Every year, there are different breakthroughs and trends that define the beauty world. In past years, it's been things like strobing, sheet masks and power brows — but what were the big buzzwords this year? Well, lots of natural botanical extracts took center stage and we also noticed a general shift towards increased social consciousness, with more brands showing more sensitivity to diversity, while others went decisively cruelty-free. All in all, it was a great year for beauty, so let's close out 2018 by reviewing some of the year's biggest beauty movements and trends.
Image via Imaxtree
Cover image via Imaxtree
The Fenty Effect
Technically, the Fenty Effect kicked off near the end of 2017 (aka when Fenty Beauty first launched its landmark 40-shade foundation line) but it's been creating ripples all throughout 2018 too. Brands like CoverGirl, CoverFX , Beauty Bakerie and many more debuted new shades and inclusive foundation collections this year.
Image via @fentybeauty
Going Cruelty-Free
CoverGirl made major waves by becoming the biggest brand to go completely cruelty-free this year. Parent company Coty also announced that we'll see another of its brands go cruelty-free by 2020, so you can expect this positive trend to continue. In the meantime, check out our list of our favorite cruelty-free beauty brands.
Image via @covergirl
CBD Everything
Following marijuana's legalization in a handful of states, all things CBD have been on the rise as well. Though not hallucinogenic (that's THC), CBD oil still has a ton of benefits for skin and hair, thanks to antioxidants and its emollience. Milk Makeup has made great use of the stuff in its products, including the kick-ass Kush High Volume Mascara, $24, (it swaps the typical mascara ingredient, beeswax, for CBD oil, thus making it vegan) as well as Kush Lip Balm, $16, (it conditions and hydrates lips like you wouldn't believe). We also consider ourselves fans of the recently launched Herbivore Emerald Deep Moisture Glow, $48, which is as nourishing as it is picturesque.
Image via @herbivorebotanicals
The Death of the Naked Palette
Urban Decay held a funeral for its seminal Naked Palette this year and in a way that was symbolic of the end of the neutral eyeshadow's long reign. In 2018, some of the buzziest eyeshadow palettes were quite colorful, from the Fenty Beauty Moroccan Spice Eyeshadow Palette, $59, to the Anastasia Beverly Hills Norvina Eyeshadow Palette, $42, to Urban Decay's own Born to Run Eyeshadow Palette, $49.
Image via @urbandecaycosmetics
