7 biggest makeup trends that we’re about to see in 2023, including new ways to flaunt a skin glow!

Look back on 2022 and you’ll easily picture a colourful flurry of Y2K makeup including glitzy eyeshadows, chromatic colours, and super-shine glosses for an unapologetically youthful, bold style.

You’ll also remember that it was the year of minimalist makeup, which involved a loyal dedication to multi-step skincare routines and reaching for more tinted products to flaunt “less is more” skin.

What’s really exciting as we start hyping ourselves up for 2023 is that we’re leaving some of these go-to makeup trends behind and picking up glorious new styles – or enjoying here-to-stay styles with a twist – for a “new year, new me” look!

That’s right, this year, get ready to enjoy an emphasis on the bare skin again this year, but also fiercer girl-boss-style makeup, wispier doll-like lashes, and plumper pouts.

We speak to makeup artists Larry Yeo and Alex T to find out the biggest makeup trends that’ll take over in 2023 and how exactly you can nail these brand-new styles on the head the moment you step into the new year!

Super sheen skin

“Super sheen skin” is in, according to Larry, and it’s putting a soft, dewy skin glow to shame. Dewy skin but on steroids, “super sheen skin” is the K-beauty trend – just “sweatier”, emphasised the makeup artist.

“The glow is very obvious even from afar,” said Larry. The high sheen on the skin makes it look like you’re “hit by a bright flash” or “dewed up by Singapore’s heat”. It’s like skin that’s been “remoisten[ed] by humidity in the day.”

The makeup artist pointed us to looks from the Gucci Spring 2023 and Fashion East Spring 2023 shows, and, true enough, we spotted seriously reflective radiance on both runways.

Those with good skin will surely be able to rock this base effortlessly, but those with dry skin who will best appreciate this “sweaty” skin glow, quipped Larry. That’s because, instead of a powdery finish that’s typical for dry skin, they’ll get to wear a moist shine all through the day.

How to nail this makeup trend

Larry’s advice is to use a cushion foundation with a glowing finish to create your makeup base – and, even if you’re tempted to end off with setting powder, don’t.

Should your skin get really oily because of Singapore’s humid weather, he suggests applying setting powder only under the eyes and the oilier parts of the T-zone. “You can also powder on the outer line of the face to create a desired dimensional pop.”

Best products to use

The makeup artist tells us to use Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright Face Primer as the first step in your makeup routine, followed by MAC’s Lightful C³ Quick Finish Cushion Compact Foundation.

The MAC Lightful C³ Quick Finish Cushion Compact Foundation is a cushion foundation that’s infused with pearlescent pink pearls and the brand’s Lightful C³ Complex – and it’s one that’ll give the skin an effortless glow.

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Face Primer retails for S$66 on Sephora.
MAC Lightful C³ Quick Finish Cushion Compact Foundation retails for S$69 on Sephora.

Fresh skin

If we’re doing an end-of-the-year #throwback, we’ll surely recall skin being in.

Don’t expect to ditch your skincare prep anytime soon, because fresh skin is here to stay in 2023, celebrated Larry and Alex agrees. “We are currently in a time of embracing imperfections and enjoying the supposed freedom that a lighter base gives,” said Alex. By Larry’s definition, it’s skin that’s covered with minimal foundation and boasts an even tone.

That’s not to say we toss out our foundations completely, but rather, we embrace tinted products and hybrid skincare makeup to achieve a less-is-more look.

“Gen Zs have discovered tinted moisturisers [and] sheer foundations, [products that are] trending now,” observed Larry. These products are what you’ll need to flaunt a fresh skin radiance in the coming year.

How to nail this makeup trend

“Prep your skin well with a sunscreen that is formulated like a primer but sets to a natural finish like the KOSE Sekkeisei Clear Wellness UV Defense Milk,” shared the makeup artist.

You should also allow your sunscreen to set for about 20 to 30 minutes before going in with a tinted product. Larry’s product of choice is Ultra Violette’s Daydream Screen SPF50 Tinted Veil, which he recommends massaging into the skin. “It goes on smooth and blends out well, looking like [a] second skin without much effort.”

