The year may be 2025, but it looks like the 1990s or 2000s. Makeup artists are taking inspiration from many Y2K looks, such as frosted eyeshadow, cobalt blues, and fine-line brows. Yet, even if those decades were not to your liking, 2025 still has plenty of other trendy makeup techniques to offer.
This year, we expect to see multi-year trends continue to evolve. TikTokers will, once again, have to combat blush blindness as they try to emulate Sabrina Carpenter’s blush-forward look.
Another makeup artistry trend in 2025 is that lip liner is either going even bolder with cherry red or taking a step back with blended edges. Skin is getting blurrier, lashes are getting stranger, and brows are disappearing. This year is set to push the boundaries of creativity and self-expression in makeup like never before!
Bigger Blush
This trend is one of the most striking makeup artistry trends of 2025, proving that blush is here to stay in bold, dramatic ways.
We were all bewitched by blush in 2024. TikTok developed blush blindness. And this year, blush is going bolder, brighter, and berry-ier. Berry blush (as well as berry lips) will appear in a range of shades, so there’s really something for everyone. From pale-pink berry to purple blackberry, what will your shade be?
For a bold, monochromatic berry look, try applying the same shade on the cheeks and lips.
Siren Eyes
Siren eyes are having their moment on TikTok. These are a revamped and enhanced take on the traditional winged eyeliner. Whereas winged liner is meant to open up your eyes, siren makeup is supposed to elongate your natural eye shape.
Creating siren eyes requires eyeliner, eyeshadow, and a few makeup techniques. It features a reverse cat-eye, blended smokey eyeshadow, and a defined upper and lower lash line that converges into a single wing. This look is a staple in fashion makeup, as it exudes drama, mystery, and elegance—perfect for editorial shoots and runway shows.
Blurring Formulas
Matte makeup looks are in, but it’s matte with a luminous twist. Many upcoming products marry a matte finish with luminosity, resulting in a subtle glow. This gives your features a blurry, soft focus effect without feeling oily. It’s the best of both worlds, indeed.
Hydrating, blurring formulas take cloud skin to the next level. Textures are present, but softened. It’s elegant, dreamy, and romantic—ideal for achieving modern fashion makeup looks.
Bold Blues
Makeup artistry trends in 2025 are all about pushing boundaries, and blue is leading the charge. From Chappell Roan’s iconic bold blue eyes to the Pan Am blue shadow at Marques Almeida’s SS25 LFW show, it looks like we’ll be swimming in blue.
There has been a cascade of blues at spring 2025 runway shows and on celebrity faces. Bright blues offer a commanding retro feel, whereas smudged blue violets bring an elegant yet mysterious touch. If you’re eager for something even bolder, try cobalt brows like we saw at Chet Lo.
Frosted Eyeshadow
Icy eyeshadow may technically be a shade of blue, but this trend is standing on its own in 2025. Reminiscent of the late 1990s and early 2000s, frosted eyeshadow combines white, silver, and blue tones to create an icy finish. It often includes an intense highlight on the brow bone for a look that’s so Y2K. Opt for matte or include some subtle sparkle or metallic shine.
Dark Cherry
Dark romance makeup is another makeup artistry trend that will be big in 2025. The focal point of our burgeoning fascination with moodier, deeper tones? Dark cherry. Say hello to deliciously dark, purplish reds this year.
Dark cherry red is already exploding with popularity. It takes the form of statement cherry-lacquered lips, cherry cola hair, classic cherry nails, and cherry cheek oils. This colour is going to be one of the hottest shades this year, so expect to see more cherry-infused products dropped over the coming months.
Luscious Lines
Prominent lip liner has been trending for a few years now. The 2025 version, however, abandons makeup techniques involving overly dark outlines and embraces soft, natural hues. These are designed to flaunt what you already have and create minimal fashion makeup looks. Look for a liner that’s slightly darker than your natural lip colour and blend it in for a softer look.
Mocha Mousse
Mocha Mousse is Pantone’s colour of the year for 2025. This colour is warm, elegant, and reminiscent of creamy coffee. There are many subtle and delicious ways to incorporate this colour into this year’s makeup looks. For instance, mocha brown eyeshadow, glossy cocoa-coloured lips, and caramel-sculpted cheekbones.
Cool-toned lipsticks can also make teeth look brighter and whiter, which is always a nice perk!
Fluttery Lashes
Lashes befitting Effie from The Hunger Games have been fluttering down runways at the spring 2025 shows. This year’s favoured falsies are vibrantly rainbow-coloured. Some are long and spidery, while others are clogged and thick.
Although this look may be a bit much for IRL, its fantastical nature is perfect for photoshoots and television. Fashion makeup artists should think about incorporating these bold and unique lashes into their 2025 projects!
Skinny Brows
The return of the skinny brow may be causing everyone who survived the 1990s and early 2000s to scream in horror, but few seem to be listening.
Ultra-thin brows started popping up in 2024 and, for better or worse, will continue appearing on celebrities and runways this year. The 1990s and 2000s are well and truly back—and so are barely-there brows.
Just remember: over-plucked brows do not always grow back. If you want to try out this look, make sure that you’re fully committed before picking up the tweezers. Don’t become another millennial complaining about their ruined brows.
A brow specialist can also help you find the best, pencil-thin brow shape for your face. Alternatively, you can experiment with this look by putting concealer or foundation over your real brows before drawing a faux skinny brow on top. This is a key makeup technique for achieving temporary transformations without permanent changes.
Master Makeup Artistry (And These 2025 Makeup Trends) at CMU College of Makeup Art & Design
Are you passionate about makeup? At CMU, you can turn your passion into an exciting career as a professional makeup artist. We have given thousands of students the technical skills, knowledge, and connections they need to succeed. Our makeup courses are taught by award-winning instructors in intimate classrooms and state-of-the-art facilities at our beautiful Toronto campus.
CMU is also the only makeup school that offers courses in all eight disciplines of makeup artistry: fashion, hairstyling, film and television, theatre, prosthetics, creature and character design, digital sculpting, and Photoshop.
Follow your passion at CMU! To learn more about studying makeup artistry, call CMU at 416-968-6739 or contact us here.
