Everything you need to know about this beauty trend
For weeks, a certain look has been trending across social media and online. This look takes the best parts of the ballet aesthetic – the dewy skin, the soft blush, and the features wrapped in subtle highlights – and elevates it to an art form. Due to its source of inspiration, this trend is known as balletcore.
In this article, we’re going to explore why the balletcore makeup look has become so popular and how you can hop on this trend to elevate your everyday look.
What is Balletcore Makeup?
At its core, balletcore makeup celebrates natural beauty and embraces soft, feminine features. The focus is on achieving a radiant complexion with subtle enhancements that enrich rather than mask the wearer’s features.
There are a few fundamentals that make up the balletcore aesthetic.
Blush
Dewy, luminous skin serves as the base canvas for this look, creating a youthful and fresh-faced appearance. From there, the next layer is blush. Unlike harsh contouring techniques, balletcore opts for soft, rosy hues of blush that mimic the natural flush of cheeks after a dance performance. This gentle touch of color adds warmth and vitality to the face, offering a soft, romantic glow that is universally flattering.
Highlights
The strategic placement of shimmering highlights on the high points of the face – such as the cheekbones, brow bones, and cupid’s bow – enhances the facial structure and creates a luminous, lit-from-within effect. The goal is to mimic the subtle gleam of stage lights against a dancer’s skin, giving the face a glowy radiance that catches the eye.
Minimalist Eyes
Another hallmark of balletcore makeup is its minimalist approach to eye makeup. Soft, neutral tones are preferred to enhance the eye’s natural shape rather than create an elaborate look. For colors, taupe, champagne, and soft pink evoke the understated elegance of ballet slippers.
Sheer, Glossy Lips
Opt for shades of pink, peach, or nude that enhance the natural color of your lips while adding a hint of shine and moisture. The result is a soft, kissable pout that complements the overall ethereal aesthetic.
Why is Balletcore So Popular?
One theory is that balletcore makeup adds a touch of drama and glamour to any outfit, irrespective of how casual it is. With so many people gravitating towards athleisure in the last few years, this makeup look is a great way to subtly enhance your features and look more pulled together without sacrificing comfort.
It effortlessly elevates a simple jeans-and-tee ensemble or adds a hint of sophistication to loungewear, making it the perfect choice for those who want to look comfortable and stylish at the same time.
How to Experiment With Balletcore Makeup
Experimenting with balletcore makeup is a fun way to enhance your style without much effort. You probably don’t even need to buy anything new – most balletcore makeup looks use neutrals and basics you probably already have in your kit.
Here are a few tips on how to get started.
Focus on achieving a luminous base using a hydrating primer, lightweight foundation, or tinted moisturizer. Once you’ve got this look down, you can experiment with layering different looks for your eyes and lips over top.
Start by changing one aspect of your look to one that’s more in line with the balletcore style. If you prefer a darker lip, transition to glossier, lighter shades. Experiment with pinker blushes, or swap to a more neutral eyeshadow palette.
Learn how to strategically place highlighter on the high points of your face, such as the brow bones or the apples of the cheeks. Tutorials can help you perfect this technique.
