Coquette beauty is the pretty-in-pink look you’ll love
Hot on the high heels of Barbiecore comes coquette beauty. Here’s why followers of fashion are tickled pink by this playful, feminine look.
Pink is the colour of the moment, and coquette beauty is the latest trend to embrace the shade.
Following the Barbiecore and balletcore aesthetics, it combines hyperfemininity and romanticism with pink for a look that’s understated yet polished.
Coquette beauty 101
Think baby-pink lips, lots of blush, soft eye make-up, ballet-inspired hair, and pretty ribbons.
“The coquette make-up aesthetic embraces a delicate and whimsical charm, showcasing pastel tones, luminous skin and subtle pops of colour,” Revlon national education manager Nica Marcello explains.
“It’s characterised by a flirtatious and playful style featuring soft, rosy cheeks; fluttery lashes; and glossy lips.”
Take it slow, with a gentle nod to each element, or go as over the top as you like; just start strong with hydrating skincare, and add coloured make-up in key areas.
Who’s rocking the coquette trend?
Essentially, coquette beauty is a dive into femininity, but you can serve it with a side of power.
If you’re keen to combine girly with grit, take your cues from A-listers including Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Suki Waterhouse and Lily-Rose Depp, all seen sporting the look on the red carpet and on social media.
How to create the coquette look
Start with clean, hydrated skin
For a feminine feel, start with clean, smooth skin that’s dewy.
“The focus should be on achieving a youthful and fresh appearance through natural-looking skin and soft blush,” Nica says.
Before you put on make-up, apply a peptide moisturiser to plump and hydrate clean skin.
Then use a primer; it’s the secret to colour that stays put – choose one with a rosy tinge to lift skin tone and supercharge your glow.
Now it’s time to apply your make-up: anchor your look with a brightening foundation and highlighter before adding a cheek tint to ensure your blush literally looks like you’re blushing.
Focus on the eyes
The coquette vibe is amplified by the doe-eyed look – lashes need to be long and lush.
An easy way to achieve this is with a mascara that means business, which means selecting the blackest of blacks.
“Curl your lashes first,” Nica advises.
Don’t be afraid to add some falsies; and add eyeliner if you like, flicking it up at the ends.
For eyeshadow, opt for shimmering textures in feminine pinks, and contour the eye socket like Lily-Rose Depp’s signature style for full drama.
Finish with soft but full brows in a natural shape to ensure they support your eye make-up rather than stand out.
Plump that pout
“Apply a lip colour that complements your skin tone, opting for soft pinks, peaches or nude shades,” Nica suggests.
Regardless of which hue you choose, finish with a gloss for luxe lips that complement the coquette look without stealing the spotlight.
Style your locks
It’s not all about the hair, but your locks need to play a serious supporting act if you’re going to master coquette beauty.
Wear a sleek but voluminous ponytail and adorn it with pretty bows and cute clips, or style hair so you have soft pieces around your face.
Hot tip: head to the kids’ section for adult-friendly hair accessories.
Finally, nail it!
OPI brand partner Mikele Simone says when it comes to your nails, it’s all about being ultra-girly.
“(This means) simple nail shapes, like round or almond, in cute colours including shades of pink, soft yellows, baby blues and lilacs,” Mikele says.
Much like your locks, the key to the coquette mani lies in the sweet accessories.
Think nail art such as pearls, bows, flowers and hearts, Mikele suggests.
“Something as simple as a flower can be created easily with a nail-art dotting pen, using a contrasting shade to your base colour,” he says.
“Start by adding a small dot (the flower centre), then clean your tool and use another shade to dot petals around it.
“You can then add some pearls or gems to amplify the look.”
More beauty trends to try:
- How to rock the lavender chrome make-up trend
- Why skin tints are glowing in popularity
- Cherry cola lips are the new flavour of the month
- How to achieve stunning stained glass blush make-up
Written by Laura Wilson.
