The 19 best beauty trends, treatments and products to try in 2019
The new year is always time for setting new resolutions and beauty habits so we've done the hard work so you don't have to. This year, the beauty industry is set to delve into a more sustainable and eco-friendly atmosphere with brands cutting down on their packaging and sourcing ingredients more sustainably.
2019 is also set to see beauty brands get a little smarter with savvy tools and techniques to enhance your regime- think skincare devices that alert you when you skin is exposed to too much pollution and crystal readings to zen-your skincare regime.
With many more to choose from, here are the biggest trends to have on your beauty radar for 2019.
1. Colour your lashes
This spring it’s all about elegant coloured lashes,’ says Shiseido make-up artist Gregoris Pyrpylis. And if you think anything but black mascara is too ‘out-there’ is for you, think again. The 2019 approach means subtle, flattering shades such as deep plum and blue, which make the whites of the eyes pop. Perfect for women who want to add a touch of colour in a grown-up way. Controlled Chaos Mascara, £21, Shiseido (launching in April)
2. DIY microblading
Microblading – an almost-tattoo-style treatment where pigment is implanted into your eyebrows to make them fuller and thicker – was one of the biggest in-salon hits of 2018. But if that still sounds scary, good news: thanks to a new ultra-resistant, smudge-proof, transfer- proof brow gel from L’Oréal, you can have defined brows that last 24 hours without having to commit to an inasive treatment. Unbelieva’brow Brow Gel, £14.99, L’Oréal Paris (from January)
3. Wing it back
Eyeliner has taken many shapes and colours over the past few seasons, but thanks to Burberry’s spring/summer 2019 look, the wing is back. The grown-up twist this season is a flattering brown hue, which is much easier for women over 40 to wear. Cat Eye Liner in Chestnut Brown, £30, Burberry
4. ‘Eyelighter’ is the new highlighter
Clarins’s new palette (pictured previous page) has four gorgeous ‘eyelighters’ to throw the right kind of shade over your lids this spring. A great alternative to shimmer if you don’t want to look too overdone. Our favourite shade is Ready in a Flash. Limited Edition Eyes & Brows Palette, £32, Clarins (launching 6 January)
5. Embrace crystals
Make like Louise Redknapp and try the hottest new wellness trend, crystal readings. Promising to restore energy levels and help you find balance, practitioners use stones as part of this holistic therapy. ‘In this digital age, our regimes should be empowering and recharging,’ says healer Emma-Lucy Knowles, who treats Louise. £85 for 30 minutes.
6. Revival of rose
Roses have long been used in cosmetics to make them smell delicious. But now, following Lancôme’s extensive research, the flower is being utilised as a regenerating active ingredient in skincare, working wonders on stressed, inflamed skin. Absolue Soft Cream, £190, Lancôme
7. Stretch your mind
Everyone knows that you should stretch your muscles post-workout, but what about stretching your mind? Personal trainer Dalton Wong has introduced a depressurising massage for the head and neck, which is set to become a big trend for 2019. Think of it as a supercharged head massage with lasting tension-releasing benefits: sign us up. Stretch Your Mind, Head & Neck Massage, £60 for 30 minutes
8. Go for a refill
The moment for refillable beauty products is now, as we try to cut down on plastic waste in all areas of our lives. ‘This movement is a big step for the beauty industry,’ says Andrew McDougall, associate director at trend forecaster Mintel Beauty & Personal Care. ‘Kiehl’s, Le Labo, Mac and Rituals are some of the brands that offer refillable packaging with money off for refilling,’ adds co-founder of Cult Beauty Alexia Inge. Our top picks for refillable beauty products are Guerlain’s Abeille Royale collection and anything from the Kjaer Weis make-up range. As part of Lancôme’s pledge to be more green, its new Absolue range will be entirely refillable too.
9. Grassy scents
Inspired by unruly weeds, wild plants and flowers, Jo Malone’s Wild Flowers & Weeds collection offers five fresh scents that will be distinctive additions to your spring fragrance wardrobe come March. In true Jo Malone style, they are all wearable for any occasion and will look great on your dressing table, too. Wild Flowers & Weeds colognes, from £49, Jo Malone (from March).
