The 5 Breakout Makeup Trends That Will Rule 2020

For the new year — and a whole new decade, at that — we’re all in need of a little makeup reboot. In terms of trends for 2020, expect everything to soften: flushed, balmy lips will take the place of the matte and over-lined; brows will be fluffy and eyelids twinkling lightly.  According to celebrity makeup artist Nikki DeRoest, whose clients include Hailey Bieber and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, we’re looking toward a pared-down, almost delicate vibe for 2020. From the new “It” lip color to the L.A. highlighting hack that will give you the most natural glow, DeRoest is laying down a full trend prediction of exactly where makeup is heading in the new year.

Below are the inspirational trends that the editors at Refinery29 say are going to be taking off in the coming year.

Flushed, Glossy Lips.  Imagine your favorite tinted lip balm and go-to nude lipstick had a baby: You’d have the perfect your-lips-but-better lip color. “The shade vibe is going to be all about sheer nudes and earth tones,” explains DeRoest. “And the finish is going to be almost glossy, not sticky or shellacked, with a barely-there balm shine as opposed to matte.”

The Pre-Highlight.  If there’s a single makeup trick to take with you into the new year, it’s pre-highlighting. DeRoest’s best-kept secret to a natural glow involves adding liquid highlighter before foundation. “After a moisturizer, I’ll use a liquid highlighter, massaging it into the cheekbones, up on the forehead, and down the nose,” she explains. “That first layer of glow comes through the foundation and concealer and reads as radiant skin, not makeup.”

Water-Tint Foundation.  In 2020, skin is going to look like skin, with the thinnest veil of hydrating coverage. “I think we’re going to see more water-tint foundations as a base,” says DeRoest. “It’s not a ton of coverage, but it evens the skin and adds a little glow, so the skin looks like there’s nothing over it.”

Iridescent Lilac Eyeshadow.  Glitter eyeshadow that’s more mood lighting than disco-ball has been an emerging trend for a while — note the twinkly-lid aesthetic in every photo — and the breakout shade for 2020 will be a romantic lavender tone. “This one’s a bit of a curve ball, but I think we’re going to see a purple-shadow moment coming up,” says DeRoest. “It’s going to be a lilac shade, not chalky at all, but almost iridescent etherial.”

Feathered Brows.  DeRoest tells us that a feathered brow, with the hairs defined and brushed up softly, is a tiny beauty tweak that can make a huge impact. “My clients are obsessed with a feathered brow,” she says. “I fill in any sparse areas with a skinny pencil, then brush through the hairs with a spoolie.”


Photo Credit:  marinafrost / Shutterstock.com