Images of celebrities are everywhere in today’s world, and more often than not, their makeup catches the eye. As 2018 comes to a close, we have decided to team up with our beauty experts to compile a list of the top 10 most requested makeup looks of the last 12 months.
We have surveyed 2,000 of our makeup artists, stylists and beauticians who advertise their services through Bark.com, to reveal the signature celebrity makeup trends most requested by their customers. Kylie Jenner’s famous pout and Meghan Markle’s flawless wedding makeup feature on the list, along with a set of top tips to help you recreate each look.
The top 10 makeup looks requested in 2018 are:
- Kylie Jenner:
Not only has the reality star and owner of Kylie Cosmetics become one of the world’s most talked about celebrities, her full pout has captivated the nation. Kylie’s trend-setting lipstick style has seen her build a multi-million-dollar brand and become the most sought-after look of 2018.
Our experts say…
Start by exfoliating your lips to remove any dead skin, then use a concealer to hide your lip line. Next, take a lip liner that matches your lipstick and trace just outside of your natural lip line to create a bigger pout. Fill in your lips with matte lipstick or use a lip liner to colour your entire lip.
- Meghan Markle:
With 1.9 billion people tuning in to watch Meghan Markle wed Prince Harry earlier this year, it’s no wonder that her makeup was so popular in 2018. Her elegant and simple look highlighted her natural beauty and was in high demand with makeup artists across the country.
Our experts say…
Prepare your skin with a primer or moisturiser before applying a light layer of concealer and foundation. Don’t forget, less is more with this look. To achieve Meghan’s smokey eye, use a copper or light brown eyeshadow, line your lids with a warm brown eye pencil and finish off with a layer of black mascara, but nothing too heavy. For your lips, use a fresh nude or pink shade of gloss.
- Kim Kardashian:
Arguably the most famous face in the Kardashian family, Kim’s signature contour makeup technique inspired millions to experiment with shading and highlighting, making her perfectly sculpted skin the third most highly requested look of last year.
Our experts say…
Use a primer to prep your skin, then take a foundation or concealer one shade lighter than your skin tone and apply to the centre of your forehead, nose, under your eyes, cheekbones and the centre of your chin. Next, use a darker shade to swipe under your cheekbones, jawline, hairline and sides of your nose. Blend the darker foundation followed by the lighter shade and even out your complexion. Use highlighter under your brows, on the tops of your cheekbones and down the ridge of your nose. Finish and set your makeup with translucent powder.
- Cara Delevingne:
The 26-year-old model has been recognised for her unique look for years. Her thick statement brows and smokey eyes kick-started a trend that trickled from the runway to celebrities, vloggers and beyond to become one of the top five most requested looks of the last 12 months.
Our experts say…
This look is much easier to copy if you have a fuller brow to work with! First, use an eyebrow brush to comb your brow hair upwards, then use a pencil to trace underneath your brow, following your natural arch. Fill in the front part of your brow using vertical strokes. Next, fill in any sparse areas using a brown eyeshadow or eyebrow powder. Keep the brows as natural as possible without too much styling.
- Ariana Grande:
It’s not just a long, high ponytail that’s defined her look – Ariana Grande is rarely seen without pristine cat-eye-liner. The pop star’s signature look adds drama, accentuates her almond eyes and has led many to turn to makeup artists for the perfect wing every time.
Our experts say…
After applying your choice of eyeshadow, outline your cat-eye with a pencil, angling the wing upwards toward the end of your eyebrow. This helps to make the eyes look larger and eyelashes to appear denser. Next, trace and fill in the outlined wing with liquid liner – Ariana typically uses a rolling applicator to achieve her famous look. Finish the look with false eyelashes to add even more drama.
- Lily Collins:
This year’s Met Gala was one of the most creative when it came to hair and makeup, but with her bold brows, dark lips, intense eye makeup and gem stones to finish, Lily Collins’ take on ‘Heavenly bodies’ stuck in everyone’s minds.
