5 Beauty Trends We Hope Take Off (or Stay Strong!) in 2014

Can you believe January 2014 is almost over? As many other outlets look into their crystal balls to predict trends for the rest of the year (the comeback of blue eye shadow, the rise of the modern pixie), we decided instead, to rundown five things we hope to see happen, beauty-wise, between now and December 31. Perhaps by politely asking, we’ll throw some good juju into the universe. From better sleep to daring brows, this could be a very good year for beauty—if we have our way.

1: Spray-On Takeover. We love products that appeal to our lazy side, so when Vaseline and St. Ives started promoting their spray-on lotions last year, we did a happy dance and then stocked up. Spritz-and-go moisturizers is a speedy way to keep skin hydrated, and they’re also goof-proof when it comes to getting full-coverage quenching. We can only hope the market for this type of product expands—if we’re lucky we’ll see our favorite high-end body creams, facial serums, and more getting into this easy-to-apply format. Maybe even spray-paints for eyes and cheeks. Now that would be genius.

2: Sleeping Beauty. Finally, science is on our side. Last year, the journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine published a report all but proving that beauty sleep is real. In other words, the more rest you get, the better you look. Yet more and more of us are sleeping with our smartphones and neglecting slumber. We’re hoping this is the year that the U.S. finally gets on board with European-style siestas and those amazing nap centers all over Japan (we can dream, right?). At the very least, our goals include shutting down our phones and laptops an hour before bed every night and investing in apps like Gentle Alarm, which is supposed to gently stir you awake at the optimal time during the sleep cycle. If we can avoid the stressful siren-style jolt, feel more rested, and look better, we figure it’s worth a try.

3: More Glitter. On brows, that is. Since eyes are the statement-makers of your face, why not amp them up with a bit of unexpected sparkle and color? Last year, we tried it on our lips and we’re ready to adapt the look to our arches! We’re thinking the gold sparkly brows from the Christian Dior Spring ‘14 runway show (amazing, right?). To try it, get makeup-grade glitter in a shade you love—you can’t go wrong with the dozens of options from Lit Cosmetics—and grab a coordinating eye shadow. Fill in brows with the shadow first, using an angular brush. Then lightly apply eyelash adhesive and pat on the glitter. It will require a bit of cleanup, but the final look is worth it, especially on the right occasion!

Photo: Christina Dior Spring 2014 Runway Show backstage. By Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho / WireImage.

4: Bare Nails, Continued. As popular as nail art was last year, neutral nails kept pace. We are totally fine with this easy, low-maintenance mani look sticking around in 2014—and, well, forever. Think about it: neutral polish is easier to apply at home, shows chips much less conspicuously, and goes with everything. If you’re ready to bare it all, the HIPPxRGB collection—an assortment of nail “foundations,” “tints,” and “sheers”—has options for every skin tone. A modern take on the French: always a welcome revival.

5: Geometric Cuts. In 2014, fingers are crossed that we see more asymmetrical bobs, half-buzzcut pixies, triangular bangs, and spiky hawks. While we loved the hair diversity last year, from punky hair chalks to undercuts, we say, let’s take it up a notch and dare to look different. Natalie Dormer is our spirit guide.

Photo: Natalie Dormer at 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. WireImage.