The end of 2024 is approaching and we know exactly what’s in your notes app: a detailed list of resolutions designed to make good on the age-old mantra 'new year, new you' – for real, this time. Listen, we don’t doubt that you’ll make it to the gym, read 52 books and stop scrolling on TikTok before bed next year. But we do believe that prepping for the year ahead can be a whole lot more fun.
Step one: A beauty overhaul that prioritises playfulness, experimentation and ease over perfectionism. And luckily, that’s exactly what 2025’s trend forecast prescribes. Bucking against viral fads such as 'clean girl makeup', the SS25 runways were awash with technicolour eyeshadows, high-octane hairstyles and next-level nail art aiming to inject a dose of creativity back into beauty routines. As for skincare, your routine (and bathroom cabinet) is about to get a streamlined makeover as wellness (and notably, the skin-mind connection) climbs to the top of our skin health concerns.
Below, get ahead of the biggest beauty predictions and trends set to dominate in 2025...
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The Big Bang
One glance at the SS25 runways and the verdict is clear: it’s finally time to take the plunge and ask your hairdresser for a full fringe. But make no mistake, fringes are far from a one-size-fits-all beauty solution. That’s why you’ll be pleased to learn that, in 2025, bangs of all shapes and styles are on the menu. For the laid-back It-Girl look, take inspiration from Louis Vuitton, Loewe and Gabriela Hearst, where models wore shaggy, undone full fringes, barely styled to emphasise the hair’s natural texture.
Versace, on the other hand, kept the look poker straight, with heavy, blunt, rockstar bangs that grazed models’ eyelashes. Have an appetite for risk? Go for a micro fringe, as seen at Christian Cowan, where the style was paired with razor-sharp bobs, or Collina Strada, where extra-long wigs gave the look an Elvin twist. And let’s not forget the stand-out bangs of the season at Mugler, where a dramatic, angular cut completely covered models’ eyes.
Extra Effort Updos
A sleek, simple bun always does the job, but when it comes to event hairstyling, it’s time to put in a little more graft. See: the oversized, sculptural French twists sent down the runway at Laquan Smith, or the braided and swirled top-knots at Chopova Lowena – two very different looks that likely required the same amount of bobby pins. Once again, this trend isn’t about being prescriptive; it’s about having fun. Plus, there’s a myriad of ways to pull it off, from the beehives at Bora Aksu to the playful, lopsided buns shown at Yuhan Wang. And if you really don’t have the time or inclination to spend hours on your hair, you can cheat the more-is-more look with a giant floral hair accessory à la Caroline Herrera.
Natural Order
Having heart palpitations at the mere thought of attempting a French twist? Fear not. The next major hair trend of 2025 is startlingly straightforward: do nothing (kind of). At Prada, JW Anderson, Bottega Veneta, SS Daley and many, many more, hair was fuss-free and embraced models’ natural texture, be it straight, wavy, curly or Afro. How you style this one depends entirely on your hair type – be sure to choose products that cater to your individual needs, and are designed to enhance rather than manipulate. Sure, you might want to calm down the odd bit of frizz, but this trend is more about embracing flyaways, uneven curl patterns and unexpected volume. Put down the Airwrap and breathe a sigh of relief.
Colour Riot
Rebellion can come in many forms, but next season it’s all about breaking the rules with colour palettes. Think: neon pink lipstick, pastel eyeshadows, red mascara and royal blue eyebrows (yes, really). All this and more was on display at SS25 shows from Sandy Liang, Ganni, Dries Van Noten and Chet Lo, where the make-up looks very nearly overshadowed the clothes. There are three ways to nail this trend in 2025. A) pick a colour and run with it, sweeping an electrifying shadow all over the eyelid and pairing it with a matching mascara. B) Wear every colour at once, stacking swipes of bright eyeliner like the looks seen at Kiko Kostadinov. C) Take inspiration from the Chopova Lowena show and bedazzle your eyes with multicoloured gems.
