Body Makeup Is Making a Comeback

Vanessa Lachey at the “Love Is Blind” reunion, Lupita Nyong’o at the 2024 Oscars, Kim Kardashian on basically any red carpet — what do these women have in common? They are big fans of body makeup. Those are just a few recent examples of celebrities going the extra mile with their beauty routines. Over the years, the use of body makeup has felt like a well-kept secret, but that’s all changing.

On TikTok, popular beauty creators like Uche Natori often share their affinity for body products that add a bit of coverage or glow to the skin below the neck, and followers are taking notice.

“When I’ve got a bit of skin showing, you already know what type of time I’m on,” Natori said in a video as she applied the Patrick Ta Major Glow Balm ($50) before an event. And she’s not the only one. Hundreds of beauty lovers are sharing their tips and tricks for getting the most glowy skin possible, often opting for products that offer color, fragrance, and radiance. “People are starting to realize that especially for photos when your face makeup looks super glowy and dimensional, but the body has none of that movement, things can look a bit off,” makeup artist Gabrielle Alvarez tells PS. “If nothing else, the body needs skin prep. That step is just as essential for the body as it is for the face.”

Keep reading to learn more about the recent body makeup boom.

Why Is Body Makeup Trending?

Body makeup was particularly popular in the early aughts, and its resurgence can likely be attributed to one main factor: social media. “Taking images has become a staple in everyone’s life,” Alvarez says. “Glowy body makeup offers that healthy lit-from-within look.” Though, thankfully, the products have come a long way since the early aughts.

It seems to be a convergence of two of the most popular beauty categories right now: makeup and body care. “Makeup that covers up blemishes on the body has always been a tricky thing for the everyday consumer to find,” she says. “On top of that, most people would like for it to be innovative and easily applied. We’re now seeing brands trying to fill that hole in the industry.”

Body makeup is a fun category, as it is extremely easy for the average consumer to experiment with, using products that are likely already on hand. “If you’re looking for body makeup, I say use a liquid highlighter that you already own and mix it with your favorite body lotion,” Alvarez says. “If you prefer using powder formulas, apply them with a brush to the high points of the body after the lotion has been applied for the most luminous look.” Want body makeup that offers more coverage? Mix a few pumps of foundation with your lotion and set it with a translucent powder to cover any blemishes or to offer a more even-toned look.

One of Alvarez’s favorite body makeup products is the About-Face Light Lock Illuminating Body ($18). Our favorites are the Patrick Ta Major Glow Balm ($50), the Anastasia Beverly Hills Shimmer Body Oil ($38) for some extra glow, the Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup ($40) for coverage, and the Kosas Glow I.V. Illuminator ($38) for a mix of both.

Now that you’re fully in on the secret, whether you have a special event coming up or are just looking to take your everyday body routine up a notch, keep these tips in mind.