Our experts say…
Once you’ve prepped your skin, apply a foundation and concealer base, and set with powder. To achieve Lily’s full brows, brush hairs up and out before lining with a brow pencil. Fill in sparse areas with vertical pencil strokes and eyebrow powder. For the eyes, apply a smokey brown eyeshadow over your upper lid followed by a layer of shimmery bronze and a couple of generous layers of black mascara. If you’re going for the full look, add adhesive gems to the centre of your lids and under your lash line, and a red tear drop under one eye. To finish the look, add a light layer of dark purple or red lip gloss.
- Beyoncé:
Not only did Beyoncé make history as Coachella’s first headlining woman of colour, she did it looking flawless, with dramatic and sparkling makeup that saw the performance become one of her most memorable to date.
Our experts say…
To achieve Beyoncé’s glow, apply your foundation as usual and set with powder, followed by a touch of bronzer and highlighter. The glittery eye is the highlight of this look, so it’s important to use layers to create extra dimension. Start with a luminescent powder and layer with gold or copper glittery tones. Next, line the lid to create a feline flick and swipe on black mascara. Finish the look with a dark nude lipstick.
- Bella Hadid:
At just 22-years-old, Bella Hadid has become one of the most in-demand supermodel’s in the world. The dark-haired beauty is famous for her feline, smokey eye makeup, so it comes as no surprise that so many people would want to replicate her look.
Our experts say…
This look is all about the drama, so don’t be afraid to layer on the liner. Start with a metallic silver eyeshadow and apply from the inner corner to the centre of your eye. Take a charcoal grey or black powder and apply to the other half of your eyelid, sloping upwards slightly towards your eyebrow to create a cat-eye. Repeat to build up the intensity then use a brush or your finger to blend. Line your lid with liquid eyeliner, following the outline of your eyeshadow. For your lower lash line, use a densely packed powder brush and layer on the darker eyeshadow. Finish with a generous coat of mascara.
- Rihanna:
The singer, fashion designer and pioneering founder of Fenty Beauty is famous for her flawless foundation, making her glowing skin the envy of millions and securing her spot in the top ten most requested makeup looks of the last 12 months.
Our experts say…
Start by using a primer to prepare your skin before applying foundation using a brush or makeup sponge and blending evenly. Next, blend a darker shade of foundation or contour stick below your cheekbones, along your hairline, your jawline and the sides of your nose. Swipe concealer down the bridge of your nose and under your eyes for a subtle highlight, and blend once more. Set with powder. Add some warmth to your look by swiping a little bronzer over the top of the areas you have contoured. Finish by applying blusher on your cheeks, followed by generous layers of highlighter on the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, your browbone and the corner of your eyes.
- Taylor Swift:
Taylor Swift’s style has evolved almost as much as her music, seeing her go from country darling to global superstar, but it’s one of her recent looks, channelling the 1960s at this year’s American Music Awards, that’s proven most popular.
Our experts say…
To achieve the hitmaker’s 1960s inspired look, start by applying primer, foundation and concealer as usual. Set with powder for a flawless, matte finish, then add a peach-toned blush and highlighter to your cheekbones. Next, swipe a silver eyeshadow across your lids, sloping upwards toward your brow to create a cat-eye. Line your lid with liquid eyeliner, following the curve of your eyeshadow, then add white liner to your waterline. Line your lower lash with a black or charcoal pencil, give your lashes a generous coat of mascara and add false lashes for extra drama. Finish the look with a pale pink or nude lip gloss.
The survey results revealed that 75% of people looking for a makeup artist will request a specific celebrity look, highlighting some of the biggest trends in the UK cosmetics industry, which has been dubbed the third largest in Europe*.
The research also showed that people in London, Birmingham and Essex are more likely to hire a makeup artist than the rest of the UK, with weddings listed as the top reason for hiring a makeup artist.
Kai Feller, co-founder of Bark.com, said:
“Considering the popularity of these celebrities, it’s no surprise to see many of them on the list. The influence of celebrity culture on the cosmetics industry is huge, with many of these stars even capitalising on this and starting their own successful beauty lines.
“It’s always interesting to see how celebrity culture impacts consumer buying habits – who would have thought that an American singer’s eyeliner would impact what British makeup artists do day-to-day!”