It's time to put all the Sephora and Glossier goodies you scored in your holiday stocking to good use — by trying out the biggest beauty trends for 2020. Bold, Euphoria-inspired neon and bejewelled eye makeup looks loomed large on the spring/summer 2020 runways, but there’s going to be something for everyone this year, including subtle lip gloss for minimalists and slicked-back strands for 1990s kids.
But don't take our word for it — we asked some of the top Canadian beauty pros to spill on all their favourite hair, makeup and nail trends for 2020.
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Photo: IMaxTree.
The Throwback French
We don’t know if you’ve heard, but the '90s are back, and with that comes throwback pink-and-white French manicures as seen on the runway at Khaite or on the hands of the likes of Ashley Graham, Bella Hadid, and Beyoncé. (For fun, try playing with a different colour on the nail tip, like black or grey.)
On the other end of the colour spectrum is the revival of untraditional nail colours like saffron, chartreuse, muddied reds, or olive with a tinge of grey. “What was once, dare I say, ‘ugly’ is now the trend colour for those who dare to wear something completely new,” says Rita Remark, lead nail artist for Essie.
The Mismatched Mani
The trend Remark is most pumped about for spring? Mismatched nails. “I love the idea that nails don’t have to be exactly the same. Why not see all 10 nails as one canvas," she asks. "Make a statement by only polishing three nails with colour, and add accents on the rest."
Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho.
Natural Texture
Of course, wearing your hair natural isn’t a trend, but Jason Lee, celebrity hairstylist and artistic director of Toronto's Jason Lee Salon, says he’s loving the continued movement towards embracing your natural hair texture. “The days of trying to fit into someone else’s idea of what’s acceptable is no longer a thing and the same thing applies to hair," he says. "Work with it — bring it out. Be proud of your hair.”
Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images.
Grunge 2.0
Another hair trend Lee is all about for 2020 is the grunge-y natural look, which is a grittier evolution of the slicked-back wet hair of seasons past. “Nineties is where it’s at — think Alanis Morissette, but modern. Or Miley Cyrus, where her hair appeared wet when it was just slightly grunge-y and shiny,” he says.
Lee says the look can be achieved on dry hair with Color Wow Pop and Lock Shellac. Use three to four pumps for thicker hair (about one pump for finer textures) working from the mid-section of the hair to the ends, and then adding a dime-size amount to the roots to give it that dirty vibe even when it’s completely clean.
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Photo: IMaxTree.
First, Blush
Toronto-based beauty blogger Samantha Jane has built an influencer empire living her best product-junkie life, but she still has some favourites for 2020. “Blush is making a comeback, and I'm super into it! It can look so fresh and youthful,” she says. (Some of her faves include Burt’s Bees All Aglow lip & cheek stick and Buxom Wanderlust Primer-Infused Blush.) “I'm also loving that glosses are back — it’s nice to mix it up from lip [products] that are so drying.”
Neon Nails
“One of the biggest trends in fashion is neon highlighter shades, especially greens and yellows," says Nargis Khan, editorial manicurist and nail artist at Toronto’s Tips Nail Bar. "While this may be intimidating for some, a neon nail can be the perfect way to incorporate this trend into your look without the commitment of adding it to your wardrobe."
Photo: IMaxTree.
Shiny Happy Manicures
“The metallic trend is still going strong. It’s the perfect way of adding a bit of glitz to your style. I love the versatility of shades because you can be subtle with neutral tones or go all out with bold pops of colour,” says Khan.
Photo: Victor Boyko/Getty Images.
I-Woke-Up-Like-This Hair
Aveda Canada creative director Kristjan Hayden loves the soft, effortless looking texture seen on runways like Celine. Hayden says you can get that I-just-rolled-out-of-bed, Parisian-girl look by braiding dry hair, then setting it with product or a flat iron before untying it to reveal a softly crumpled texture.
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
Higher And Higher
Hayden thinks a big look in 2020 will be hair piled high on the crown of the head. “Anything from textured top knots to smoother sculptured styles goes, as long as the height is super high at the very top of the head,” he says.
The other hairstyle that Hayden is all about is braided pigtails, either worn prairie-girl style like at Dior, Bora Aksu and Max Mara, or pinned on the top of your head for a next-level hybrid of the two trends.
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Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
The Euphoria Effect
Jodi Urichuk, lead makeup artist for L’Oréal Paris Canada, is most excited about the makeup trends inspired by our dream BFFs Rue and Jules. “I’m really looking forward to that Euphoria effect, like the look created for Fendi,” says Urichuk. "The smudged-out black liner and micro-fine droplets of silver glitter under the eye is so beautiful — it emphasizes the trend of no perfect lines, and looks as if you slept in your makeup.” She suggests using the products in the Karl x L’Oréal Paris Palette (out in February 2020) to get the look.
Other eye looks that she thinks are going to be big for 2020 include fluorescent pops of colour or graphic neon lines on the eyes, smoky eyes made with soft browns or smutty gunmetal, and white eye shadow that looks like paint.
Photo: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket.
Modern Pastels
“Pastel shades suit everyone,” says Toronto-based M.A.C Cosmetics senior national artist Jane McKay. At Sies Marjan, M.A.C makeup artists flushed both the cheek and brow bones with monochromatic colours from a new blush collection the brand is launching in February. If that’s a bit much for you, try the more wearable look seen at Jeremy Scott. “We created a Jem and the Holograms look with M.A.C Strobe Cream and various pastel shades of glitter on the eyes set against soft flushed cheeks and lips,” says McKay.
For more of a dramatic colour look, suggests McKay, "it’s easy to take a primary or secondary colour and use it as an eyeliner. You get the colour without making an overstatement or feeling uncomfortable.”
Photo: Manny Carabel/Getty Images.
Edgy Eyeliner
That art class isn’t going to go to waste after all! Bring your eyeliner game to the next level by drawing extended cat eyes, abstract shapes, or graphic slashes on your lids. “This makeup is deliberate and makes a strong statement,” says McKay, who particularly loves the trend of egg-shaped curlicues at the edges of the eyes.
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