“Fill in with concealer where needed, a touch of brow gel to neaten up, and a coloured lip balm to bring the whole look together,” finished Larry.

For those who want a skincare routine that’s as pared-back as their base, simply swap out your thick foundation for a tinted moisturiser and you’re ready to go. Alex’s products of choice are the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser, the Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturiser, and the Tarte Maracuja Tinted Moisturiser for a just-enough glow.

• Kose Sekkisei Clear Wellness UV Defense Milk retails for S$32 on Shopee.
• Ultra Violette’s Daydream Screen SPF50 Tinted Veil for S$58 on Sephora.
• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser retails for S$79 on Sephora.
• Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturiser retails for S$48 on Sephora.
• Tarte Maracuja Tinted Moisturiser retails for S$49 on Sephora.

Sculpted eyes and cheeks

Sculpted eyes and cheeks are thriving on the runway, so it’s no wonder that Larry predicts that it will be a makeup trend that will triumph in 2023.

Sculpted eyeshadow, he described, is “less K-pop smokey eyes femme but more of a stronger lingering stare [that] means business.”

“There’s always something empowering [about] nice sculpted eyes and cheeks,” he affirmed. “As the news [today] is all about recession and job insecurity, I do think it is a good look to [wear] at meetings.”

How to nail this makeup trend

To nail an edgy sculpted eyes style, Larry suggests concentrating your eyeshadow around the eyes before extending the shape outwards.

Even if you’re a beginner when it comes to blending, there’s still a way for you to perfect this eyeshadow look: “Use a stick eyeshadow on your eyelids, following your eye shape. Push [the eyeshadow against] the socket area and lower lash line, and just use your fingers to quickly blend out the ends,” elaborated the makeup artist.

The trick is to pick an eyeshadow shade that’s “bronzy enough to give shape, but not too dark [so that it] look[s] too smokey.” You can also pair the eyeshadow with thin eyeliner and lots of mascara to complete your fierce gaze.

To really bring out these boss-style chiselled cheeks, start with a good foundation base. “Keep the foundation to a medium coverage and not fully matte or too glowy,” Larry suggests. Then, “use a neutral contour colour – not a bronzer – and just apply it to your cheekbones for dimensional shape.”

Best products to use

The Laura Mercier Eye Caviar Stick in Amethyst is Larry’s top pick for those with fair skin. For those with mid-tone skin, Strapless makes the ideal shade, whereas individuals with a deep-tone complexion can opt for a beautiful Burnished Bronze!

Laura Mercier Eye Caviar Stick retails for S$49 on Sephora. 

Anime-style fluttery lashes

We won’t say gone are the days of chunky, thick lashes, but we will say that new in town and here to stay are feathery, lightweight, anime-style lashes!

2022 has seen a multitude of lash trends, from spidery K-pop idol lashes to wispy lashes, all of which have one thing in common: they’re lightweight and way more natural-looking than the heavy lash extensions of the past.

​Well, there’s an adorable feathery lash style set to really pick up in 2023, and it’s anime-style fluttery lashes. This style features taller wisps of lashes amidst shorter feathery strands for a “soft feminine style”, Larry chipped in.

However, if you’ve got hooded eyes, you might want to skip this lash style, the makeup artist added. Your hooded eyelids will cause your lashes to point downwards instead of being perky and lifted, which is what you want for this wide-eyed lash look.

Pro tips for a complete makeup look? “Remember to keep your eye makeup soft, pinky, and flushed, with very little eyeliner – solely at the ends to extend the eyes dollish. Add a touch of blush near the eyes to [extend your cheek’s flush] and softly fill in the brows so [they] look powdered,” revealed Larry.

You can also wear a glossy and stained lip to tie in the look and enhance your lashes, he concluded.

Best products to use

In addition to fluffing up your lashes with Dolly Wink’s Easy Lash 08 falsies, sync up your eyeshadow look by using the Etude Play Tone Eye Shadow Palette in Peach Gerbera, which has all the right colours, advised Larry.

