makeup look by lightly dust your eyelids with some shine for a casual work day or an afternoon outing.
Cherry cherry lady
According to Pinterest’s annual trend report, Pinterest Predicts, cherry hues will be infused into everything from makeup to menus and mood boards this year.
The social media site has reported an increase of 325% on “cherry vibes” and dark cherry red is up 235%.
Makeup is sure to be impacted by the latter, as we are seeing more variations of dark lipsticks, glosses and even eyeliners being introduced by brands.
Graphic eyeliner
If you stocked up on a variety of eyeliner and eyeshadow recently, fear not for bold makeup styles for eyes are not going anywhere.
While bedazzling your eyelids and eye contours with face jewels is a disappearing trend, graphic or structured eyeliner is still going strong.
Think bold and bright shades, but if you’re not that “extra”, good old, reliable black is always in trend.
If you’re adventurous, no one is going to stop you from combining two different shades and totally rocking it.
Blendable everything
Uniformity is a running theme for this year’s predictions, with all-over colour reigning as a popular trend.
In line with this, makeup too is becoming more versatile with plenty of blendable options for you to choose from.
Eyeshadow combos are the easiest way to adopt this trend, and you can create classic looks or makeup that pops by experimenting with every shade in trio or five-shade palettes.
In a release from Bobbi Brown, the brand quotes global pro artist Marc Reagan as encouraging makeup enthusiasts to enhance what’s already there, rather than creating something different.
“Start by brightening the lid. Then layer shades and add definition”, he says.
Read more: Celebrity Style: Sabrina Carpenter is quickly becoming a fashion icon
Sunset and sunburned
Blush in many shapes and forms are making waves in the world of makeup, with “boyfriend blush”, “sunset blush” and “sunburned blush” leading the charge.
According to Beauty Pie, these trends are among the top 10 searched makeup styles online.
Sunset blush, a look that mimics the hues of a sunset with pinks, oranges and reds, and is often paired with a highlighter to complete your warm, sunset-inspired look.
Sunburned makeup is also on the rise, a level up from the sunkissed look.
Also known as “sunburnt blush”, this trend involves creating a natural sun-kissed glow across your face in areas where you would typically get sunburnt – across the cheekbones, nose and forehead.
If you think it’s easier to get the sunburnt look by actually getting burned, that’s a strict no-no, as wearing SPF to protect your skin is a must, even on cloudy days.
Goddesses and ... witches?
Finally, two special mentions go to the Golden goddess look and “sea witchery”, also listed on Pinterest as popular searches and soon-to-be top makeup trends.
The social media site notes that the “goddess energy aesthetic” is a hot search term among Boomer and Gen X women on the platform, with gold hues and striking gold accents on eyes, cheeks, lips and nails gaining traction.
Among Gen Zs and Millenials, dark beauty is the new thing, with many looking into sultry makeup, moody shades and mermaid-inspired styles that give one’s look an edge.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
