I’ve always been inspired by women who are outgoing, very sure of themselves, and not afraid to be who they were, including their sex lives. Under their tutelage, I gradually shed my old self, hung out and socialized with them, and, over time, became the empowered, self-confident, and sexual woman I am today. Happy to share my insights with other women today!
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Gen Z Makeup Trends!
Gen Z makeup is the reflection of the generation who “lives and lets live,” celebrates diversity, and demands equality, social justice, and authenticity from others, especially organizations with which they do business and employers they work for.
So what does this have to do with beauty, makeup, and even hair? Lots actually. While Zers are accepting of any lifestyle and fashion trends, their values of authenticity do translate into their idea of good skincare and makeup styles. Let’s see the most common makeup trends for Gen Z in 2024.
Related reading: How to Be the Hottest Version of Yourself
Gen Z Makeup Self-Expression: A Multi-Billion Dollar Industry
Makeup is often treated as an art form, a way of self-expression, and a way to experiment with the ways you can change how you look. Gen Z makeup trends have taken a lot of inspiration from the previous generations and have enhanced them.
These days, the makeup industry is regulated in many ways to ensure that its products are safe and as harmless as possible. The worst that can happen is allergic reactions to some products, none of which are life-threatening.
But this is not enough for Gen Z. The idea that some cosmetic manufacturers include animal testing or byproducts is abhorrent to them, and they will not purchase from companies that engage in this practice. Also, the generation tends to celebrate diversity and freedom of expression, which are also the makeup trends that are here to stay.
8 Gen Z Makeup Trends in 2024
For centuries, makeup trends have come and gone. In this regard, Gen Z finds makeup to be an interesting outlet for creativity and is very much familiar with the concept. While diversity is celebrated, there are top makeup fashion standouts.
1. The Clean Look
The clean look ultimately sets a goal to keep your face looking as fresh and unrefined as possible by enhancing your inborn features rather than hiding them away under layers of makeup.
The wholesome look is a timeless classic and is one of the main preferences of many Zers. It is that the best way to wear daily makeup is to make it look like you aren’t wearing it at all.
What do you need to achieve this look:
- Face Primer
- Light coverage foundation or tinted moisturizer
- Concealer
- Bronzer
- Cream blush
- Neutral toned eyeshadow
- Small amount of eyebrow pencil and liner
How to achieve the clean look:
- Start by priming your face for the makeup
- Apply a thin layer of a light coverage foundation or use a tinted moisturizer that matches your skin tone
- Any use of a concealer should be light, as well as any use of bronzer or blush
- Add some details so ultimately you look and feel as un-processed as possible
Gen X probably began this trend albeit with a bit of a smokey look, and Millennials embraced it too. Gen Z has decided to go a bit further, even though the differences between these last two groups are pretty subtle.
Related reading: Gen Z vs Millennials
2. The “W” Blush
The “W” blush makeup style involves focusing on the use of blush and how it is placed on the face.
The “W” blush one of the simpler cosmetic trends; however, it creates a stunning, yet natural-looking sun-kissed appearance that many of the makeup artists of Gen Z seem to absolutely love.
How to utilize the “W” blush look:
- Prepare a cream blush or a matte blush (the latter works best to give the desired effect)
- Start at the temple, and apply the product from there to the apples of your cheeks
- Apply the blush from the apples of your cheeks to the bridge of your nose.
How to choose the right blush:
It’s a bit of an old lady thing, but a cool way to find your best blush color is to place a towel in hot water and apply it to your face for about 10 seconds. The color of your skin will become slightly red, and that will be your best natural blush shade.
3. Graphic Eyeliner
Graphic eyeliner is one of the more artistic types of makeup style and Gen Z cosmetic artists love to show off their skills with it. For everyday life, though, most avoid it. Save it for nights out with friends, a date, or special occasions.
Graphic eyeliner can be inspired from many things, utilizing the eyelids as a canvas of sorts to create bright, bold, and ultimately cool designs that catch the attention of anyone who sees them. This eyeliner can be as simple as an extra wing of a bold-colored eyeliner overtop the eyeshadow being used, or it can be as complicated as a recreation of the starry night painting using eyeshadow and streaks of eyeliner as the paint.
At one point, drawing little designs using eyeliner was considered to be a Millennial thing, but Gen Z cosmetic artists have taken this little flair and made it entirely into an art form for the beauty world.
