On March 11, 1989, a man called Tim Berners-Lee introduced the World Wide Web to, well, the world.
While the global network of computers we know as the internet was actually developed in the 60's, Berners-Lee's 'Web' is the public's way of accessing this network.
When it comes to beauty, the World Wide Web has a lot to answer for, never more so than in 2019. It has become a vital channel for the industry to connect with consumers, as more and more people become comfortable with purchasing beauty online.
Leading market intelligence agency, Mintel, predicts that beauty is experiencing a fundamental shift and is not alone in this thinking.
“I think the future of beauty will be more and more about technology, about quality, about formulation, about individualisation, about digitalisation, about responding to specific needs,” L’Oréal CEO and Chairman Jean-Paul Agon told CNBC recently. “We’re entering into a new world, and it’s going to be fascinating.”
In honour of its thirtieth birthday, BD has complied a list of golden beauty nuggets that the World Wide Web has gifted us over the years. From the funny to the fundamentally game-changing, here are some of our personal favourites.
Glossier's launch in 2014
Emily Weiss famously turned Instagram comments into beauty products. The result? Glossier: a digital-first beauty brand. It's launch in 2014 effectively spawned a generation of disruptive, Insta-born cosmetics, skincare and wellness brands run by women.
The Girl Who Burned Her Hair Off With A Curling Iron
Tori Locklear was just 13 years old when she made the viral 'hair curling' video. Since then, she's featured in memes, spin-off YouTube vids and even starred in her own Pantene ad.
Dove’s You’re More Beautiful Than You Think campaign
Dove's 2013 campaign sparked a wide range of reactions. Some viewers wept, some got angry. But whatever the opinion, the underlining message that women are often their own worst critic, is still relevant today.
Kylie Jenner’s lip challenge
How normal it seemed, in 2015, to watch teenagers insert their lips into small glass vessels, suck out the air and create a vacuum in the hope they'll end up with pouty lips like Kylie Jenner. Wonders will never cease.
Maye Musk appointed ambassador for COVERGIRL
Hiring a 69-year-old mother of an eco-entrepreneur as the face of a beauty brand was very 2017. It was also hailed as being a massive win for diversity in beauty. Insert clapping emoji.
The wildly obscure Beauty Blender replacements
In an attempt to – we're not sure – save money perhaps, the people of the World Wide Web started using some exceptionally obscure objects to apply their foundation with. There was a brick, a trainer, a sock, a spoon, a tampon, a chicken fillet and a condom. Effective? No. Entertaining? Yes.
Kat Von D eyeliner survives car accident
A 25-year-old A&E nurse who thankfully survived a car crash in June of 2017, delighted Kat Von D fans with her hospital bed selfie. Despite the neck brace, the cuts, bruises and tear-smudged mascara – her cat-eye liner had stayed firmly in place.
Kim Kardashian’s ‘vampire’ facial
Kim K is always up for an out-there beauty treatment and in 2013 she put vampire facials (using one's own blood), on the map with a single image.
Alicia Keys’ no makeup look
A 2016 photoshoot with photographer Paola Kudacki ensured a place in the Beauty Hall of Fame for Alicia Keys. The singer, who had come fresh from the gym, was persuaded to go makeup free for the now-famous press images. Since then, she's taken a number of #makeupfree photos for her Instagram page as well as appearing sans cosmetics in Vanity Fair.
Baking
While Drag Queens are most definitely credited for this makeup technique, Baking really hit the mainstream thanks to numerous YouTubers in 2016. Much like the Kylie Jenner lip challenge, it will be interesting to look back on pictures of people Baking in five years time and wonder if perhaps we had too much time on our hands.