.png)
From fork contouring to deodorant primers, the beauty trends of 2022 were certainly unique. However, as we move into 2023, it’s time to give these viral “hacks” a much-needed rest. Whether you’ve tried them yourself (we don’t judge) or were appalled to come across them, we figured it’s time to start the year on a better foot.
In this post, we’ll take a trip down memory lane and discuss the strangest beauty trends of 2022 that were so bad they need to be completely forgotten and ditched in 2023.
Fork Contouring
If you didn’t see the fork contouring trend that went viral last year…consider yourself lucky. This trend started as a more effective way to contour your nose and evolved into a way to contour your entire face. Fork contouring involves using the prongs of a fork to create precise patterns on your face for contouring and other makeup looks. Although it looks cool and is certainly creative, it's definitely not the best method for getting a precise contour.
Let’s put aside the fact that most of us do not keep forks handy in our makeup kits or vanity—we fail to see the advantage of this so-called hack. While this trend certainly had its time, let’s leave it in 2022.
Glue Blackhead Removal
Yes, you read that correctly. Another trend that went viral in 2022 was removing your blackheads with…glue. Need we not explain why this trend should be abandoned this year. Not only is the efficacy of this trend highly questionable, but it also can cause serious damage to the skin by trapping bacteria and other impurities against the face. Furthermore, as this process is incredibly painful, it is easy to damage the delicate skin around the nose and eyes, leading to bruising or discoloration. Not only is glue removal unhygienic and unsafe, it can also strip the skin of its natural oils and dry out the complexion over time. It is definitely a trend to avoid this year and for all of them to follow.
Lip Tattoos
DIY lip tattoos were another strange beauty trend that came about in 2022. This trend involved tattooing color or lip liner on your lips to give them a permanently plumper or more striking look. As we learned from the tattoo eyebrows and tattoo eyeliner hype—trends come and go, and if you decide you want to remove the liner, you may be in for a painful awakening.
Not only is this trend one that’s likely to fade on its own, but there are many potential risks associated with attempting to do this procedure at home, as there is no control over what type of ink is used or how deep it is applied to the skin. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you avoid trying this method at home and leave it to the professionals!
Sunscreen Contouring
Sunscreen contouring was another trend created to achieve a lasting contour to your face. The way it works—apply sunscreen to the places of your face that you would not contour and leave the other spots bare, and then lie in the sun. Some videos even suggest adding tanning oil to the contour locations—eeeeek!
It all started with Gwyneth Paltrow showing her sunscreen routine, where she only applies sunscreen to the points of her face where “the sun really hits.” And so the monster of sunscreen contouring was born.
We probably don’t even need to explain the dangers of doing this. Not wearing enough protection can increase the risk of skin cancer and/or premature aging from UV damage. Plus, depending on what type of sunscreen is used and how often it needs to be reapplied, your contour lines will end up being anything but consistent. In addition, relying on the sun for beauty is always a big no-no. So if you're looking for an effective and safe contouring method for 2023, we'd definitely advise skipping this one altogether.
Highlighter All Over the Face
Highlighter all over the face or "vampire skin" was another one of TikTok's finest fails of 2022. This look, as its name implies, involves slathering highlighter across every inch of your face, leaving you with a mirror-like glow - and not a very natural one at that! While it certainly made for some striking Instagram photos, it simply looks too overdone and unnatural in real life. Not to mention it does not wear well over the course of the day as you mix it with sebum and sweat. In the age of minimal makeup, this trend is best left behind and replaced with more subtle forms of highlighting, such as cheekbone sculpting and a light dusting on your cupid’s bow. Try adding a little bit of blush and bronzer for an even more flattering look, and leave your skin’s natural beauty to shine through.
Deodorant Primer
Priming your face with Deodorant was another viral hack in 2022. The claim is that it keeps your makeup on all day and gives it a flawless finish. As you can imagine, this one made the list of the worst TikTok Trends of 2022. Deodorant contains many contain harsh chemicals that could leave skin dry and irritated. Additionally, as deodorant also contains antiperspirants, it could potentially block pores and lead to breakouts. So, when it comes to prepping your face for makeup, always use a moisturizer or facial primer specially formulated for the delicate skin of your face instead of deodorant.
Clumpy Lashes
Thanks to a handful of popular social media influencers, the idea of layering your lashes with 10+ coats of mascara was something else that took off last year. Though it gave you a voluminous look, it looks very unnatural in person. It also makes it harder for people to remove their mascara without taking their real eyelashes out as well!
That's why we recommend ditching this trend in 2023 and going back to only two coats of lash lengthening and volumizing mascaras. With this technique, you can still get incredible length and volume, but you won't be left with messy clumps or worse - no eyelashes at all! Not only will this be more gentle on your eyes, but it'll also help you avoid unnecessary damage to your delicate eye area.
Photo by TOMMY VAN KESSEL on Unsplash
Snail Facials
Yes, you read that right. Snail facials were all the rage in 2022. This involved putting live snails on your face and letting their excretions deliver promised benefits to your skin. But if you don't happen to have a swarm of snails living in your garden, fear not. This is another one we can leave behind.
There have been some reports that snail extract can help reduce redness and puffiness, so there may be some merit to the trend in terms of benefits for the skin. However, it is important to keep in mind that this is not yet clinically validated. And if you are wanting to give it a try, dare we say you’re better off buying snail extract products rather than using live snails?
Closing Thoughts
As we look ahead to 2023, it's time to leave behind some of the worst beauty trends of 2022. We've discussed fork contouring, glue blackhead removal, DIY lip tattoos, sunscreen contouring, highlighter all over the face, deodorant primer, clumpy lashes, and snail facials - all trends that are best left in the past.
Instead of trying these potentially dangerous or uncomfortable trends, let’s stick to the tried-and-true methods that have been around for years.