YOUR 2023 BEAUTY-REFRESHER GUIDE

New year, new beauty resolutions! From skincare to nails, we have all the details on how you can embrace the latest trends and refresh your beauty routine.

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Out with the old and in with the new – it’s time to hit the reset button and get ready to level up your everyday regimen. 2022 was the year that we all zoomed in on our skincare needs and 90s-inspired hair and make-up styles. For 2023, though, we’re definitely going to be obsessed with ultra-hydration, be playing around with unique ponytail styles, and enjoying sprays of bright colour. Let’s have a look at how you can up your beauty game this year.



CLEAN SKIN
As seen on spring/summer runways for 2023, there’s definitely going to be a major focus on keeping skin clear, healthy and plump, and looking more natural than ever before. It’s all about protecting those pores and keeping applied layers to a minimum.

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been much interest in clean beauty with a ‘model off-duty’ look and feel – lightweight, no fuss yet well-groomed and fresh. Taking the ‘clean approach’, you will want to achieve natural skin with a dewy appearance, brushed and feathered brows, as well as flushed cheeks.

This will mean using a hydrating serum and/or moisturiser and remembering to protect your skin’s barrier function with a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher. You can also ensure that your skin remains hydrated by drinking at least two litres of water every day. Then, keep your complexion products lightweight, brush your brow hairs and use a brow gel to hold stubborn hairs in place, and slap on a cheek tint or blush (preferably a cream product as it will look more skin-like).

SUPER DEW
Keeping things dewy with a natural glow, means limiting the amount of product placed on the skin, as well as avoiding too many powders and the ‘baking’ technique. This is because thick layers will emphasise the look of any enlarged pores or bumps you may have, drawing unwanted attention to texture. It’s recommended that you use a serum or liquid foundation instead of a thick formula, or even a BB or CC cream, if you prefer. This will even out your complexion while giving your skin a natural, dewy finish.



EXPERIMENT WITH COLOUR
Muted colours (while a beloved staple in anyone’s collection) are out for the beginning of 2023. Right now, it’s all about eye-catching shades and embracing shorter, more practical lengths. While elaborate designs and longer shapes look absolutely stunning, they harbour germs because bacteria gets stuck underneath the fingertips. This is unhygienic and can be harmful to your health.

Go bold with hot pinks and orange shades or play around with some jewel tones and electric hues – there’s room for so much fun and experimentation! Just remember to always keep your nails cut, filed and clean, your cuticles taken care of, and always apply a clear top coat to your colour polish to ensure that your fresh manicure stays true to colour and lasts as long as possible.



PRETTY PONIES
Ponytails save prep time when you’re on the go, and are easy to dress up when you’re looking to achieve a more glamorous look for an event. And guess what? High or low, long or short, ponytails are making a statement this year. Recently, celebrities such as Laverne Cox, Tessa Thompson and Zendaya have been rocking their ponies with pride.

We also noticed that braided ponies are a favourite on runways and red carpets. The cool thing about braids is that you can customise them however you please. Plus, you can accessorise them with pretty hair clips and charms, bedazzle them with rhinestones or pearls, or add some colourful hair ties.



FEEL-GOOD FRAGRANCES
Fresh and clean is the trend across the board, and it drips into fragrances, too, though natural sweetness is also welcomed. For warmer days, vibrant scents work best, especially those made with hints of fruity notes (vanilla and amber notes bring comfort in winter). Go for a signature scent that’ll last long, no matter the season – everyone has a unique pH balance which affects how well a fragrance ‘clings’ to the skin.



COLOUR BURST
From fashion to furniture, bright colours in vivid hues and tones are in. It’s time to play, and going for bold is well worth the risk. From plum-blushed and draped cheeks to flashy metallic eye looks and bright mattes, splashes of cerise, turquoise and peach will be making waves. A great way to incorporate the trend into your beauty routine is to invest in a good rainbow eyeshadow palette so you can achieve any look you like.

Another effortless way to embrace colour is by rocking a bold pout – red, pink, and even purple lippies will probably be making the rounds in 2023. Go the extra mile and try colour-blocking by matching your make-up with your outfit or accessories, but avoid making every element of your ensemble too ‘matchy-matchy’.