A lot has gone down in 2025. We’ve loved, we’ve lost and, arguably, most importantly, we’ve gotten fly. 2025 has been filled with many ups and downs, with the ratio shifting depending on the season. Such is life. Through it all, though, our fits have carried us and given us something to look forward to in the bleakest of times. Popping out is the unofficial antidote to Monday blues or mid-week slumps. Our proveriable light at the end of the tunnel this year wasn’t really a light as much as it was a fire fit. And of course a face beat to match, duh.
From first dates and promotions to concerts and conventions, getting dressed up is one of the most reliable ways to turn any night around. Trends were a big part of our lives this year. From inky black grills to barely there eyebrows. 2025 saw many trends come and go.
Below, we have compiled a list of the top fashion and beauty trends that defined 2025.
Blonde Eyebrows
2025 was the year of bold makeup looks for Black women. It was as if some sort of invisible shield was lifted, and everywhere we felt emboldened to experiment with our looks. First on the docket: Blonde eyebrows. There is something so effervescently cool about bleached eyebrows. From full-beat truthers to fresh-faced baddies, blonde brows were the go-to method for elevating any look into sexy grunge territory — the best place to be.
Pigmented Pink Blush
To say Ngozi Esther Edeme, best known as Painted by Esther, changed the makeup game forever with her ombréd blush technique would be the understatement of the century. In the same way Beyoncé changed the game with that digital drop, Painted by Esther permanently altered the blush placement zeitgeist. From Love Island’s Olandria to Kelly Rowland, this blissful blush look found its way on some of our favorite faces this year. It’s no longer enough to put a few dots on the apples of your cheeks — blush is now a full face affair, and we’re all better for it.
@paintedbyesther Barbie girl glam on The Barbie @x_Olan Press days in NYC #fyp #olandria #paintedbyesther ♬ Barbie Girl – Aqua
Ombré Purple Lips
For the first time ever, the nude lip and brown liner combo has found itself a worthy rival: The mauvey, purple lip combo. From Tems to Lori Harvey, purple-licious lips have been taking over. Pinky nude lips? Your days might just be numbered.
@f0lake it is tea tho icl @maccosmetics @NYX Professional Makeup @Fenty Beauty @Ulta Beauty ♬ original sound – folake aina
Braided Cornrow Bob
From the heart of Nollywood straight to the heads of baddies everywhere, this braided bob has been dominating the Black hair scene with stitch-like precision. Pun intended. The look is the perfect follow-up to the YOTFAB: Year of the F*ck A** Bob. It has all of the unmitigated chicness of a bob without the hassle of frizz-pone leave out: The best of both worlds.
@blackbeautybombshells Bob Fulani braids with a flip curl sew in aka the Tyla braided bob. A full detailed step by step post with hair recs and product details is up on our blog. #fulanisewin #flipcurls #fulanibraids #tylabob #cornrowstyles ♬ son original – SpeedupFr 
Honey Brown Hair
Summer 2025 saw many color-based hair trends come and go. But perhaps the most iconic has been the honey brown color that made its rounds through all of the Black girl “It” hairstyles, including knotless braids, sew-ins and silk presses. It’s no longer blonde, not yet brown, but somehow it’s the perfect in-between hue for deeper skin tones of all variations.
@ajerrrrrrrr is it giving justine?? #fyp #pinterest #recreation #makeup #justineskye #brownskinmakeup #fypシ #blackgirlmakeup #viral ♬ Paris – The Brazilians of Bossa Nova
Closure Behind the Hairline
Closures are nothing new. But this year, we witnessed a game-changing approach that changed the extension method forever: Putting the closure behind the hairline. This technique allows for a more seamless blend while ensuring your leave-out isn’t getting fried off regularly.
@waydaposts Closure behind hairline tutorial #jayda ♬ Putting Ya Dine – Monaleo
Side Braids With a Quick Weave
Remember that era when everyone was shaving off one side of their head? Well, meet its less-committal little sister — the half-braided fohawk. By and large, the 2000’s revival bulldozed its way through 2025, and this hybrid hairstyle largely led the charge a top the heads of all the baddies out there.
@fatherchidera @leshabeeeeee on the hair #cassiebraids #sidepartquickweave #fypシ ♬ original sound – D5
Blacked-Out Grills
Grills have been a cultural mainstay within Black hip-hop culture since the very beginning. Over the years, the practice has ebbed and flowed, taking on new forms such as tooth gems, fangz, and now blacked-out grillz have entered the chat. Inspired by “Ohaguro,” the Japanese process of blackening the teeth, blacked-out grills are climbing the edgy ranks of teeth-related accessories.
@flomillishit feeling like Flo Jackson
Double-Layered Shirts
Want to make a simple shirt better? Put another shirt on top of it. Whether it be a simple white tee or a vintage band shirt, putting a t-shirt on top of a long-sleeved shirt is one of the easiest ways to make a comfy look all the more snazzy and this year the fly girls and guys made this trend all their own. Who knew we’d be jacking aughts-era garage band steez in 2025?
@chelseaj0rdan My favorite kinda tee @EB Denim ♬ How Unlucky Can One Man Be – Magic Slim & Nick Holt & The Teardrops
Vintage Louis Vuitton
Vintage Louis has always been in. But this year, Louis Vuitton’s iconic Takashi Murakami collaboration turned 20, and to celebrate the luxury maison released a collection of Murakami re-editions. As such, the luxury purse market was overcome with a wave of nostalgia that manifested as an uptick in interest in old school LV classics like Stephen Sprouse’s graffiti collab and mini cherry-covered Speedy bags as far as the eye can see.
@shannonchanelnotsocluess Louis Vuitton x Stephen Sprouse Graffiti collection #fyp #foryoupage #louisvuittonstephensprousegraffiti #louisvuitton #japaneseebay #tokyo #japan #bagcollector #graffiti #pursetok #LV #Fyp ♬ hit different higher – user98934302016
Puma Avanti and Speedcat
Rihanna’s stylistic reign has ushered in many trends, but perhaps her biggest triumph has been helping Puma reclaim its throne as a major player in the footwear game. This year in particular saw the Fenty Avanti and the Puma Speedcat climb the ranks as a must-have sneaker. Comfort lovers rejoice! Casual sneakers are in — in a very big way. Thanks, Rih Rih.
Isabel Marant Sneaker Wedges
Isabel Marant, you will always be famous, at least if the fashion killas out there have anything to say about it. 2025 saw Isabel Marant wedge sneakers, both the Bekett and the Balskee, come back in a major way that honestly rivals the wedge sneaker’s 2010s-era peak. In doing so, the iconic sneaker even earned a few dupes in its journey back to the main stage.
Tabi Toe Shoes
The Tabi Swindler story might have happened in 2023, but the Tabi takeover has extended well into 2025. Probably one of the biggest indicators of the shoe’s success, beyond being Zendaya’s go-to weird little shoe, is the dupe-ificiation of Maison Margiela’s Tabi ballet flat. Have you even made it as an It Shoe until you land on Mr. Madden’s mood board?
