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Beauty

12 Super Next Level Beauty Trends Which Marked The Decade Between 2010 & 2020

By Sanjay Gouda

Updated - May 9, 20247 min read

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The past decade has probably been the most momentous for beauty in history. Not only have we come a long way in terms of innovation in beauty technology, but beauty aesthetics have come to become more refined, perhaps owing to HD cameras, or because a more natural aesthetic gained popularity. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and see the biggest beauty trends which shaped the past ten years.

 

1. Contouring, Which Kardashian Lady Made Popular

Drag queens INVENTED contouring, but it was the Kardashians who made it mainstream, particularly Kim. Once something she was caricaturised for, Kim’s clown contouring, be it color-correctors or sculpting products became staples for every makeup junkie.

Contouring_Which_Kardashian

Image Credit: imgix.bustle

 

2. The World Is Frenzy Over Korean Beauty

From sheet masks to ten-step night time skin routines, K-beauty became mainstream in every way imaginable. Innovative new skincare from the East revolutionized beauty routines. Cleansing oils, sleeping masks, essences—so many skincare products we use now as staples did not exist in the market ten years ago in India!

Korean_Beauty

Image Credit: The Honeycombers

 

 

3. Go - Get - Glitter

Blame Coachella, blame Euphoria, or blame Rihanna, but fantasy-style makeup reigned in 2019. Palettes centered around sparkly violets, blues, and sea greens brought out the glitter-covered mermaid in all of us.

Unicorns_Mermaids_and_Glitter

Image Credit: Standard.co.uk

 

4. Signature Eyebrows - That’s The Trend

Nobody cared about eyebrows a decade ago when it came to makeup. All we did was tweeze the hell out of them. Now, every makeup brand makes at least one brow product, and innovative new launches in the world of eyebrows dominate the makeup industry. Brow products have become a staple, and most women tout brow makeup as the one makeup element they don’t step out without.

Signature_Eyebrows_-_Thats_The_Trend

Image Credit: Maybelline

 

5. Dramatically Sharp Winged Liner And Cat Eyes

Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor might have pushed winged liner to the fore in their own way, but in the ‘90s and early aughts, the trend nearly died, only to be revived in 2010s. Remember what it was like before you drew cat eyeliner nearly every day? Us neither. Huda Kattan brought that element of Arabic makeup to the world, while makeup artists like Charlotte Tilbury popularised it further. Now, no glam beauty look is complete without a sexy and sharp winged flick.

Dramatically_Sharp_Winged_Liner_And_Cateyes

Image Credit: L'Oreal Paris

 

 

6. The Instagram Makeup Look

Instagram changed the makeup scene completely by democratizing beauty even for those who weren’t actively interested in it. Videos by Farah Dhukai, Huda Beauty, and Nikkie Tutorials changed the very idea of a beauty tutorial, taking it from something practical we could try, to a trend-based, easy-on-the-eyes, one-size-fits-all world. Everyone used the same products, the same methods, and created a specific look which we now know as the ‘Instagram makeup look.’

The_Instagram_Makeup_Look

Image Credit: Business Insider

 

7. The Rise Of The Highlighter

We went into this decade white, powdered, and ashy and emerged from it looking like someone dipped us in oil. Drenched in moisturizing skincare (you can thank K-beauty for that trend), piling on dewy my-skin-but-better foundations, and topping it with different kinds of highlighter, this decade was all about the glow.

The_Rise_Of_The_Highlighter

Image Credit: Ytimg

 

8. Warm Nudes And Neutrals

Who would have thought that ten years ago, a “neutral” eyeshadow palette would just have white, silver, grey, and black? The idea that warm browns, reds, peaches, and taupes could qualify as neutral was unthinkable in a beauty market that only catered to cool-toned, pale skin.

Warm_Nudes_And_Neutrals

Image Credit: Pinterest

 

9. Lip-plumping

The Kardashians appropriated more than just contouring from drag queens. While black women all over the world got shamed for their full lips, the Kardashians got lip injections and got adulation for their plump pouts. Now, nearly every beauty influencer has lip injections.

Lip-plumping

Image Credit: Desi Martini

 

10. Halo And Cut-Crease Eye Looks

New techniques of doing eye makeup rose to the forefront, unlike the old way of doing a horizontal gradient from the inner corner to the wing. Halo eyes, which focus on keeping a highlighter at the center of the upper lid, and cut-crease eyes, which became a staple for parties and weddings.

Halo_And_Cut-Crease_Eye_Looks

Image Credit: Beauty Teacher

 

11. Making Extensive Skincare Routines Mainstream

We would be remiss to not mention the contribution of K-beauty while discussing the skincare revolution that changed the world, especially in the past two years. Staying hydrated, washing off your makeup, and moisturizing became integral parts of life. Skincare consciousness and education among men also got normalized as beauty became more gender-positive.

Making_Extensive_Skincare_Routines_Mainstream

Image Credit: veryday Health

 

12. Cosmetic Surgery In The Beauty Community

Cosmetic surgery has existed for a long time. However, people haven’t been the most forthcoming about the subject. With the rise of YouTube’s beauty community, more and more women who are beauty bloggers opened up about fillers, Botox, and plastic surgery. Not only did this help put a stop to plastic surgery-shaming, but it helped reveal the truth behind that ‘woke up flawless’ mirage.

Cosmetic_Surgery_In_The_Beauty_Community

Image Credit: images.express.co.uk

 

So, which was your favorite beauty trend?


FAQs

Q. What is the difference between cosmetic and plastic surgery?

A. Cosmetic surgery is a unique discipline of medicine focused on enhancing appearance through surgical and medical techniques. Cosmetic surgery can be performed on all areas of the head, neck and body. Because treated areas function properly but lack aesthetic appeal, cosmetic surgery is elective.

Plastic surgery is defined as a surgical specialty dedicated to reconstruction of facial and body defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease. Plastic surgery is intended to correct dysfunctional areas of the body and is reconstructive in nature.

 

Q. How safe is Plastic Surgery?

A. Plastic surgery can be dangerous if it has not been performed by a qualified specialist, and various risks can lead to the appearance of scars. For example, facial nerve damage can cause disability of facial expressions or drooping of the eyes or mouth. The collection of blood outside the blood vessels makes the area swollen and bruised in appearance. It can be painful and can even decrease blood flow through the area. Risks of wrong plastic surgery also include tissue death, blood clots, and excessive bleeding. In some cases, like in the case of tummy tuck surgery, a seroma can also occur in which clear fluid builds up near the area of the surgical site. Though these are the risks involved with plastic surgery, if it is carried out by an experienced specialist surgeon the risks subside. If a surgeon is qualified and experienced in reconstructive surgery, breast, craniofacial, cosmetic, upper extremity surgery, flaps and pedicles, and microsurgery, the risks reduce to a large extent.

 

Q. Is plastic surgery painful?

A. Plastic surgery is not painful. All plastic surgeons are well trained. The major procedures are done in general anesthesia. If it involves the limb it can be done under regional anesthesia. Minor procedures like scar revisions and mole excision are done under local anesthesia.