The 9 Biggest Beauty Trends for 2023

The last lap of the year offers an opportunity to get prophetic—at least in regard to beauty. An over-the-shoulder analysis of the looks that have threaded through runways and social feeds in recent months allows for a predictive peek at what’s to come, the better to prepare our individual takes. And it’s a good thing too: With trends, this offbeat, staying one step ahead is necessary for maintaining one’s aesthetic balance.

From ethereal ornamentation to glow-up highlighter, 2023’s beauty is defined by all things visionary, both in terms of application and final effect. Even referential notes skew forward-thinking beacons of our collective evolution—and all of the rule-bending beauty that comes with it.

Here, the nine biggest beauty trends to look for in 2023.

Y2K Continues

The shimmery, futuristic, and ever-so-slightly affected era that was Y2K will continue its refractive reign in 2023, the aesthetic modernized as a study in a soft-though-playful palette. “I feel that the way the younger generation is reinterpreting the era is through its colors and textures: metallics, glitter, and an array of pastels you see reflecting off of a CD,” says makeup artist Marcelo Gutierrez, who created a medley of Y2K-inspired holiday looks for our seasonal enjoyment. Look for holographic shadows, metallics, and frosted details.