One moment, it was lemon yellow; the next, it was teal. There was even a time where white inner corners returned to our beauty arsenals as the finishing touch to a look. We’ve been working up an appetite for the more experimental side of the beauty world all year long, and there are no signs of stopping just yet. The most intriguing part of all? None of these trends have been tied to a singular aesthetic either, unlike trends of years past. Instead, the Pinterest Beauty Trend Report elucidates that everybody’s zooming into the details and learning how to make them work for themselves.
So when Zendaya stepped out in New York with a dreamy wash of lavender across her lids—courtesy of celebrity make-up artist Ernesto Casillas—it was the cue to set our sights on a new hue. Something more muted for the end of the year, but light-hearted enough to dabble in. “We’re all yearning to get back in touch with our whimsy, both as a rebellion against the seriousness of the world around us, and out of nostalgia for simpler days. Lilac evokes this playful and imaginative side of us,” says make-up and hair artist Sarah Tan. That’s not to say that purple is a stranger—counterparts like burgundy and deep plum have long been regarded as neutrals, Tan notes—but lilac is in a league of its own. Whether veiled over the eyes, dusted on the cheekbones or patted onto the apples of the cheeks, it introduces a luminosity to the face that feels fresh. Should a full pastel beat feel too intimidating, Tan recommends starting with a few subtle touches—and if you’re reaching for the eyeshadow, layer it over a white base for maximum impact. Below, see Vogue Singapore’s starter kit for all things lilac.
