It can be easy to fall into the same makeup habits over and over again. Whether you're used to doing a brown smoky eye [1] for every fancy event you go to or you're convinced you'll never stray from your red-lip [2]-and-black-winged-liner combo, sticking to the same techniques can feel like a safe option in a beauty world way too full of options. There are countless products to choose from — not to mention the seemingly overwhelming number of makeup artists [3] and beauty content creators to follow — so it can be difficult to sort out which trends are actually worth keeping up with.
Why not look a little further away from home for your inspiration? Makeup artists from around the globe [4] have their fingers on the pulse of what's trendy and new in makeup in their own countries, and they've settled on a few trends that they're really excited for in 2020. Whether it's graphic eyeliner, a statement lip colour, or a major blush moment, here are a few makeup trends that you should definitely try out this year.
Makeup Trend in Italy: Bold Lipstick
Lipstick was, is, and probably always will be a staple in every beauty lover's makeup collection. Whatever shade you pick, bringing attention to your lips can be as bold or as subtle a statement as you'd like. For Milan-based celebrity and editorial makeup artist Luca Cianciolo [5], he wants to shift to focusing on the lips more in 2020.
"Lips have to be strong, colourful, [and] perfect, as they represent the sensuality and the femininity of the Italian woman," he says. "I love all the different shades of brown, as in the
'80s, or the classic red lips — a must-have that never goes out of style."
He thinks that a focus on bold lips will be a big trend throughout the year because lipstick "is not just make up, but [it] is a lifestyle. The idea of a woman that retouches her lips during the day, during a dinner for example, is a way to take care of herself, to express her [power], and is a gesture that reminds me of the typical Italian femininity."
Makeup Trend in Italy: Bold Lipstick
Makeup Trend in Italy: Bold Lipstick
Makeup Trend in Italy: Bold Lipstick
Makeup Trend in Italy: Bold Lipstick
Makeup Trend in the UK: Blush Is Back
When Rihanna [6] wore her bright-pink blush on the Met Gala red carpet in 2017, it was a beauty moment that would go down in history. Since then, blush has made a comeback and is now something that every makeup aficionado experiments with.
According to London-based makeup artist and ICONIC London [7] ambassador Mary Greenwell [8], 2020 is the year that blush will be back in an even bigger way.
"Blush creates a naturally radiant finish that works perfectly to lift and brighten the complexion," she says. "The new generation liquid and cream blushes are bringing back blush in a fresh way, with easy-to-use and blend-able formulas that create the most divine second-skin effect. I apply directly with my fingers, patting in to sheer the colour out for a buildable, healthy flush. Using a sheer and buildable liquid blush creates a fresh, soft hue that can really transform, lift and sculpt the skin in quite a unique way."
The cool part about using liquid and cream blushes is that it allows you to build up the intensity of the colour without losing your skin's natural luminous texture. You can apply it with your fingertips to just give a slight whisper of colour to your cheeks, or you can pack it on with a denser brush to really amp up the intensity. You can just do the apples of your cheeks to look youthful and lifted, or drape it back toward your contour and into your brow bone for a more editorial effect.
Makeup Trend in the UK: Blush Is Back
Makeup Trend in the UK: Blush Is Back
Makeup Trend in the UK: Blush Is Back
Makeup Trend in the UK: Blush Is Back
Makeup Trend in Australia: Graphic Black Eyeliner
2019 seemed to be the year that everyone started to get a little more creative with their eye makeup looks, and one trend that seems to be sticking around for awhile is graphic black liner. Perth-based makeup artist, beauty influencer, and former MAC Cosmetics educator, Janelle Han [9], is really loving experimenting with different eyeliner shapes.
"I believe that graphic liner is making its comeback. TV shows like Euphoria [10] are inspiring us to be more adventurous with our makeup, and eyeliner is one of the ways that we can do that," she says. "It's such a great statement piece that can completely transform a look. I love eyeliner because it's like a glass slipper: We all have different eye shapes, different styles, and different personalities, so the perfect eyeliner will be personalized to each individual."
Makeup Trend in Australia: Graphic Black Eyeliner
Makeup Trend in Australia: Graphic Black Eyeliner
Makeup Trend in Australia: Graphic Black Eyeliner
Makeup Trend in Australia: Graphic Black Eyeliner
Makeup Trend in Thailand: Graphic Liner in Bright Colours
While graphic black liner is ramping up to be huge in Australia this year, there's a more colourful version taking over a bit northwest. Nick Barose [11], who is a Thai-born celebrity and editorial makeup artist now based in NYC and LA, is enjoying bold graphic liner — but in a technicolor rainbow of shades. He regularly contributes to Vogue Thailand, Harper's Bazaar Thailand, and Elle Thailand, and works on a variety of celebs (including Lupita Nyong'o, Rachel Weisz [12], and Gugu Mbatha-Raw), so he is always looking for diverse ways to play with makeup.
"Fun, bold-coloured eyeliner makes a statement, but is also easy to wear — especially [on] Asians with dark hair and eyes," he says. "Dark eyes are neutral so you can pick whatever fun colour to play [with, whether it's] red, blue, green, or purple. To make [the look] more modern, just focus on the liner and go easy on the mascara, or just curl the lashes and skip mascara entirely if you already have full, dark lashes."
Makeup Trend in Thailand: Graphic Liner in Bright Colours
Makeup Trend in Thailand: Graphic Liner in Bright Colours
Makeup Trend in Thailand: Graphic Liner in Bright Colours
Makeup Trend in Thailand: Graphic Liner in Bright Colours
Makeup Trend in the U.S.: Clean Colour
In the U.S., 2020 is the year that colour won't just be restricted to one part of the face. Rather, Dior international makeup artist Ricky Wilson [13] thinks that "clean colour" — bright washes of colour paired with simple or transparent-looking skin and lips — will be a huge trend in the United States this year.
"I think this trend will be huge because people really love all of the beauty looks on Instagram showing colourful makeup," he says. "[However,] many people feel like there are too many steps or colours involved. This is totally doable even for a person who struggles with makeup." These fun, innovative makeup looks are simple to create, and can actually stay pretty neutral if you're the kind of makeup lover who gravitates toward more nudes. He recommends experimenting with pinks, blues, lilacs, and oranges because they're usually the most flattering and versatile.
Try out the trend by evening out your skin with a sheer coverage foundation for a natural finish. Take a brightly-coloured blush and sweep it from the apples of your cheeks up onto your cheek and brow bones. If you want to tie in your eye look as well, apply the blush onto your eyelid up through your crease. Keep your lips simple with a transparent gloss, and fill in your brows with a pencil to add more structure to the look.