7 New Beauty Trends You'll Actually Wear in 2023

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."

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(Image credit: @MISSJOBAKER)

"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

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(Image credit: @NEILYOUNGBEAUTY)

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.

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2. Elegant Embellishment

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(Image credit: @MISSJOBAKER)

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.”

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3. Mega Metallics

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(Image credit: @HUNGVANNGO)

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.

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4. Draped Blush

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(Image credit: @MISSJOBAKER)

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.”

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5. Neon Lips

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(Image credit: @KENNETHSOHMAKEUP)

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.

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6. Gothic Glam

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(Image credit: @MISSJOBAKER)

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.

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7. Linear Lids

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(Image credit: @MISSJOBAKER)

Spotted at a handful of catwalk shows and already all over Instagramthe 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.

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Next Up: 15 Party Makeup Looks That Are Low-Key and Effortless

Mollie Burdell is a freelance beauty editor, presenter and host. She trained as a makeup artist at the prestigious Delamar Academy, covering everything from prosthetics and theatre to TV and film, and then went on to graduate from university with a First Class Honours degree in journalism.

After completing internships at Grazia, Look, Cosmopolitan and Stylist, she landed her first writer role at Superdrug's Dare magazine. Mollie then joined the Harrods content team as a beauty writer before being promoted to the deputy beauty editor. There, she developed the content strategy, tone of voice and creative identity for H Beauty—Harrods's standalone regional beauty stores. When she wasn't interviewing the likes of Gigi Hadid, Miranda Kerr and Regé-Jean Page, you'd find her on a live broadcast, hosting an event, shooting video content, reviewing the lastest beauty launch on social or crafting a magazine feature. She has also hosted and contributed to the LuxeGirl by SheerLuxe YouTube series.

When Mollie isn't writing about beauty, you'll find her talking about it on a TikTok shop, dancing to pretty much anything with a beat, reading a crime thriller or performing a solo rendition of "One Day More" from Les Mis.