As our long sabbatical from social life (and hence makeup) ended in 2021, it was finally time to test the beauty waters again. The year heralded a new dawn for beauty—while for some their newfound love for skincare only grew deeper, there were others that used whimsical, playful makeup as a refreshing medium of escape. And there were yet others that took ‘new year, new me’ quite literally and served some major makeover moments (We’re looking at you, Billie).
Safe to say, it was a momentous year for beauty, one where our outward appearances profoundly reflected our inner worlds.
Here, we revisit the top celebrity beauty moments from 2021—from glamorous looks that made us go wow, to fierce, powerful statements.
1. Megan Markle’s fresh, freckled base and sharp eyeliner
In an interview that shook the world till months later, the former duchess of Sussex came across as a brave woman with an unwavering sense of self, aptly reflected by her sharp, tightly-lined black eyeliner. Her candour and vulnerability, which would later go on to become the hot topic for every tabloid, was further enhanced by her barely-there, freckled base.
2. Billie Eilish going blonde
The flagbearer for gen-Z style, Eilish was always known for her signature neon green roots, so it comes as no surprise that she momentarily broke the internet when she debuted her platinum blonde locks on Instagram. Being a hair chameleon, she was quick to trade in this new blonde look for a mocha brown ’do, but her blonde moment is still fresh in our memories as 2021 comes to a close.
3. Lil Nas X’s Montero looks
When Lil Nas X dropped his much-anticipated music video earlier this year, the internet nearly screeched to a halt, and with good reason too—the video featured Lil Nas X in several extravagant looks, set in a tastefully over-the-top fantasy-inspired backdrop. From towering, sculptural hair to devilish manicures, the video was truly a beauty aficionado’s dream come true. The winning look though? His flaming red cornrow braids that shall remain etched into our minds for at least a few more months to come.
4. Harry Styles’s halloween look
The poster child for androgynous fashion, Styles is famous for dabbling with traditionally feminine fashion and beauty trends, and sporting them with flair on more than one occasion. In the same spirit, his Halloween costume featured him as Dorothy, replete with ruby slippers, emphasized blush and a pretty blue bow.
5. Gigi Hadid’s retro look at the Met Gala
Keeping with the American Independence theme for Met Gala this year, Hadid’s look was no less than a blast from the past, a glorious homage to old Hollywood. She added all the right beauty elements to channel her inner diva—frosty blue eyeshadow, a voluminous red pony tail and of course, a classic, perfectly-winged cat eye.
6. Megan Fox’s MTV VMA look
It was truly a year of resurgence for all things Y2K, including the quintessential It-girl look essayed flawlessly by Megan Fox in many teen movies from early ’00s. Keeping this legacy alive, Fox made our jaws drop yet again in her ‘naked’ dress, brought alive by her striking hair and makeup which featured cascading black (and seemingly wet ) locks, and a glossy nude lip.
7. Katrina’s subtle wedding makeup
It was almost as if the entire nation was whipped into a lovesick frenzy when Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal tied the knot. Our main takeaway from the event once the awws and sighs finally died down? Katrina’s simple yet glowing makeup look from her big day of course! She chose to keep the look minimal with a glowy base, a nude lip and soft, brown smoky eyes.
8. Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu’s winning look
It was a proud moment for India when the Miss Universe crown returned to the nation after 21 years. For the finale evening, Harnaaz went all out with her makeup look that featured smoldering smokey eyes, in addition to glossy mocha lips and a generous dose of bronzer.
9. Zendaya’s Oscar Look
The Oscars may be the biggest awards of the year, but the main prize of the night was easily, no points for guessing, Zendaya’s red carpet appearance. In a subversive yellow piece, she let her mermaid waves take centre stage, paired with a soft pink lip and lightly bronzed face.
10. Priyanka Chopra at the Matrix Resurrection Premier
Priyanka Chopra has served us glamorous looks ever since won the Miss World title, and this time was no different. With bombshell waves parted neatly on the side, Chopra went for a coppery-brown lip, but all eyes were on her futuristic triple winged liner. Quite the apt choice while promoting the Matrix franchise, we must say.
11. On-Screen Beauties
In a tumultuous year, the screen became our happy solace, and also a source for some much needed beauty inspiration. While Mimi Keen’s look from Sex Edcuation, replete with a signature middle part and neatly shaped brows became the beauty template for many a teens, Lady Gaga brought alive the infamous socialite Patrizia Reggiani with a spunky ’80s-inspired ’do, heavily-done eyes, and sharply chiselled cheekbones for The House Of Gucci.
12. Rhea Kapoor’s Bridal Look
Priyanka Chopra has served us glamorous looks ever since won the Miss World title, and this time was no different. With bombshell waves parted neatly on the side, Chopra went for a coppery-brown lip, but all eyes were on her futuristic triple winged liner. Quite the apt choice while promoting the Matrix franchise, we must say.
