Face stickers, OTT lashes: 5 Instagram makeup trends you need to try now

While there will always be a place for a simple smoky eye and a nude lip in your makeup repertoire, if you’re up for some experimentation, there is a lot of beauty inspiration out there to take your cues from. Face stickers are not reserved for just Coachella anymore, and OTT eyelashes are gaining favour among beauty enthusiasts everywhere. Makeup artist Jordan Liberty, who has worked with brands like NARS, Pat McGrath and Urban Decay, thinks you should try it all on for size. “Makeup is wearable art. It’s a form of self expression. It’s transformative, and yet it’s so fleeting because it’s temporary,” he says. “You can take it off, so it’s only a matter of trying,” he confirms. Looking to change up your look? Liberty shares his top five makeup trends that will help you hit the reboot button, ASAP.

Make a case for face stickers

While glitter is a great way to add drama to an otherwise simple look, it can be difficult to apply and remove. Instead, Liberty suggests applying little appliques to the areas you want to enhance—the eyelids, across the cheekbones or near the lips. “After all other makeup is applied, I use a touch of lash adhesive to hold the crystals. The key to a beautiful shine is to avoid touching the face of the crystals with your fingers—use tweezers or a wax pencil to attach them,” says Liberty. Don’t think you can go all out with the crystals? Just add one or two as an accent on the lids. 

Don’t shy away from bold lashes

Bold lashes, especially ’60s-style ultra-long and super dark ones, are a great way to amp up an otherwise simple eye look. “If the rest of the makeup is more neutral, bold lashes seem less over-the-top and more like a chic focal point,” says Liberty. False lashes usually do the trick—they add definition, colour and volume without getting clumpy. “I believe it is best to err on the side of caution with mascara, because I think lashes work best when they are fluffy,” he adds. Pair them with a cat eye and a nude lip for the perfect party look.

Don’t be afraid to try new eyeshadow textures

Liberty loves skipping the powder eyeshadow for a jelly formula that looks wet on the face, and feels lightweight and soft to apply. Since the formula is so moveable, application is fool-proof. “Just make sure to let it set before you blink,” he says. “Glossy eye looks work best with minimal eye makeup, because gloss will reduce the longevity of the eyeshadow and eyeliner. I love to pair a waterproof liquid liner with a touch of Vaseline on the lids for a fresh daytime look,” he reveals about his current favourite. If you’re going light and refreshing on the eye, Liberty suggests pairing the look with a bold lip.

Play up bold, brushed out brows

Liberty is a big fan of the fluffy, brushed out brows that are all over Instagram, suggesting that they might be the more timeless option than a defined, filled-in shape. How do you do it without making them look unruly? Liberty relies on soap. “I comb a bit of clear soap through the brows first. The soap works like brow wax, but provides better hold without ever feeling stiff like a brow gel. Then, I use a skinny pencil or brush to lightly feather in hair-like strokes. You don’t need to fill the entire brow either,” he confirms.

Experiment with bright colours

Liberty suggests reaching for the oft-forgotten colours on your lip or eye palette, which can give you the chance to experiment with something different. “With any bold colour, it’s all about personality. Dial down the rest of your makeup if you’re nervous about going bold, or pair a smoky eye look with a rich red or pink to make a statement,” he suggests. Not sure how to keep your makeup looking put-together when you’re working a bright shade? “When playing up the eyes and lips, it’s best to go light on blush and keep the complexion as natural as possible If you’re having trouble keeping lipstick on, try pairing a longer-lasting lip stain with lip liner instead. You’ll still achieve a polished look, but with less maintenance."

Jordan Liberty will demonstrate his favourite makeup looks on February 29, 2020 at The Lalit New Delhi, in collaboration with Vauxhall Events

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