Popular and unusual beauty trends that headlined 2023

Yes, beauty trends can be wild, but you cannot deny that when it comes to sheer innovation and pushing the envelope, they have everybody else beat. From viral looks that took a fanciful turn to wholly effective ingredients, like always, it’s been a pretty eventual year. We revisit the beauty trends that exhibited main character energy this year and ask experts to weigh in on what they think.

Latte makeup
When it came to TikTok trends, those that were a nod to food references made quite a splash this year, and none more so than the virally popular “latte makeup” trend. As the name suggests, the look focuses on warm caffeinated browns and flattering sun-kissed bronze shades that are pretty much universally flattering. Sonic Sarwate, Global Senior Artist, MAC Cosmetics India, is on board with its success, calling it his all-time favourite look. “I love that it uses an array of colours, ranging from lighter nudes to deeper browns. Soft brown, smokey eyes, bronzed skin, and nude lips make for a timeless look. Facial features can be defined beautifully with these colours without being overpowering,” he says.

Peptides
If there’s one ingredient that had the potential to help you do away with photo filters this year, it would have to be peptides. “These small yet potent components experienced a surge in popularity. They play a pivotal role in bolstering collagen production, enhancing skin elasticity, and revitalising skin health,” vouches Dr. Dinyar Workingboxwalla, Celebrity Esthetician and Co-founder of Beauty by BiE. He attributes their rise to beauty stardom to the fact that they are versatile, guarantee results, and cater to all skin types and ages without one having to contend with irritation. This last fact is what gives peptide-powered skincare an advantage over its traditional counterparts like hyaluronic acid and retinol.

Cloud skin
Less sciencey than it sounds, this look borrows from idyllic fluffy clouds that float across the sky. The focus here is on upping the radiance factor while achieving a natural matte finish. It takes some serious powder application skills to get this one right. But not all experts are fans. “From a skincare perspective, heavy makeup can clog pores and cause skin irritation,” says Workingboxwalla, who believes that this trend can compromise skin health.

Mewing
One of the more bizarre trends that surfaced mewing was touted to be a quick-fix solution for those looking to alter their faces dramatically. It involves placing the tongue at the roof of the mouth and applying pressure to achieve a defined jawline. While the hashtag #mewing garnered more than 1.9 billion views on social platforms, not all experts are buying it. “I’m cautious about endorsing facial exercises that can potentially strain facial muscles and result in unintended consequences like increased lines or wrinkles,” says Workingboxwalla.

Morpheus 8 treatments
Dubbed “the world’s most painful non-invasive cosmetic procedure,” this combination of microneedling and radio frequency involves inserting 24 eight-millimetre needles into the facial skin to “create a controlled trauma” that works to tighten skin and stimulate collagen. Dr. Yash Mehta, Facial Plastic Surgeon, ENT Surgeon, and Founder of the Aesthetic and Cosmetic Surgery Clinic (ACSC), attests to its skin-improving prowess. He cites this treatment as one that displays “amazing results” and says it helps reduce noticeable fine lines, assists in achieving smaller-looking pores, and imparts a smoother texture. “It changed how doctors do microneedling,” he enthuses.

Medifacials
If 2023 had a beauty keyword, it would be dewy, glowy skin, a trend that continued to remain as popular as ever. The only difference is that this year, instead of achieving it with just makeup, people opted for medifacials to get that lit-from-within glow. Dr. BL Jangid, Dermatologist and Hair Transplant Surgeon at SkinQure Clinic, says, “People need long-lasting solutions for their skin rather than temporary fixes with makeup. Medifacials nourish and rejuvenate your skin. Its biggest advantage is the option to customise the treatment according to your individual skin needs,” he explains.

Facial ice dips
While dunking your face in freezing ice-cold water is by no means a new trend, 2023 saw this method gain cult appeal across the globe. It involves filling a bowl with water and ice and then submerging your face in it for 20 to 30 seconds. But do the experts think that these facial ice baths are worth the brain freeze they impart? Dr. Rashmi Shetty, Cosmetic Dermatologist at Ra Skin & Aesthetics, thinks so. “While the trend’s popularity can be attributed to a simple case of social media working its magic, I would recommend it. The shock that ice dips give your skin is quite beneficial as it leads to better nutrient absorption, detoxification, and improvement in the skin’s inflammatory response,” she says.

A Glutathione IV glow
This year, it seemed like every celebrity and influencer worth their beauty salt was hooked onto intravenous medication, especially glutathione drips, as a much sought-after beauty elixir. However, its immense popularity and celebrity approval notwithstanding, this medical-grade beauty treatment also has its fair share of detractors who urge caution if opting for this. “Glutathione serves as a beneficial antioxidant. Nonetheless, when administered intravenously, it is advisable to undergo this procedure exclusively at your dermatologist’s office. This is because the IV method directly delivers the components into your bloodstream, leading them swiftly back to the heart,” says Shetty. “In addition, when transmitted through IV, glutathione is typically part of a concoction, which comprises water-soluble ingredients. As a result, the body absorbs only as much as it needs and discards the rest. I would recommend breaking up its consumption into smaller doses daily for better sustenance in the form of oral supplements,” she adds.