Just when you’ve deluded yourself into thinking you’ve seen it all, you realise you’ve been a tad bit arrogant. Because your Instagram has, not even seconds ago, spotlighted a video of a dermatologist discussing a trend that has the people of the Internet indulging (read: basking) in period-blood facials. Yes. While the year has endowed our lacquers and skin with a glaze (thanks, Hailey), the successes have often been accompanied by bizarre-ish, weird beauty trends — many of which amassed quite the cult following. Here’s a round-up of every trend that had us furrowing our brows in disbelief. Take a look.
Are We Leaving Them Behind In 2023? Find Out
Many ‘Taped’ Their Faces Overnight
Many on TikTok and Instagram entrusted parts of their faces to tape earlier this year. Just imagine bandage-like chunks spanning people’s foreheads and cheeks casually. The rationale that fueled this trend? The Internet positioned face-taping as a way to diminish the appearance of wrinkles, lines, and other age-related signs overnight. I spoke to a couple of dermatologists to verify the legitimacy of the trend — and it was non-existent. The technique cannot ‘lift’ or ‘sculpt’ your face as influencers claim; it can do the very opposite.
Verdict: Please, gals, let’s tape up this trend.
Instagram’s August Fixation Involved ‘Frothing’ Makeup & Skincare
Everyone thank Stephanie Valentine for pioneering this trend. She transferred a little bit of a powder-based exfoliant and her go-to cleanser into a frother containing some water. The influencer, then, ‘frothed’ the three ingredients together. The bizarre-ish blend evolved into a foam-like formula that boasted a luscious-looking lather over the course of a few seconds. For anyone who prefers the feel of foam-based cleansers, GFI; but remember that this hack will not work for products containing actives. You risk destabilising them by frothing them into submission.
But that’s not where it ended. Some even frothed their foundations. The end result was a cloud-light froth that diffused across the face seamlessly. An influencer called the newly-formed concoction ‘waterproof’ — claiming that it didn’t wear off even after a two-hour-long workout. Do remember that introducing water to products increases the likelihood of contamination by bacteria.
Verdict: Nothing wrong with experimenting, amirite?
Influencers Committed To ‘Period-Blood’ Facials
You think you’re desensitised to all the cringe-inducing trends Instagram spotlights day after day; but that’s until you spot someone massaging a dollop of their period blood onto their skin. Influencers attempted to treat acne, rejuvenate the skin, and connect with their ‘femininity’ by indulging in a period-blood facial. Yes. Not only can this ‘facial’ trigger allergies, infections and inflammation on the skin because of how unsanitary it is, but it can also lead to ‘chlamydia conjunctivitis’ in the eyes as per experts. This is not the same as a ‘vampire’ facial. Don’t do it.
Verdict: No.
Crying Girl Makeup? This One Definitely Made Some Of Us Cry
Instagram has added to its ever-flourishing cartage of trends something new. The sad-girl aesthetic has now catapulted into the crying-girl aesthetic, and it has turned our tears and trauma into a well-packaged commodity.
The flush-heavy, teary-eyed trend involves prodding the face with faux under-eye puffiness, hyper-swollen lips, and a crimson-tipped nose — general hallmarks of a full-blown breakdown. Bizarre. Cheeks are endowed with glistening, glass-like streaks of tears for effect, and the cupid’s bow is struck with a highlighter. It announces loudly and clearly — ‘women, sit still and look pretty during and after crying.’ Because as per this trend, sadness is desirable, and your end goal is to look pretty. Never mind that you’re crippled by anxiety. PSA: The crying-girl makeup has now evolved into the angry-girl makeup. Go searching for it at your own risk.
Duck Nails Made A Star-Studded Comeback Too
The controversy-mired duck-feet nail-art trend attempted to redeem itself through Cardi B’s lacquers earlier this year — but not without fans petitioning for a dismissal of this Y2K-Esque look once and for all. These ever-chunky nails are characterised by flared-out tips that divorce the subtlety of classic almond-shaped manicures. The rapper-songwriter brought in her son’s first birthday with French-dipped, over-the-top tips featuring the bulkiest pair of cherries planted atop the nails, and it was something.
Verdict: Though this trend has more detractors than loyalists, it’s unique and off-beat. If you’re looking to try something new, take cues.
Wingin’ It Took On A Whole New Meaning
Though most are proponents of overlining, there’s no dearth of lip-loving trends that promises us a well-endowed pout. Enter the flutter-ready ‘lip wings’. This trend involves creating flicks at the edges of the mouth to make your lips look ever-smiling and exaggerated — much like the look sported by the Bratz dolls in the 2000s. While it didn’t take off as well, some did approve of the technique.
Verdict: Wearable only to a certain degree — after which you run the risk of looking like Joker.
Lube Was Applied On The Face. Yes.
This mid-year trend amassed a lot of subscribers overnight. Influencers prepped and primed their skin with lube instead of primer — and while the concept is almost nauseating to entertain, the end result for many was a glowy, dewy-dumpling base sans lines and dryness. This hack was positioned as an economical alternative to primer considering the two formulas share some ingredients in common. Though it’s relatively safe to put to the test, some experts have alluded to the possibility of experiencing breakouts and irritation on the face. Remember that lube is pretty heavy on the skin, and it can contain preservatives, fragrances, and other components that aren’t quite suitable for the face.
Verdict: For my girlies with oil-prone skin, please don’t subject your face to this.
Which one of these beauty trends from 2023 are we leaving behind?
Featured Image: Instagram