TikTok Beauty Trends 2023: The Complete Guide
Discover the viral beauty trends that dominated TikTok in 2023

The Evolution of Beauty Trends in the TikTok Era
The beauty landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation in 2023, with TikTok continuing to serve as the primary catalyst for viral makeup and skincare trends. What once took months or years to gain traction now spreads across millions of users in a matter of days. From the nostalgic ’90s revival to innovative techniques like underpainting, this year has brought an unprecedented variety of beauty movements that have redefined how we approach makeup and self-expression.
The rapid-fire nature of TikTok has created a beauty ecosystem where micro-trends emerge weekly, capturing the attention of Gen Z and millennial users who are eager to experiment with new looks. These trends often blend accessibility with creativity, making professional-level techniques achievable for everyday makeup enthusiasts. The democratization of beauty knowledge through short-form video content has empowered millions to become their own makeup artists, leading to more personalized and diverse beauty expressions.
The Return of ’90s Glamour
One of the most significant movements of 2023 has been the resurgence of ’90s-inspired makeup looks, driven by nostalgia and a desire for bold, statement-making beauty. This trend encompasses everything from frosted eyeshadows and brown-toned lip colors to the iconic thin eyebrows that defined the decade. TikTok creators have modernized these classic looks by incorporating contemporary techniques and products, creating a perfect fusion of retro charm and modern sophistication.
The ’90s revival has manifested in various forms throughout the year, with influencers showcasing everything from grunge-inspired dark eyes to the quintessential minimalist approach that emphasized natural beauty with strategic enhancements. This trend has particularly resonated with younger audiences who didn’t experience the original era, allowing them to explore and reinterpret these iconic looks through a fresh lens.
Underpainting: The Revolutionary Makeup Technique
Perhaps no technique has gained more traction on TikTok than underpainting, a method popularized by celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips. This innovative approach involves applying contour and concealer before foundation, essentially reversing the traditional makeup application order. The technique has garnered millions of views and attempts from beauty enthusiasts worldwide, praised for its ability to create seamlessly blended, natural-looking skin.
The underpainting method works by creating a smooth base for foundation application, allowing for better blending and a more natural finish. Makeup artists have praised this technique for its ability to reduce the appearance of harsh lines and create a more professional-looking result. The trend has sparked countless tutorial videos and has been adopted by both professional makeup artists and everyday users seeking to elevate their makeup game.
Cool-Toned Eyes: The New Neutral Palette
2023 marked a significant shift away from warm, golden eyeshadow tones toward cooler, more ethereal shades. Dusty mauves, blush pinks, and smoky grays have become the new neutral palette, offering a fresh alternative to traditional brown and bronze tones. This trend emphasizes soft, hazy washes of color that create an enchanting, lived-in appearance.
The cool-toned eye trend pairs beautifully with smudged eyeliner and has been embraced by celebrities and influencers alike. The look is particularly effective when combined with winged liner for a more dramatic effect, creating a perfect balance between softness and definition. This trend has encouraged users to explore new color territories and step outside their comfort zones with eyeshadow application.
Siren Eyes: The Seductive Gaze
The siren eye trend has dominated TikTok feeds throughout 2023, offering a sultry alternative to the popular cat eye look. This technique focuses on creating an elongated, mysterious eye shape through strategic liner placement on both the inner and outer corners of the eyes. The result is a captivating, almost hypnotic gaze that has become synonymous with confidence and allure.
Creating siren eyes involves using waterproof eyeliner applied with precision to both corners of the eye, often extended beyond the natural eye shape to create a dramatic effect. The trend has spawned numerous variations, from subtle interpretations suitable for daytime wear to bold, editorial looks perfect for special occasions. The versatility of this trend has contributed to its widespread adoption across different age groups and style preferences.
Mid-Tone Blushing: The Art of Seamless Color
The mid-tone blushing technique has revolutionized how we think about blush application, focusing on creating a seamless transition between different makeup elements. This method involves blending blush with under-eye makeup to create an airbrushed, cohesive look that appears naturally flushed rather than obviously applied.
