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It’s easy to get stuck in a beauty rut. After years of trial and error (and confronting photo evidence on since-deleted Facebook albums), many of us will eventually find a hairstyle and makeup look that we think suits us best, only to never really branch out again.
But without risk there’s no reward. We’re in the age of beauty information, with different makeup micro trends happening on TikTok every day. From new ways to apply eyeliner (‘siren vs doe eyes’), Prince Harry-inspired ‘boyfriend blush’ to fake freckles and jelly lip tutorials, it’s all about trying new techniques and seeing what works. You can always wipe it off.
Auckland-based makeup artist Liz Hyun loves to encourage her clients to experiment with beauty. She says most of the time, what stops people from trying new trends is not knowing how to adapt them to suit their own features.
“It’s so special finding something new that changes your everyday makeup game,” says Hyun. “If you are nervous, try introducing one product or new application technique to your existing routine at a time. Process of elimination can be easier as you master each element and gain confidence.”
If you’re really craving a re-brand, you can always consult a professional. “People buy new clothes as trends evolve, so why not learn to update your makeup look too? Contact your favourite makeup artist and see what magic happens!”
Lucky for us, Hyun, with photographer Apela Bell, has demonstrated six of her favourite beauty trends with helpful tips on how to try them yourself. The best part? Most of them only require one key product, something you might even have in your makeup bag already.
Blush to new heights
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When I get bored of my everyday makeup routine, I will change the placement of my blush or highlighter so my skin is glowing differently to the day before. This technique is seen a lot in K-pop and Douyin makeup styles. Blush is applied under the eyes where you will typically see dark circles, and softly diffused towards the cheek.
Ariana wears Glossier Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush in Puff, $41. Earrings by Jasmin Sparrow, $500. Necklace by Kevin Thorne, POA.
Next-gen stained lip
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A glaze of colour over the lips looks like it’s coming from within, while the gloss adds a hydrated plump look. If you have any lip colour that is bright and pigmented, apply a small amount on the centre of the lips and smudge it out towards the lip line. It should look like a wash of colour. Finish with a clear gloss over the top.
Alternatively, there are a lot of amazing lip products on the market that are already sheer and glossy, which can just be applied like a lip balm and it will give you the stained lip look in one step.
Zara wears Dasique Fruity Lip Jam in 07 Plum Jam, $25. Jasmin Sparrow earrings, $350. Kevin Thorne necklace, POA.
Spider lashes
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An homage to heavy clumpy chunky 90’s grunge mascara, but created with a custom cut up selection of various extra-long false lashes. Snip a pair of your favourite false lashes into pieces and apply in small sections to your lash line using tweezers. Once the lash glue is fully dried, apply mascara to blend your natural and false lashes together.
Ariana wears Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel in 77, $32, applied with MAC Cosmetics 263 Synthetic Small Angle Brush, $59. Ardell and Model Rock lashes, customised and cut to fit. Jasmin Sparrow earrings, $400.
Mod-meets-grunge eye
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This is a 60s mod-style graphic eye with an exaggerated crease, but applied by diffusing eyeliner pencils or eyeshadows. I used the flat edge of an eyeshadow brush to smudge and blend out a soft eyeliner. Something with a wider edge will help you get cleaner lines and a faster application. Leaving negative space in the centre of the lid keeps the look modern - option to add a dab of lip balm to the lids for a grungy sheen.
Zara wears MAC Cosmetics Eye Kohl in Smolder, $48, applied with 239S Eye Shader Brush, $72. Paco Rabanne earrings, $518.
Colour-shifting glitter
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Chunky ethereal glitter layered over a soft wash of pastel colour on the eyes.
Ariana wears Smashbox Always On Cream Eyeshadow in Rose, $52, and Lemonhead Spacepaste Glitter Concentrate in Houdini and Cielo, $38 each. Gucci earrings, $265 approx.
90s liner and pastel lip
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I would love to see more people wear bolder lip colours and unique lip colour combinations. For this look on Zara, I used a chocolate brown-toned lip liner to contour and overdraw the lips, then added a contrasting lighter pastel tone on the centre of the lips to create an edgy pout. For a toned-down version, try pairing a red lip with a darker brown or plum lip liner.
Zara wears Makeup Forever Artist Color Pencil in 610 Versatile Chestnut, $40, and a custom combination of MAC Cosmetics Chromaline in Cyan, Magenta and White, $54 each. Jasmin Sparrow necklace, $400, and bracelet, $200.
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