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Top 100 Cosmetics Trends of 2012

From Airbrush-Inspired Manicures to Vigilante Makeup Creations

— January 1, 2013 — Fashion
Cosmetics trends in 2012 featured some of the wildest nail art, quirkiest perfumes and most inventive beauty products yet.

A good year for crafty people, many beauty trends in 2012 were focused on styles that consumers could do for themselves using just a few products. Big name beauty brands released some highly innovative products, like metallic nail polish and fish roe-inspired manicure sets. It seems that consumers were more concerned than ever with standing apart, and the market responded to this desire with unusual products. Nails seemed to dominate the online world of cosmetics, with DIY websites making a huge splash in terms of popularity.

Trend Hunter's Beauty Trend Report offers more detailed insights into the cosmetics industry, and is a great tool for those looking to find the next hot thing in makeup.
6.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
95
Contrast Pout Pictorials
Contrast Pout Pictorials
This Kelly Defina Shoot is Sass-Lipped and Energetic
<
94
Notebook-Inspired Manicures
Notebook-Inspired Manicures
The Cute Polish 'Back to School' Manicure is Adorable
<
93
Airbrush-Inspired Manicures
Airbrush-Inspired Manicures
The Chic Steals No Airbrush Nail Design is Easy to Do
<
92
Runway-Inspired Nail Colors
Runway-Inspired Nail Colors
The OPI Germany Collection is Edgy and Elegant
<
91
Pink-Tinted Parisian Adverts
Pink-Tinted Parisian Adverts
The 'Rouge in Love' Collection by Lancome is Feminine and Flirty
<
90
Adventure-Inspired Manicures
Adventure-Inspired Manicures
This Camouflage Nail Art by Cutepolish is Rugged Yet Chic
<
89
Flower Power Beauty Shoots
Flower Power Beauty Shoots
Iris Van Berne Shines in Nylon Magazine March 2012
<
88
Preppy School Supply Manicures
Preppy School Supply Manicures
These ‘Ruler Nails’ Will Make You Stand Out in the Clas
<
87
Electric Flower Beauty Shoots
Electric Flower Beauty Shoots
The ROUGE 'Full Blown' Editorial Stars a Vibrant Dani Zhou
<
86
Hunky Celeb Nail Stickers
Hunky Celeb Nail Stickers
Stare All You Want at the Ryan Gosling Manicure by Rad Nails
<
85
Glamorous Disaster Scene Shoots
Glamorous Disaster Scene Shoots
Karolina Waz Poses Amidst the Rubble for 10 Magazine Spring 2012
<
84
Dessert-Inspired Manicures
Dessert-Inspired Manicures
The 'Candy Warrior' Tutorial by Chalkboard Nails is Scrumptious
<
83
Ancient Symbol Manicures
Ancient Symbol Manicures
The Fashion Magazine All-Seeing Eye Manicure Tutorial is Striking
<
82
Funky Headwear Photography
Funky Headwear Photography
Erika Labanauskaite by Matjaz Ocko is Styled in Technicolor Outfits
<
81
Authentic Asiatic Shoots
Authentic Asiatic Shoots
The Year of the Dragon I-D Magazine Cover Series Has 12 Issues
<
80
Metal-Attracting Varnish
Metal-Attracting Varnish
Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Polish is Futuristic
<
79
Mini Formal Wear Manicures
Mini Formal Wear Manicures
These Tuxedo Nails are Snazzy and Sassy
<
78
