Our makeup trend forecast for 2025

Though it can’t be said for all spheres of life, 2024 was indisputably a good year where makeup is concerned. Gone were the days of Insta-baddie domination, giving way for looks that were actually interesting. Makeup legend Pat McGrath turned models into porcelain dolls on the Maison Margiela Runway, so we began messing around with bold eyeshadow, extreme glass skin and doll-like blush. Charli xcx released Brat and stepped onto the Met Gala red carpet wearing gothic glam by Isamaya Ffrench, so we replicated the vampiric pallor and dark lips. Gabbriette went round being hot and cool – as well as creating a much-appreciated GRWM video for Vogue France – so we copied her grungy black eyeliner and signature lip look (Stone by MAC, if you’re interested). We plucked our browns thin. We bleached them. We even shaved them off. Obviously, we’re not ready to regress back to the bland — so what’s new this year? Here’s what we at HUNGER reckon. 

Nineties-nude lips

If you’ve learnt anything from the reigning queen of coolness (Gabbriette, obviously), it’s that a nude lip is infinitely cooler than a red one — unless you’re French, perhaps. While last year saw the ‘cherry cola’ lip trend, we predict that 2025’s going to be about the nudes. Why else would MAC be re-launching the OG version of the most famous lip liner of all time? Originally named Spice – now Cool Spice – the product epitomised the ‘90s supermodel look, having been worn by everyone from Naomi Campbell to Pamela Anderson. Thanks to the horrifyingly basic makeup trends of circa 2014, the liner was made to be more orange-toned. But, now, it’s been restored to its former glory. Cool-toned nudes are in, mark our words.

’80s revival

We’re not sure if it’s because of The Substance and its ’80s style inspo, but makeup elements from that very era seem to be sneaking onto the scene. Take purple blush for example — sounds a bit questionable, we know, but it’s more flattering than you might expect. Accompanying it will most likely be pink eyeshadows à la Sue (Margaret Qualley’s character in the body-horror, obviously), or – hopefully – something a bit darker and more grungy. In that regard, actually, Charlotte Tilbury recently released an ’80s makeup tutorial created by her niece and fellow makeup artist, Sofia Tilbury. So that settles it. 

Thin brows

Another style Gabbriette is synonymous with: thin eyebrows. But, alas, it’s not just the model and internet chef sporting them — everyone from our Issue 33 cover star, Juno Temple, to Doja Cat have been warming us up to the idea of a skinny brow for a while now. The trend actually took off last year for braver beauty enthusiasts, but we reckon the look is going to get a whole lot more airtime this year. The problem is that, being realistic, thin brows don’t suit everyone, so it’s advisable to pluck away at them bit by bit to avoid an unwanted jumpscare every time you look in the mirror. And if you need recs for a thin-brow-appropriate liner, Gabbriette uses the Byredo one.

Fluffy brows

As aforementioned, thin eyebrows don’t look good on everyone. Thankfully, we surmise that fluffy eyebrows are here to stay, too. Like, people aren’t going to see Nosferatu and thinking how gross Lily Rose Depp looks with her fat brows, are they? In the same vein, The Daily Front Row’s Model of the Year for 2024, Amelia Gray, is also known for her luscious brows. They give a bit of je ne sais quoi to your face when you’ve got no makeup on. They’re easy to maintain when you can’t be arsed. They’re also really easy to accentuate with products like REFY’s staple brow range.

Metallic eyeshadow

Another one Pat McGrath is to thank for. This time, though, it’s the metallic accents the makeup mogul used for Loewe Spring ’25 runways we’re going to be copying. Here, she plastered gold and silver shadows across the whole lid, and it’s arguably the perfect night out look. If you do it right, you’ll look more Kate Moss after a heavy night out with Pete Doherty than Lady Gaga’s “Disco Stick” music video. The more experimental might even start recreating McGrath’s efforts for Miu Miu, which saw her lining the models’ lips with metallic liner. In the same vein, Isamaya Beauty has just dropped a metallic balm. Enough said.

Messed-up eyeliner

This is the one we’ve been waiting for and we pray it catches on. Another look that could be seen in 2024’s latter fashion weeks, grungy eyeliner is most likely going to pop off this year. Nothing fancy — just a simple black kohl (the more smudgeable the better). It’s giving Courtney Love and we’re here for it. Not only does it hark back to the ’90s in the best way possible, but it’s also really convenient when your makeup is meant to look shit, isn’t it? Queue messy girl 2025.