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dancing scene from In The Heights
dancing scene from In The Heights
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Temple | Style > Beauty

Puerto Rican Beauty Trends: Representation Inspiring Community 

Lily Adamson Student Contributor, Temple University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Temple chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Latinx community members in the United States are taking National Hispanic Heritage Month as an opportunity to show off spirit and embrace their culture through beauty trends.  

These stylistic choices support discussions regarding the significance of integration, emphasizing the role that minorities play in establishing functional communities. 

Since the United States formally recognized National Hispanic Heritage Month in 1988, the celebration has become extremely important to Latinx individuals, as it allows them to bond with people like themselves during a time of joy and excitement.  

Puerto Rico, specifically, is home to millions of Hispanic Americans. Many of Puerto Rico’s community members frequently visit the United States, as the island is legally considered a U.S. territory.  

Puerto Ricans play a key role in the celebrations surrounding National Hispanic Heritage Month because of their enthusiasm to represent their culture. Puerto Rican parades are common in the United States as different cities work to preserve Puerto Rican culture throughout their spaces. 

Concilio’s Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade, for example, took place in Philadelphia on Sept 27, 2026. The celebration occurs every year during National Hispanic Heritage Month, drawing increased attention to Philadelphia’s Puerto Rican community. 

Hair and makeup have always been used to assist people in expressing themselves creatively. The beauty industry is incredibly vast, with millions of products that cater to consumers everywhere.  

In my opinion, Latinx individuals consistently go against social norms previously established by others, which helps them stand out in their efforts to represent their communities. Puerto Ricans participate in these trends in numerous ways. Here are a few examples: 

  1. Color 

Puerto Rican community members in my opinion love color, especially older generations. Minimalism has become a trend in the United States over the past few years, attracting younger generations of Puerto Rican women with wispy lashes and taupe lip liners.  

However, when it comes to celebrating authentic Puerto Rican culture, younger and older generations come together to display confidence in their backgrounds, utilizing vibrant eyeshadow looks and red lipstick to bring a pop of color for celebratory events. 

  1. Style 

Puerto Ricans show up and show out wearing red, white, and blue for National Hispanic Heritage Month, which are the colors that make up the Puerto Rican flag. Images of last year’s Puerto Rican Day Parade in Philadelphia show numerous people in the crowd wearing versions of those colors.  

Individuals actively living in the States fit right into celebrations, emphasizing diversity. Community members gaining representation through these moments inspires other Puerto Ricans to take charge over initiatives aiming to better the community. 

  1. Accessories 

I feel that Puerto Ricans love to decorate, specifically when it comes to accessories. National Hispanic Heritage Month often sees Puerto Rican community members using items like hair clips, face paint, and cultural jewelry to complement their outfits.  

Hair clips typically incorporate flowers native to Puerto Rico, and face paint often depicts the Puerto Rican flag or other cultural emblems.  

Jewelry is commonly passed down through generations in Puerto Rican families, as individuals deeply appreciate the value of holding family close. These accessorizing methods add personality and history to Puerto Rican celebrations! 

Throughout National Hispanic Heritage Month, I believe that it’s essential for individuals to investigate trends within Latinx communities, as they offer insight regarding historical information for not only fashion and beauty-related movements, but cultural movements in general.  

Spreading knowledge leads to increased awareness and the promotion of established Hispanic/Latino beauty brands like Necromancy Cosmetica, isima, and Rare Beauty. These actions can physically, emotionally, and financially impact vulnerable minority groups, like Puerto Ricans, who use these products. 

Exploring Puerto Rican beauty standards clarifies the long-standing connection between community members. Puerto Ricans aim to collaborate by using unique style and beauty trends as a method for connection, which effectively spotlights their devotion to spreading cultural customs and boosting community engagement. 

Hello! My name is Lily Adamson and I am a Fashion and Beauty Staff Writer for Her Campus at Temple University. I have extensive experience in the cosmetics industry, and I have always admired fashion. This is my first year as a Staff Writer for Temple's Her Campus chapter, and I am beyond excited to get started.

I have been working at Ulta Beauty for over 3 years. My number one goal in life is to make people feel beautiful. Throughout my college experience at Temple University, my retail job has always been a source of comfort. I am a junior journalism major at Klein College of Media and Communication. Temple has provided me with wonderful resources that allow me to merge my love for writing and fashion/beauty, for which I am extremely grateful.

Besides these interests, I also enjoy reading and spending time with my friends. I am the Secretary and Social Media Coordinator for Temple's Book Club. This position provides me the chance to explore critical thought and collaborate with others. I feel inspired to get started as a Fashion and Beauty Staff Writer this year, and I am looking forward to working with a strong community of women throughout the journey.