10 Makeup Trends We're Better Off Without

Makeup trends come and go with the changing tides of fashion, but some leave a lasting impression—not always for the best reasons. While experimenting with makeup can be a fun and expressive art form, certain trends might be better left in the past due to their impracticality, unflattering results, or sheer inconvenience. Let's take a stroll down memory lane and look at ten makeup trends that, upon reflection, we might want to reconsider before bringing them back.

Over-Plucked Eyebrows

In the 90s and early 2000s, pencil-thin eyebrows were all the rage, championed by celebrities and fashion icons alike. However, this trend often led to a surprised or overly harsh facial expression, not to mention the potential permanent damage to natural eyebrow growth.

Today, fuller brows are favored as they help frame the face and add a youthful appearance. For those who went a bit too tweezer-happy in the past, various regrowth serums and microblading options are now available to help restore their once fuller brows.

Heavy Contouring

Popularized by celebrities and beauty influencers, heavy contouring involves using darker makeup shades to create dramatic shadows and define facial features sharply. While effective for photoshoots or professional film makeup, in everyday life, this technique can look harsh and unnatural, especially in natural lighting.

Subtler contouring techniques have gained popularity, focusing on enhancing features rather than reshaping them entirely. This approach is more forgiving and aims to achieve a more natural and approachable look.

Frosted Lips

Frosted or metallic lipsticks made a big splash in the late 90s, giving lips a sparkly or icy finish. However, this trend often made lips look dry or chapped and could be unflattering on various skin tones due to its pale, cool undertones.

Modern lip trends lean towards matte or satin finishes that offer a wide range of shades suitable for all skin tones. These textures help achieve a more sophisticated look that enhances the lips without overpowering other facial features.

Caked-On Foundation

The quest for flawless skin sometimes led to the over-application of foundation, resulting in a cakey appearance that settled into fine lines and wrinkles, making the skin look aged and the makeup appear heavy.

Advances in skincare and foundation formulas now promote lighter application, focusing on skin health and natural beauty. Today’s products offer better coverage with a lighter feel and have ingredients that benefit the skin rather than just cover it up.

Neon Eye Shadows

Bright, neon eye shadows can be fun for a bold look or special occasions but can be difficult to pull off for everyday wear. These vibrant colors require careful application and blending to avoid looking garish or unprofessional in regular settings.

More wearable trends involve using bright colors as accents, like along the lash line or in the inner corner of the eyes, paired with more neutral shades to maintain a balanced look.

Thick Eyeliner

Thick, heavily applied eyeliner, especially on the lower waterline, was once a staple for dramatic eye makeup. However, this can make the eyes appear smaller and more closed off, especially if the liner is very dark.

A more modern approach is to use eyeliner sparingly and focus on enhancing the lash line rather than overpowering the eyes. Techniques like tightlining or using softer colors can define the eyes beautifully without overwhelming them.

Glitter Overload

While glitter can add a fun pop to makeup looks, there was a trend where glitter was used excessively on the face, eyes, and lips. This not only made a practical day-to-day makeup look impractical but also posed risks of irritation, especially around the sensitive eye area.

Today, beauty trends use glitter more strategically, such as a light dusting on the cheeks for a highlight effect or a subtle glimmer on the eyes for a night out, ensuring it enhances rather than detracts from the natural beauty.

Dark Lip Liner with Light Lipstick

The contrast of dark lip liner and light lipstick can create a striking look, but it can also look outdated and harsh if the blending isn't done correctly. This trend often resulted in a stark outline that was not flattering or subtle.

The contemporary take on lip lining recommends choosing a liner close to the lipstick shade to enhance the natural lip shape subtly and create the illusion of fuller lips without a harsh outline.

Sticky Lip Gloss

Thick, sticky lip glosses were a staple in past decades, known for their high shine but notorious for their uncomfortable texture, which would catch hair and feel tacky on the lips.

Lip gloss formulas have since evolved to be lighter and more hydrating, providing shine without the sticky aftermath, making them more comfortable to wear and practical for everyday use.

Mismatched Foundation

Choosing the wrong foundation shade can lead to a mismatched look between the face and the neck, a common mistake in past makeup applications. This often resulted from limited shade ranges and formulas that didn't cater to all skin tones.

With the expansion of inclusive beauty lines, finding a precise match is easier, ensuring a seamless blend and natural-looking coverage that complements the natural skin tone without harsh lines or color discrepancies.

Reflecting on these past trends helps us appreciate the evolution of makeup and beauty standards, encouraging a move towards more natural, inclusive, and skin-friendly makeup applications. As we continue to experiment with beauty, remembering the lessons from past trends can guide us toward more flattering and practical beauty choices.