It's that time of year where everyone shares what trends they are secretly hoping we ditch in 2017. I thought this would be a fun post and it is inspired by Jackie Aina, one of my favourite YouTubers, she has already uploaded her Roast on her channel which you can watch below, Wayne Goss did a video too, both are a good laugh. I fully believe that makeup is fun and you are free to use and abuse it as you please, but sometimes it can just be overkill. My list has less to do with specific "trends", although I do mention a few, but also just things I am sick of hearing about in general. I hope you enjoy it and of course I mean no offence to anyone in this post, these are my personal opinions and I don't mean to make anyone feel bad in anyway. I hope you know that and please enjoy.
HIGHLIGHTING
Y'all knew it was coming, it was the trend of the year pretty much. Strobing, glowing, gleaming, steaming. We had it all. Highlighter is great and it looks gorgeous on everyone but me, but this year it was insane how much press highlighter received. Every brand released one and every beauty guru had a three minute segment in each tutorial dedicated just to highlighting. The nose and the cupid's bow being common favourites. The hashtag #highlightonfleek trended and it seemed to be a competition on who could have the most reflective, beaming highlight in the world. "Highlight so bright there are aliens from another galaxy trying to communicate with me right now. . ." You know.
![]() |
Anastasia Beverly Hills Illuminators |
DROPPER APPLICATORS
If one more brand brings out a foundation with a dropper applicator like it's some kind of god-damn serum I am going to lose my shit. My hatred stems from the Tarte Rainforest of the Sea foundation (review coming) because that dropper is trying me every damn day. I hate it with the heat of a thousand suns and it seems more brands are rolling out foundations with similar dispensers and I am so over it. Like I'm not angry enough in the morning already, I really don't need this shit.
![]() |
Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Foundation |
COLLABS
2016 was a year of collaboration. I am all collabed out and the worst thing is that each collab was accompanied with a scandal. So many brands partnered with big YouTubers to create a limited edition product this year that it was no longer exciting for me. Although, there were some fantastic collaborations namely the Master Palette by Mario, there were quite a few duds like the Power of Makeup Palette by Nikkie Tutorials (just my opinion). YouTube just feels grimy now and cliquey, each YouTuber got so much support this year for their collaborations, as they should! But I don't recall seeing anyone talk about Carli Bybel's palette, which is still available. Why is that? The BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Palette has to be amongst my favourite and the Makeup Revolution Fortune Favours The Brave is at the top of my list, created with Jane from Brit Beauty Blog. Amazing.
![]() |
Carli Bybel Palette BH Cosmetics |
SCANDALS
As mentioned, with each collab came a scandal as brands seemed to want to cut corners to produce more product quicker. The focus this year seemed to be on creating a demand and not a supply, so many people were left disappointed by poor customer service, unsatisfactory goods or just insufficient product. I was gutted I couldn't get my hands on the Kathleen Lights x Morphe Palette. Moreover, there just seems to be a lack of heart in the beauty industry. It's all about making a buck. I know it has always been about that but now I feel brands are being much more aggressive and calculated about it. Not all brands are like this and I have newfound respect for those that don't shove products down our throat or use YouTubers like minions to "big up" their products. I understand it works exceptionally well as a marketing strategy and is smart business but it is also fucking annoying when 10 videos on the same collection appear at the same time. It's so boring.
![]() |
Makeup Revolution Fortune Favours The Brave Palette |
"LIMITED EDITION"
Sick of hearing it and seeing it. It is common knowledge that scarcity increases the value of a product. If we hear something is limited or rare it makes us want it more because there is a chance it might be gone soon. We have to act quickly, thus causing websites to crash and products to sell out in minutes. My favourite is when brands state something is "limited edition" only to make it permanent later on, or to release it in a different form. I just wish there was more transparency in this industry and I really wish brands would focus on making great additions to their permanent lines than just focusing on seasonal crap that everyone will forget about in a few months anyway. This is not all brands, this is largely in response to Becca Cosmetics and Too Faced who have really taken the piss this year. Again, there are plenty of limited edition releases I do love.
![]() |
Becca Cosmetics x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Face Palette |
LIP FILLERS
I don't even know if I can name one YouTuber that hasn't at least tried it. It's not that I have anything against people doing what they want, it's the fact that people in this community seem to be turning to sheep. I find it sad and disheartening. I know we all want to look our best but to get so swept up in a trend is crazy to me. You can do whatever you want with your body but it's just crazy that everywhere I turn I see puffy lips. It's driving ME mental. I completely understand why so many people have gotten them, I do. I have considered it more than once, but it's not because of how I feel. It's because I see it EVERYWHERE. It is literally becoming the new normal and I wish it would stop. There's nothing wrong with enhancement but the lips I have been seeing are just puffy and cartoonish.
![]() |
No shade to Kylie Jenner, I actually think her lips look quite good. Although here they are slightly puffy. |
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this post. It turned out more negative than I thought but I genuinely hope we see a change for the better in 2017. Not only in our makeup because I really miss the days where everyone looked different but also in the way we conduct ourselves. I hope your 2016 was great and even if it wasn't I hope you learned, laughed and loved. Take care.
What trends do you hope die in 2016?
If you have a blog I would love to read your post on this, consider yourself tagged!