“South African beauty coverage is highlighting a return to expressive makeup, with cool-toned smoky eyes, generously applied blush and metallic gold emerging as key looks for the new season. Media personality Ayanda G Thabethe also shares her beauty preferences, emphasising personal confidence, practical makeup essentials and a skincare routine that includes double cleansing.”
The Return of Bold Beauty: How 1990s Makeup, Sculpted Blush and Metallic Gold Are Shaping South Africa’s New-Season Looks
South Africa’s beauty conversation is embracing a more expressive approach to makeup, with nostalgic influences, statement colours and creative techniques bringing renewed energy to seasonal beauty trends. Recent coverage by Sowetan, published on 8 October 2026, highlights a collection of looks that move away from understated minimalism towards makeup that celebrates individuality, experimentation and personal style. The featured trends include cool-toned eyeshadow, sculptural blush and metallic gold accents, while media personality Ayanda G Thabethe offers insight into the products and routines that help her feel confident.
The developments reflect the continuing relationship between international runway inspiration, celebrity beauty culture and the preferences of South African consumers. Although global trends frequently influence makeup collections and social media tutorials, their interpretation locally allows individuals to adapt colours, textures and techniques to their own skin tones, lifestyles and budgets.
1990s nostalgia brings cool-toned makeup back into focus
One of the prominent trends highlighted in the report is the return of 1990s-inspired cool-toned makeup. Charcoal, blue-grey and gunmetal shades are gaining attention as alternatives to warmer eyeshadow palettes and softer, barely visible eye looks.
The contemporary interpretation places greater emphasis on diffused smokiness and matte finishes. Rather than relying exclusively on dramatic black eyeshadow, makeup enthusiasts can combine grey tones, muted metallics and carefully blended edges to create definition without making the overall look feel excessively heavy.
This revival demonstrates how beauty trends can return without simply repeating their original forms. Modern formulations, improved blending tools and different application techniques allow familiar colours to be used in more adaptable ways.
For everyday wear, a subtle grey wash across the eyelid can provide understated definition. For evening occasions, deeper charcoal shades, eyeliner and layered shadows can create a more dramatic effect. The same palette can therefore serve consumers looking for both practical daytime makeup and statement looks for celebrations, fashion events and nightlife.
South African beauty retailers and independent makeup artists can draw on this renewed interest by demonstrating how cool-toned colours work across different complexions. Product education is particularly valuable for consumers who may associate grey or blue-based shades with difficult application or outdated styles.
Sculpted blush gives cheeks a stronger visual presence
Another important trend is the continued popularity of generously applied blush. According to the Sowetan report, blush is being used to create visible structure and colour, extending beyond the traditional placement on the apples of the cheeks.
This technique allows blush to become a central element of a makeup look rather than simply a finishing touch. By blending colour upwards towards the temples, across the cheekbones or lightly over the nose, users can create a cohesive appearance that connects different areas of the face.
Cream, liquid and powder blush products each offer different results. Cream and liquid formulations can provide a dewy finish, while powders allow more controlled layering and may appeal to people who prefer a softer or more matte appearance.
However, the most effective application depends on individual preference, skin preparation and product compatibility. Strong colour does not necessarily require heavy coverage. Gradual application and careful blending can help users achieve definition while retaining a natural-looking finish.
For local beauty businesses, this trend presents an opportunity to create accessible demonstrations showing how to select blush shades, build colour gradually and adapt placement to different desired effects. These tutorials can also help consumers use products they already own instead of feeling pressured to purchase every new launch.
Metallic gold transforms makeup into creative expression
Metallic gold is another standout direction identified in the recent coverage. The colour has appeared in different interpretations, from golden eyelids and reflective lips to delicate accents around the eyes.
Gold offers considerable versatility because it can be incorporated into understated makeup or used as a dramatic focal point. A small amount of champagne shimmer near the inner corners of the eyes can brighten a look, while a more saturated metallic finish can create a statement suitable for an evening event or fashion editorial.
The trend also demonstrates how makeup can move beyond conventional ideas of enhancement. Metallic pigments, graphic eyeliner and reflective finishes can be used as artistic elements, allowing people to experiment with their appearance rather than simply attempting to conceal imperfections.
For South African consumers, adapting gold makeup to personal style can be more important than copying a runway look exactly. Some may prefer soft bronze-gold tones, while others might choose brighter yellow-gold pigments or sharply defined metallic lines.
Product choice and application remain important. Eye products should be specifically intended for use around the eyes, and users should follow manufacturers’ safety guidance. Glitter or pigments not approved for the eye area should not be applied there.
Ayanda G Thabethe highlights confidence and personal style
Celebrity influence remains a significant part of beauty culture because public figures offer audiences visible examples of how trends can be interpreted. In its October 8 report, Sowetan features media personality Ayanda G Thabethe discussing her approach to makeup, her preferred essentials and the styles she enjoys.
Thabethe describes a look influenced by the attitude of early-2000s Rihanna, including a side fringe and an edgier aesthetic. Her comments reflect a broader principle in contemporary beauty: inspiration can come from another person’s appearance without requiring a complete imitation.
