Every year, new trends are ushered in as others fade away, and 2013 was packed will all kinds of unexpected beauty revelations. The best part about these makeup crazes is that they give us a chance to attempt a new look that we wouldn’t normally be brave enough to try. This year, the beauty fads were as bold as ever, allowing us to explore our edgier side while still maintaining a polished appearance. As we look back on 2013, there are a few lessons we learned from the trends that trickled down.

Here are the major looks that we mastered:

Smoky eye doesn’t have to be black

For years, women have been going for a smoky eye when they want to appear sultry or alluring. It’s an evening-ready look that never seems to go out of style. Yet this year, it became clear that the smoky eye looks just as stunning in other hues as it does in stark black. For example, some people went for a turquoise version, while others used violet. The brown smoky eye offers a somewhat subtler, earthy look that was striking for fall and can even work during the daytime. Ultimately, the possibilities are endless – black is certainly not the only option.

Anyone can rock dark lips

Not everyone has been brazen enough to use a dark lipstick in the past, but in 2013, this look went from punk rock to mainstream. Between the runways and the red carpets, stylish women sported a deeper lip color this year, no matter their skin tone. From crimson red to rich berry and plum, there are countless shades to choose from. One thing’s for sure, though: Matte is a must if you want high intensity.

Over-plucking is out

It may come as a relief that you can put down the tweezers and give your plucking a rest. Bold brows are in, meaning that it’s more important to keep your eyebrows trim and tidy than super slender. Hollywood has been leading this trend, rocking thicker shapes that balance the features and frame the face much better than pencil-thin brows can.

Nude is the new pink

Nude makeup was everywhere in 2013 – even eyeliner. The whole philosophy became “less is more,” meaning the goal was to look as natural as possible. So while typically the go-to shade for lipstick and manicures may have been pale pink, nude stole the spotlight.