How Seasons Guide Makeup Trends

As seasons change, so do the weather, holidays, color schemes, and foods that define each time of year. These seasonal shifts also impact makeup trends. The effects can be seen in the products released, the aesthetics created, the colors chosen, and even the scents. Recently, many makeup aesthetics have been inspired by food, especially fruits and desserts. This is because they easily capture a specific mood or seasonal feeling. The flavors or foods chosen often reflect the time of year and help shape the aesthetic.

A great example of this is Laneige’s recent fall release, the Pumpkin Pie Lip Sleeping Mask. This product is a perfect fit for fall because of its pumpkin flavor and its warm orange tone. The pumpkin pie scent even has a strong association to Thanksgiving. Seasonal products like this are sometimes developed with predicted trends in mind, but this fall, there has not been a standout trend emerging in the same way as in previous years. Still, the connection between seasonal foods and cosmetics continues. Brands rely on these associations because consumers immediately recognize and connect with them.

Now that we have moved into winter, the flavors and scents in makeup have shifted toward warmer, cozier, and more comforting themes. Common releases include hot chocolate, caramel, French vanilla, peppermint, and gingersnap. These flavors remind people of bundling up indoors with warm drinks and spending time with family. They also connect strongly to Christmas and the broader winter holiday season. Peppermint captures this most clearly through the familiar red and white color scheme, but all of these winter inspired flavors help build a cohesive seasonal aesthetic.