Clean Canvas
Possibly one of the main focal points of the teasers, lettering was projected over the members’ faces, spelling out “NEW AXIS.” To keep the letters sharp, each members’ skin was left fresh and seemingly matte to minimize reflection or flashback. There was virtually no visible contour or blush, no faux freckles this time either. Leader Taeyong had wording cast over the majority of his face, while Sungchan had them confined to his clean cheeks.NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’#TAEYONG
— NCT (@NCTsmtown) November 16, 2021
〖 NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’
➫ 2021.12.14 〗#NCT #Universe #NCT_Universe#NCT127 #NCTDREAM #WayV pic.twitter.com/4vTw1ouWVT
NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’#SUNGCHAN
— NCT (@NCTsmtown) November 19, 2021
〖 NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’
➫ 2021.12.14 〗#NCT #Universe #NCT_Universe#NCT127 #NCTDREAM #WayV pic.twitter.com/xynbvc6O9t
Harsh Hair
Fast becoming on-brand for their styling, a handful of members sport short and structured hairstyles. Ten’s vivid blue locks solid match the color scheme of the shots, cut short similar to his “Paint Me Naked” style from earlier this year.Continuing with the short cuts, members Jaemin, Jeno, and Xiaojun all rock rigid styling. With central parts, sections of hair defy gravity as they stand upright or slicked back. Styles akin to this have been previously seen throughout past comebacks such as in Kick It and Hot Sauce.NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’#TEN
— NCT (@NCTsmtown) November 19, 2021
〖 NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’
➫ 2021.12.14 〗#NCT #Universe #NCT_Universe#NCT127 #NCTDREAM #WayV pic.twitter.com/fiPKXSf1Em
NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’#JAEMIN
— NCT (@NCTsmtown) November 16, 2021
〖 NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’
➫ 2021.12.14 〗#NCT #Universe #NCT_Universe#NCT127 #NCTDREAM #WayV pic.twitter.com/PM4D9Vqc4d
Sensational Shadows
Throughout the teaser images, there were clear tonal schemes used – warm peaches, grey golds, and monochrome. With the skin staying fresh, the eyes are deepened with satin, smokey looks. Some members, such as Chenle, Jaehyun, and Mark, each had heavier shadows applied to the lids. The color was focused on the outer corner of their eyes to form a more intense look.NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’#CHENLE
— NCT (@NCTsmtown) November 17, 2021
〖 NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’
➫ 2021.12.14 〗#NCT #Universe #NCT_Universe#NCT127 #NCTDREAM #WayV pic.twitter.com/AlbIj2chId
In contrast, members like Renjun and Haechan wore softer, peach-toned shadows to match their light hair.NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’#MARK
— NCT (@NCTsmtown) November 19, 2021
〖 NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’
➫ 2021.12.14 〗#NCT #Universe #NCT_Universe#NCT127 #NCTDREAM #WayV pic.twitter.com/xJNs88jZfK
NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’#RENJUN
— NCT (@NCTsmtown) November 18, 2021
〖 NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’
➫ 2021.12.14 〗#NCT #Universe #NCT_Universe#NCT127 #NCTDREAM #WayV pic.twitter.com/OeP3st2xZk
Johnny, Yuta, and Yangyang had gold lids, contrasting the blue outfits of the teasers.NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’#HAECHAN
— NCT (@NCTsmtown) November 18, 2021
〖 NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’
➫ 2021.12.14 〗#NCT #Universe #NCT_Universe#NCT127 #NCTDREAM #WayV pic.twitter.com/frNjWGFVbZ
NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’#JOHNNY
— NCT (@NCTsmtown) November 19, 2021
〖 NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’
➫ 2021.12.14 〗#NCT #Universe #NCT_Universe#NCT127 #NCTDREAM #WayV pic.twitter.com/RT7TwyiLNS
NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’#YANGYANG
— NCT (@NCTsmtown) November 16, 2021
〖 NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’
➫ 2021.12.14 〗#NCT #Universe #NCT_Universe#NCT127 #NCTDREAM #WayV pic.twitter.com/mZ4JfetVui
Perfect Pouts
Members were given softly blushed pouts for the teasers. The color varied but kept to muted pink tones to balence out the eyes. Members Taeil, Jisung, Shotaro, and Kun kept shine to a minimum with a matte-satin finish on the lips.NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’#KUN
— NCT (@NCTsmtown) November 17, 2021
〖 NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’
➫ 2021.12.14 〗#NCT #Universe #NCT_Universe#NCT127 #NCTDREAM #WayV pic.twitter.com/Mu3gP2lIva
Doyoung, Jaehyun, and Yuta had a more visible sheen to their lips, wearing a satin finish.NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’#JISUNG
— NCT (@NCTsmtown) November 16, 2021
〖 NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’
➫ 2021.12.14 〗#NCT #Universe #NCT_Universe#NCT127 #NCTDREAM #WayV pic.twitter.com/nTheaPzCJU
NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’#JAEHYUN
— NCT (@NCTsmtown) November 18, 2021
〖 NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’
➫ 2021.12.14 〗#NCT #Universe #NCT_Universe#NCT127 #NCTDREAM #WayV pic.twitter.com/u08yLFHgqo
NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’#DOYOUNG
— NCT (@NCTsmtown) November 16, 2021
〖 NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’
➫ 2021.12.14 〗#NCT #Universe #NCT_Universe#NCT127 #NCTDREAM #WayV pic.twitter.com/Q2iTZGkozx
Best Brows
It wouldn’t be an NCT yearbook comeback without an eye slit. During NCT 2018, leader Taeyong sported a slit, and this year, it’s Jeno.The look was reminiscent of many NCT unit comebacks, such as Winwin’s brow slit in WayV’s Turn Back Time era. This truly feels like a connection between all units.NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’#JENO
— NCT (@NCTsmtown) November 17, 2021
〖 NCT The 3rd Album ‘Universe’
➫ 2021.12.14 〗#NCT #Universe #NCT_Universe#NCT127 #NCTDREAM #WayV pic.twitter.com/OhnaxekytP
winwin's 'v-shaped' eyebrow slit pic.twitter.com/W5WitZsJvy
— WINWIN Gallery (@wwgalIery) June 1, 2020
Fan Can’t Hold Back Excitement!
Fans couldn’t contain their excitement when the teasers were released and took to socials to express their feelings. Some NCTzens praised the styling and looks, while others shared their comedic responses.https://twitter.com/jaehyunsab/status/1462240777279455236?s=21you look so good bb
— e (@chanusahi) November 19, 2021
renjun so pretty loml <3 https://t.co/b7B9Q8d85P
— ari (@plsshutfupthx) November 21, 2021
HAIRRRE https://t.co/lMm2P00lBT
— ૮ ・ﻌ・ა (@sungiezZz) November 20, 2021
ethereal, delicate, exquisite, elegant, fairy, graceful, deity, beauty, charming, alluring, stunning, glamorous, gorgeous, irresistible, magnificent, aesthetic, adorable, sweet, lovable, attractive, appealing
— nct '98 unit when (@savedbyjaewoo) November 17, 2021
https://twitter.com/kuniixd/status/1460988686363881479?s=21Ten got some of that SuperM hair dye. https://t.co/x57mH8eyI1
— Arcana (@PaintTheStars) November 19, 2021
WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME😭😭😭 https://t.co/TotSgOBsYA
— 👑 A R A 👑 (@thenamesiIove) November 17, 2021