After a solid five years of clean girl dominance and minimal beauty looks, the trends are finally swinging toward colorful. Searches for "new wave makeup" are up 410 percent, according to Pinterest Predicts 2025. And it just so happens to be the perfect match for trending looks like aura beauty and the rococo renaissance.
What Is New Wave Makeup?
These days, our auras are colorful, and our vibe is bright. That's perfect for the latest trend, new wave makeup, though it's worth noting that it's less of a newcomer trend and more of an evolution of past looks.
"New wave makeup is inspired by makeup from the 1980s," explains Miami makeup artist Natalie Dresher. "Think bold and super theatrical makeup with details like exaggerated thin brows, eye shadow up to the brow bone, and bright cheeks and lips. It's maximalist to the core."
This trend takes the colorful blended shadows of aura makeup and mixes them with the full-face glam of the Rococo style. Together, you get something playful, romantic and super bold.
Get the Look
Whether you're interested in rocking a full beat or dipping your toes into the new wave makeup trend, it's easy to get the look yourself.
"I think you can start with a bold lip or eye for an introduction to the trend without fully committing," Dresher explains.
For a full new wave look, Dresher recommends focusing on color combos and stand-out details.
"If I was truly going for the New Wave look, I would start by blocking out the brows and covering them completely," Dresher says. "I would draw on thinner eyebrows, as that was super in during the 80’s. I would go in with a full coverage foundation and then a bright orange blush. A frosty blue shadow topped with winged liner would be the next steps, and then topping it all off with a bold lip!"
New Wave Makeup Essentials
New Wave Makeup Is Bringing ’80s Color to 2025
