Cottagecore Is 2020's Prettiest Beauty Trend—Here Are 7 Chic Ways to Do It

It's safe to say that we've all found ourselves daydreaming of trips to the countryside from wherever we're working right now, but did you know our desire to escape to more tranquil pastures has become a trend in its own right? Cue cottagecore. 

Born on TikTok, cottagecore is, essentially, a romanticised idea of living in the countryside and all the aesthetics that go with it. Think donning cable-knit sweaters and wearing prints like floral and gingham, all the while partaking in traditional and entirely wholesome pastimes, such as needlework, baking, and picnic-curating.

Cottagecore has certainly been evident as far as our wardrobes are concerned. After all, prairie-inspired dresses, full skirts, chunky knitwear, and milkmaid tops have dominated our rails for the last few seasons. Now, though, cottagecore is being channelled in our beauty routines, too.

While some cottagecore beauty veers on the otherworldly (think pixie ears and avant-garde makeup), there are also subtle cottagecore beauty trends that are fast becoming some of the season's most notable looks. These include a focus on fluttery lashes, bitten lips, flushed complexions, and effortless updos; all of which we consider to be seriously chic.

If you too have fallen for the allure of country-inspired living, keep scrolling to see the grown-up ways in which you get in on the cottagecore beauty trend.

HAIR SCARVES

While hair bows undoubtedly fit the cottagecore aesthetic, hair scarves afford us a new way to adorn our tresses. Look for floral motifs to fully embrace the cottagecore look. 

cottage-core-beauty-trend-289242-1600774575892-product

(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

cottage-core-beauty-trend-289242-1600774590018-product

(Image credit: @monikh)

Shop the trend:

FLUSHED CHEEKS

Cheeks should look as if you've spent your day picking apples from the orchard or riding horseback across fields of wheat. By that we mean they should look healthy and flushed. That's where our favourite cream blushes come in. 

cottage-core-beauty-trend-289242-1600774581113-product

(Image credit: @emmanuellek_)

cottage-core-beauty-trend-289242-1600774573588-product

(Image credit: @aimeesong)

Shop the trend:

DELICATE FLORAL NAILS

In case it wasn't evident, floral motifs go hand-in-hand with cottagecore. We don't consider it a coincidence that ornate and delicate floral looks are dominating the nail-art scene right now. 

cottage-core-beauty-trend-289242-1600774578648-product

(Image credit: @betina_goldstein)

cottage-core-beauty-trend-289242-1600774590324-product

(Image credit: @thehangedit)

Shop the trend:

DOE-LIKE LASHES

When it comes to cottagecore eye makeup, make "less is more" your mantra and shift the focus onto highlighting your lashes. Light and fluttery is the aim, with the below mascaras boasting the perfect formulations for creating doe-eyed peepers. 

cottage-core-beauty-trend-289242-1600774577725-product

(Image credit: @aysha.sow)

cottage-core-beauty-trend-289242-1600774586778-product

(Image credit: @mariejedig)

Shop the trend:

SWEPT-BACK HAIR

Much like the cheeks, your hair should look as if you've spent most of your day outdoors. Practicality is also key here, so why not sweep your hair up in an effortless half-up, half-down 'do. Add volume to the roots, texture to the lengths, and secure the hair in place with a cute clasp. 

cottage-core-beauty-trend-289242-1600774587861-product

(Image credit: @matildadjerf)

cottage-core-beauty-trend-289242-1600774582954-product

(Image credit: @heartzeena)

Shop the trend:

BLOTTED LIPS

Cottagecore lip looks vary between shades of blush rose to classic red, so you can practically choose whichever hue you prefer. The finish, however, should be smudged and blotted, akin to how they'd look after hours of wear or after you've just been kissed. Romanticism is integral to the cottagecore beauty trend, after all. 

cottage-core-beauty-trend-289242-1600774763375-image

(Image credit: @jeannedamas)

cottage-core-beauty-trend-289242-1600774584792-product

(Image credit: @livpurvis)

Shop the trend:

GARDEN-INSPIRED SCENTS

Perfume should be the final flourish to your cottagecore beauty look. Choose a floral and woody fragrance that embodies the countryside notion of the trend. 

cottage-core-beauty-trend-289242-1600774585712-product

(Image credit: @livpurvis)

cottage-core-beauty-trend-289242-1600774579583-product

(Image credit: @emmahoareau)

Shop the trend:

Next up, the skincare brands we think are worth spending a little extra on.

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over twelve years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories, and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, works closely with influencer talent on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media. Previously, Maxine appeared on TV in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o. 


Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship, she was offered a position on the Look magazine fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. She went on to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others. Maxine works remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh.