There is a new beauty trend in town, which could very well be the undoing of a decades-old narrative of defying age and human imperfections. The undone beauty trend has peeled back the curtain on veneer-like, unattainable flawlessness to make room for blemishes, zits and visible pores. The final verdict? Perfectionism is passé.
What you need to know about the undone beauty trend
Forget the precisely-painted strokes of foundation and the layers of contour that held the beauty industry in its grip over the past decade—the fresh focus of beauty now lies in the ‘every girl’ appeal of an imperfectly done face of makeup. A wobbly hand on the blush, blemishes peeking through a sheer wash of concealer, and foundation that has been slept in for a second-skin finish are now all welcome to draw a seat at the table.
This emphasis on an ‘undone’ element in beauty has been trickling into everyday trends in myriad ways. The ‘cold girl’ makeup aesthetic prescribes over-blushing with pigmented shades for a pronounced rosy hue that looks like you just stepped into a Christmas holiday movie with a foaming cup of Starbucks in your hand. Cloud skin, meanwhile, has been swapping the arid cakey-ness of 2010's all-matte makeup and giving it a soft-focus, hazy makeover. Elsewhere, marinated makeup gives you a free licence to have a light nap after applying foundation for an artfully smudged, lived-in feel.
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How to create an undone beauty look at home
While the era of stage makeup is out, the new lexicon of 'skinimalism' requires some thought. Opt for luminous layers and natural hues that tie into the fresh-out-of-bed charm of this aesthetic. Here are some handy tips to get you started:
Prep:
If you are looking for glistening but non-greasy skin, Hailey Bieber has placed her bets on the glazed donut skin trend to give her skin that extra boost of luminosity and seal in the good work of her moisturiser.
Base:
The focus of base makeup has now been reassigned to tactical coverage rather than creating a blank slate. Leave the heavy-duty foundations behind on your dresser. Instead, allow a lightweight skin tint to offer sun protection and enough coverage that doesn't eclipse your skin's natural glow.
Brows:
The memo is 'come as you are' for your brows. Unruly, overgrown or bushy: everybody is welcome here. If you are looking to tame the edges, swap the heavy pomades in favour of lightly brushing the strands into place with a brow gel.
Blush:
Those looking to cop that fresh-faced flush of a good workout can cheat their way by opting for a breathable cream blush instead of dry powders. Apply with your fingertips and follow your instincts for a natural flush of colour along the cheekbones—there's no right or wrong way here.
Lip:
Liquid mattes have little to do here—the low-maintenance appeal of lip tints takes the lead instead. The effect is a sheer wash of colour that is absorbed by the lips as the day goes on for that just-bit-into-a-cherry stain.
Makeup products may not be your only champions – pair your undone makeup look with messy or grunge hairdos to really sell the aesthetic. And when all else fails, just let your less-experienced bestie do your makeup for you instead. The results are probably going to be the same.
Cover Image : Instagram/@aliaabhatt
