The insights, based on global search spikes, show Gen Z driving demand for nostalgic throwbacks and experimental innovations in equal measure.
From smudged-out 1990s-inspired grunge make-up to pixie cuts straight out of the Y2K playbook, Pinterest users are reviving old-school styles with modern, wearable twists.
At the same time, interest in biotech and marine-inspired skin care is surging, alongside fragrance rituals centred on indulgent seasonal layering.
For beauty brands, the report highlights how digital inspiration is translating directly into real-world choices – and what consumers will be applying, wearing and spritzing as autumn arrives.
Grunge make-up returns with a Gen Z twist
Searches for ‘clean grunge make-up’ have surged by 652%, with interest in softer takes on the look, such as ‘natural grunge make-up’ (+368%) and ‘2000s grunge make-up’ (+197%) also on the rise.
The trend channels the smudged liners, brown tones and effortless imperfection of the 1990s and early Y2K eras, but with a wearable, contemporary twist.
1990s pixie cuts dominate autumn hair trends
Hair is also seeing a nostalgic revival as the pixie cut – a ’90s beauty mainstay – has re-emerged as a major Gen Z style, with searches for ‘asymmetrical pixie bob’ up 1,119% and ‘chic pixie’ up 2,435%.
Short, choppy cuts are being positioned as low-maintenance yet high-style, making them particularly appealing for consumers craving statement looks that remain easy to wear day to day.
Polka-dot nails blur beauty and fashion
Pinterest’s data also highlights how beauty often mirrors wider fashion movements.
Alongside a 1,026% rise in ‘polka-dot outfits’, searches for ‘polka-dot nails’ have increased by 1,296% and ‘polka-dot French tip nails’ by 1,157%.
This crossover trend demonstrates how nail art is being used to echo or extend wardrobe choices, allowing consumers to build cohesive looks that bridge fashion and beauty.
For brands, it suggests opportunities for cross-category storytelling, from capsule nail polish collections inspired by seasonal prints to collaborative launches across fashion and beauty.
Marine-inspired skincare ingredients gain momentum
Pinterest highlights a wave of ‘sea science’ ingredients, as users look to marine-derived actives for glow-boosting benefits.
Searches for ‘salmon DNA’ treatments have jumped 623%, while K-beauty favourite “snail essence” continues to gain traction (+33%).
These ingredients are increasingly associated with skin renewal and barrier support, signalling opportunities for brands to lean into the growing appetite for biotech-inspired beauty.
Warm fragrance layering becomes a seasonal ritual
Fragrance, meanwhile, is leaning into comfort-driven layering, with warm, nostalgic notes taking centre stage.
Pinterest reports a 157% rise in ‘layering scent combos’, alongside spikes in searches for ‘vanilla scent aesthetic’ (+117%), ‘apple scent’ (+73%) and ‘caramel scent’ (+49%).
The shift reflects a consumer desire for personalised fragrance rituals that echo seasonal indulgence, blurring the line between scent and self-care.
Nostalgia meets innovation in autumn beauty
Taken together, Pinterest’s findings suggest consumers are balancing edginess with nostalgia, turning to both throwback beauty looks and innovative marine actives while embracing cosy, seasonal fragrance rituals.
For brands, this represents a dual opportunity: to reimagine past-era aesthetics for a modern audience and to harness cutting-edge ingredients that deliver visible results.
As Gen Z continues to set the agenda across beauty, fashion and lifestyle, Pinterest’s data reveals how digital inspiration boards are shaping real-world choices – offering a glimpse into what consumers will be wearing, applying and spritzing this autumn.