Whether you are a Baby Bloomer, Generation X, Millennial or Gen Z exploring your definition of fashion, you can never miss an eye-catching beauty trend. 

From glossy lips, to afro hair, to big earrings and the popular cat eye trend, these trendy looks would always give a fashion statement, irrespective of the year the trend started. With the influence of social media, the term ‘beauty’ has evolved over the years. Beauty standards keep changing, and fashion keeps evolving. Among all these beauty trends, we have to give it to our veteran Nollywood actresses and their striking beauty trends.

Since the beginning of time, African beauty trends have always been respected worldwide. From our skin complexion, to the texture of our hair, foreigners have always been in awe, especially about Nigeria. We are known to stand out wherever we go. According to Sagaci Research, 96% of young women, aged 18-25, surveyed in Nigeria believe it is important that they look good in public. Over 60% said they spend a lot of time and money to look good, however, only 59% considered themselves to have a regular daily skincare routine.

If you look down in our history, you cannot miss the fact that our beauty trends were influenced by notable nollywood actresses of our time. These trends have been made popular on TikTok by Gen Zs. From the likes of Genevive Nnaji, to Omotola Lalande and Oge Okoye, they have all influenced popular beauty trends in Nigeria, and Africa at Large.

Eucharia Anunobi

Who doesn’t love some arched brows! Eucharia is truly a trend setter. She gave us stunning looks when it came to her beauty. Her eyebrows, lip combinations and several hairstyles were always different and sparked attention. She always got the town talking, especially about her high arched brows. She made it perfectly normal to arch your brows in black or burgundy, and slay! And let’s give it to her movie characters. She sure wasn’t the one to mess with. Today, anyone spotted with arched brows would always make us remember Eucharia Anunobi. A notable public figure that loves and is seen with this beauty trend is singer and songwriter, Tems.

Genevive Nnaji

There is a reason Genevive is still well respected in the industry. She has a stunning natural beauty! Genevive gave us lots of nude glams in her time, from nude lips to thin brows, and afro hair looks, she was a trendsetter way ahead of her time. She was one of the many actresses that showed us we didn’t need a light foundation to look more beautiful, and less is perfectly okay. She was known for her black lip liners and glossy lips, and this trend is still popular to this day.

Clarion Chukwura

You know the term “Announcing your entrance before you arrive?”, THAT is Clarion. Her trendy eyeshadow game always made her stand out in public. Back then, bold lips and bright eyeshadow was a popular trend, and you bet Clarion had an influence in it. She was known for bright colors on her eyes and lips, and she made using two different colors on the lips and eyes look beautiful. To top it all, her looks made her excel better in her movie characters. 

Rita Dominic

Who doesn’t love jerry curls or curly ponytails! Rita Dominic was truly a trend setter with this hair. Can you remember a time when Rita was without curly hair, bold lip and smokey eyes? Because I can't. Rita set the pace for many youngsters, and lots of creators love to recreate her looks on TikTok!

Nkiru Sylvanus

Nkiru taught us your hair doesn’t have to be natural to be accepted. She was always seen with her relaxed hair and hairstyles in movies, not to mention her lined lips and natural makeup. With Nkiru, less is truly more.

Stella Damascus

If you watch Stella’s movies, you would notice she’s the only one with Ombre lips. Pink & purple Ombre lips were her trademark, and you can often spot her with that signature lip combo today. Whether she’s picking a fight with Patience Ozokwo, or conniving with Ebube Nwagbo or gisting with Oge Okoye, you can always spot her two toned lips.

She was also one of the popular actresses that picked up the jerry curl trend.

Chinyere Wilfred

You can’t talk about Nollywood fashion and beauty without mentioning Chinyere Wilfred. She was one of the many actresses that promoted afro hairstyles and arched brows. There isn’t a movie of Chinyere where you can’t spot her with her Afro hair, lined lips and arched brows. When messing around with Euchari Anunobi, or having a quarrel with Patience Ozokwo, or hanging out with Ngozi Nwosu, she is always spotted with her signature look, even to this day. A notable public figure who cannot be seen with an afro or full hair is the popular singer, songwriter and actress, Omawunmi.

Dakore Akande-Egbuson

Dakore was the ultimate trendsetter in Nollywood. She made dreadlocks trendy and beautiful. Back in the days, if you were seen with dreadlocks, you would be seen as unclean, dirty and rough. Dakore made locks look sexy and beautiful, coupled with her thin brows, overlined lips and eye catchy jewelry. The fabulous dreadlocks gave her a special and unique look and was one of the many things admired about her.

Patience Ozokwo

Mama G herself. If you are looking for diversification, you are talking about Mama G. She made sure she tapped into every trend there was, and looked good in it. She also had her own ways of mixing different styles and beauty trends together. From the bold and glossy lips, to afro hair, weave ons and jerry curls, Mama G was spotted in all of them.

These notable beauty trends inspired many youngsters in the past and present. Many people love to imitate their beauty trends, movie characters and fashion trends to this day, and this is enough proof that trends never die.