The fight between generations has moved from the kind of jeans we wear. How we do our hair to what we put on our faces. The latest thing people are arguing about is Full-Coverage Matte Foundation.
For a time the way people looked on Instagram was the standard for beauty. This look had a lot of contour, concealer and a matte finish. Millennials and people who became famous on the internet in the 2010s liked this look.. Now Gen Z is talking and they say the heavy look is not cool anymore.
The Change: From Heavy Makeup to Natural Skin
The problem is that these two generations see skin in ways.
- The Way Millennials Think About Beauty: For Millennials makeup was about looking perfect. They used a lot of powder and full-coverage products to hide every flaw. This look was good for taking pictures with lights.
- The Way Gen Z Thinks About Beauty: Gen Z likes the idea of Skinimalism and the Clean Girl look. To them it is bad if you can see foundation on your skin. They like the idea of Glass Skin, which’s very dewy and shiny. They get this look by using skin tints, serums and highlighters.
Why Millennials Are Fighting Back
Gen Z saying that full-coverage foundation is bad has made a lot of Millennials angry. They are arguing about it on TikTok and Reels. Millennials are mad for some reasons:
- Dealing With Acne: Millennials say that the Gen Z trend of using moisturizer only works if you have perfect skin to start with. If you have acne or scars skin tints do not work.
- How Skin Looks: As we get older our skin can get lines and texture. Products that make your skin look dewy can make these problems worse. A soft matte foundation can help make your skin look smoother.
- Making It Last: Many people who work in offices find that the Gen Z glow looks like grease after a hours. Matte formulas stay on your skin longer.
Finding A Middle Ground
Even though there is a fight people are finding a way to compromise. Makeup artists are starting to use a technique called Underpainting. This is when you put contour and concealer under a thin layer of foundation.
This way Millennials can still get the coverage they want. Gen Z can get the natural glow they like. It is a way to take care of your skin and still hide flaws.
The Picture: Trends Come And Go
This is not just about makeup. It is about how fast trends change. Millennials were the people to grow up with the internet and now they are finding out that their tastes are not cool anymore.
Gen Z does not like the heavy foundation look because it reminds them of the filtered pictures from the 2010s. They want a natural look even if it takes a lot of work to get it.
Is The Matte Look Over?
Gen Z might say that the heavy foundation look is bad but the beauty companies are telling a different story. People are still buying long-wear foundations. The formulas are changing. Now we have Serum Foundations, which’re products that give you the coverage you want and the natural finish that Gen Z likes.
The Verdict: You do not have to throw your powder yet.. If you want to be trendy you might want to switch to a soft-focus finish.
Which side are you, on? Do you like the Matte look or the Dewy look?