High-Concept Grunge
Grunge? For Spring? Not necessarily groundbreaking – spring/summer shows have regularly delivered moody make-up looks for the past few years. But the concept’s levelling up for 2025, bringing a new layer of sophistication to the timeless allure of a worn-in smokey eye. Take, for example, the simultaneously structured and smudged looks at Area and Gucci, where the statement cat-eye felt reminiscent of Effy Stonem from Skins. Or the wet-gloss eye shadow effect created by makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench for Mowalola, which added an extra layer of authenticity to the designer’s fashion show-turned-club night staged in East London. The beginner’s route into the trend? A simple, slap-dash tightline of black kohl on the lower lash line, as seen at Dior – indie sleaze without the hangover.
Heat Stroke
Credit where credit’s due: the TikTokers were way ahead on this one. Two summers ago, sunburnt blush was going viral. Fast forward to 2025, and it’s gone high fashion. Seen best at Di Pesta – where models were even given faux tan lines – the look du jour is to appear as though you forgot the factor 50, using blush to hit all the high points of the face and create an extreme sun-kissed effect. Placement is key here. Models at Ann Demeulemeester, for example, were blushed across the nose and just underneath the eyes. Meanwhile, at Nensi Djoka and Tibi, the 'sunburn' was placed towards the top of the cheekbones for a more subtle glow. Whichever way you wear it, just don’t take the trend too literally – you still need SPF.
Co-ord Nails
Online, nail trends come and go quicker than it takes for a gel manicure to grow out. It makes sense, then, that the next fad would be one-night-only nail art – that is, custom nails that coordinate with a specific outfit, creating a 360 look that’s on theme right to the tips of your fingers. For inspiration, look to the crystal embellished nails at Simone Rocha, the sculptural 3D nail art at Karoline Vitto, the sand-encrusted tips at Di Pesta’s beach-washed runway, or the leopard print nails at Luar, which matched seamlessly with fabric seen throughout the collection. It’s not practical, but it is a showstopping finishing touch that proves your attention to detail. Hot tip: get your co-ord nails made as reusable press-ons to get the most out of your mani.
Crayola Tips
If you’re looking for nail art inspo with more staying power, look no further than the pencil crayon trend that’s currently emerging from the world’s coolest salons. The concept is simple, using regular crayons to draw designs over matte nail polish, then finishing with a top coat to seal the miniature work of art.
The result? Sketchbook-style doodles that can be as intricate as your heart desires, complete with shading and pencil strokes. Layer the technique with a cat-eye base or 3D elements and you’ll have strangers stopping you for a closer look – trust us, we’ve already tried it.
A Solid Eight Hours
OK, so no one’s reinventing the wheel here. We all know that a good night’s sleep leads to a tonne of health benefits, not least great skin. But after a wild year of Brat-inspired party girl antics, expect to see a big emphasis on getting proper rest in 2025. In fact, it’s already been trickling into our collective beauty consciousness – remember the viral 'Sleepy Girl Mocktail'? And now, as we officially enter the era of 'sleepmaxxxing', there’s a whole host of luxe sleep solutions on offer to help us on our way to the land of nod – from high-tech sleep masks to health trackers which chart sleep patterns. Fair warning: some experts have warned that focusing too much on good sleep can actually have the opposite effect. We suggest simply trying an earlier bedtime before splurging on that Oura ring.
Multitasking Skincare
When The Ordinary first launched with its range of one-ingredient skincare, it seemed like a genius idea. Finally, there was an accessible way to get your hands on high-quality, hard-working ingredients without an eye-watering price tag. The concept paved the way for the launch of more ingredient-focused serums, creams and cleaners – and more clutter in your bathroom cupboard. So, take note of The Ordinary’s recent pivot to multi-tasking formulas in new releases such as the Balancing & Clarifying Serum. That’s right, 2025 heralds a return to skincare that does more than one thing, simplifying your routine with products packed full of ingredients for maximum impact. Cut down your 10-steps and you might even be able to get to bed earlier. Win-win.
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