Best of beauty

PEOPLE have been wanting glass skin similar to Red Velvet members.

As 2019 closes, we look back on all the beauty trends that people loved — the fads that everyone followed, the styles people copied from their favorite artists which may or may not have suited them, as well as the tutorials and techniques they learned from influencers and YouTubers. These were trends that made the year a little more colorful, wild and beautiful.

K-Beauty. This year, the world saw just how K-Beauty is dominating the beauty industry. Koreans’ fresh and nonchalant makeup looks got people wanting to cop the style, especially since the more elevated world of K-Pop and K-Dramas also came into the mix. The looks of idols like Red Velvet, IU, Twice and K-Drama actresses like Song Hye Kyo, Lee Sung Kyung, Jun Ji Hyun, among others, are what people have been trying to achieve this year.

SKINCARE is the highlight of the beauty industry this 2019.

DRUNK-blush makeup look by Nadine Lustre.

COSMETICS companies have come up with products that has long-term positive skin results, too.

Fake Freckles. Judging from all the photo-capturing apps with these kinds of filters, many have tried adding fake freckles to their beauty routine. It somehow makes the face look more youthful and fresh. Applying dark brown dots all over the cheek area to achieve those sunspots Westerners naturally have, however,has also caused a lot of people to look ridiculous because of lack of blending and practice.

Drunk-blush makeup look. Everyone’s “mom” and “president” Nadine Lustre might have had a hand in this. The Multimedia Star dominated the local scene not only with her FAMAS Award-winning acting skills but also her elegance, sophistication and effortless beauty. One of her signature looks this year was the drunk-blush makeup look where she applied blush all over her cheeks, passing over her nose bridge to imitate that drunk blush Asians have when drinking.

Makeup + Skincare. More and more beauty brands are seeing the importance of having good skin first as base for flawless makeup. As such, in 2019, many cosmetics companies made it their mission to come up with products that don’t have a one-time-only, beauty-enhancing effect but long-term positive skin results. One is French makeup brand Make Up For Ever which was able to produce the Reboot Foundation. This must-have brightens, smoothens, firms, hydrates and evens out the skin. In the local scene, the newly launched Issy and Company completely ditched the traditional chemicals contained in most makeup. It prides itself for being cruelty-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, vegan and dermatologically-tested. Right now, the months-old brand only has lipsticks, cream lip tints, cushion lippies, multi-use crayons and lipstick pens but will soon launch other products.

Brow Still Wow. Because of its face-framing effect, perfectly shaped brows that suit one’s face shape were still part of the beauty grail in 2019. Many brands came up with their easy-to-apply brow kits, while some winners like Benefit Cosmetics, which has been in the brow-wowing business for years, came out with more innovative tools to up their game. Its latest product, the Brow Styler, is a multitasking pencil and powder for brows. Just one nifty pen and you can create multiple brow looks!

Hairclips and Padded Headbands. Maybe this year was one of achieving that youthful look. These 90s accessories somehow came fiercely back to life this year. Statement pieces at best, hairclips and pins can easily elevate a casual look or add a finishing touch to your already blockbuster style. But with the pros come the cons and this also channeled schoolgirl gaucheness when worn incorrectly.

This time around, headbands are not just for keeping hair off the face when you do your nine-to-five skincare routine. It was also a huge outfit gamechanger this year, all thanks to Prada’s Spring 2019 fashion show soon followed by everyone at the New York Fashion Week. The likes of Jessica Alba, Elle Fanning, Chrissy Teigen and even the Dutchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton think so, too.

Bangs and Fringes. Based on personal observation, everyone started getting bangs after the premiere of the highly controversial Fifty Shades of Grey film where its main lead Dakota Johnson, who played the wide-eyed Anastasia Steele, rocked the look effortlessly. Another observation is how the K-pop and K-drama industry had a hand in this as well. This year sealed the deal as everyone got their fair share of the face-framing hairstyle.

Bob haircut. Is this another trend that had something to do with the K-pop industry? See Korean stars IU, Suzy and Momo. Trendy bobs in all shapes and lengths were all the rage this year (or at least until it started to grow out again). Whether it be curly or sleek straight, jet black or bright red, these locks were, if not, one of the perfect trends this year because of how hot it is in the country. Local celebrities like Arci Munoz, Bea Alonzo, Marian Rivera and many more were able to cop the bob.

Online shopping. Yes. Those 11.11 and 12.12 sales are also part of this year’s trend. The hassle-free and effortless way of shopping through e-malls and shops took out the travel time factor and going through different counters and racks and racks of items just to find what you are looking for. Daily Tribune and other media partners were able to visit and get an in-depth tour of the warehouse of one of the country’s well-beloved online shopping apps, Lazada.

Skincare. Finally, the crème de la crème, the highlight of 2019 beauty: Skincare. It’s safe to say that everyone has delved into skincare whether it be at the start of the year or even before the year ends. And with today’s air quality, skincare is a must whether using minimal products or a step-by-step skincare ritual, this practice should be a staple.