Some looks that dominated the past few years won’t carry the same weight in 2025. Soap brows and heavy latte-inspired makeup are fading, while softer, more natural finishes are taking their place. You can expect luminous skin, lightweight coverage, and versatile products to remain at the center of everyday routines.
You’ll also notice a shift toward balance—bold accents like graphic eyeliner or statement lips will still appear, but they’ll be paired with fresh, skin-focused bases rather than layered, heavy styles. This mix of minimalism and creativity gives you room to experiment without losing a polished feel.
The trends sticking around emphasize healthy skin, multitasking products, and neutral tones, while the trends leaving behind lean on overly sculpted or high-maintenance looks. That balance between effortless and expressive is what defines makeup in 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Some past favorites are fading while softer styles take over
- Lightweight and skin-focused looks continue to dominate
- A blend of minimalism and bold accents shapes the year
Makeup Trends Going Away in 2025
You’ll notice certain beauty trends that once dominated social media and celebrity looks are starting to fade. Techniques that focused on extremes—whether in shaping, color, or finish—are being replaced by softer, more wearable styles that highlight your natural features.
Sharp Contour and Heavy Sculpting
The sharp contour that defined cheekbones with deep lines and heavy shading is losing ground in 2025. Instead of carving out your face with layers of bronzer and highlighter, you’ll see a shift toward skin tints and balmy textures that create dimension without looking forced.
Celebrity makeup artists now prefer sheer products that blend seamlessly into the skin. They often recommend multitasking sticks that can warm up your complexion without the harsh angles of past contour trends.
Brands like MAC Cosmetics are releasing lightweight bronzing products to support this softer approach. These formulas let you build color gradually and keep your look modern rather than dated.
Food-Inspired Makeup Fades
Trends like “latte makeup” and other food-inspired looks had their moment, but they won’t carry the same influence in 2025. While shades of caramel, mocha, and cinnamon are still flattering, the overly themed approach feels less fresh this year.
You may still see neutral tones, but they’re being used in a more versatile way. Instead of sticking to one palette inspired by a drink or dessert, you’ll have more freedom to mix textures and tones that suit your skin.
Industry experts point out that this change reflects a move toward personalization. Rather than copying a viral trend, you can choose colors that enhance your undertones and lifestyle.
Extremely Bright Under-Eyes
The stark white concealer trend under the eyes is fading fast. It often created a sharp contrast that looked unnatural in real life, even if it photographed well.
In 2025, under-eye makeup is all about balance. You’ll find that tinted serums and skin-like correctors are replacing heavy layers of bright concealer. These products provide coverage while keeping the finish luminous and natural.
Makeup artists now suggest using a shade closer to your skin tone or just one step lighter. This keeps your under-eye area brightened without the harsh, chalky effect that was common in past beauty trends.
Overdone Brows and Lashes
Brows and lashes that looked overly styled—whether through soap brows, laminated extremes, or thick lash extensions—are being scaled back. The shift is toward a more natural, groomed appearance that frames your face without overwhelming it.
You’ll notice that brushed-up brows are still popular, but they’re softer and less rigid. A tinted gel or fine pencil is enough to add shape without creating blocky lines.
For lashes, the focus is moving away from heavy falsies. Lightweight mascaras and lash serums are taking their place, giving you definition while keeping the look comfortable and wearable day to day.
Makeup Trends Remaining Strong in 2025
You’ll notice that many of the most popular looks this year focus on enhancing natural beauty rather than covering it up. Lightweight textures, softer finishes, and multipurpose products continue to dominate, making your routine easier while still feeling polished.
Minimal Makeup and Skinimalism
Minimal makeup remains a favorite because it’s practical and skin-friendly. Instead of layering multiple products, you can rely on tinted serums, skin tints, or hybrid formulas that combine skincare with light coverage. Brands like Rare Beauty and Fenty Beauty offer options that keep skin looking fresh without feeling heavy.
This approach works well if you want breathable coverage that still evens out skin tone. A simple routine might include:
- Tinted serum or skin tint
- Cream blush or bronzer
- Brow gel
- Gloss or balm
Skinimalism also emphasizes healthy skin prep. Hydration, SPF, and a good moisturizer matter just as much as the makeup itself, since the goal is to let your natural complexion show through.
