The viral trend of “eyebrow blindness”—a phenomenon where people reflect on their past eyebrow styling choices, often realizing they were unaware of how extreme or unflattering (too thin, too thick and too feathery) their eyebrows looked at the time—has taken social media by storm. It’s easy to look back at past regrets, but it’s much harder to see them happening in real time. As trends come and go so fast these days, we have to wonder: What will be our beauty regrets of tomorrow? To shed light on this, we’ve tapped our experts to predict what trends might follow in the footsteps of “eyebrow blindness” and become our future beauty blind spots.
When it comes to regrets, “eyebrow blindness” is a universally relatable experience as brow trends are constantly evolving. “In the ’90s, makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin tweezed brows to be movie star-perfect for the 1930s,” says celebrity makeup artist Sandy Linter. “The look was amazing and artistic, however, many were left with brows that never grew back,” she recounts.
Featured Experts
- Paul Labrecque is the creative director, master stylist and colorist at Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa
- D’Andre Michael is a celebrity makeup artist and aesthetician
- Tim Quinn is a celebrity makeup artist and cofounder and CEO of Halo42
- Sandy Linter is a renowned celebrity makeup artist
- Dr. Robert Singer is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in La Jolla, CA
The Future Blindness Trends
Over-Bleaching Hair
Master stylist Paul Labrecque points out a regrettable trend: over-bleaching hair to achieve silver, lavender or pastel pink tones. “There’s no way to restore healthy hair after this; often, cutting it off becomes the only solution, which can be regrettable for some,” he explains. Long term over-bleaching can lead to severe damage, making it a regrettable trend for many a future head of hair—especially when you want to grow it out naturally.
Bleached Brows
Bleached brows have emerged as a prominent trend, embraced by influencers and celebrities like Julia Fox for their bold, avant-garde look. However, celebrity makeup artist and aesthetician D’Andre Michael says this trend carries some hidden risks people tend to overlook. “If not executed properly, bleaching eyebrows can lead to chemical burns, hair loss, skin damage and dry, brittle hairs,” he cautions. The strong chemicals involved in achieving bleached brows can cause severe and sometimes irreversible harm to the sensitive skin surrounding the eyebrows.
Labrecque points out a potential long-term issue familiar to many who overplucked in the ’90s. “Bleaching eyebrows may damage the skin, hindering the growth of new brow hairs,” he explains. This damage can result in uneven, patchy eyebrows and an extended recovery period, during which individuals may struggle to regain their natural brow appearance.
Heavy Lashes
Lash extensions have surged in popularity for their dramatic eye-enhancing effects, but experts caution about potential drawbacks. Labrecque compares them to “spiders on your eyelids,” highlighting the risk of damaging natural lashes and causing thinning over time. D’Andre Michael advocates for exploring better alternatives, noting, “A bad experience can lead to irritation, swelling, infection to your eyelids or corneas and even temporary to permanent loss of your lashes.”
Linter, who prefers individual temporary lashes to extensions, also raises concerns about lash glue if using daily falsies. “I believe there are issues with long-term usage,” she shares. “Applying lashes can lead to eye infections if not done properly. The glue can block pores in the eyelid, causing infection. That’s why I use Ocusoft lid scrub to remove eye makeup.”
Microbladed Makeup
Microbladed makeup is also on the outs notes Labrecque. “Any kind of microbladed makeup fades to a dull color and doesn’t always allow you to change with trends. I am not a fan of this,” he says. The semi- and sometimes permanence of these procedures means that as trends evolve, those with microbladed features might find themselves stuck in one look.
Buccal Fat Removal
Slimming your face has gone beyond the contouring and highlighting makeup routine. Buccal fat removal has been popular for years, but some say it makes you look gaunt. “I think buccal fat contouring is a very good procedure in the right patient,” says La Jolla, CA plastic surgeon Robert Singer, MD. “However, those who do it excessively, without full cheeks, risk an overdone appearance.”
Grunge or Indie Sleaze
Celebrity makeup artist Tim Quinn believes the return to grunge could lead to future regrets in beauty trends. “I’ve never been a fan of making oneself look tired and run down. Looking a few years down the line, one might think, ‘Why did I not keep embracing the youthful glow and sparkle that is ours in our youth?’ With age comes wisdom and more self-awareness.”
DIY Skin Care
The most popular SkinTok trend of 2023 is dermaplaning, boasting over four billion views. Despite its popularity, Michael raises concerns about the proliferation of DIY beauty trends, including dermaplaning and sunscreen contouring. “DIY dermaplaning risks infection, breakouts, discoloration, redness and irritation,” he warns.
While something like sunscreen contouring might sound appealing and totally innocuous, it may not deliver the golden glow TikTok promises. The technique, which involves using sunscreen to create a contoured look, also carries the risk of causing long-term skin damage and resulting in an uneven complexion. Experts say skip it.
Exaggerated Features
Dr. Singer cautions against trends promoted by social media influencers, such as exaggerated curves from Brazilian butt lifts and oversized implants. “We’re likely to witness procedures popularized by online influencers, trends like excessively large lips or contours, see a return to more natural aesthetics in the future,” he explains. “I think that there are going to be patients down the road who are sorry they did that.”
Staying On-Trend Without Regret
To navigate trends wisely, experts advise experimenting while maintaining balance. Quinn suggests integrating trends selectively, aligning them with personal style and lifestyle: “Use trends as seasoning, not the main dish.”
Linter says if you need help identifying what’s a flash in the plan, you can seek help from the pros. “I have always been trendy myself, and I have also had a few regrets, but I’ve also had the good fortune to be in the hands of the top professionals. Even then, it is up to you to be careful of what you wish for.”
