Talking point
There’s always a twinkle in beauty’s eye. Here is what some of GH’s favourite experts say we could be seeing in the months and years to come
Mist-on makeup
‘Whatever the next big thing is in makeup, it will be a massive jump,’ says makeup artist Lisa Eldridge, founder of her eponymous brand. ‘I can imagine a spray that gives you a second-skin foundation, or completely does your makeup for you. Airbrush makeup technology is not quite there yet – it didn’t take off, because the product attached to the lashes and facial hairs. What it needs is a “smart” molecule; something with brains that knows exactly where it’s supposed to stick. I can imagine waking up in the morning, misting something over your skin and your face is on. It will happen.’
The new frontier
‘In a few decades’ time, we could see nano-swimmers – tiny robots that travel through your bloodstream – delivering skincare ingredients to targeted sites,’ says cosmetic biochemist Nausheen Qureshi. ‘These are currently being explored for medical purposes, but the same could extend to cosmetics; targeting hair follicles with ingredients that treat hair loss, for example, or skin cells with ingredients needed to treat specific conditions such as acne and pigmentation.’
Inner resources
‘What’s really exciting is the potential of ‘regenerative medicine’ – using substances from our own bodies to regenerate skin or improve hair growth,’ says Alice Hart-Davis, founder of The Tweakments Guide (thetweakmentsguide.com). ‘Although they’re expensive, procedures such as taking a vial of blood from your arm, extracting the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and reinjecting it in your face, or taking fat from your thighs, extracting a broth of stem cells and using those where needed, are becoming increasingly common. In a future wildest-dreams scenario, we’ll be able to use our own stem cells and exosomes (the signalling molecules in our cells) to rebuild facial muscle and fat pads, to restore hair growth and colour, and even revive ageing joints.’
Conscious consumerism
‘We’ll continue to double down with our intention to “vote” with our wallets, to influence positive change and to support brands that enable this,’ says Alexia Inge, co-founder of Cult Beauty. ‘I can also see the beginning of a huge “buy British” movement as the pound continues to splutter and supply chains dawdle. A new generation of shoppers will embrace the values of the wartime generation, too. Make do and mend, buy once and well, use to the end or swap with a friend, all leading to simplified routines with fewer products used.’
Smart services
‘Hair salons are where we’ll see huge transformation,’ predicts Millie Kendall OBE, CEO of the British Beauty Council. ‘The rise of GH
