2025’s Biggest Makeup Trends: Go Big or Go Home

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By Maya Ernest
Published on December 13, 20247 min read
An image of a blonde-haired girl lying on a bed with light makeup
An image of a blonde-haired girl lying on a bed with light makeup

Big beauty looks are back, at least judging by the best 2025 makeup trends. While you’ve probably spotted some of the upcoming looks—like metallic eyeshadows, bejeweled manis, and blurred lipstick—on TikTok, there’s a bunch of dramatic beauty trends pulling inspiration from the latest runways at New York Fashion Week, celebrities, and even ’90s aesthetics. That said, some minimal beauty looks are trending too, following the popularity of “clean girl” and “soft glam” makeup. Right now, it seems anything goes, so we tapped a few beauty industry experts and did some of our own scrolling to round up the best makeup and nail trends of 2025.

The common thread? Choosing you. No matter which trends you choose to follow, there’s one thing they all have in common: self-expression! “People should be allowed to play with beauty and express themselves however they wish,” says Tomi Talabin of Black Beauty Club. We couldn’t agree more—and one of the best ways to celebrate that creativity is to play around with the latest looks that speak to you and make you feel your best. Ahead, find our deep dive into the looks the experts are predicting as the biggest 2025 beauty trends.

Meet the Expert

Kristyl Newell is the Director of Product Marketing for IT COSMETICS.

Renée Loiz is a celebrity makeup artist and the founder of Color May Vary.

Tomi Talabi is the co-founder of The Black Beauty Club.

1. “Blurred” Vampy Lipstick

Precise, contoured looks will always be in, but next year is all about the “blurred” lip. There’s something about a just-kissed pout that gives your makeup a playful edge. Expect to see more vampy shades like burgundy, purple, and deep cherry, with each dark hue contrasted by diffused edges. To get the look, try using your fingers to apply a matte or satin-finish lipstick, or blend the edges into your natural lip color with a fluffy brush. You can even blot your lips with a tissue before applying a final layer of gloss to help “blur” your look even further. Makeup artist Sam Gagnon usually reaches for the Unreal Volumizing High Shine Lip Gloss from HOURGLASS COSMETICS, describing the formula as “blurring but glowy.”

2. Skin-Like Coverage

Following a year of minimal “clean girl” beauty, we’re seeing a new version of the fresh faced-look. Dewy skin is still in, but this time, it’s a little more than no-makeup makeup. “I’ve been loving one-layer makeup looks instead of traditionally layering products,” says Gagnon. “My clients love the diffused, skin-like effect this creates—without sacrificing the flawless look of a layered, full-coverage base.” To get the look, start by prepping the skin with a hydrating moisturizer, like this REN CLEAN SKINCARE Radiance Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream, for a lit-from-within glow. Then, Gagnon says she uses multiple shades of concealers all over the face, adding a liquid blush on the high points of her cheeks. Blending them together all at once leaves you with a dimensional base that isn’t too heavy. It’s your skin, but better. 

3. Colorful Mascara

Move over, black mascara. Statement lashes are in, and thanks to a rainbow of new mascara colors, the eye-catching look isn’t hard to get. Shades like electric blue, deep plum, and even forest green are making a comeback, drawing inspiration from the ’90s and early ’00s. You can easily experiment with colors with a simple swipe of mascara—like this LAVAA BEAUTY No Chill Mascara in Cobalt—or pair the look with a matching bold eyeshadow for extra drama. 

4. Metallic Eyeshadow

Chrome was one of the biggest trends of 2024, and the glamorous look isn’t going anywhere soon. While shimmery silver eyeshadow is still a top shade, we’re also noticing metallic finishes like gold, bronze, and jewel tones are making their way into the mix. The reflective hues catch the light, and applying them can be as easy as a simple swipe of a glimmering shadow, like this metallic DOSE OF COLORS Block Party Eyeshadow in Jackpot. Or, you can create an intense, layered look with a palette like the TOO FACED That’s My Jam Mini Eye Shadow Palette, which combines classic metallic shades with dimensional fuschia and purple shadows. 

5. Frosty Makeup

To quote one of the most iconic rom-coms, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: “Frost yourselves!” Frosty makeup is making a cool comeback for 2025, bringing an icy shimmer back into the beauty scene. The ’90s trend is all about channeling a winter-inspired sparkle with glistening eyeshadows, holographic highlighters, and glossy lips. Add a cool-toned shine to your look with a sheer wash of icy eyeshadow, like the silvery shade in this GAME BEAUTY Fantasy Palette, or go for a highlighter like this BUTTER LONDON Glazen Highlighting Gel in Chandelierl for a luminous yet chilly glow. Finish off your glam with a glossy lip or a frosted lipstick for the full winter wonderland effect. 

6. Rosy Cheeks

Sabrina Carpenter had us in a chokehold last year with her signature dewy blush, and it looks like the rosy, girl-next-door look is here to stay. Hailey Bieber has become the latest celebrity to adopt the flushed aesthetic, and she even released a line of creamy RHODE blushes to help you replicate the look. “Almost every brand I can think of has launched their own blush this year and the makeup girls—including myself—are eating it up,” adds Gagnon. The trick is to focus your blush on the apples of your cheeks: Try pairing a liquid blush like LOVE + CRAFT + BEAUTY Liquid Cosmic Blush in Mercury Moves with KIMCHI CHIC BEAUTY Thailor Blush in Pinky and ABOUT-FACE Light Lock Highlight Fluid for a pinchable pop of pink.

7. Skinny Brows

If you thought thin brows were a thing of the past, think again! Halsey endorsed them last year with a hot take at the VMAs, and if Halsey’s a skinny brow supporter, how could we not back her up? While thicker, brushed-up brows will always be gorge in our eyes, thinner, barely-there brows reminiscent of the ’90s have made a comeback over the past year—and when done right, they look pretty amazing. What we love about thinner brows is how subtle or loud they can be depending on your mood. Play them up by adding a little brow tint and brushing some mascara on your lashes for a balanced look.

8. Moody Lined Red Lips

When it comes to makeup, red lipstick is universal. From romantic crimson reds to deep berry hues and punchy scarlet shades, there's a red lip for everyone and every season—and this year is all about the bold red lip. Whether it be your brightest strawberry red or your deepest oxblood, pair it with a lip liner two to three shades darker than your lipstick (trust the process!) to make it so 2025.

9. Lit-From-Within Glow

A radiant finish is all the rage for 2024, but this look isn’t just about your finishing touches like a highlighter—this look starts with your skincare and primers for a “plump-perfect skin look,” says Talabin.  Enhance your glow with the MISCHO BEAUTY Sheer Glow Primer for next-level illuminated priming power.

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