MakeUp in World

2025 February, 12 & 13

LA Convention Center

Badge Request
Exhibit

US Skincare and Makeup trends

Cyber Era

Cyber Era

As technology propels us into a new era, we become fascinated by alien life forms and virtual avatars, as we embrace a digital-age aesthetic, with beauty products inspired by futuristic colors and other-worldly textures.

As technology propels us into a new era, we become fascinated by alien life forms and virtual avatars, as we embrace a digital-age aesthetic, with beauty products inspired by futuristic colors and other-worldly textures. We saw the digital acceleration of ecommerce during the pandemic out of necessity, with many brands looking to China’s advanced livestream shopping model to increase consumer engagement: Instagram has updated its livestream shopping model and increased functionality for in-app shopping, while other social media companies follow suit. In addition, consumers have embraced this new normal of digital shopping mixed with limited in-person retail, resulting in “phygital” shopping that blends virtual and in-person elements for a new shopping experience.

Tech-based solutions help to streamline our routines as we enter this Cyber Era. We use technology to support our health and wellbeing as we accelerate towards an optimized future, looking to challenge our way of thinking in terms of how we define beauty. 3D makeup, NFT product launches, and social platforms all become part of our hybrid reality, as our very notion of what “makeup” is changes; seen in advancements like e.l.f. Cosmetics’ limited-edition NFT products. In an age where our virtual identities are frequently more visible than our physical selves, digital makeup becomes an essential part of our self expression, and we continue to see brands experiment with AR/VR technology, not only for virtual try-ons for ecommerce, but to create exciting looks for exclusive use on social media platforms.

Evoking the gleaming, advanced electronic surfaces of our future environments, metallic shades in all their iterations are popular for makeup looks. Iridescent, shifting colors, like those featured in Urban Decay’s space-age Cyber Palette, create a space-age feel, as we draw inspiration from space travel, cosmic colors, and spiritual, astral beings. From soft shine to glimmering glow, textures within this trend shine bright, with a pastel, cotton-candy palette that keeps the mood feeling more ethereal and modern. In addition, our desire to break free from all identity constraints fuels a renewed fascination with new worlds, extraterrestrial beings, and transcendent beauty looks. This creates a bold new era for self-expression, as gender, sexualitiy, and even species identifiers are increasingly seen as outdated, paving the way for an exciting new reality.

By: Melissa Hago, VP & Creative Director of Beauty and Wellness at Fashion Snoops & Mallory Huron, Beauty & Wellness Strategist at Fashion Snoops
Fashion Snoops: Trend Forecasting & Consumer Insights