Anything but Mid: The Biggest Beauty Trends of 2025 So Far
July 23 | 4 minute read
Words by Izzy Wight
But as much as I love salacious news stories and those devilish little plush toys, my mind has been preoccupied by 2025’s influx of new beauty trends. From scent escapism and mist-on skincare to serums for hair, body and beyond, we’ve fallen in love with new product launches, rediscovered old favourites and garnered inspiration everywhere from the spring runways to the supermarket produce aisle.
Now, as we hurtle towards the end of another year, we're taking a mid-year moment to reflect on the standout beauty that has shaped 2025 so far.
Add blush to your blush
If the 2000s were the decade of overzealous bronzing, the 2020s are all about creating a natural flush. Sunset blush, boyfriend blush, cherry blossom blush – there are more ways than ever to add a touch of colour to your face, and a plethora of cheek-y innovations available to swipe, dab and diffuse. Our current favourite, Morphe’s Cheek Thrills Multi Finish Face Trio, offers a cream, balm and powder in one for a customisable finish. Buff in the balm on its own for a sheer, healthy glow, or layer up all three for a long-lasting pigment (à la Dua Lipa).
Scent escapism
From crashing waves to tropical cocktails, the latest slew of holiday-centric fragrances mean you can experience a Euro summer without the 24 hours of travel time. With notes of ocean water, mandarin and lime, Korres’ Kyma Eau De Toilette smells like the blue-water beaches of Greece, while Ellis Brooklyn’s Guava Granita Eau De Parfum is a fruity blend of bergamot, coconut and mango blossom – designed to transport you straight to the sunshine.
Spritz it!
As our lives only get busier, we’re leaning on convenience in any way we can – like meal delivery services, smart AI tools and most importantly (to us), multitasking face mists. Not only are they incredibly refreshing, but mists are a perfect on-the-go solution for skincare top-ups throughout the day. MECCA MAX’s new MILK IT Soothing Moisture Mist is packed with soothing, hydrating ingredients like cica and panthenol, while Tower 28’s beloved SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray is an Eczema Association of Australasia-accredited saviour for stressed-out skin.
Get glossed
In our collective quest for healthy-looking hair, it seems the beauty world has fallen in love with glosses. And can you blame us? Infused with highly concentrated, strengthening ingredients, these high-shine formulas are a shortcut to salon-calibre strands. There's not just one way to gloss, either – Lolavie’s Glossing Detangler is a post-shower multitasker, Gisou’s Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hair Mask is an overnight intensive and Kérastase’s Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops Hair Oil is an instant fix for soft, bouncy results.
The viral lip combo
Each year, the internet gifts us with a collection of new “must-try” lip products and each year, I dutifully accept. As someone whose handbag is now 80% oils, balms and lipsticks, it’s refreshing to see Stila’s Calligraphy Lip Stain (more specifically, the chestnut-brown shade Malala) enjoy a well-deserved moment in the sun. As a stain, its longwearing abilities are unmatched – pair it with MECCA MAX’s Pout Pencil in the shade Fancy for a lip that can outlast anything.
The summer of serums
Packed with actives typically found in skincare, body serums are bringing serious results from the neck down. Created by Australian entrepreneur Alexandra Keating, Uni’s 24-Hour Body Serum is a favourite for its nourishing, radiance-boosting botanical properties, while Nécessaire’s The Body Serum is a head-to-toe hydrator that also plumps, smooths and protects the skin’s moisture barrier.