Proud Americana Nail Makeovers
Proud Americana Nail Makeovers
The Beauty Department 'Festive Fourth' Manicure is Patriotic
<
77
Geological Nail Designs
Geological Nail Designs
The Beauty Department Turquoise Manicure is Gorgeous
<
76
Haute Hoot Manicures
Haute Hoot Manicures
The Cute Owl Nail Art by Cutepolish is Ready for Spring
<
75
Bubble Wrap Headdresses
Bubble Wrap Headdresses
Eco-Beauty by TOMAAS is Dark, Dramatic and Tribal
<
74
Inked-On Buzz Cuts
Inked-On Buzz Cuts
Hair Tattoos Give Ian Watson a Permanent Haircut
<
73
Beauty Blogging Stats
Beauty Blogging Stats
The 'Secrets of Beauty Revealed by the Internet' Infographic is Neat
<
72
Expressive Eye-Rolling Editorials
Expressive Eye-Rolling Editorials
The Eniko Mihalik M Le Monde Shoot is Filled With Emotions
<
71
Rump-Inspired Packaging
Rump-Inspired Packaging
‘Bootie Babe’ Varnishes are Voluptuous
<
70
Darling Dystopian Manicures
Darling Dystopian Manicures
This Effie Trinket Nail Art by Cutepolish is Chic
<
69
Soft-Hued Beauty Editorials
Soft-Hued Beauty Editorials
The Fashion Gone Rogue 'Pastel Spring' Photoshoot is Colorfully Quirky
<
68
Earthy Leaf-Embellished Manicures
Earthy Leaf-Embellished Manicures
The Clossette DIY Terrarium Nails Tutorial is Eco-Inspired
<
67
Fantastical Wig Photography
Fantastical Wig Photography
The Rocchetti Parrucche Series Showcases Some Sculptural Coifs
<
66
Painted Face Photography
Painted Face Photography
The Dazed & Confused Korea March 2012 Editorial Stars Alyona Subbotina
<
65
Jokeresque Makeup
Jokeresque Makeup
The Dansk Magazine SS 2012 Shoot with Gertrud Hegelund Features Smeared Faces
<
64
Rouge Retro Beauty Shoots
Rouge Retro Beauty Shoots
The Wonderland Magazine 'Dior' Editorial Stars Stunner Alys Hale
<
63
Explicitly Nautical Cosmetic Lines
Explicitly Nautical Cosmetic Lines
The MAC 'Hey, Sailor!' Collection is Modeled After Pin-Up Girls
<
62
DIY Cosmetics Holders
DIY Cosmetics Holders
The Beauty Department Dip Dye Tool Roll is an Ombre Masterpiece
<
61
Rabbit Nail Art
Rabbit Nail Art
This Easter Bunny Manicure by Cutepolish is Easy and Adorable
<
60
Frosted Dessert Manicures
Frosted Dessert Manicures
This Cute Cupcake Nail Art by Cutepolish is Sweet Enough to Eat
<
59
Freakish Makeup Date-Keepers
Freakish Makeup Date-Keepers
The Maybelline 2012 Calendar is Psychedelically Bold
<
58
Painted Musical Fingertips
Painted Musical Fingertips
These Rhythmic Manicures by Cutepolish are Simple and Cute
<
57
Coral Cosmetic Branding
Coral Cosmetic Branding
Seascape Packaging Exudes the Beauty of Marine Inspiration and Ingredients
<
56
Simulated Manicure Apps
Simulated Manicure Apps
Virtual Nail Salon by ModiFace is a Temporary Way to Sport Sweet Nails
<
55
Delightfully Patterned Detergents
Delightfully Patterned Detergents
Method Orla Kiely Packaging Charms One's Sense of Sight
<
54
Cat Nail Designs
Cat Nail Designs
The Meownicure is Perfect for Kitty-Lovers
<
53
Retro Blond Hairstyles
Retro Blond Hairstyles
The Editorial by Fredrik Wannerstedt for Tush is Sophisticatedly Vintage
<
52
Adorable Designer Manicures
Adorable Designer Manicures
