Key beauty trends for 2023, and how to achieve them

In the midst of a cost of living crisis, it might seem frivolous to buy into beauty trends that could disappear as quickly as they emerged, which is why we’re happy to report that 2023’s top beauty trends are set to stand the test of time.

Rather than throwaway looks created with products you’ll hardly use (blue eyeshadow craze of 2021, we’re looking at you), 2023’s beauty trends are all about longevity. These are looks you’ll want to wear again and again, for everything from work to weddings, holidays to family dinners.

We might be pinching the pennies more than ever, 2023’s beauty trends are here to stand the test of time, while still looking fresh and relevant. Read on for the beauty trends we’ll be wearing in January and beyond, and discover how you can achieve the looks, too.

The trend: Brushed, gelled brows

Try: Charlotte Tilbury Brow Fix, £22 | Buy now from John Lewis

Laminated brows have been at the top of our brow wish lists for a few years now; the fluffy, artfully undone style, which sees brow hairs brushed upwards for a chic yet bushy look, made for the perfect contrast to the perfectly preened microbladed brow look that stole the spotlight beforehand.

But anyone who loves the laminated look will know it takes around 45 minutes to achieve in-salon, and costs upward of £50, lasting around six weeks. For a more budget-friendly take on the trend, 2023 will see brow gel come into its own. You’ve likely been using it for years to tame your brows, but 2023 sees the clear gel used to brush brows up for a laminated look without the salon price tag.

To create the brushed brow look at home try Charlotte Tilbury’s Brow Fix, £22 It’s a clear gel for brows that are lacking shape or are unruly. You simply brush into your brows to fix them in place yet keep them flexible (no sticky, stiff brows here).

The trend: Spa at home

Try: ESPA Signature Blends Aromatherapy Bath and Body Oil Collection Bodycare Gift Set, £35 | Buy now from John Lewis

“I was gifted a set of Espa bath oils which are what I use when I’m needing a bit of pampering - they smell gorgeous,” tried and tested by Jellycatspyjamas

Wouldn’t it be nice to treat yourself to a monthly spa day? Just a few hours in a calm, cocooning space is enough to reset after a stressful period.

With money potentially tight, spa days are likely an infrequent indulgence right now, which is why we’re seeing a rise in luxury spa at home products, allowing us to create a serene sanctuary at home. Enter ESPA’s signature blends aromatherapy bath and body oil gift set.

The collection offers seven of the brand’s most renowned pure essential oil blends. Each oil provides dual purpose, and can be used to massage into your skin, or poured into your bath to make tub time extra decadent. Just a tiny drop is enough to feel enveloped in the warming scents of lavender, or gardenia, or eucalyptus or even bergamot (and more!), which come together to create a soothing medley that transforms your body and mind. Feel restful and restorative, or energised and refreshed.

Because a little goes a long way, this gift set will last you ages, seeing you through with home spa experiences until you get your next spa day booked in.

The trend: Hair health

Try: Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask, £28 | Buy now from John Lewis

“My damaged hair is incredibly soft and silky - normally only my hairdresser can get my hair to feel like this with a proper blow dry,” tried and tested by mooonstone

During lockdown, we all got used to taking matters into our own hands when it came to looking after our hair, and in 2023 hair health is going to take centre stage once more.

Rather than regular salon visits to maintain a healthy mane, hair masks are set to become a weekly occurrence to help our locks look their best in between appointments. Anyone who has their hair coloured by a stylist will likely be familiar with Olaplex - it’s used in salons to keep hair strong and soft and the brand’s at-home range is just as high-performing.

Mumsnetters rate Olaplex’s No.8 hair mask most, designed to strengthen the bonds in damaged hair. It smooths distressed strands, making the hair look sleek and shiny, with avocado and hemp oil to nourish.

The trend: Skincare as ritual

Try: Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse, £54 | Buy now from John Lewis

If you’re anything like us, your evening skincare routine is likely a quick wipe with micellar water on a reusable face wipe before jumping into bed, but 2023 is set to see skincare become a self care ritual rather than a chore, with luxurious cleansers the first step in a little moment of me time.

Try celebrity facialist Sarah Chapman’s cleanser - she tends to the complexion of Victoria Beckham, so you know it’s going to be good. It has a silky balm texture and dispenses from a pump, which means it’s not exposed to the air, so it stays fresh for longer without bacteria coming into contact with the formula.

