Beauty Trends to Leave Behind as We Enter 2024

What does a fresh start mean to you? Perhaps it's about resetting and stepping into the best version of yourself. With 2024 around the corner, many of us are eager to create vision boards, change our habits, and enhance our lives. Meaningful change begins before the New Year countdown. As I learned from Camille, setting meaningful goals starts with intention. Who do we wish to become next year? To answer this, we need clarity on our current selves. What serves us, and what doesn't?

As the year wraps up, I'm infusing this mindset into everything I do. Viewing tasks as opportunities for transformation is invigorating. Cleaning out my closet reflects a commitment to a more stylish and sustainable lifestyle. Searching for leftovers in the fridge reminds me that my first grocery run of 2024 will be healthier. And as I go through my skincare routine, I ponder: what beauty trends should I keep, and which ones should I leave behind?

Featured image from our interview with Babba Rivera by Belathée Photography.

Beauty is a constantly shifting industry, influencing many aspects of our lives. I often assess my relationship with skin, hair, and overall wellness through the lens of changing beauty standards. While some trends inspire, others quickly fade into obscurity. Let's explore the beauty trends from this year to keep and those we should abandon.

Trends to Let Go

Barbiecore

This might be controversial, but it's time to bid farewell to Barbiecore. Few trends defined 2023 like this one. The Barbie phenomenon spilled into fashion, beauty, nail art, and home decor. Although I cherish the film, it's time for a change. With Pantone announcing Peach Fuzz as 2024's color of the year, I'm eager to see this softer, retro shade take the spotlight from Barbie pink.

Concealer Lips

This millennial makeup trend resurfaced, partly due to Sofia Richie. While some consider it stylish, it raises concerns given past trends. We've made progress from the overdone concealer lips of the early 2000s, yet I prefer other lip styles—like brownie glazed lips and lip stains—that are proving to be more enduring.

TikTok Microtrends

As for viral beauty looks, let's reduce their impact in 2024. Trends shift too fast to keep up with now. Tomato girl? Cold girl? Cinnamon cookie butter? These hyper-specific trends are fun to explore, but chasing every new look is exhausting. I plan to focus only on the trends that resonate with me, rather than purchasing every viral item that appears on my feed.

Laminated Brows

Laminated brows have gained popularity as a cost-effective alternative to microblading. They offer a long-lasting version of soap brows. While I still appreciate this trend, I've learned to be cautious. Brow trends can lead to regret, whether thick or thin. Keeping it simple with brows seems best for 2024.

Snail Mucin

This ingredient has been a staple in K-beauty for years and has finally gained mainstream traction, especially with the rise of slugging. However, in the K-beauty scene, snail mucin is out, with vegan alternatives like bean essence and wild yam taking the lead. Perhaps these will become the go-to ingredients this year.

DIY Skincare

I've enjoyed adding sea moss to my smoothies (thanks, Erewhon). But I won't be applying it to my skin, regardless of the touted benefits. This sentiment generally applies to DIY skincare. It's time to move past it. There are plenty of skincare products with natural ingredients like probiotics, vitamin C, and olive oil.

Buccal Fat Removal

This trend feels outdated already, as it's hard to recall the buzz around buccal fat removal from last year. While it generated significant chatter, it has largely faded. Yet, we can still embrace the trend of natural facial sculpting in 2024.

Trends to Welcome

All About Hydration

This year focused on hydration, whether through slugging, skin milk, or shea butter. Everyone, regardless of skin type, can suffer from dehydration. Thankfully, 2023 brought a hydrating product for nearly every step of our routines. Adequate hydration leads to faster skin recovery and a smoother texture, so I'm excited for 2024.

Oils Are In

For too long, those with oily skin hesitated to use facial oils, fearing they'd worsen skin issues. However, 2023 normalized oil use across the board—hair oiling, cleansing oils, body oils, and facial oils should all be staples, regardless of your skin type.

Retinol on the Rise

Retinol has become less intimidating and is appearing in more beauty products. I'm a firm believer in tretinoin for improving skin texture and reducing inflammation. Fortunately, there are now many options for starting your retinol journey in 2024. Bakuchiol is a popular clean-beauty retinol alternative, and over-the-counter retinol creams are gentle on the skin. Even retinol-infused body products are trending. If you haven't embraced retinol yet, make it a priority in 2024.

Baby Botox

Baby Botox, also known as bite-sized Botox, involves smaller injections for a more natural appearance. It's an excellent option for those new to Botox. With the rise of preventative Botox and its use for muscle tension, small doses are gaining attention. Expect to see more of this trend in the upcoming year.

Skinimalism

One of 2023's standout skincare trends wasn't a specific product but rather skinimalism: the concept of simplifying your skincare routine. After years of complex 10-step regimens and pressure to buy every new product, skinimalism promotes a thoughtful approach. The ideal skincare routine is unique to each person, encouraging a mindset of less is more that we'll see continue into 2024.

Embracing Aging

Traditionally, beauty products aimed to mask aging, often leading to feelings of shame over fine lines and wrinkles. Fortunately, the narrative around aging is shifting. More brands are focusing on celebrating our features and helping us feel comfortable in our skin. Instead of avoiding Botox appointments or eye creams, we're now empowered to choose the tools that align with our personal preferences. As we enter 2024, we'll explore trends and products that resonate with us, leaving behind those that don't. Ultimately, how we choose to age is a personal journey.