These Beauty Trends Are Going to Take Over 2018

According to Sephora PRO Chris Sams, "Inclusivity is the new standard." We’ve started seeing the rise of inclusive beauty campaigns from brands like Fenty Beauty and Cover FX that go beyond the basic 10 to 15 shades to cover a range of 40-plus shades to match every person’s skin tone. Inclusive beauty, or complexion matching, is about saying goodbye to limited shades and embracing every type of skin. And since we all know how washed out or tragically orange we can look if our foundation is too light or too dark, this is really the best trend ever. Pinterest reported that saves were up 378 percent for “complexion matching.”

We’ve accepted the fact that oils are not the bad guys in the skincare world anymore; and, in fact, they seem to be sitting pretty as the figurative ‘favorite child’ instead. Cleansing is perhaps the most essential part of any skincare routine, and cleansing oils have risen recently as the most effective way to get clear, glowing, and hydrated skin. Many cleansers can strip the skin of natural oils and leave it parched, but cleansing oils get rid of impurities and “bad” oils on your face, while preserving your natural skin moisture. And, experts confirm, they will not clog your pores! And the data doesn’t lie either: Pinterest reported that saves for “cleansing oil” were up 555 percent.

While we don’t see any love going away for versatile eyeshadow palettes like the Urban Decay Naked Palettes, we are seeing more single-color eyeshadow looks that make a statement without using a different color for your lid, crease, and undereye (so much work!). Bold metallics like copper, rose gold, and sheer tans make eyes look striking when used all over the eyelid and to line the undereyes. On the runway, bright, bold colors, such as electric blue and ultraviolet, are popular in this trend; but those are not exactly everyday material.

"One of the biggest trends in hair this year is going to be ease and convenience with more people looking for products that help them touch up on the go," Sams noted. Our heads are spinning with the recent introduction of anti-frizz wipes, oil blotting sheets for your scalp, and foam dry shampoos. (It’s a wet dry shampoo?) People are finally deciding it’s time to create products that make our lives easier and our hair look better in a pinch! "Add a couple of these individually wrapped sheets to your bag and instantly refresh your 'do after a long day," Sams recommends. 

Face oils aren’t going anywhere this year. Since gaining popularity throughout 2017 like never before, these oils have transformed how people hydrate and treat their skin. Whether you have oily skin or dry, flaky skin, and even if you are very breakout-prone or more concerned about aging lines, there’s an oil that will work some major magic. Drunk Elephant, Renee Rouleau, and Sunday Riley are some standout brands to look into if you’re interested in trying this for the first time. When picking your oil du jour, Sams says, "Hydration is going to be the biggest trend in skin, especially during the cold winter months. Weather you have oily, dry, or combination skin, everyone should be using a moisturizer geared toward their specific hydration needs."

Rounded-edge cat-eye flicks, bright colors, and “underliner” are making a statement in 2018 as a way to play up your eyes when leaving everything else subtle. Maintaining healthy, glowing skin is a huge concern this year, so ladies are keeping face makeup simple and going with a bold eyeliner choice to give a pop of personality to any look. You can find over 30 different shades of the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil—one of our all-time favorites—at Sephora.

From hydrating essences to sheet masks to snail mucin to 10-step routines, K-beauty was the unabashed star of the skincare world throughout 2017. This year, we’re seeing the love expand to other Asian markets, most notably Japan. J-beauty is all about gentle skincare and clear, soft skin. Those cleansing oils everyone is talking about? Shisheido, a Japanese beauty company, introduced its cleansing oil over 50 years ago. SK-II, an ultra-popular skincare brand right now, is also a Japanese beauty company you’ll be seeing more of in 2018.

We saw a rise in popularity of lip glosses again this past year, and while we think there is still room for the glossy look in 2018, a lip tint strikes the perfect balance between the laidback color deposit of lip glosses and the subtle, natural finish of a lipstick. The Glossier Generation G lip color gives the perfect matte, blotted sheer finish, while we love the Milk Makeup Oil Lip Stain for a shinier, yet natural look. Pinterest reported a 414 percent increase in saves for “lip tint.”

Facial rollers come in a few different forms with varying goals, but one thing is certain: people are obsessed with rolling these little tools all over their faces in the name of beauty. Derma rolling, or microneedling, is the most popular practice and basically acts a lawn aerator for your face, poking tiny holes in your skin to promote collagen production and enhance product effectiveness. It helps fade wrinkles and signs of aging, as well as get rid of acne scars and dark spots. You can also try jade or quartz rollers, which stimulate circulation for plump, glowing skin and improve skin elasticity. We aren’t the only ones interested: Pinterest saves for “derma roller” increased by 345 percent.

Vitamin C skincare is another trend from 2017 that we’re excited to see come into its own even more in 2018. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant for your skin, and it helps protect skin from environmental damage, fight signs of aging, and eliminate uneven skin tones. You can find less potent moisturizers or high-concentration serums depending on your skincare routine and needs. We love Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum for all of your brightening and anti-aging needs, and Sokoglam’s Triple C Lightning Liquid is known as a miracle worker for dark spots and acne scars.

Long lashes are the ultimate goal for ladies this year because if you have crazy-great lashes, you don’t need much else going on! It made the Pinterest 100 of 2018 as a top beauty concern, with searches up 152 percent. While lash extensions, magnetic falsies, and lash lifts all help get the look, there are some great mascaras that will do the job. We swear by L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise for volume-packed, fanned-out lashes, while the ultra-thin Pixi Lower Lash Mascara is perfect for your longest bottom lashes ever. (Hello, Twiggy? We know your secret now.)

This killer short cut is nothing new, but we’re seeing it become more and more prevalent in ladies of all ages and hair textures. The sassy length can be made modern and edgy, or clean and classic. The curly pixie, in particular, is giving us major hair envy!

"Glitter and shimmer aren’t going anywhere in 2018. Stila Cosmetics Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eyeshadows are perfect for an everyday look or a glam night out because they are long-lasting and so easy to use," Sams said. 

Fenty Beauty released its popular highlighter, Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter, with a trendy yellow-gold shade, Trophy Wife, that people are currently obsessing over. Rose gold shimmer is still going strong and looks downright glowing on lips, eyes, and cheeks any time, any day. L’Oreal Paris offers a great, affordable line of Infallible Paints Metallics for eyes and lips that are too easy to throw in your shopping cart!

With a little tape and some patience, this fun nail trend could be yours. We especially love using tape to conjure simple metallic lines or details before layering over a glossy clear coat for a subtle, cool look. Or layer a dark winter color with lighter details. Possibilities are endless! The search for this trend was up 83 percent on Pinterest.

It seems like every week people are boasting some new cult beauty product as the next must-have miracle skin saver, tempting you to Amazon Prime it as soon as possible. Despite our skeptical attitude towards hyped-up beauty secrets, some of these Amazon cult buys have been true gems. From the Indian Healing Clay Mask to the Egyptian Magic Skin Cream, the hype does not lie. Get your best skin yet this year by thinking outside of the drugstore aisles! You can find these two products (in a bundle!) here.

We know what you're thinking: Enough with the oils already! Nonetheless, perfume oils are slowly sneaking their way into the beauty world as the new “It” thing. Perfume in oil form is appealing because of its less powerful, long-lasting aroma that makes it appealing for those who want to be a little more subdued (and perhaps, mysterious?) with their signature scent. Rollerball pens of perfume oils are super easy to apply and will make you feel a little more luxurious.