When trends run rampant, there's nowhere else to go but in the opposite direction. After much ado about glass skin, glazed donuts, and adjectives like glossy and dewy, it's time to welcome the term matte back into the beauty lexicon.
The return of matte beauty is not all that surprising considering the renaissance of other 90s makeup trends like skinny brows and lined lips. Since the dawn of Glossier and other so-called clean girl beauty brands, the mood has been geared towards gleaming skin flecked with glittery highlighters, sheer blush, fluffed up brows and a slick of mascara. More adventurous looks sat in the realm of Euphoria-style makeup, with graphic eyeshadow, gems, and bright pops of colour.
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Now that we've cast aside the clean girl and embraced our feral sides, it's inevitable that we would warm towards less fussy and pristine approaches to makeup. A recent example of this is the marinated makeup trend that sits at the intersection of this IDGAF energy and indie sleaze; as well as celestial eyes, the glitter-forward trend that embraces fallout. Matte beauty straddles this feeling while also existing as an option for people who still want a glamorous beat, just san gloopiness.
In this new matte era, it's not just about the variation in texture but tone too. Rooted in the 90s, when Kevyn Aucoin's soft "sculpted" style reigned supreme, the brief is neutral colours, pastel blush softly diffused, bright under-eye areas and satin lips in romantic pinks and light browns with peachy undertones. Think the supers – Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista – along with Pamela Anderson, Cameron Diaz in The Mask, Lauryn Hill in Sister Act, and Uma Thurman in Gattaca.
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In its updated format, Julia Fox is leading the pack with her recent smattering of velvety looks, from the ghostly clowncore styles worn to The White House to her expertly blended look crafted by Sergio Antón De Las Nieves. Gabbriette has also proven to be an early adopter. Meanwhile Californian makeup artist Kali Kennedy has riffed on the trend for names like Alexa Demie, Taylor Russell and Barbie Ferreira.
The move away from glass skin doesn't necessarily mean we'll be ditching the skincare products that make us glow, though. An appropriately prepared base is essential to any beauty look you're aiming for, especially one that prioritises powder formulas and a satin finish.
So are you ready to sub out your liquid luminizers and gel eyeshadows for powder and pencil? Oily queens this is your time.
Images:
Instagram: @juliafox @gabbriette @tankairstudio
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