Here Are 6 Beauty Trends We’re Saying Goodbye to in 2022 (From Soap Brows to Skittles Manicures)

Remember stacked shelfies and 10-step skincare routines? Yeah, that’s not really happening anymore. Whether you’re a stressed-out student—or a burned out working professional and/or parent, the appeal of a streamlined cabinet or countertop (less clutter!) and fewer steps (more time back!) is high. Instead of the more is more approach we were taking pre-pandemic, we’re adopting more of a minimalist take, which has already been shorthanded as “skinimalism.” Think: Cleanser, one targeted serum to address specific skin concerns, sunscreen for day and moisturizer for night.

Shop skincare: Pacifica Vegan Ceramide Extra Gentle Face Wash ($10); Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment Serum ($48); Kinship Self Reflect Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen Zinc Oxide SPF 32 ($26); La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer with Niacinamide ($20)

Goodbye to dolphin, glass and glazed donut skin. The era of all-over, megawatt highlighter is coming to a close, however temporarily. This is not to say that highlighter as a whole is going away; it’s just softening up, so the overall effect is less dewy and wet, and more luminous.

As Dani Kimiko Vincent, celebrity brow expert and founder of Kimiko shared with us recently: “The brow lamination look is still sticking around, as lifted brows that open up the eyes are always flattering. However, this trend will take on a softer form than a soap brow, which can actually appear two dimensional.” In its place, a more subtle take that’s “still fanned in the front but employs a less exaggerated lift throughout.” Try using a flexible clear gel to fluff and pick up the front hairs, then gradually taper the lift throughout the last two thirds of the brow.

Shop brow gel: The Brow Sensei ($35); Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel Lightweight Setter ($22); PYT Beauty Holy Grail Brow Gel ($16); Essence Lash & Brow Gel Mascara ($3)

Not long ago, we couldn’t look at a red carpet, fashion show or Instagram feed without coming across someone rocking a wet, slicked back style. Alas, the look is on hiatus until further notice, so you can put away those bottles of gel and pomade. What we’re seeing instead are fun, throwback looks that celebrate your natural texture a la space buns and high puff hairstyles that tease out volume.

We will always have a soft spot for multi-colored manis. Personal feelings aside, it does appear that the look is taking a backseat to nailscapes, or landscape-style designs that evoke the calming visuals found in nature. According to our pals at Pinterest, searches for “galaxy nail art” and “desert nails” are continuing to gain traction, as are “aurora nails” and “geode nail art,” which makes sense given the turbulent times we’re in.

We’ve all seen the tutorials that instruct us to paint dark stripes across our faces to achieve the “ideal” oval face shape. But these days, sculpting razor-sharp cheekbones feels a little arduous for a grocery run or working from our kitchens. This year, we’re stepping away from cookie-cutter Instagram makeup and coming to accept, even accentuate, our distinct features. Let those freckles shine, skip that nose contouring and lighten up on the brow gel.