The technique requires careful layering and blending, using different shades of blush to create depth and dimension. The final step involves dusting a lighter shade over the edges to diffuse harsh lines and create a professional finish. This trend has elevated blush from a simple pop of color to an integral part of creating a cohesive makeup look.
The Clean Girl Aesthetic Evolution
While the clean girl look emerged before 2023, it reached new heights of popularity and sophistication throughout the year. This trend emphasizes natural beauty with minimal makeup, focusing on healthy-looking skin, groomed brows, and subtle enhancements. The evolution of this trend has seen the incorporation of strategic highlighting and tinting to create a more polished yet natural appearance.
The clean girl aesthetic has resonated particularly well with those seeking low-maintenance beauty routines that still deliver impact. This trend has influenced product development, with brands creating multi-purpose products designed to achieve the effortless look associated with this movement. The emphasis on skin health and natural beauty has also aligned with broader wellness trends popular on social media.
Shimmery Cheekbones and Glazed Skin
The glazed donut skin trend, inspired by Hailey Bieber’s signature look, has maintained its popularity throughout 2023 with various interpretations and adaptations. This trend focuses on creating a luminous, almost wet-looking finish on the high points of the face, particularly the cheekbones. The effect is achieved through strategic highlighting with shimmery but not sparkly products that catch light beautifully.
The trend has evolved to include various techniques for achieving the perfect glow, from cream highlighters to setting sprays that create a dewy finish. The key to mastering this look lies in finding the right balance between luminosity and natural-looking skin, avoiding the overly sparkly or glittery effects that can appear artificial.
Pastel Makeup and Dopamine Dressing
2023 has seen an explosion of colorful makeup trends, with pastel and bright shades taking center stage as a form of self-expression and mood enhancement. This movement, often referred to as dopamine dressing for the face, encourages experimentation with unconventional colors and placement techniques.
From purple blush applied across the forehead and chin to neon eyeshadows and bold lip colors, this trend has given users permission to play with makeup in unexpected ways. The psychological benefits of color have been widely discussed, with many users reporting improved mood and confidence when experimenting with bright, cheerful makeup looks.
Seasonal and Food-Inspired Trends
TikTok’s beauty community has shown remarkable creativity in drawing inspiration from seasonal elements and food items, creating trends like latte makeup, pumpkin spice looks, and strawberry girl makeup. These trends typically emerge quickly and capture widespread attention before evolving or being replaced by new inspirations.
The food-inspired trend has been particularly engaging, with creators drawing color palettes and techniques from everything from beverages to desserts. These trends often incorporate warm, comforting tones that evoke the associated food items, creating looks that are both visually appealing and emotionally resonant.
The Speed of Trend Evolution
One of the most remarkable aspects of TikTok beauty trends in 2023 has been their rapid evolution and replacement cycle. What might trend for weeks on other platforms may only last days on TikTok before being replaced by something entirely new. This phenomenon has created both excitement and fatigue among users trying to keep up with the constant stream of new techniques and looks.
The acceleration of trend cycles has also influenced how beauty brands approach product development and marketing, with many companies now focusing on versatile products that can adapt to multiple trending techniques rather than creating products for specific looks that may quickly become outdated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often do TikTok beauty trends change?
A: TikTok beauty trends can change weekly or even daily, with new micro-trends constantly emerging and evolving based on viral content and user engagement.
Q: Are TikTok beauty trends suitable for beginners?
A: Many TikTok beauty trends are designed to be accessible to beginners, with creators often providing step-by-step tutorials and beginner-friendly variations of complex looks.
Q: What products do I need to try these trends?
A: Most TikTok trends can be achieved with basic makeup products like foundation, concealer, eyeshadow, blush, and eyeliner. Many creators suggest affordable alternatives to high-end products.
Q: How do I know which trends will suit my face shape?
A: The beauty of TikTok trends is their adaptability. Most trends can be modified to suit different face shapes, skin tones, and personal preferences through technique adjustments.
Q: Will these trends still be relevant next year?
A: While specific techniques may evolve, many of the core concepts from 2023 trends, such as natural-looking skin and strategic highlighting, tend to have lasting power and influence future trends.
References
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