Soft Sculpt and Subtle Brows
Instead of sharp contour lines, soft sculpting uses cream bronzers and balmy textures to add definition without looking harsh. You can blend these products with your fingers or a sponge for a seamless finish. The result is a natural shadow effect that enhances your features rather than reshaping them.
Brows follow the same understated approach. Thin, overdrawn brows are fading, while softly groomed brows stay relevant. A tinted gel or pencil with feathered strokes is usually enough. The aim is structure without stiffness, complementing the rest of your face instead of dominating it.
This trend pairs especially well with minimal makeup, since both focus on enhancing what you already have.
Glossy Lips and All-Over Flush
Glossy lips continue to be a staple because they’re easy to wear and flattering on most skin tones. Clear balms, tinted glosses, and hydrating oils all stay popular, offering shine without stickiness. Fenty Beauty’s glosses remain a top choice, and you’ll also see more multitasking lip-and-cheek products.
The all-over flush trend complements glossy lips. Cream blushes applied on cheeks, temples, and even the bridge of your nose create a cohesive look. This technique gives you a healthy, unified glow without requiring multiple steps.
Together, the glossy lip and flushed skin combination creates a simple yet polished finish that works for both casual and dressed-up settings.
Emerging and Evolving Makeup Trends for 2025
You’ll notice a shift toward skin-focused products, nostalgic throwbacks, and more expressive use of color. The year emphasizes balance—between natural finishes and bold statements, between minimalism and artistry.
Modern Matte and Dewy Finishes
Skin remains the center of makeup in 2025, but the finishes are evolving. Instead of flat, heavy matte bases, you’ll see modern matte textures that feel breathable and soft. These products blur imperfections without looking dry, making them ideal if you want a polished yet natural look.
On the other side, dewy finishes are more refined than in past years. Think luminous skin with controlled shine, achieved through tinted serums, balmy foundations, and multitasking primers. Estée Lauder and other heritage brands are leaning into hybrid formulas that combine skincare with coverage.
At New York Fashion Week, designers like Kim Shui highlighted both matte and glowing skin on the runway. This shows you don’t have to commit to one finish—you can adapt depending on the occasion or even mix textures for dimension.
Grunge 2.0 and ’90s Nostalgia
The ’90s influence continues, but it’s not just about brown lipstick anymore. You’ll see Grunge 2.0, a modernized take on smudgy eyeliner, muted tones, and slightly undone looks. It’s a softer version of the original, making it wearable for everyday while still giving you edge.
Key elements include smoky liner, matte taupe shadows, and brick-toned lips. This revival also pairs well with glossy balms, so you can balance rugged eye makeup with fresh skin. At NYFW, several shows leaned into this aesthetic, proving the trend works both on stage and off-duty.
You’ll find inspiration in layering—pairing a thin black liner with blurred edges or mixing matte browns with a touch of shimmer. It’s a nostalgic nod without feeling dated.
Goddesscore and Glass Skin
If you prefer radiance, goddesscore and glass skin trends are shaping how you highlight your features. Goddesscore focuses on golden, sun-kissed tones with soft bronzers, peachy blush, and shimmering highlighters that give you a warm glow.
Glass skin, inspired by Korean beauty, emphasizes clarity and hydration. You’ll see lightweight skin tints, hydrating primers, and glossy balms that make your complexion look smooth and reflective. Brands are creating products that blur the line between skincare and makeup, making it easier to achieve this effect.
Runway looks at Kim Shui’s NYFW show leaned into luminous skin with subtle highlights, proving this trend isn’t just for social media—it’s wearable in real life.
Bold Colors and Artistic Expression
2025 also embraces color in a big way. You’ll see electric blues, emerald greens, and bold reds used on eyes, lips, and even brows. This trend is less about perfection and more about experimenting with shapes, textures, and unexpected placements.
Graphic liner, floating eyeshadow, and two-tone lips are becoming more common. Some makeup artists at NYFW used neon accents against neutral bases, giving you inspiration for both subtle pops and full statement looks.
If you enjoy creativity, this is where you can play. Try mixing matte pigments with glossy finishes or layering bold shades with softer neutrals. It’s about personal expression and making your makeup feel unique to you.
