The beauty world can be a little daunting to dip a toe into. From Instagram to high fashion runways and everywhere in between, there is a lot to take in, and trends are 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.
brat
Inspired by Charlie XCX’s hit album, 2024 was ‘Brat Summer.’ For beauty, that meant embracing vibrant, bold and unconventional aesthetics—and a lot of the album cover’s signature neon lime hue.
bubble ponytail
This hairstyle involved taking a traditional ponytail and using hair elastics to create smaller round sections that look like, well, bubbles.
double cleanse
This trend isn’t just about washing your face multiple times. It has to do with switching up products to achieve a deeper clean. Start with an oil-based cleaner to take off makeup and sunscreen, and follow that up with a gentle cleanser to remove any pollutants that may have been left behind.
french roll
The ‘90s are back! This throwback updo involves wrapping your hair in a twisted cone shape vertically along the back of the head and then gathering the remaining hair at the crown of the head in a rose-shaped bun and cascading curls.
glass skin
Think ultimate skin care goals. Derived from the translation of the Korean term ‘yuri pibu,’ it refers to a luminous and flawless complexion that is as smooth as the surface of glass
high contrast/low contrast
This beauty trend took off thanks to a viral filter on TikTok. Facial contrast is based on the contrast between your hair color, skin tone and other facial features. Your contrast level can be flattered by different styles of makeup. For example, high contrast pairs well with bolder and brighter looks.
lollipop lips
This lip look is all about recreating the appearance of having recently eaten a lollipop or popsicle. It uses bright pink and berry shades applied to the center of the pout that is feathered to the edge to create a diffused, undone look.
morning shed
The removal of skin, hair and self-care products that were put on before going to sleep—creators showing off their morning shed routines grew in popularity thanks to TikTok.
sillage
In French, this term refers to the wake left by a boat, but in the beauty world, it’s used to describe a fragrance’s ability to diffuse in the air around it. Perfumes with strong sillage linger longer.
skin fast
Take a break with this trend. It involved taking a break from your regular skin care routine to give your skin a chance to breath and detoxify. It can involve stopping cold turkey or reducing your routine to the basics like cleansing and moisturizing.
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.
squareletto
An extra-long nail style that is squared off at the tip—it’s a variation of the stiletto but not as sharp.
