The Beauty Trends of 2025 That Do (and Don’t) Work

The beauty industry moves at the speed of TikTok, serving up new “must-have” treatments faster than you can say “skincare routine.” One minute you’re slathering your face with Vaseline, the next you’re considering injecting acid into your chin. Every week, there’s a new “must-have” treatment, and social media has turned beauty into an expensive game. But on The Bad Broadcast, licensed master aesthetician and host Madi Murphy strips it all down to the essentials—no gatekeeping, no BS, just honest opinions and first-hand experience.

Whether it’s Botox, microneedling, dry brushing, or the infamous CoolSculpting, Murphy gives her unfiltered take on what beauty trends work, what’s overhyped, and what should be left in 2017 with your laminated brows. Think of this as your crash course in what’s worth your money—and what belongs in the trash.

Smash or pass—Injectables edition

Let’s start with the big ones, Botox and filler. Murphy keeps it real here—Botox and fillers are not the same. “Filler is for loss of volume…Botox is for holding the muscle still,” she says. She admits she’s a fan of Botox, saying, “It’s not changing my face shape and it’s not anything permanent.” But filler? That depends entirely on your injector. “The best injectable is undetectable,” says Murphy, quoting her go-to pro, who goes by @injectorbestie on Instagram.

Murphy explains that lip flips are actually done with Botox—not filler—and they can be great for a gummy smile. But she advises that they’re not for everyone. “Some people have trouble drinking from a straw after. Some people can’t…perform other tasks that involve your mouth around something,” she explains cheekily.

The hard no list—Kybella and CoolSculpting

If there’s a Mount Rushmore of regret, Kybella and CoolSculpting would make the cut. Murphy calls Kybella “the most physical pain I’ve ever been in” and confesses it “did jack sh*t.” As for CoolSculpting? “Biggest load of sh*t I’ve ever heard of.” She recalls how she had it done ten times while working in a spa and still saw no results. “It’s a scam,” she says. “Please don’t do it.”

So if you’re hoping for a quick fix for fat loss, let this be your wake-up call. “You cannot out-supplement or out-cool-sculpt a bad diet,” Murphy says. And as someone who’s lived it, she knows, “The best weight I ever lost was a 260-pound ex-husband.”

What’s worth it: Microneedling, dermaplaning

Regarding microneedling, Murphy’s verdict is a strong thumbs up—but only when done professionally. “It’s not super comfortable…but very effective,” especially for acne scars and stretch marks, she says. But do not do this at home. “The rollers rip your skin as they come out. It’s too big of a risk,” she warns. 

Murphy is also a fan of dermaplaning. “Completely painless,” she says, and “makeup lays on your skin really nicely.” Gua sha? “Smash.” NuFace? “It works, but not long-term.” Red light therapy? “Awesome…but you have to use it consistently.” Cold plunges? Surprisingly, yes. She says, “there is something that happens emotionally…There’s this sense of euphoria after.”

Slugging, however? It depends. Murphy says it’s great for dehydrated skin, but admits, “I would rather just use a very thick moisturizer.”

Veneers: Beauty or burden?

Murphy’s vulnerable beauty moment comes when she opens up about her veneers, which she got back in 2019, and how she’s struggled with them. “Some days I wish I had my old teeth,” she admits. “They don’t bring a unique look to my face.” Her advice is not to rush permanent decisions. “My real teeth are shaved down to little Smeagol nubs…These are permanent.”

What we’re leaving behind

Sorry to the King Kylie era. “Laminated brows? Out,” Murphy says. “Your brows are too bushy. You need thinner brows.” She says lash extensions are also a thing of the past: “They serve hardcore 2017. I haven’t seen lash extensions look good in a very long time.”

Also getting the boot: microblading, tattooed freckles, and any permanent decision based on a fleeting trend. “Don’t make permanent cosmetic decisions about temporary trends,” she says.

Enemas, green powders, and wraps

Coffee enemas? Murphy admits she tried them. “All it did was make me poop,” she states. Green powders? “They probably have some benefits…but I can’t say I swear by them.” And if you’re still clinging to those plastic wrap body wraps, let go. “It’s snake oil if I’ve ever seen it” according to Murphy.

Ozempic and the right to choose

Murphy handles the Ozempic convo gracefully. “Women should have the right to do whatever they want with their body,” she says. “The positive experiences are coming from women who are struggling with PCOS, insulin resistance, binge eating…The policing of women’s bodies is not something I’m into.”

The real secret to good beauty trends is doing what feels good

Ultimately, it’s not about beauty trends—it’s about self-worth. “I matter,” Murphy says, “and it’s okay that I wanna feel good…The better version of me takes care of herself.”

So go ahead—apply your face oil, turn on your red light mask, remove those laminated brows, and say goodbye to CoolSculpting. Because the best beauty trend is feeling like yourself.