The Nail Rock Meadham Kirchhoff SS12 Nail Wraps are Kitschy and Cute
<
51
Neon Polychromatic Nails
Neon Polychromatic Nails
Glow Stick Press On Nails Light Up the Night
<
50
Tantalizing Tribal Looks
Tantalizing Tribal Looks
The Yulia Gorbachenko 'Rorschach Test' Series is Fierce
<
49
Patterned Petal Branding
Patterned Petal Branding
Burt's Bees Gud Packaging Gushes with a New Natural Graphic Strategy
<
48
Demure Dress-Up Portraits
Demure Dress-Up Portraits
The Kismet Obsession Editorial Features Eye-Catching Accessories
<
47
Edgy Highlights Editorials
Edgy Highlights Editorials
The 'In a Flash' Photoshoot Stars a Vibrant Dinara Chetyrova
<
46
Crocheted Blanket Backdrops
Crocheted Blanket Backdrops
The 'Granny Takes a Trip' Editorial Stars Model Tori Trigg
<
45
Fierce Avian Fingertips
Fierce Avian Fingertips
The Adorable Angry Bird Manicures by YouTube Channel CutePolish
<
44
Assorted Glamor Editorials
Assorted Glamor Editorials
The Elle Mexico 'Total Beauty' Photoshoot Has Eclectic Hair and Makeup
<
43
Contemporary 20s Beauty Editorial
Contemporary 20s Beauty Editorial
ELLE Vietnam September 2012 Stars Sung Hee Kim and Ma Jing
<
42
Subtle Sci-Fi Beauty Photoshoots
Subtle Sci-Fi Beauty Photoshoots
The Fashion Gone Rogue 'Amuse Bouche' Features Urban Looks
<
41
Purposely Imperfect Manicures
Purposely Imperfect Manicures
The Refinery 29 'Splatter Paint Nails' Tutorial is Disheveled
<
40
Grassy Garden Manicures
Grassy Garden Manicures
Artist Marlene Vinha Creates Eye-Catching Nail Designs
<
39
Geometric Colorful Manicures
Geometric Colorful Manicures
Refinery 29 Southwest Nails are Worth the Extra Work
<
38
Glam Galactic Nails
Glam Galactic Nails
The Cute Polish 'Stormtrooper' Manicure is Adorable and Nerdy Chic
<
37
DIY Kitchen Supply Manicures
DIY Kitchen Supply Manicures
The 'Get Nailed' Saran Wrap Nails Tutorial is Stylishly Simple
<
36
Fish Roe Fingernails
Fish Roe Fingernails
The Ciaté ‘Caviar Manicure' is a Delectible Masterpiece
<
35
Haute Hippie Manicures
Haute Hippie Manicures
These Tie-Dye Nails Put Peace and Love at Your Fingertips
<
34
Butterfly Projection Portraits
Butterfly Projection Portraits
'Camouflage' by Carsten Witte Showcases Metamorphosis-Like Masks
<
33
Ethereal Gothic Beauty Editorials
Ethereal Gothic Beauty Editorials
The Vogue Japan 'The Scarlet Focus' Photoshoot is Darkly Dreamy
<
32
Lusty Textured Lips
Lusty Textured Lips
These Photographs by Nikos Vasilakis are Vivid and Voluptuous
<
31
DIY Pore Strips
DIY Pore Strips
The Petit Elephant Blog Shows How to Deep Cleanse Your Skin
<
30
Watercolor Makeup Ads
Watercolor Makeup Ads
The L’Officiel III Beauty Salon Campaign Showcases Streaking Mascara
<
29
Haute Clown Couture
Haute Clown Couture
Natasha Poly Heads to the Circus for Vogue Paris April 2012
<
28
Edgy Archaic Beauty Looks
Edgy Archaic Beauty Looks
Natalia Vodianova Looks Fierce on the Cover of Vogue Paris March 2012
<
27
Pocket Monster Beauty Enhancement
Pocket Monster Beauty Enhancement
Makeup Artist Nazzara Prettifies Her Eyes Pokemon-Style
<
26
DIY Interwoven Nail Art
DIY Interwoven Nail Art
