While the virus continues to rage across the globe, the significant rise in vaccination rates temporarily confirm that things are finally looking up—at least for now. It goes without saying that this shift has directly paved the way for beauty beyond the mask, finally. While I toast to this with a glass of wine on a cloudy Friday afternoon (because it’s 9 o’clock somewhere, right?) I thought it would be the perfect time to throw light on some of the most anticipated trends (and some very exciting comebacks) that are predicted to be practically everywhere this season.
Below, details, product recommendations and more.
EXAGGERATED LIP LINER
After Kim Kardashian’s latest Skims campaign featuring Megan Fox and Kourtney Kardashian literally broke the internet, we instantly noticed overlined lips (featured in the campaign) really picking up—a ridiculously easy technique that gives the illusion of bigger lips. Initially popularized by Kylie Jenner years before she got her lips done (c’mon, the cat’s out of the bag, alright), it has made a strong comeback with celebrities and influencers imitating the trend all over social media. Use a lip liner, a tone darker than your lipstick, draw a thin outline bordering your lip line and you’re pretty much done.
THE KITTEN EYE
Easier to execute, the kitten eye is typically a more subtle version of a cat eye. Using a liquid eyeliner pen (because a pen delivers more precise lines), start by lining your upper lid from the center using very short strokes. When you reach the outer corner, use the pen to create a small triangle. While a selected few eye shapes struggle to wear a full wing without it having to go completely wrong, the kitten eye can be altered to fit all. Best part is that you don’t need to really worry about achieving a perfectly symmetrical wing (phew).
LIPSTICK LIBERATION
Coined by renowned celebrity MUA Daniel Martin during a recent interview with Elle, lipstick liberation has gained instant momentum across the world. Martin states that after almost two years buried under masks, this trend focuses on any color or texture that gives your lips center stage. Basically liquid lipsticks, tints and balms supported by loud reds, pinks, plums and tangerines.
ELECTRIC GRAPHIC LINER
Here’s the thing about the coloured graphic liner. You get to play with pop tones and negative space, creating a playground to try patterns and lines that are unique to your self-expression—plus you don’t have to really get too close to your tear ducts. Famously known as “the floating crease”, you can achieve this look with colored eyeliners or pencils with the help of a debit card to etch the line step by step (to achieve this electric orange you could try this liner). Keep a cotton bud on standby to clean out the edges.
FOILED METALLIC
The most current take on smoky eyes involves lush, foiled, metallic pigments with a hint of glitter. With the party season just around the corner, you could use palettes that deliver plush, celestial tones (if you’re not a fan of jet black pigments). For those that don’t prefer heavy makeup, you could try using a silver, metallic liquid eyeshadow on the inner corners. All we ask is to make sure the pigments to be loud and confident. If you think about it, you can blind the haters with every blink.