The influence of celebrities, musicians and makeup artists is particularly visible across social media, where tutorials, event photographs and product recommendations circulate rapidly. However, consumers increasingly have many ways to adapt these influences according to their personal tastes.
A dramatic eye, a statement lip or a distinctive hairstyle can become an expression of identity. The value of a trend therefore lies not only in its popularity but also in how individuals make it their own.
Celebrity beauty routines can also encourage useful conversations about preparation, product hygiene and realistic expectations. Professional makeup often involves specialist lighting, photography and experienced artists, so recreating a finished look at home may require adjustments.
Everyday beauty essentials remain important
Despite the attention surrounding statement makeup, practical products remain central to many routines. Thabethe identifies lip gloss, mascara and powder among the essentials she carries for touch-ups.
These products address different needs. Lip gloss adds shine and can refresh a makeup look quickly. Mascara helps define the lashes, while powder can reduce visible shine where desired.
Their popularity illustrates why beauty routines often combine experimentation with familiar essentials. Someone may try a new metallic eyeshadow or blush technique while continuing to rely on the same everyday products.
Consumers can build a useful makeup kit by considering their daily activities rather than purchasing a large number of products. A compact selection of versatile items may be more practical than a collection of products that are rarely used.
Application tools also deserve attention. Clean brushes and applicators can help improve application and reduce the transfer of unwanted residue. Sharing eye and lip products should be approached cautiously, particularly when direct contact with skin or mucous membranes occurs.
Skincare preparation remains part of the beauty conversation
Makeup trends frequently attract attention, but skin preparation continues to play an important role in how products sit and wear. Thabethe discusses double cleansing and her preference for using her own brushes during professional makeup sessions.
Double cleansing generally involves using an initial cleanser suited to removing makeup or sunscreen, followed by a cleanser intended to remove remaining residue. Whether this approach is necessary depends on the products used, the individual’s skin and the effectiveness of a single cleansing step.
A simple routine may be sufficient for some people. Others who regularly wear long-wearing makeup or water-resistant sunscreen may find an additional cleansing step useful. Products should be chosen according to individual tolerance, and cleansing should not leave the skin feeling painfully dry or irritated.
A balanced routine can also include moisturising and daytime sun protection. Introducing multiple new skincare products simultaneously may make it harder to identify the cause of irritation if a reaction develops.
Beauty messaging is most helpful when it recognises that healthy-looking skin does not require an elaborate routine or expensive products. Consistency, appropriate product selection and attention to individual needs are often more useful than following every new trend.
The clean-girl aesthetic and the appeal of bolder looks
Thabethe also expresses a preference for more dramatic beauty aesthetics over the clean-girl look. Her comments reflect the diversity of current beauty preferences rather than establishing that one approach is universally replacing another.
Minimal makeup and bold glamour can coexist because they serve different occasions, preferences and creative goals. Some consumers enjoy a restrained complexion with subtle colour, while others prefer defined eyes, sculpted cheeks and noticeable lip products.
The contrast creates opportunities for makeup artists and beauty brands to offer a broader range of looks. Instead of presenting trends as strict rules, tutorials can demonstrate how to move between understated and dramatic styles using similar products.
For younger consumers discovering makeup, this flexibility may be particularly valuable. Learning basic blending, colour selection and product hygiene can provide a foundation for experimenting confidently without treating any particular aesthetic as compulsory.
Opportunities for South Africa’s beauty businesses
The renewed attention surrounding expressive makeup offers opportunities for local retailers, salons, independent makeup artists and beauty creators. The trends highlighted in the October report can inspire product demonstrations, seasonal collections, editorial shoots and educational content tailored to South African audiences.
Retailers can organise displays around practical themes, such as cool-toned eyes, statement blush and metallic finishes. Makeup artists can offer demonstrations that show how a single palette can create several looks, helping clients understand the versatility of their purchases.
Digital creators can also explain techniques through short videos, including blending smoky shadows, applying blush gradually and adding metallic accents safely. Such content can make professional-looking techniques more approachable while encouraging informed purchasing decisions.
Affordability is another important consideration. Consumers do not need to purchase luxury products to experiment with a trend. A carefully selected eyeshadow, a versatile blush and a suitable lip product can provide several combinations, depending on their quality and compatibility.
Local businesses can strengthen their relevance by presenting a range of products at different price points and providing clear information about ingredients, usage and suitability.
Conclusion: A more expressive season for beauty
South Africa’s latest reported beauty trends point towards a season in which nostalgia, bold colour and individual creativity share the spotlight. The return of cool-toned 1990s makeup, sculpted blush and metallic gold offers consumers several ways to experiment, while Ayanda G Thabethe’s insights reinforce the importance of personal confidence and practical beauty routines.
The wider opportunity lies in adapting these influences to individual needs rather than treating every trend as a requirement. Consumers can explore dramatic makeup while maintaining sensible skincare habits, choosing suitable products and respecting their budgets.
For South African beauty businesses, the moment offers opportunities to combine trend-led inspiration with useful education, accessible products and locally relevant creativity. Ultimately, the strongest beauty trends are not necessarily those that everyone copies, but those that give people the confidence to express themselves in ways that feel authentic.
