# Cosmetic Play Modern fashionistas crave a more playful take on aesthetics. By [Armida Ascano](https://www.trendhunter.com/Armida), Chief Insights Officer | Published May 6, 2013 | Category: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/style-and-fashion-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/cosmetic-play ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.3/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Cosmetic Play trend? **Cosmetic Play:** The fashion and beauty industry is based on fearlessness and the ability to experiment; fashionistas who know this are constantly seeking ways to play with their look. Adding an unabashedly playful element to cosmetics suits this bold attitude toward aesthetic adornment perfectly. Just like in the world of beauty, companies that don't take themselves too seriously and experiment with branding will remain conspicuous in a crowd. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Nov 6, 2012 to Apr 2, 2013 - Published: May 6, 2013 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness) ## Audience - Gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Asia ## Themes within the Cosmetic Play trend ### Playful and Bold Aesthetic Cosmetics and fashion brands are adding an unabashedly playful element to their branding to cater to the bold attitude toward aesthetic adornment present in modern fashionistas, thus creating disruptive innovation opportunities through unique product designs and new branding strategies. ### Nostalgia-Inspired Packaging The rise of retro-inspired makeup packaging tackles nostalgia successfully, appealing to a wide demographic craving the experiences of bygone eras, presenting a disruptive innovation opportunity for brands seeking to revive vintage designs. ### Sweets-Inspired Cosmetics Line Cosmetic brands are incorporating sweet treats into their product concepts, creating unique color palettes and aromas, providing consumers with an immersive and delightful aesthetic experience, presenting an opportunity for brands to introduce exciting new products inspired by different desserts. ## What the Cosmetic Play trend means for industry ### For Beauty Industry From cosmetics to nail art, the beauty industry has been heavily influenced by trends that revamp products to include more playful and bold aesthetics and packaging. ### For Fashion Industry Fashionistas and trendsetters are influencing the beauty industry in response to their bold, fearlessness and restless nature by looking for ways to play and experiment with their aesthetic look. ### For Food and Beverage Industry Sweets-inspired cosmetics have an interesting cross-section where the food and beverage industry converge with the beauty industry to introduce unique product concepts and designs. ## Trend signals for Cosmetic Play Trend score 4.3 out of 10, from popularity 66%, activity 54%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 66% - Activity: 54% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Cosmetic Play trend 6 featured examples from Nov 6, 2012 to Apr 2, 2013. - [Blackboard Nail Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chalkboard-manicure): The Chalkboard Manicure is Ciaté's Latest Novelty Wow Kit (Category: Fashion) Implication: The beauty industry can benefit from the innovation in nail kits, offering consumers new and creative options for nail design. - [Dessert-Inspired Cosmetic Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/etude-house-sweet-recipe): The Etude House Sweet Recipe Collection is Delicious (Category: Marketing) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity for the cosmetics industry to create unique product lines inspired by desserts, enhancing customer appeal and creating a unique selling propositi… - [Vibrant Feline Cosmetic Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sephora-hello-kitty): The Sephora Hello Kitty Collection is Charming (Category: Fashion) Implication: The Sephora Hello Kitty collection highlights the disruptive innovation opportunities within the cosmetics industry, as brands can leverage popular characters or collaborate with… - [Festive Manicure Calendars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holiday-cosmetic-sets): The Ciaté 'Mini Mani' Set is the Dream Holiday Cosmetic Set (Category: Fashion) Implication: Beauty companies can take advantage of holiday nail polish collections and advent calendars to offer unique holiday gift options that appeal to a wide range of customers. - [Retro Music Makeup Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manic-panic-cassette-eyeshadow): The Manic Panic Cassette Eye-Shadow Compact is 80s Punk (Category: Fashion) Implication: Beauty brands could create retro-themed packaging to appeal to nostalgic consumers and differentiate themselves. - [Crimson Cosmetic Crayons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glamorous-red-lipstick): Kate Spade's 'Colorful Lipstick Crayons' Unveils a Glamorous Red Lipstick (Category: Fashion) Implication: Cosmetic companies can explore opportunities to innovate traditional lipstick formulas and packaging designs to create more precise and unique products. ## Recent trend clusters - [Aromatic Utility](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/aromatic-utility) (Fashion) - [Channel Blending](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/channel-blending) (Fashion) - [Aromatic Bodycare](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/aromatic-bodycare) (Fashion) - [Smile Cosmetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/smile-cosmetics) (Fashion) ## Trending in Fashion - [Fruit-Inspired Digital Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/themed-wristwatches) - [Athlete Beauty Ambassadorships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athlete-beauty-ambassadorships) - [Elegant Bookbinding-Inspired Shoulder Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boky-bag) - [’90s-Inspired Fall Essentials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quince-and-jason-bolden) All articles: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion)