TikTok has evolved over the past year from a teenage hangout to the go-to place for the latest tips and trends, including all the latest new beauty hacks and crazes. While some of the videos to go viral are decidedly dubious in their ‘advice’, some of them are down with the beauty zeitgeist. Here’s a look at some of the best new makeup trends.
Coquette makeup
The coquette aesthetic has grown out of the recent enthusiasm for combining the glamour and femininity of the past (think hit TV show Bridgerton, and the smouldering retro allure of the singer Lana del Ray). It’s about being grown up and confident in who you are, and not being afraid of embracing your inner love of Disney princesses.
To nail this look, pick soft warm shades of pink and mauve for lips, eyelids and cheeks, and go for a dewy skintone with glossy lips. Finish it off with long dark eyelashes, and well-defined eyebrows.
Barbiecore makeup
The Barbiecore look is for those who want to take the revival of the feminine aesthetic one step further. Inspired by the recent film starring Margo Robbie, the Barbiecore trend is what you assume it to be: recreating that famous doll face. If that sounds a bit too full-on for your taste, you could always pick and choose certain products or colours to give it a nod.
As you would expect, the look is built around the colour pink, with bright fuchsia lips and baby pink cheeks. If you are a fan of glittery eyelids and nails, you can knock yourself out. Top it off with a lash lengthening mascara, and a big bouncy blow-dry to match. You’re now all set as a perfect pouting Barbie girl!
Dark feminine aesthetic
For a more grown up take on the whole feminine vibe, you could have a flirtation with the dark feminine aesthetic.
This is all about taking control of the traditional ‘male gaze’ which has defined female beauty standards (Betty Friedan’s
The Feminine Mystique
and Naomi Wolf’s The Beauty Myth are obligatory reading for fans of this look), and reclaiming it as your own.
It’s a look with a nod to the goth and grunge trends of the 80s and 90s, with more sensuality and femininity added into the mix. Avoid soft peachy and pink shades, and embrace your natural skin tone with a colour matching foundation base. The key feature is ‘siren eyes’ which combine the smoky eye look with winged eyeliner.
Finish the look off with a lighter eyeshadow, full brows, and a bold red lip. It’s a maximalist look which works well for winter nights out.
Kidcore makeup
If the dark and brooding look is just not your thing, then you could embrace the alternative TikTok trend: kidcore. This is about not taking your look too seriously. Use bright neon colours and embellishments to create a fun playful vibe, which embraces the lighter side of life.
Top the look off with a high pony tail, or some braids. You could learn how to add some extra length to your tresses by taking a
hair extension course.