Dolly Wink Easy Lash 08 retails for S$8.90 at Watsons.
Etude Play Tone Eye Shadow Palette in Peach Gerbera retails for S$41.90 on Shopee and Watsons.

Juicy lips

2022 made us fall in love with juicy lips all over again – so much so that makeup artist Alex predicts that we’ll want our pouts to stay plump and glossy all through next year. “Matte lips are not coming back for a while, which means that glossy, juicy pouts are here to stay,” she quipped.

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We’ve seen juicy lips manifest in the form of gym lips – a TikTok-approved hack that uses lip liner to overline the lips before sweeping over it with a moisturising lip treatment – and Hailey Bieber’s viral fall season lip combo that features a lip pencil and the Rhode peptide lip treatment, to name just two.

So, if you’ve got no clue how to sport a ripe and juicy pout, you know just where to go to turn your last season’s matte lips into this season’s glowy, glossy ones.

Best products to use

The Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in Glass Slipper is a fan-favourite for a reason. Since this clear gloss is both non-sticky and ultra-nourishing on the lips, Alex has this product at the top of her “must-have” list for a juicy pout.

Aside from clear lip glosses, also try lip oils like the Hourglass N° 28 Lip Treatment Oil – both an oil and anti-ageing lip treatment, and the Dior Lip Glow Oil in Universal Clear for a beautiful glossy shine that sits on top of the lips.

Since gloss is best paired with a little sparkle, Alex’s personal favourites are the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer, this time in Diamond Milk, and the Pat McGrath Labs Lust Gloss Aliengelic, which gives an extra-reflective glass shine.

Take a leaf out of Hailey Bieber’s book and pair these gloss-giving formulas with your favourite lip liner too!

• Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in Glass Slipper retails for S$35 on Sephora.
• Hourglass N° 28 Lip Treatment Oil retails for S$84 on Sephora.
• Dior Lip Glow Oil in Universal Clear retails for S$57 on Sephora.
• Pat McGrath Labs Lust Gloss Aliengelic retails for S$40 on Pat McGrath.

Y2K coloured eyeliner and eyeshadow

After a year’s worth of poppin’ colours and shimmer-shot styles, you’d think that we’d be over vibrant Y2K makeup by now.

Well, “the kids are not done yet”, according to Alex – which means that we’ll be keeping our brightly coloured eyeliners and eyeshadows on our dressing tables as we embrace another year of bold Y2K style!

Best products to use

Whether you’re mixing colours up or sporting a monochromatic look, you’ll want to keep the Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil and Aqua Resist Color Pencil in easy reach!

The best-selling Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil is a three-in-one eye, brow, and lip pencil perfect for tying your chromatic style together seamlessly, whereas, with the Aqua Resist Color Pencil, you can be sure that your eyeliner remains crisp and smudge-free throughout the day!

For a Y2K vivid eyeshadow look, Alex’s no-brainer is any palette from the Anastasia Beverly Hills Norvina Collection, which stars highly-pigmented shades in a rainbow of themed hues.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Color Pencil Eyeliner retails for S$36 on Sephora.
Shop Anastasia Beverly Hills Norvina Collection here.

Brushed-up brows

The “clean girl” style was another that kept us on our toes in 2022, and it’s one that’ll remain dewy fresh in the year ahead. “The clean girl aesthetic pairs glass skin and minimal makeup with slicked-back hair and simple statement jewellery pieces. I don’t really expect this trend to evolve in 2023 because it’s just so classic,” Alex explored.

Since brushed-up brows are central to a “clean girl” look, Alex anticipates seeing fluffy, sleeked-back eyebrows continue to take centre stage as we step into the coming year. That means, ditch over-plucking and embrace accentuating your natural bushy brows instead!

If you don’t have a brow gel yet, lock your brows in place with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze – Alex’s makeup artist pick.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze retails for S$41 on Sephora.

Featured image credit: haileybieber/Instagram, Nail Makeup Nail Shop Store