How to use graphic eyeliner:
- Invest in a good quality set of colored eyeliners, an eyeshadow palette, primer for the eyelids, brushes, and of course a good setting spray to make sure the look stays.
- Start off with simple designs and work your way up to harder ones. Use experimental shapes and simple designs inspired by things you enjoy.
- Plan out and test your palettes beforehand and see what a good pairing will be.
Remember that even if colors look good together in theory, they can look completely different once you are wearing them. Test them by wearing any first-time design around the house to determine |”staying power.”
Related reading: How to Look Hot: Unlock Your Magnetic Energy
4. Skin Flooding
At one point the need to constantly moisturize was seen as an old lady thing, but Gen Zers know perfectly well how important hydrating and moisturizing is even at a younger age. Of course, they don’t do it exactly like the old ladies from earlier times. Instead, they do skin flooding, which is essentially layering products to promote hydration and lock in moisture.
How to apply skin flooding:
- Use a gentle cleanser to cleanse the skin
- Apply a skin essence
- Apply a serum
- Use a moisturizer to lock in hydration
Skin flooding is often compared to the 7-step Korean skincare routine, but that’s more a Millennial thing. The good news for either process is it is applied in the morning with no need for re-application during the day.
Related reading: How to Glow Up and Become the Best Version of Yourself
5. Dreamy, Soft, Cloud (and Puffy) Lips
The dreamy cosmetic look makes your lips look so soft and pillowy can be compared to clouds.
Dreamy look is a beauty trend that stuck once the news hit that Kylie Jenner had had lip fillers in 2015. Of course, Hollywood celebrities have been playing with the shape of their lips for a long time. While lip fillers are a minor injection process, there are now cosmetics that can provide the same effect that both Millennial and Z generations.
This is an easy look to put it on in the morning and wear in style all day.
How to achieve dreamy style without a lip liner:
- The trick is to use a decent moisturizer and “puffer” for the lips
- Apply a small amount of liquid lipstick to the center of the lip
- Use either a brush or your finger to dab at and spread the product out to the edge and corners
- Repeat this process on your top lip and bottom lip a couple of times
This look places focus on a soft, whispy look that many seem to love. You can find a video or two on how to achieve this particular look because, apparently there are some technical things that can go wrong without the proper guidance. It just takes practice. And best of all? It’s a look that doesn’t appear “fake,” something Gen Z hates.
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6. Subtle Eyeshadow
For Gen Z, eyeshadow is very subtle. For Millennials, eyeshadow often means a splash of color. Putting it on is a bit of an art and, again, takes some practice. Fortunately, there are products that are creamy and allow a smooth application.
Among beauty choices, eyeshadow is right up there with blushing—the goal is understated and blending in naturally with skin tone, with just a hint of color.
7. Permanent Makeup
Permanent makeup is a tattooing procedure that gives a lifelong cosmetic fix. It’s also called micropigmentation, and you can check out videos on the process if you have any fear about using it.
Zoomers are all about authenticity but also all about efficiency. And in truth, they value practicality too. Enter permanent cosmetics—the perfect solution, as you might guess.
The goal is to have permanent makeup, so you don’t have the hassle of applying it every morning or evening before you go out and greet the world. It’s typically applied to eyes, cheeks, and lips—to enhance the look of eyebrows, eyelashes, eyelids, and naturally colored lips. It is also used to even out skin tone and reduce scars.
As you age, permanent makeup can make you look younger and feel good about your appearance without feeling as if you have to stand in front of the mirror every day. It can be a bit pricey, so it’s a good plan for you and your friends to shop around a bit to find a provider who is both reputable and reasonably priced.
8. Male Makeup
In recent years, cosmetic manufacturers have decided to break into the field of makeup for men, and Zer males are discovering that they can summon up their inner creativity and have a bit of fun while they enhance their appearance.
And as a recent GQ article on a beginner’s guide to male makeup, experimenting with makeup should be a fun exploration of what it can do for you. And using different products can provide a good comparison so that you can make the right choices for your look and let you make a “fashion statement” of your own.
The point is this: have a bit of fun while you explore a better-looking you.
Makeup Is a Thing for Gen Z
No matter where you currently sit in the Gen Z age range, you are probably interested in being comfortable with how you present yourself. And if, at some point, you may have a daughter, you will probably pass that interest onto her. But be ready. Her concept of presenting herself may be very different. Right now, you really only have yourself to take care of. So, go forth, make choices that bring you the greatest comfort, and be who you are.
Cherie Hamilton
