The red nails theory, niacinamide, preppy aesthetic and how to optimise make-up for a flattering passport photo – what do these all have in common?
They are among the most searched for beauty-related terms and phrases in the US on Google in 2022.
The search engine’s Year in Search 2022 report analysed billions of queries to discover what people were most curious about this year.
It covers all categories, from beauty, nails and hair, to TV, people and news events.
This year’s list focused on growth rather than overall search volume, with the data based on searches that had a high spike in traffic over the course of 2022 compared to 2021.
Video sharing platform TikTok’s influence on search terms is undeniable.
Many of Google’s top trends in nails and beauty have originated from the social space.
@GirlBossTown was among the TikTok creators who gave red manis a new lease of life earlier this year.
They brought the ‘red nail theory’ – a connection between wearing red nail polish and receiving more attention than normal – to light, causing a resurgence in this classic look.
The ‘red nail theory’ exploded on TikTok this year
Model and Rhode Skin founder, Hailey Bieber, has also influenced search terms for the nail category this year.
Several of her nail looks went viral, from glazed doughnut and neom chrome to high-shine.
An increased appetite for dark and gothic beauty is also apparent from Google’s data, with dark lip liner, crying make-up and Stranger Things aesthetic being among the most searched for trends.
Comparatively, the clean girl look continues to dominate the beauty world, with the style being the second most searched for aesthetic trend underneath the preppy make-up style.
Searches on niacinamide, retinoids and hyaluronic acids were also popular with the US population, particularly on how to add the powerful skin care ingredients to their moisturising routine.
For a more in depth look at each category, check out the full lists below.
Top trending Google beauty searches in the US:
Make-up:
- Passport make-up trend
- Addison Rae lip gloss trend
- White dot trend
- Invisible eyeliner trend
- Douyin blush trend
- Doe eyes trend
- Tired eyes trend
- Crying make-up trend
- Under eyeshadow trend
- Dark lip liner trend.
Skin care questions:
- What skin care products should not be refrigerated?
- How to add niacinamide to skin care routine?
- What is BHT in skin care?
- What is niacinamide in skin care?
- How long does skin care last?
- What is slugging?
- What is niacinamide good for?
- What is BHA?
- What does retinol do for your skin?
- Is hyaluronic acid safe for pregnancy?
Nails:
- Hailey Bieber nails
- Red nail theory
- Milky nails
- Half moon nails
- Chrome nails
- Pink coffin nails
- Euphoria nails
- Chocolate glazed donut nails
- Mardi gras nails
- Pink french tip nails.
Aesthetics:
- Preppy aesthetic
- Clean girl aesthetic
- Coquette aesthetic
- Summer aesthetic
- Downtown girl aesthetic
- Spring aesthetic
- Dark brown aesthetic
- Old money aesthetic
- Hazel aesthetic
- Stranger Things aesthetic.
Celebrity hair trends:
- Jada Pinkett Smith
- Dixie D’Amelio
- Brandon Marsh
- Jason Momoa
- Jimmy Butler
- Summer Walker
- Brooks Koepka
- Crystal Gayle
- Karol G
- Teresa Giudice wedding.
Read more:
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- 6 beauty trends that are here to stay in 2023
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