From Y2K-inspired eyeshadow to orbital highlighter—these are the makeup trends 2023 will bring

From soft-focus skin to the return of 90s grunge—here's what makeup trends 2023 has in store for us

Makeup trends 2023: Photos of Bella Hadid with blush and defined eyebrows, Beyoncé from 2006 with blue eyeshadow, Hailey Bieber with glowy,skin and blush and finally Jennifer Aniston from the 90s, wearing black eyeliner/ In a pink and blue template
(Image credit: Getty Images: (L) Vittorio Zunino Celotto/ Kevin Winter/Kevin Mazur/VF22/WireImage/ Evan Agostini/Liaison)

The predictions for all the makeup trends 2023 will bring are in—and from the looks of it, we'll be delving into our nostalgia for Y2K beauty trends and swapping our 'glazed' foundation looks for cloud-like, "soft-focus" skin! Here are all beauty trends set to go viral this year, according to the experts...

Ah, 2022—the year where 'Clean Girl Aesthetic' natural-esque makeup dominated our TikTok algorithm and the über sun-kissed blush trend had us all in a chokehold. While it seems we won't be bidding farewell to these looks anytime soon, 2023 does promise a whole host of new trends to add to our beauty routines, plus a few old-school looks set to have a resurgence.

From 90s grunge eyeliner to Barbiecore-inspired makeup, 2023 could see us take a big step out of our comfort zones. So, if you want to stay in the loop with all the upcoming makeup trends—here's what the beauty experts are predicting for the year ahead!

It looks like you'll be needing a few of the best eyeshadow palettes and best eyeliners in prep for 2023, as eye looks are set to take center stage—along with soft focus skin and a movement towards more sheer makeup, like glow-giving skin tints and kissable-looking lip tints...

1. Baby blue eyeshadow

Get reading for a 2000s comeback, as Saffron Hughes, FalseEyelashes resident makeup artist predicts we'll be seeing a lot of this icy, Britney Spears-approved look.

She says: "We’ll see the return of the iconic baby blue glitter eyeshadow that was a key beauty symbol in the 2000s. Back in the day blue eyeshadow looks were paired with thick mascara and powdered skin but 2023 will see it paired with next to no-skin makeup and heavy blush.”

We've already seen the likes of Kendall Jenner take a run at this trend and while it's been a bit of a slow burner—we'll all supposedly be jumping on the bandwagon soon enough.

2. Baby pink blush

Sticking with the '00s theme, cool-toned baby pink blush will also continue to make the rounds on TikTok. Beauty lovers have already been fawning over Dior's petal pink, Rosy Glow blush and our obsession is only set to grow in 2023.

This will also likely be influenced by the new Barbie movie—starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken-which is set to premiere later this year.

3. Soft focus skin

While we'll continue to adore glow-giving products like the e.l.f Halo Glow Filter, our attention will turn more towards cloud-like soft focus skin. 

Saffron predicts: "We’ll move away from super glossy, ‘wet’ skin that has had a huge moment in 2022 and we’ll be seeing more of the opposite. 

"Rather than a matte, chalky finish, we’ll see soft-focused, ‘cloud'-like skin. Highlighter placement will be solely strategic to add dimension to the face. We’ll be using more powder products to create an air-brushed and doll-like canvas.”

So, make sure you're stocked up on the best non-comedogenic foundations, for that flawless and poreless finish!

4. Coquette makeup

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♬ Photo - RICEWINE

Experts from Beauty Pie suggest that the Coquette makeup trend will have a major moment in 2023, with searches already on the rise by 1,690% in the run-up to the New Year.

According to the Metro, this trend is focused on 'hyper femininity'—it incorporates rosy-hued makeup, cat-eye eyeliner looks and will accompany the buzz around cool-toned, baby pink blushes. 

5. 90s 'unbothered' grunge eye makeup

Of course, the '90s had to feature somewhere on this list. Saffron predicts that grungy 'unbothered' eye makeup, which was everywhere in the 1990s will return once more in 2023. 

