7 best makeup trends to hit the UAE in 2023

According to the pros, we’re going to continue with vintage lipsticks reminiscent of 90s magazine models. Lebanese makeup artist Gaelle Hanna, who lives in Dubai, tells us to complement dark lip liner and lip oil. “A makeup trend we’re seeing again is the retro lip contour, but in a slightly updated way, where it’s just two steps,” she says. Define darker lips with Hanna’s recommended Mac Lip Pencil in Cork Brown or our Charlotte Tilbury alternative. Line your lips and apply liberally with a tinted lip oil or red lipstick. We picked Clarins’ popular Raspberry Lip Oil for its plant-based formula and fatty acids, and Moira’s budget-friendly option, which is cruelty-free and vibrantly pigmented.

Going hand in hand with the minimalism trend, another professional makeup artist points to the declining popularity of facial contouring, or contouring. Deepa Yadav, an editorial makeup expert in Dubai who has worked on magazine sets, fashion shows, TV commercials and more, says we prefer bronzing. “It looks more natural because bronzing is applied seamlessly with your skin, and anyone can do it. The result is a tanned face,” Yadav explains. Less heavy shadows involved—you can achieve the look with Yadav’s picks: Charlotte Tilbury’s Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer and her favorite Benefit’s Hoola Matte Bronzer. “Work lightly around the cheekbones. Bronzer isn’t face-shape specific,” she advises. Make sure you have chosen a shade for your skin tone. We added Anastasia Beverly Hills bronzer, available in six shades.

Hold on to your eyeliner, because we’re not done with the “Euphoria”-inspired look just yet. Yadav predicts a comeback for winged eyeliner (a 1990s movie). “We’re not making doe eyes, we’re looking at siren eyes raised in corners,” she said. “Gen Z have been using graphic eyeliners for a while; they’re great for enhancing the look.” Our experts love Faces Canada’s eyeliner because of its strong felt tip. Her other picks include Kiko Milano’s Eyeliner and 3INA’s Vibrant Color Eyeliner.

The era of meticulously drawn brows is over. Like everything else on the face, brows are best left as is, with brushes and added strokes to fill in some light, says Yadav. So it’s no surprise that cosmetic procedures like microblading are on the rise in 2022. You might remember the viral “soap brow” trend, an affordable lamination technique for fuller, natural-looking brows. Choose Yadav’s favorite brow grooming products instead of soap to enhance your natural arch. Choose Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Brow Freeze Wax or Got2B Glue’s Brow Gel. Add Kiko Milano’s Brow Pencil to your cart for a natural-looking look. You can also opt for the popular Benefit Precisely Brow Pencil.

Experimental blush placement is probably the easiest trend for beginners to follow. Until a long time ago, the beauty world was obsessed with accentuating the apples of the cheeks and nose for a tanned look. Now, Yadav says the concentrated flush has spread to the temples and eyes. Try dabbing the product around the eyes and blending it with your makeup base. “If you have a brown complexion, avoid pink tones, as yellow undertones can make blush look gray. Opt for fuchsia,” she adds. Yadav recommends Rare Beauty’s on-the-go liquid blush and stick products, which are perfect for reapplying on the go.

The signature ‘Kim K’ bright look is back. Yadav says US media personality Kim Kardashian’s dramatic eye makeup has the power to lift the entire face. “It might look heavy, but the technique yields really good results in photos,” she explains. “If you’re over 30, it also helps with dark circles.” Like baking, which is the final step in your makeup routine, leave the powder on for a few minutes before dusting it off. Our experts picked out Huda Beauty and Laura Mercier’s Baking Powder Banana Flour, a yellow setting powder. We’ve added Dermablend Professional’s Brightening Banana Powder, which locks in makeup for 16 hours and is sensitive-skin tested.

K-beauty has always inspired us, from Allspice Sticks arrive lip mask, a convenient addition to our makeup bags and everyday items. Yadav sees more lip glosses and glosses, a staple of the Korean beauty scene. “Korean-inspired makeup is trending with Gen Z right now — it’s always fresh and different. Lip stains are trending because they can be applied on cheeks and eyelids in addition to lips,” she says. This all-in-one wonder product coats pouts with a skin-like texture and, if desired, a gloss over top. A good example is Benefit Water-Based Benetint for tinted lips and cheeks. For a thicker formula, check out Etude House’s Fixing Tint, which has full-coverage pigment but retains a lightweight texture.

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