15 Gen Z Beauty Trends to Steal — No Matter What Generation You’re From

It's a fact that Gen Z consumers are quickly becoming a dominant consumer when it comes to buying makeup and skincare products. So it’s no wonder they're also responsible for the biggest trends in beauty too. Even if you’re not a Gen Z-er, you can and should still get in on these beauty moments. From cold girl makeup to graphic liner and spidery lashes, read on for what trends we’re trying.  

Cold Girl Makeup

Cold girl makeup, also known as “I’m cold” makeup, emulates the flushed, rosy-cheeked look you might get from spending the day hitting the slopes or walking through a fresh snowfall. Created by beauty TikToker Zoe Kim Kenealy, its defining characteristics are a generous amount of blush on the lips, nose and cheeks, light, shimmery shadow on the lids and a rosy stain blotted on the center of the lips. Try the Maybelline New York Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush for a look that’s straight off the slopes.

Lip Contouring

Millennials may have helped kick off the whole contouring craze by posting selfies of precisely placed face contour makeup, but lip contouring has really become a thing among Gen-Zers. First, pick a cool-toned contouring product no more than two shades darker than your skin tone. We like the NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick because it comes in a wide range of shades to fit any skin tone. Then try overlining the cupid’s bow and the very center of your bottom lip for the appearance of a plumper pout. Make sure to blend the product with your finger or a brush to erase any harsh lines. 

Spidery Lashes

While you may have once avoided spidery lashes like the plague, Gen Z-ers are embracing the long, clumpy look by swiping on mascara and then pinching their lashes together with a set of tweezers. The results? A dramatic, doll-eyed effect that you can easily recreate on top or bottom lashes. 

Grunge Makeup

’90s-inspired smoky eyes and berry lips are back in a big way this year. The messier it is, the better your grunge makeup will look, so reach for a creamy black eyeliner that’s easy to smudge, like the Maybelline New York TattooStudio Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Pencil.

Reverse Cat Eyes

The cat eye is still a makeup staple, but these days the Gen Z-ers are switching things up with the reverse cat eye, which still has major fierceness. It’s inverted ever so slightly to draw attention to your lower lash line. For this look, we love using the Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner in French Chocolate, which glides on and blends out easily.

Monochrome Makeup

Sometimes, one or two products are all you need to make a bold statement with makeup. Play with the same tones on your eyes, lips and cheeks by dabbing on a multi-purpose cream, such as the YSL Beauty Nu Lip & Cheek Tint and an eyeshadow in matching shade. Check out some of our favorite takes on the monochromatic makeup trend here.

White Eyeliner

There will always be room in our hearts for black liner, but this year we’re also making space for stark, crisp white. Try drawing a curved line above your crease with the NYX Professional Vivid Matte Liquid Liner in White to recreate the floating eyeliner trend.