I was living the dream when I started my career as a beauty editor. Scrolling through makeup artists’ Instagrams and scouring Sephora for the perfect red lipstick shades were simply just part of the day’s work. All that time I spent developing a knack for research in journalism school paid off as I scrolled through pages after pages of predictions on 2022’s beauty trends.
After two years of uncertainty, worry, and—honestly—chaos, you’d think the beauty industry would be ready to throw on its proverbial sweatpants and say screw it for 2022. After the dumpster fire of 2020, 2021 became our generation’s Gatsby-era, complete with the glitz and glamour of the ‘20s from head to toe (literally—2021 became the year of the glitter eyebrow). But with new variants and COVID concerns, we’re heading into 2022 with a similar feeling of stress and fatigue as we did last year. So where is beauty going in all this chaos? A healthy dose of the middle: A little more than March 2020 lockdowns but a lot less than Hot Vax Summer.
Per retailers and brand owners, we’ll see a continuation in the boom of color cosmetics, particularly in products that are long-wearing (mask-wearing is still a primary concern for makeup wearers). Haircare will experience what experts are calling a “skinification,” wherein we put the same focus on our hair and scalp as we have our skin. Products such as scalp scrubs, hair masks, and scalp serums will continue to be a dominant category. And we’ll continue to see a spike in glamour—from nail gems to glittery eyelids to blinged-out hair accessories—as the second coming of the ‘20s rages on.
But to make it simple, we’ve compiled all the top trends you’ll start seeing on your Instagram feed this year (and a little bit about how to get them at home). After a month’s worth of hard-hitting research, we’ve got it: 2022’s biggest beauty trends you can try at home:
1. ’90s Lips
We started seeing this trend years ago, thanks to Kylie Jenner pre-Lip Kit days, but instead of more fully opaque, pinky nude shades, we’re entering an era filled with brown lip liners and sheer glosses. This style naturally makes your lips look fuller and can be easily applied on the move. The best option is to choose a brown that is 2-3 shades darker than your natural color. But, be creative with the gloss. A little shimmer or a subtle touch of color can make a big difference.
2. Shiny Lids
After all the time spent at home, people will head out in large numbers, dousing themselves with every shiny thing they can find, especially eyeshadow. This can be done with just one eyeshadow, with one shimmery color smudged across the entire eyelid. Or you can get creative and use a few shades of liner (per Katie Jane Hughes). Whatever you do, make sure it’s shiny. We can’t blame you. It is the ’20s after all.
3. Slicked-Back Hair
This year, ponytails, braids, and buns will all get the slicked back treatment. This is a great way for your favorite updos to look fabulous again. Use a gel or hairspray on all sides and smooth it out with a boar-bristlebrush.
4. Soft skin
2022 won’t be all dewy or all matte—instead, we’ll see an uptick in skin that is natural and smooth. It looks just like natural skin, with a little moisturizer. This flawless look can be achieved by using a natural foundation and setting the desired areas with finely-milled powder.
5. Nail Art
Nails are a major part of the beauty industry. Harry Styles and Machine Gun Kelly have even put their names in the ring. The boom will continue in 2022. With squiggles, line art, and nail art in the forefront, last year was a huge year for nail art. This year, Pinterest predicts we’ll see lots of Earthly influence, like geode and ocean patterns, as well as pearl and gem accents galore. We can also expect to see many at-home options like nail art stickers and false nails.
6. Dramatic Liner
Winged eyeliner will never go out of style; it’s the LBD of makeup, like a red lip. But we’ve seen various trends surrounding winged eyeliner over the past few years, ranging from bright colors to the fox eye. Any and all eyeliner will continue in 2022, but we’ll see a rise in dramatic variations, particularly wings that extend much past the eye or wrap around through the crease for a ’60s flare.
7. Embracing Natural Texture
Everybody, from curly to curly hair, is welcome in 2022. You won’t have to press your hair to get the biggest styles; they can all be achieved with your texture too. Everything from slicked-back buns to braids to half-up ‘dos will look just as good (dare we say, better) on your natural texture. Use a curl definition cream and a lightweight oil to keep your hair shiny and straight.
8. The “Clean Look”
This is a relatively new trend making big waves on Tiktok that we guarantee you’ll see more of this year. It’s basically the new version of “no-makeup makeup,” involving very sheer, dewy skin, natural brows, light makeup, and tinted lip balm. It’s a little bit more involved but has that “model-off-duty” vibe—not surprisingly, as it was developed to mimic the daily makeup of the Hadids, Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and more.
For a more dewy look and less coverage, mix your daily moisturizer with your foundation. Apply a bit of separating mascara or tinted lipbalm to your cheeks, eyes, and lips.
9. Statement Hair Accessories
Hair accessories are the solution to second- and third-day hair. All you need is a little Something. They can be used to style your hair easily, making it look effortless, and even making updos look chic. But in 2022, we’re taking them up a notch. We’re talking layered headbands, stacks of barrettes, giant bows, colorful bobby pins—if it looks over the top, we want it. These can be worn with any length or texture of hair, making them versatile for everyone.
Source: The Every Girl