10. The no-gym workout
Emsculpt is a revolutionary treatment that is said to tone and tighten your body in just one week. It uses high-intensity electromagnetic energy to trigger what are called ‘supramaximal contractions’ in your muscles (those that go beyond the voluntary contractions that you make when you exercise). Muscle tissue is then forced to remodel its inner structure, which results in muscle-building and body-sculpting. Emsculpt treatments start from £800 with Dr Galyna Selezneva
11. Take a bow
At last, a sophisticated hair accessory that we can all wear. Velvet bows adorned the ponytails of the models at Emilia Wickstead spring/summer 2019 and make a stylish addition to any outfit. Wear yours high to make a statement, or low at the nape of your neck for a more sophisticated twist. They’ve even got the royal seal of approval from the Duchess of Cambridge, who has been seen wearing one on many an occasion.
12. The tech revolution
‘Brands are developing app- based tools that work alongside your skincare to further enhance your regime,’ says Lopo Champalimaud, CEO of Treatwell. Leading the charge, La Roche-Posay has developed My Skin Track UV, a necklace device that monitors your exposure to the sun and warns you when it’s at a level likely to cause damage. Meanwhile Wayskin’s skin-analyser tool (top left) measures skin hydration, ambient UV levels and humidity, then sends data your phone to help you to adjust your skincare accordingly. Clever, huh? Skin Analyzer, £90, Wayskin
13. Have better sex…
Yes, you read right. ‘Sexual well-being is a huge focus for 2019 to ensure women are feeling their best at all times,’ says Cult Beauty’s Alexia Inge. ‘Women are talking more openly about their sexual needs, and brands have jumped on board. Female sexual well-being has finally found its mojo.’ Gwyneth Paltrow is leading the trend with a range of vibrators on her website. Fireman Vibrator, £35, Smile Makers
14. Melatonin is the new smart-ager
Plastic surgeon Dr Marko Lens has discovered that melatonin – a hormone known for its ability to help you sleep – also stimulates fibroblasts (cells that produce collagen), making it a potent night-time skin restorer. He has formulated his new serum to include a blend of melatonin and other restorative ingredients such as honey and vitamin E, to help repair the skin overnight. Melatonin Night Repair Serum, £165, Zelens (Available from January)
15. The non-invasive colonic
The importance of gut health should not be ignored. Cleanse yours with the Tummy Tapping Technique treatment, a massage that’s a great natural alternative to a regular colonic. It uses gentle tapping to activate the function of the liver, gallbladder and pancreas to help flush your system naturally. £120 for an hour
16. Dry shampoo 2.0
Whether it’s motherhood, work or simply life getting in the way, dry shampoo has become an essential part of every busy woman’s hair- styling kit. But the problem with aerosols is they can sometimes leave a chalky residue – so Redken is launching a dry shampoo in paste form. This savvy hair enhancer cleanses and adds volume for a natural-looking lift – with no nasty white powder left behind. Dry Shampoo Paste, £19.55, Redken (Launching on 1 February)
17. Grown-up pastel hair
According to backstage hair maestro Guido Palau, ‘2019 is set to be the year of mature women experimenting with coloured hair. Shades like pink evoke a fun yet classy feel,’ he says, proven by the candy-hued Julia Roberts (right). Colorista Washout Hot Pink Neon Semi-Permanent Hair Dye, £4.99, L’Oréal Paris
18. The no-surgery eye lift
Remember the ‘vampire facial’ made famous by Kim Kardashian a few years ago? Now it’s been developed to target dark circles. Dr Kambiz Golchin has patented a new version of the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) facial, a technique that uses your own blood to alleviate dark under-eye circles and mild hollowness. PRP Under-Eye Cocktail, £1,000
19. Light therapy skincare
Expect your skincare regime to become a little more technical in 2019, with hi-tech devices enhancing our everyday creams and lotions. According to Lopo Champalimaud of Treatwell, red- and blue-light therapies are set to become the norm at home in the new year. The Light Salon, a London-based express rejuvenation bar, is launching the first silicone LED face mask (£395) to DIY at home, in February.
