While the pandemic has pushed many brands to get more comfortable with digital, Il Makiage has been ahead of the curve with its AI-driven, true-to-tone make-up options. As shopping behaviors go online, its community of micro-influencers boost the brand’s clout and buyers’ confidence.

Compared to past generations of teens, Gen Z’s aesthetic ideals are distinctly low-key, with the pursuit of an inside-out glow meaning that cosmetics purchases tend to revolve around intelligent skincare routines. So, how does make-up fit into this minimalist approach to beauty?

While social media has been associated with making people feel worse about themselves, most Britons are happy with how they look. Where aspirational beauty messaging was once the norm, brands looking to resonate with customers may be better served by championing a natural look.

As anxieties around COVID-19 have segued into a deeper and more consistent malaise, a longing for simpler times has caused some people to reshape everyday behaviours around comforting goods and long-established rituals. How is this sense of nostalgia impacting beauty and wellness habits?