Trends come and go, no doubt. And the way to make sure that you never look dated in your photos on social media — or, you know, real life — is to make them work for you. That might mean skipping some trends entirely, toning them down from what you’d see on the runway, or taking a risk and jumping with both feet in to experiment with something new.
We asked experts in hair and makeup what trends they think are going to be new for 2018, and what’s still going strong from 2017. And who knows, maybe these will inspire you to change up your look, give you the fresh start you’re in need of, or break the beauty “rules.”
Here, nine of-the-now beauty trends you should think about trying. They can even help streamline your makeup routine and make styling your hair easier and more effortless, too. Wins all around. This is what you’ll be seeing next year!
1. Bold Lips and Eyes Will Continue Going Strong
In 2017, eyes and lips received the bold treatment: strong liners, full lashes, and full lips. That strong look will remain popular in 2018, says makeup artist Sharon Gjieli.
Bonus: “You look healthier when you have big, open eyes and lips. We all have had trends that make us all look like fashion victims, but this look will always be young and fresh,” she says.
You don’t have to go all out to do it, either. Try a bold eyeliner paired with soft, simple lips. Swipe a colored mascara on the bottom lashes, advises Gjieli. In the day, a bold eye might work; at night, when you’re feeling more adventurous, doing both bold eyes and lips might be fun and daring.
2. Skin Will Be Hydrated and Dewy — Not Matte
For a time, matte skin was in. Not for long. “A lot of women are complaining about how the matte trend is drying everyone out, especially in winter when skin is already parched,” says Gjieli, who predicts that things will swing the other way, toward dewiness and moisture.
Not only can jumping on this trend help you avoid possible dryness and flakiness, but a well-hydrated complexion boasts plumper-looking skin, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. Opt for crème or gel highlighters for a dose of a youthful glow, and shy away from powders, which will only accentuate dryness, says Gjieli.
3. Shoulder-Length ‘Lobs’ Are Still in Style
The “lob,” or long bob, is going to continue to be big, says Sei Hamada, master hairstylist at Warren Tricomi Salon at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Especially in winter, when hair tends to be drier.
“When you bring it up above the shoulder, you get volume on top and it’s a lot easier to blow-dry. Shorter haircuts are not just for old ladies anymore!” he says.
The only catch is that, ideally, you’d go back into the salon to get the shape freshened up every six weeks. The upshot: “Once you know how, it’s so easy to style it yourself at home,” he says.
Before you leave from getting a new cut, ask your stylist for their pro tips.
4. Another Twist on the Bob — the Blunt Bob — Is Also Here
A bit of a twist on the lob that we’ll also be seeing in 2018: the blunt bob. Though it may recall the ’90s, the new bob is above the shoulders and is all one length, says celebrity hairstylist Laurie Heaps.
One bonus: The straight cut makes hair look thicker. If you want to give it a truly modern twist, Heaps suggests asking your stylist to “notch” into your ends and finish up with a razor to soften the edges.
5. Textured Hair, Like Beachy Waves, Will Stick Around
Beachy waves, which have followed the ombre hair color trend for a couple years, will still reign, says Hamada. You can get this carefree texture at home with a curling iron, but you may just have to try a new, different technique than you’re used to.
“You need to take a mental break from the instinct to curl the ends in. For beach waves, they need to swing in and out,” he says. Grab the middle strand of your hair with the curling iron, turn 1.5 times, then release. Repeat with each strand.
The great news about this style (and the reason it continues to be popular) is that you don’t have to do it perfectly, making it way easier to master.
6. Complexions Will Be Glowy and Light-Reflective
The bold, strong look may be in, but so is light-reflective, glowy skin. “Runways from Thom Browne, Jeremy Scott, Christopher Kane, and Anna Sui showed delicate and ethereal beauty looks,” says Sil Bruinsma, makeup artist for Streeters talent agency. Of note, he says, was “glowing skin sprinkled with extraterrestrial fairy dust” and “clean, polished skin complemented with diamond-studded eyes.”
That doesn’t mean you have to go quite that far in that direction, and those looks are probably not wearable for the average person anyway. You can achieve a subtler effect with highlighters, glittery nail polish, and glossy shadows, adds Gjieli.
Pro tip: Unless you work in a creative industry, save the shimmer and glitter for nighttime.
7. Rather Than Highlights, Color Melts Will Be In
Rather than going for typical highlights, ask your colorist for color melts, which are highlights that blend into your base color, says Delilah Fernandez, colorist at Pierre Michel Salon in New York City. Think darker on top and fading lighter towards the ends.
The goal here is to add shades of color, lending locks a sun-kissed look. It’s extremely versatile, too — you can go for color melts if you have blond, red, or brown hair. This is especially wearable if you’re also amping up texture with beachy waves.
8. Men Will Keep Styles Short and Clean, With a Twist
In terms of what guys will be wearing, their styles are going to be far-reaching. “Hairstyles for men will range from short and clean to long and tousled,” says Lauren Rachel, men’s grooming expert at Boardroom Salon for Men in Dallas.
While they may still opt for classic styles, they also want to add modern touches without adding much effort or upkeep. “That’s why you’ll see low drop fades, added layers, lots of texture, and looser side parts,” she adds.
9. Nail Art With Dynamic Geometric Designs Will Be Big
Get ready to flash an impressive mani this year. It’s not enough to have one color donning your nails, now you need varied colors — and multiple designs. Geometric nails are one of the top trends for 2018, according to Pinterest, which recently unveiled their top 100 forecast in beauty, health, and lifestyle categories.
Think black and white, geometric lines, negative space nails, and nail art. Get ready for your nails to be your canvas for the ultimate in self-expression!
