The 3 Beauty Trends Taking Over London Right Now

Whenever someone utters the words "street style," my mind immediately jumps to the eclectic outfits and edgy beauty looks we see editors, influencers and celebs stepping out in during fashion week. However, off-season, there's a lot to be said for the beauty and style inspiration thriving on the streets of cities around the UK courtesy of everyday women.

This month, we're in the capital documenting real street style and keep noticing that London's girls are keeping their beauty looks pared-back, undone and effortlessly cool. In fact, there are three key beauty trends that they all seem to be embracing for spring: tousled buns, lashings of black eyeliner and simple skin.

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(Image credit: SILVIA OLSEN)

It's a truly relaxed approach to hair and makeup that even those of you who aren't that into beauty will find genuinely wearable—trust me. Keep scrolling to see the best beauty looks that we spotted on the streets of London, and shop the products you'll need to re-create the looks at home.

1. Black Eyeliner

Admittedly, black eyeliner is a pretty classic beauty look, but I'd pretty much forgotten about it given the number of neon eyeliners and colourful eye shadows everyone's taken to wearing on Instagram this year. Instead, on the streets, girls are going back to basics and embracing classic black eyeliner. From liquid flicks to smudged-out kohl, it's an incredibly versatile product to have you in beauty arsenal. Apply as little or as much as you want and experiment to find a liner look that works for you.

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Ida Jacobsson-Wells
(Image credit: SILVIA OLSEN)

Throw it back to the '60s like Ida with a bold slick of winged-out, jet-black eyeliner. Keep the rest of the eyes bare, including the lower lash line, to let that cat eye really do the talking. (Bonus points for ticking another 2019 beauty trend with a topknot too!)

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Hannah
(Image credit: SILVIA OLSEN)

We're veering from the '70s into the '90s with Hannah's kohl-rimmed eye look. Forget the feline flick—keep the colour close to both your upper and lower lash lines instead. Tightlining (aka applying the colour inside your waterline) gives the eyes a cool, grungy finish.

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Mollie Haines
(Image credit: SILVIA OLSEN)

The subtlest of liquid liner flicks and lashings of black mascara create Mollie's polished, preppy makeup look. It works just as well for a day in the office as it does for a night out.

2. Undone Buns

From tousled topknots to end-of-day ballerina buns, this updo is less about precision and more about practicality—London girls want their hair off their face as they work their way through the city. However, this scraped-back approach actually results in a really modern take on the bun. The key to rocking a bun without making it look too try-hard? Once you've pulled it up on top of your head or at the nape of your neck, tug your hairband away from your head to loosen up the style; then pull some tendrils loose around your face. The more the merrier.

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Tora Northman
(Image credit: SILVIA OLSEN)

The chicest undone bun I ever did see. Tora's topknot is prevented from veering into ballerina territory thanks to the soft wisps of hair at the edges of her style. If your bun is looking a little too polished, use both hands to gently pull it apart and let some of those hairs fly free.

Related: Every Cool Girl I Follow on Instagram Has This Exact Haircut

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Nandi Macalou
(Image credit: SILVIA OLSEN)

Yes, buns still look great with a fringe. In fact, in Nandi's case, it just adds to the dishevelled nature of her beautifully undone style. Instead of trying to scrape back curls or wavy hair into a sleek updo, allow the natural texture of your strands to create a gorgeous, relaxed feel.

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Molly Goddard
(Image credit: SILVIA OLSEN)

If a topknot is something you only wear when it's time for a serious skincare session, then a low bun might be more up your street. When worn low, towards the nape of your neck like Molly, buns look effortlessly elegant. In London, girls are wearing them with extra texture at the crown of the head and strands of hair pulled loose around the face.

3. Bare Skin

Taking fresh-faced to the next level, London girls are stepping out with what looks like barely a scrap of makeup on their skin. Complexions are even and there's no hint of blusher or contour in sight. You'll either love or loathe this look. If you hate faffing with makeup in the morning, it's a brilliant time saver, but if you aren't confident bare-faced, this look can seem intimidating. However, there are some tricks that can help you get the same results without you having to give up your foundation and concealer for good.

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Eli
(Image credit: SILVIA OLSEN)

Barely there makeup and a neutral outfit are a classic combination as demonstrated by Eli.

Related: I've Tried 100s of Concealers—These Are the Only 10 I'd Ever Recommend

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Mai
(Image credit: SILVIA OLSEN)

While Mai's outfit is all about excess (she loves layers upon layers), her makeup is kept beautifully simple with a fresh-looking complexion.

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Ella Boddington
(Image credit: SILVIA OLSEN)

If you're not crazy about colour, then teaming a statement piece like Ella's green coat with a simple beauty look is a perfect balance.

Next up, these are the six trending hairstyles of fashionable women everywhere.

Mica Ricketts

Mica Ricketts is a freelance beauty editor, copywriter and regular contributor to Who What Wear UK. She also writes for titles including Marie Claire Refinery 29 and Cosmopolitan, and previously worked at Who What Wear UK as Beauty Editor. With experience in both editorial and content management, she also works with beauty brands and small businesses on brand messaging and content strategy. As a busy mum of two, she is passionate about finding efficacious beauty products that can disguise all signs of tiredness with minimal effort.