ASCP Esty Talk – Ep 364

Should It Stay or Should It Go—2025 Beauty and Wellness Trends
Hosts: Alec Cressman & Maggie Stasik
Release Date: December 10, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Alec Cressman and Maggie Stasik invite listeners to play "Should It Stay or Should It Go?"—their annual breakdown of current and emerging beauty and wellness trends. The duo evaluates the longevity and appeal of everything from skincare routines and makeup looks to AI-powered programs and fashion statements. They offer honest, industry-savvy predictions, discuss consumer shifts, and encourage critical (and sometimes humorous) thinking about what’s real and what’s hype in the world of esthetics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fashion Trends: Barrel Jeans & The Return of Structure

• Barrel Jeans:
  • Verdict: Should go
  • Maggie dislikes them and prefers more tailored, classic cuts.
  • Alec comments: “Barrel jeans are just jeans for me. They like, fit my body perfectly.” (02:34)
  • Shift from oversized and skinny to more structured, straight, or “cigarette” pants.
• Insight: There’s a broader industry movement toward structured, tailored silhouettes for 2025.

2. Skincare: Ten-Step Routines vs. Skinimalism

• Ten-Step Facial Routine:
  • Verdict: Should go
  • Overly complicated regimens, popularized by influencers, are losing favor.
  • Maggie: “10 steps, who’s got time for that?” (03:26)
  • Alec ties the trend to influencer culture and “get ready with me” content.
• Skinimalism:
  • Rise of simplified, high-quality product routines focusing on skin health.
  • Alec notes a major consumer shift coinciding with economic realities:
    • Sales dropped from a 1:3 ratio (service:products) to 1:0.5 in early 2025.
    • Clients now buy fewer but higher-priced, multifunctional products.
  • Maggie and Alec both relate to preferring simplicity, possibly linked to personal or societal fatigue. (06:04)
• Memorable Quote:
  • Alec: “...overstimulated and I just want to keep it real simple.” (05:47)

3. Makeup & Brows: Tattooed Freckles and Over-Laminated Brows

• Tattooed Freckles:
  • Neutral attitude (“Eh, who cares? If you want to tattoo freckles on your face, do it man.” – Maggie, 06:45)
• Over-Laminated Brows:
  • Verdict: Should go
  • Moving towards a more natural, softly groomed brow.
  • Alec: “This over overly flattened or unnatural look...is receding.” (06:58)
  • Discussion about how the trend’s decline might affect brow professionals. Joking speculation about “permed” or “curly” brows as next steps (07:40).

4. Exfoliation: Scrubs and Intense At-Home Peels

• Facial Scrubs/Intense Peels:
  • Verdict: Keep scrubs for light use, intense peels at home should go.
  • Maggie: “If people are overusing and they’re using it wrong and it’s too intense for home use, get rid of it.” (08:03)
• Industry Shift:
  • People now prioritize healthy skin barriers.
  • Harsh exfoliation losing favor to gentler, barrier-protective formulations (AHA/BHA/PHAs).
  • Alec suggests focusing marketing on “barrier repair” services and language.

5. Aesthetic Vibe: The Quiet Luxury Aesthetic

• Quiet Luxury:
  • Verdict: Should go
  • Defined as minimalism with muted tones and understated expense (think: brown-on-brown looks).
  • Maggie candidly shares a fashion fail with brown onesies and feeling like the “gingerbread man.” (10:00)
• Trend Direction:
  • Moving to bolder, more personal color choices while holding onto investment staples.
  • Alec wants more individual self-expression to lead the way in 2026 and beyond.

6. Tech in Skincare: AI-Powered Dynamic Routines ("Skin Cycling 2.0")

• AI Dynamic Routines:
  • Trend: Apps that adjust daily skincare based on sensors, consultations, or personal data.
  • Maggie: “I think that this is contradicting trend number two. And we said we are getting back to the basics. We are going minimal. So this one’s out.” (12:16)
  • Alec questions the science, especially the idea of meaningful daily adjustments. Notes true skin changes take time.
• Insight:
  • Over-specialization/over-complication risks consumer confusion and irritation, especially outside the perimenopausal demographic.

7. Trends are Cyclical

• Reflections:
  • Both hosts agree that many trends are cyclical and can easily return.
  • Maggie: “Brows always wax and wane... I am certain laminated brows may return.” (13:59)
  • Alec predicts skinny jeans will come back eventually, even if out of favor right now (14:21).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On complicated routines:
  • Maggie: “10 steps, who's got time for that?” (03:26)
• On Skinimalism:
  • Alec: “The consumers are asking for simpler, more effective routines with fewer products. But those products are higher quality. And all of those are meant to focus on skin health rather than excessive layering.” (04:03)
• On personal overwhelm & beauty routines:
  • Alec: “...overstimulated and I just want to keep it real simple.” (05:47)
• The reality of consumer spending:
  • Alec: “Used to be one to three. For every $100 in services, I would sell $300 in products...February last year, it went to $50.” (04:30)
• On brown-on-brown fashion mishaps:
  • Alec: “I look the gingerbread man. Is so bad.” (11:00)
• On AI skincare:
  • Maggie: “I think that this is contradicting trend number two...So this one’s out.” (12:16)
• On trend cycles:
  • Maggie: “Brows always wax and wane...certain laminated brows may return.” (13:59)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Game Introduction: 01:43
• Barrel Jeans & Fashion Structure: 02:27–03:02
• 10-Step Facial Routine & Skinimalism: 03:18–04:30
• Consumer Spending Shift: 04:30–05:46
• Tattooed Freckles & Brows: 06:40–07:28
• Facial Scrubs & Peels: 08:03–09:27
• Quiet Luxury Aesthetic: 09:33–11:22
• AI Dynamic Routines: 11:28–12:28
• Trends are Cyclical: 13:29–14:30

Final Thoughts

Alec and Maggie provide a nuanced, witty, and well-informed review of 2025’s beauty and wellness trends, anchored in real-world client feedback and professional observations. Their verdicts encourage estheticians to focus on simplicity, skin health, and authentic self-expression rather than chasing overly complicated, algorithm-driven, or fleeting fads. The hosts remind listeners that, in beauty and wellness, what goes out today might well be back tomorrow—so keep your eyes open, your sense of humor intact, and your professional edge sharp.