Bare Faces Are In: Here’s Why
January 1 | 5 minute read
Words by Emily Algar
Originally published on | March 12
But every so often, bigger shifts take place; slow but steady changes in the zeitgeist that influence our routines, our shopping habits and the way we view beauty standards.
Over the past year, perhaps the most interesting has been a return to skin.
For an era, we were committed to makeup – living in a Euphoria-obsessed, and latterly, post-pandemic world will do that.
It was all about pigment, shimmer, contour, the perfect dewy coverage, graphic liner, lots of gloss, baking and precise application techniques.
Don’t get us wrong, we’ll always love makeup – but the skin-focused movement is here, and we’re very much on board.
It would be wrong to talk about this return to skin and not mention Pamela Anderson. The actress and Baywatch icon almost broke the internet when she went makeup-free at Paris Fashion Week in late 2023.
"I didn't come to Paris Fashion Week and think, 'I'm not gonna wear makeup,'" she told Vogue France.
"Something kind of came over me and I was dressing in these beautiful clothes and I thought, 'I don't want to compete with the clothes.' I'm not trying to be the prettiest girl in the room…. I'm just not into the makeup look right now.”
Her boldness made waves on Instagram. Followers called it out as confident, refreshing – even inspiring. It’s not exactly common for women as famous as Pam to step out at a public event ‘raw’ – but perhaps it should be?
Her seemingly small gesture sparked a move towards bare-faced beauty, and she’s been hailed a hero for it.
Kylie Jenner is another sign of the times.Social media’s makeup queen also recently attended Paris Couture Week with an almost-bare face.
She looked fresh, pared-back and worlds away from her regular epic-level of glamour (an equally stunning aesthetic, but one that’s vastly different).
Her hair was soft, skin natural, cheeks bare and lashes fluffy. The only ‘real’ sign of makeup was her signature glossy lip.
A moment in time, maybe, but one we’re enjoying all the same.
So, what does this look like in the context of our beauty routine? It means that complexion health and skincare are taking precedence over makeup.
It’s a trend that’s straight up reflected in the market: skin-focused launches are more common than makeup ones, and even pigment-focused products are being bolstered with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, antioxidants and lipids. (Because who doesn’t want their tinted serum or cream blush with a side of hydration? *Raises hand*)
And while we’re all for a TikTok trend or Instagram recommendation, skincare is also moving in the direction of personalisation and customisation.
Take Biologique Recherche. At the centre of the French brand’s ethos is bespoke routines based on a detailed investigation into the skin’s reality; considering everything from geographical location to the size of your pores (true story).
The result? A routine that’s prescriptive and in-tune with your skin– and its changing needs.
Facial treatments are also taking centre stage. It’s always been the French beauty philosophy that in order to be ‘low maintenance’, you need to lay the groundwork – which means regular facials in order to cultivate skin health.
We’re here for high-tech facials that are designed for your face – combining classic modalities like cleansing, exfoliation and massage with microdermabrasion to resurface and purify, LED light to target breakouts and dullness, plus microcurrent to lift and tone.
So, you heard it here first: skin is in, and tending to your unique complexion needs has never felt so important.
Be diligent with your routine, consider facial treatments a long-term investment that means less makeup is required overall – and when you do wear it, make sure it’s a formula that lets your complexion shine.
Swap recs with your friends/colleagues/neighbours, but know that your skin is inherently unique, with its own set of needs.
FInally, remember there’s liberation in a bare face; not only will it save you time in the morning (not to mention, the integrity of your white towels) but it’s freeing to embrace it in its best natural state.
Experience the beauty of Biologique Recherche at MECCA Aesthetica. Bookings now open.