Saffron notes: " While some beauty fans will follow the noughties resurgence, we’ll also see a huge uptake in '90s-esque, smudged eyeliner and heavy mascara. 

"We’ll see this trend in various shades of black, brown or purple to give off a casual, ‘unbothered’ vibes, however, I expect we’ll pair it with very clean skin in order to make it more wearable.” 

This is also backed up by Beauty Pie, whose research uncovered a  25% spike in searches for 'glam grungy' makeup. Don't fret if you're an eyeliner beginner, you can find some easy pen-like liners to recreate this look with—plus, the whole point of it being 'grungy' is that it's not meant to be perfect.

6. Doe eye makeup

Unlike the siren-eye trend, which is all about sultry, defined eyes—the doe-eye trend will see us embody our inner cuteness, with searches already rising by 122%.

With the white liner in the water line to make your eyes appear bigger and a silvery shimmer in your inner corner, you'll be giving off major Bambi vibes.

7. Refillable lipsticks

Much like with the predicted 2023 skincare trends, beauty lovers will start leaning towards more sustainable beauty brands, especially when it comes to lipsticks.

So far a number of brands like Lancôme and Dior have already started offering refillable options.

8. Orbital 'glazed' highlighter

It looks like Hailey Bieber's nails will start inspiring our makeup looks next year and we'll start changing up our classic highlighter application too! 

Rachael Divers, award-winning makeup artist and resident MUA at Face The Future, says: "We've seen the glazed donut trend all over TikTok with glow-enhancing makeup. In 2023 I think we'll see that reach higher up the face, with placement being focused on the temple and orbital bone versus the cheeks."

Divers also adds that we'll lean more towards liquid highlighters, before sharing tips for a super glowy application: "Apply it when it's at skin temperature for a more airbrushed finish, by first putting the product on your fingertips or palms, and then applying it with your fingers onto the places you want. You can then continue using your fingers to stamp this on the temples, outside of eyes, and closer to the hairline, or use your beauty blender/brush."

9. Lifted brows

Think Bella Hadid's brows and you've basically got the message—brow expert, and CEO of Rubis Tweezers, Fides Baldesberger says, "We've seen a lot of brow trends this year, but I think Lifted Brows will be the biggest brow trend of 2023. 

Adding, "you can create the impression of a "Lifted Brow" by combing your brows upwards or shortening/plucking the tail of your brow you give a more lifted effect. It also gives you space to draw the tail out straight which also gives the impression of a naturally lifted brow."

10. Skin and lip tints

While we'll be experimenting with more bold eye looks and defined, lifted brows—we'll also start embracing natural-looking skin and lip tints, especially in summer.

Beauty Pie says searches for lip tints have soared by 53% with skin tints not far behind. Skin and lips tint are great for creating a more even skin tone and giving your lips a fresh, natural pout—without feeling heavy. Plus a lip stain tends to have better staying power than a normal lipstick, hence the name.

Plus, if you're already a lover of natural foundations, a skin tint might be right up your alley!

Naomi Jamieson
Lifestyle News Writer

Naomi is a Lifestyle News Writer with the Women's Lifestyle team, where she covers everything from entertainment to fashion and beauty, as well as TikTok trends for Woman&Home, after previously writing for My Imperfect Life and GoodTo. Interestingly though, Naomi actually has a background in design, having studied illustration at Plymouth University but lept into the media world in 2020, after always having a passion for writing and earned her Gold Standard diploma in Journalism with the NCTJ.


Before working for Future Publishing’s Lifestyle News team, she worked in the Ad production team. Here she wrote and designed adverts on all sorts of things, which then went into print magazines across all genres. Now, when she isn’t writing articles on celebs, fashion trends, or the newest shows on Netflix, you can find her drinking copious cups of coffee, drawing and probably online shopping.