Hair and Makeup Trends for 2023:
Are You Jade, Chloe, Megan or Ava?
On Wednesday evening 1 February 2023 the Built Environment Ladies Association (BELA) hosted Simon Clark from Simon Clark Hairdressing and Make Up Artist Kayleigh Stopforth in a personal development event at the Beach Hotel.
Two takeaways that resonated from both professionals were these:
- “There are only three main hairstyles in the world: The One Length Cut, The Layer Cut and The Graduation Cut” ~ Simon Clark.
- “If you look good, you feel good. And, if you feel good, you do good” ~ Kayleigh Stopforth paraphrasing George St. Pierre.
Simon spoke on Hair Trends for 2023 and first took us on a journey to the 1920’s in which the Bob Cut dominated. As the economic pressure in the world loosened we saw hairstyles becoming looser and longer. After the Second World War the economy contracted and so did the length of women’s hair. With the rise of the internet and social media the lines between short and long and shape became more blurred.
In 2023 the different cuts are defined more by personality type than actual cut, leading to the question asked by Simon; “Are You Jade, Chloe, Megan or Ava?”
Your 2023 hairstyle is now defined as follows:
- Jade – A fashion forward, bold and loud woman who probably had the one side shave look long before it became a ‘thing’.
- Chloe – A trendy, current and contemporary woman.
- Megan – Feminine, safe and steadfast with a hairstyle to match.
- Ava – a practical, simple and neat short hairstyle.
These latest hair trends are further defined by Marie Claire as being one of: Blunt Bob, Red Hair Revival, High Shine Styles, Bold Bright Blondes, Dramatic Chops, Shades of Brunette, Going Grunge or Bangs Baby Bangs.
What Simon has noticed locally is a trend towards High Shine Styles and the move to healthier eating and better products to support these styles.
Simon does colour and hair by appointment only.
Kayleigh Stopforth introduced the BELA ladies to “5 Steps NOT to skip when doing your makeup”:
- Skin Care – involving a routine of: Cleanser, Serum, Moisturiser and 35+ SPF
- Primer – and the benefits
- Concealer – and here we learned that almost everyone has dark rings under their eyes and that ladies can conceal them with a concealer that has slight orange undertone.
- Makeup Brushes – the use of the correct brush is important.
- Use of Multi- Purpose Products – for example bronzer and blush duos for cheeks and eyes.
Kayleigh advocates Cruelty Free products and offers Makeup and Wine Workshops for women seeking step-by-step lessons on how to apply their own makeup.
At the close of her presentation there was a lively question and answer session from the ladies present who did draw parallels between their industry and makeup as both make extensive use of Primer, Foundations and even Concealer.
Kayleigh also stressed the need for women (and men) to practise good hygiene and eating habits whilst minimising their exposure to the sun, harmful UV Rays from devices and screens, alcohol and smoking.
Stopforth pointed out that the skin is our largest organ with adults carrying about 3.6 kilograms and 2 square meters of it. Your skin is not a static organ – on average a skin cycle is 5-6 weeks. At the age of 19-21,the process can take 14-21 days compared to a middle-aged adult where it is estimated to be 28 days. As we grow older, this skin cycle slows to about 45-60 days in our 40’s and 50’s.
Both speakers emphasised that often more expensive products offer a better and longer return on investment offering some tips on how to minimise the spend.
About the speakers:

Simon Clark:
Simon went to school in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Kariega (Uitenhage) and Edinburgh before studying hairdressing at Images 1, going on to get his Masters in Hair Color from Wella College.
Clark was twice a national finalist in the International Trendvision award and a national runner up once.
Clark served on the national Education panels for Wella and Schwarzkopf and was on the Hairdresser call List for the New York, London and Paris Fashion weeks. He was also invited to work back stage at the 2020 Oscars but COVID put paid to that.
At home he has a Fiance and 2 dogs (both rescue Bull Terriers, “The best breed in the world,” says Simon). He also enjoys running, mountain biking and Hockey.
Contact Simon here: +27 72 130 0475 | www.simonclarkhairdressing.co.za
Kayleigh Stopforth:

Kayleigh Stopforth is a Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) based makeup artist, with over 7 years experience in the beauty industry.
Kayleigh started her journey working as a sales consultant for Inglot Cosmetics in Edgars.
In 2019 she took a leap of faith to pursue her passion in makeup full-time as a solopreneur.
She has since worked with various local and international brands, such as Mohair, Pandora, Fila and Spec Savers. Some of her highlight achievements have been working backstage at the 2020 AFI Fashion Week in Cape Town, as well as working as part of the production crew for an award-winning short film by How Now Brown Cow Productions, The Hive, in 2021. The Hive was filmed in Makhanda (Grahamstown).
Despite the nationwide lockdown that happened within her first year of starting her own business, she has grown to become one of Gqeberha’s top makeup artists. Not only does she specialize in bridal and special occasions, but she has recently tapped into the educational market to host workshops to teach women how to do their own makeup.
Contact Kayleigh: +27 82 730 8492 | www.kayleighstopforthmua.com
Related: BELA Events
Boilerplate and Editor’s Notes.
More Info on Hair and Makeup Trends for 2023 here.
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