I’m calling it—2023 is going to be the biggest and best year for beauty yet. In the last few years, there’s been a continued shift in the industry which has led to the rule book has been well and truly scrapped, perhaps for good. The world of beauty has become less about seeking supposed perfection and more of a safe space for self expression and experimentation—I, for one, am here for it. Because why shouldn’t you wear a neon eyeshadow to do the weekly food shop if it feels good?
Taking the above into consideration, there was one makeup artist I knew I had to pin down for a DMBC (deep and meaningful beauty chat). With 20+ years experience in the industry, makeup artist, Jo Baker has become known for her out-of-the-box red carpet looks she artfully creates for a host of celebrity clientele. Think Lucy Boynton, Olivia Wilde and Sharon Stone. "Humanity has become so open and inclusive,” explains Baker. "There is no beauty standard anymore, it’s getting smashed daily. We are at the point of no return where anything goes and anything is possible and we are going to continue to see more art through beauty."
"Back in the day you found your perfect foundation and stuck to it. You found your perfect eyeshadow palette that made your eyes look great and you stuck to it. It was very much ‘I’ve found my format of what makes me pretty, so I’m just going to stay there.’ It couldn’t be more opposite today. There’s a complete shift where everyone is almost having this explosion of self expression. There are neons and pastels and primary colours and gemstones, and all of these things that have become really big in my personal way of doing makeup in the last few years. I feel next year there’s going to be a further extension of that.”
Such belief Baker has in this beauty movement, she co-founded BAKEUP, a brand specifically designed to push the boundaries of experimental beauty and self-expression. "It's going to give people the encouragement, the invitation and the permission to play and see makeup as this amazing, expressive tool to just have fun and be whoever you want to be each day depending on your mood.” Keep your eyes peeled for its launch into the UK in the new year.
With help from Baker and the SS23 catwalks, I bring you seven super fun beauty trends you can recreate at home with ease.
1. Colour Burst
Models on countless catwalks were flourished with a splash of colour across their lids. I noticed mint green at DSquared2, lavender at Prabal Gurung and royal blue at Dries Van Noten. The charm of this trend is that you can opt for a pastel shade or dial it up with a brighter pigment. Finish off the look with a simple slick of mascara.
Shop the trend:
The colour payoff you get from the shades in this palette...
A mix of mattes, metallics, and baked-flake shimmers plus a water-activated cream liner shadow.
2. Elegant Embellishment
According to Baker, this is set to be one of the biggest beauty trends of 2023. "Gemstones give a much better payoff than a sparkly eyeshadow because of how they hit the light,” she explains. If you’re reading this as someone who likes to play it safe—don't stress! "You can dial things up and dial things down, so even if you’re conservative and not very adventurous you can still wear gemstones in a way that’s very simplistic.”
Shop the trend:
Just peel from the sticker sheet and place on the eyelids or underneath the lower lash line to glitz your look in seconds.
A colour and size for every mood and occasion.
3. Mega Metallics
Metallics have swept across both fashion and beauty, and runways such as Chloe, Jill Sander and Valentino very much proved that. Take inspiration from A list makeup artist Hung Vanngo, who perfectly shade-matched a striking gold eyeshadow to the shimmering sequins on Florence Pugh’s co-ord. A match made in heaven.
Shop the trend:
Coats eyelids with long-wearing, crease-resistant jewel-toned colour.
Light-reflecting pigments create a multi-dimensional, prismatic effect.
4. Draped Blush
The beauty trend first popularised in the ‘70s will have a massive resurgence in 2023 thanks to Aliétte, Christian Cowan and Etro. Fun fact: Baker created this look on Sharon Stone for the cover of Harper's Bazaar Spain (above). "More mature women are craving something different,” explains Baker. "[Stone] said she wanted to have fun with makeup and told me to do what I wanted as she’s been painted in a classic, predictable, expected level of beauty her whole life. All the young kids are having fun, so why can’t she as well? Why can’t she feel youthful and experimental? This is definitely not just a Gen Z movement.”
Shop the trend:
To pair back the trend, use a cream blusher and blend it into the temples and cheeks with your fingertips.
For a more intense blush like Stone's, apply a powder blusher with a sculpt brush.
5. Neon Lips
Glazed and glossy lips have been a go-to look for the past year thanks to the likes of Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner. I come bearing good news for those with an extensive lipstick wardrobe of bright hues— neon matte shades spanning the entire colour wheel were seen at across the summer runways. Don't mind me, just dusting off my MAC Liquid Lip Colour.
Shop the trend:
...and you can see exactly why
Stays put all day while conditioning lips with an oil-infused powder finish.
6. Gothic Glam
Sharpen your black kohl eyeliner and dig out your smokiest grey-toned eyeshadow palette because grunge glamour is back in the classiest way. A go-to look for Olivia Wilde by Baker, it's all about running the liner across the top and bottom lash line and then going in with an eyeshadow to create the smudged effect. To keep it looking clean and elevated, use a full coverage concealer under the eyes and finish with a nude lipstick and a helping of blusher.
Shop the trend:
My favourite kohl liner of all time. I have one in every shade.
Apply and blend with a fluffy brush. Use the highly-foiled metallic shade on the centre of the eyelid for a more editorial look.
7. Linear Lids
Spotted at a handful of catwalk shows and already all over Instagram, the possibilities really are endless when you start to explore the options for lined eyelid designs. Whether you use an eyeshadow, kohl or liquid liner, you have complete creative control over the thickness and the colour of the line.
Shop the trend:
The felt tip adjusts depending on the pressure applied.
A versatile stick that works just as well creating a graphic liner as it does creating a smokey eye.
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