The 'Herringbone' Mani by The Beauty Department is Chic
<
25
Cherry Blossom Manicures
Cherry Blossom Manicures
The Arizona Tea Nails by Cutepolish are Sunny and Refreshing
<
24
Cotton Candy Coif Captures
Cotton Candy Coif Captures
The Michael David Adams' 'Beauty School Dropout' Series is Super Sweet
<
23
Protruding Manicure Art
Protruding Manicure Art
KayleighOC Transforms Fingernails into Fabulous Creations
<
22
Hyper-Urban Shoots (UPDATE)
Hyper-Urban Shoots (UPDATE)
This Vogue Italia March 2012 Editorial is Over the Top
<
21
Smirking Cosmetic Close-Ups
Smirking Cosmetic Close-Ups
The Cara Delevingne Style.Com Editorial Captures Natural Beauty
<
20
Bizarre Butterfly Beauty Looks
Bizarre Butterfly Beauty Looks
The Dazed & Confused June 2012 Editorial Stars Elza Luijendijk
<
19
Vigilante Makeup Creations (UPDATE)
Vigilante Makeup Creations (UPDATE)
Iconic Movie Eye-Makeup by Jangsara is Totally Badass
<
18
Rebel Character Manicures
Rebel Character Manicures
The 'Hunger Games' Nails by Cutepolish are Fierce and Chic
<
17
Minimalist Beauty Branding
Minimalist Beauty Branding
Cure Life Packaging Asserts That Less is More for the Buyer
<
16
Bestial Lipstick Art
Bestial Lipstick Art
Paige Thompson Creates Cute Non-Kissable Designs
<
15
Sensual Smokey-Eyed Photography
Sensual Smokey-Eyed Photography
The Victoria Germyn Portraits Shows the Model Baring it All
<
14
Food-Formed Branding
Food-Formed Branding
Fruits & Passion Packaging Takes the Shapes of its Scrumptious Contents
<
13
Fantastically Floral Portraits
Fantastically Floral Portraits
The 'Flowers Renessaince' Imperium Kobiet Editorial Exudes Feminini
<
12
Boldly Sleek Beauty Photoshoots
Boldly Sleek Beauty Photoshoots
The Editorial Starring Elsa Andrade for Elle Vietnam is Exotic
<
11
Disheveled Geisha Editorials
Disheveled Geisha Editorials
The Rodeo Magazine Autumn 2012 Editorial Stars a Painted Grace Gao
<
10
DIY Nail Tape
DIY Nail Tape
The Beauty Department Blog Shows How to Make Colorful Fingers
<
9
Sweet-Toothed Beauty Photoshoots
Sweet-Toothed Beauty Photoshoots
Candy Worhol by Tomaas Focuses on Delicious Pastel Looks
<
8
Wallpaper-Inspired Nails
Wallpaper-Inspired Nails
The 'Faded Floral Mani' by The Beauty Department is Easier Than it Looks
<
7
Smudged Makeup Editorials
Smudged Makeup Editorials
The Fashion Gone Rogue 'Beautiful Color' Photoshoot is Vibrantly Edgy
<
6
Adorably Brief Body Art
Adorably Brief Body Art
The Dottinghill Temporary Tattoos Feature Some Amazing Designs
<
5
Gothic Sorceress Photoshoots
Gothic Sorceress Photoshoots
The Fashion Canada 'Dark Ages' Editorial Stars Model Bekah Jenkins
<
4
Eccentric Ethereal Editorials
Eccentric Ethereal Editorials
The Fashion Gone Rogue 'Simone' Shoot is Heavenly Vibrant
<
3
Sleek Stiletto-Inspired Nails
Sleek Stiletto-Inspired Nails
Land Your Mitts on the Best Dressed List with Louboutin Nails
<
2
Superheroic Eye Shadows
Superheroic Eye Shadows
Makeup Artist Jangsara Celebrates The Avengers with Alluring Looks
<
1
Psychedelic Beauty Looks
Psychedelic Beauty Looks
Allure March 2012 Reveals the Wildly Colorful Makeup of Spring
<