It includes an oil blend of neroli, chamomile, jasmine and rose for a luxurious scent that means you’ll look forward to removing your makeup rather than seeing it as an obstacle between you and bed. The oil balm formula makes the skin look glowy, dewy and youthful, plus it conditions your lashes at the same time as removing makeup - which leads us onto our next 2023 beauty trend…

The trend: Natural lashes

Try: Clarins SOS Lash & Brow Serum (8ml), £25 | Buy now from John Lewis

There’s no denying that lash extensions and lash lifts look glamorous and help you feel more put together, but when you’re trying to limit salon spending, these luxury treatments might be among the first costs you cut.

In 2023, we’ll be reaching for lash serums instead of booking salon appointments. Lash serums help transform the most sparse of lash lines into lashes Bambi would be proud of, for thick and strong natural lashes.

This serum by Clarins makes lashes look thicker, nourishing them to keep them healthy and fluffy.

The trend: Smudged liner

Try: Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense, £19 | Buy now from John Lewis

“I use Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense. I love it. It only seems to come off when I want it to come off. I’ve even gone to bed without removing on a few occasions and it still looks good in the morning,” tried and tested by LadyDanburysCane

The resurgence of grunge is going nowhere fast. Although, if you don’t fancy rocking Kurt Cobain style greasy looks, but still want to embrace the trend, opt for smudged eyeliner for a classy way to tap into one of 2023’s hottest looks.

Clinique’s pencil eyeliner glides on without pulling, has a sponge on one end for smudging and stays in place all day long. Once you’ve applied it, it can be smudged for 60 seconds, before it locks in place.

The trend: Skin cycling

Try: Murad Resurgence Replenishing Multi Acid Peel, £52 | Buy now from John Lewis

“Murad retinol serum is £££ but brilliant!” tried and tested by LookdeepintotheParka

If you use active ingredients in your skincare, you’ll know they are the high performers in your routine, delivering noteworthy results. You’ll also know they can be fairly harsh on the skin. Which is why skin cycling is set to be big news in 2023.

Skin cycling takes skincare back to basics, creating a four-night cycle that involves one night of exfoliation, one night of retinoid use, followed by two nights of recovery to allow your skin to repair and breathe before the cycle begins again. Think of it like the gym - you have two intense days, and then two rest days, to allow your skin to recover. Skin cycling helps your skin to adjust, plus your expensive products last longer as you’re using them less frequently.

With skin cycling, you can stick to your normal skincare products, but just add in a couple of actives. We rate Murad’s retinol and exfoliating skincare; while they are pricey, they consistently deliver, for clear, glowing skin, and are easy to slot into your routine.

The trend: Bright pink blush

Try: Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks, £26 | Buy now from John Lewis

“It’s lovely and dewy,” tried and tested by Tangelo

Blusher is a makeup trend that never really goes out of style, but it’s peppy pink blushes that have caught the attention of beauty lovers this time around.

A flush of pink wakes up the complexion, for a fresh-faced look even when you’re feeling anything but lively. This year we’ll see blush applied to our temples and top of our cheekbones for a youthful flush, with dolly pink the shade of choice, thanks to the live action Barbie film set to air in the summer.

This Bobbi Brown cream blush melts into the skin for a truly natural ‘I’ve just been for a jog,’ look, creating a healthy shine.

The trend: Your skin but better

Try: Yves Saint Laurent Ny Glow In Balm, £27 | Buy now from John Lewis

Baby-soft, perfectly clear skin is what we all want, but in 2023, rather than wearing foundation to create the porcelain look, a more minimalist approach is set to be the go to.

Not many of us are blessed with flawless skin, but to achieve peaches and cream skin without foundation, opt for a skin enhancer. YSL’s primer-balm hybrid moisturiser is enriched with shea butter and glycerin for soft and nourished skin, with an angelic luminosity.

It’s ultra lightweight and can be worn alone for a youthful look, or on the days you do want to layer with foundation, this creates a lit from within glow.

About John Lewis

Known for much more than just those tear-jerking Christmas adverts, John Lewis is a department store that will accommodate all your needs. From home, garden, electricals, beauty, and fashion it's the perfect place to find a special gift for someone, or for yourself.