Whether it’s TikTok, star-studded red carpets or anywhere in between, the world of beauty is constantly changing. One day neon eyeshadow is all the rage, and the next more natural looks are everywhere. And it all comes with its own evolving lingo. Here’s a look at some of the terms you need to know.
Cherry Cola:
From hair to lips to nails, this was the trending color for beauty on TikTok in fall. The hue mixes burgundy and cherry tones with darker, soda-inspired brown undertones.
Bixie:
A combination of a bob and pixie haircut
Douyin:
Named after the Chinese version of TikTok, this makeup trend was started by influencers on the platform, and it’s been steadily gaining popularity in the U.S. as well. The hallmarks include shimmery eyeshadow, pigmented blush, blurred lips and dramatic lashes styled in clusters.
Bropper:
This trending hair color offers a brunette take on the coppery red locks that have been popular. The result is a more natural look with the orange tone subdued by more natural brown hues.
Cloud Skin:
The latest skin craze, this trend is all about creating a soft-focus but radiant look—think the sun shining through clouds. The result is a more ethereal glow rather than the harsher gleam of past trends like glass or vampire skin.
Barbiecore:
Barbie has always been a trendsetter, and that was on full display in 2023. This aesthetic reflects the iconic doll’s impact on fashion and beauty. The key to this style? Think pink! When it comes to makeup, the key is bright, saturated shades and overt femininity with a special focus on bold blush and big doll-like lashes.
Latte:
This isn’t about your order at Starbucks. The makeup trend focuses on creating a warm, bronzed appearance similar to the color of a latte. Focused on brown tones mixed with golds and tans, it took off because of its versatility—working with all skin tones and being easily dressed up or down.
Fairy Grunge:
Whimsical fantasy meets a throwback to the grunge aesthetics of the ’90s. This trend, which gained popularity on, you guessed it, TikTok, mixes raw edginess with playful femininity. When it comes to makeup, that means smoky eyes, smudged eyeliner and bold dark lip colors.
Plopping:
If you’ve got curly hair, you’ll want to know about this one. Plopping is a heatless drying technique that wraps curls in a microfiber towel or cotton clothing. It keeps the hair scrunched on the top of the head, so curls don’t lose definition. Don’t confuse it with wrapping your hair turban-style to dry it—that can actually stretch out curls. The key difference is in the name—instead of twisting your hair, you plop it down onto the fabric before securing it.
Gemini Hair:
Two is better than one with this hair coloring trend. It’s all about mixing two hues into one look. The style comes with a couple variations, ranging from cotton candy hair to skunk stripes, but perhaps the most common look is the split tone, which consists of two colors split evenly down the middle of the hair for that Cruella de Vil fantasy.
Milk Nails:
A sheer, soft white manicure
Slugging:
To slug is all about the slather. This skin care trend involves ending your nighttime routine with a thick layer of an occlusive, which is a product that forms a protective barrier on your skin to prevent moisture loss. Common ones include petroleum, waxes, jellies and oils. Slugging not only locks in moisture, but also the other products in your skin care routine, in theory making them more effective.
Sources: Allure, Vogue, Cosmopolitan
