2020…watta year this has been! Blue beauty. COVID-19. WFH. The Crown. The highs have been sky-high, and the lows? Subterranean. But throughout it all, the one thing that’s remained perennial is *beauty*. And, for a fact, even a beacon of hope to transform the past few months of doom and gloom into something srsly indulging.
As we turn over a new leaf and gear up to revel in the dawn of a new decade, a lot of thrills and chills await. Here we are again, breaking the ice on 2021 beauty trends that are just as stand out as the years past. While we do anticipate plenty of curveballs en route and understand the gravity of reconciling with the new normal, we’re poised that these next big things in beauty are all about filling you with joie de vivre.
Ahead, seven trends to usher in a sense of zest with big beauty moments. Get set to recreate them all at home, so you can feel the fantasy no matter when and where.
Trend #1: Abstract Lids
Lol, lockdown who? With all eyes on the ‘eyes’, ‘tis the season to break out those eye shadows that have never seen the light of day and bring back va va voom glam by serving some serious shadow game. The only rule here? No rules at all!
How: Dive into the color spectrum and use all the colors of the rainbow to create a birds-of-paradise magical eye look a la the runway models. The inspo is all things good vibes, positivity, bliss, to bring about the much-needed playfulness, which we crave, too. Go on, put your Picasso hat on.
Shop: Makeup Revolution Maxi Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette - Big Shot, Huda Beauty Mercury Retrograde Eyeshadow Palette
Trend #2: Gleaming Skin
Oh…to be au naturel! We’ve been raving about clean, glowing skin sans makeup, and it’ll be key in 2021 as well. Almost like a nod to the time we’ve spent indoors embracing skincare=self-care, 2021’s about stepping out with skin so glassy and plump it looks like you just got a relaxing spa sesh. Think ultra-hydrated, just facial-ed glow.
How: We love double cleansing for a squeaky clean base. Start with a cleansing oil to melt away makeup; follow with a hydrating face wash to eliminate pollutants without stripping your skin. Next, add a gentle facial scrub for a smooth, soft, supple texture. Layer on a detox mask to nix impurities and toxins. Finish off with a Vitamin C-enriched serum to stimulate circulation and give you that lit-from-within glow. Do this once a week for supermodel-esque, glass-like skin. No makeup needed!
Shop: The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil, LANEIGE Moist Cream Cleanser, Dermalogica Mini Daily Microfoliant, Nykaa Clay It Cool Daily Detox Clay Mask, Mamaearth Skin Illuminate Face Serum With Vitamin C & Turmeric For Radiant Skin
Trend #3: Quarantine Bangs
As we continue to isolate at home, count on DIY home haircuts to cure at least a few hours of self-isolation boredom. Remember when Birtney Spears, Rosalía, and Bella Hadid decided to gamble with the bang-cutting game, and the end result was FIRE?
How: If Tinseltown inspires you for a DIY hair transformation, remember to proceed with caution and have all the basics in place (unless you wanna look like a meme). The bare minimum tools you need are a pair of shears (because, with your good ol’ scissors, there are higher chances of inviting those unwelcome split ends), a double-edged comb for fine sectioning of hair, and some no-slip hair clips for easy-peasy separating. Work your way towards those eye-grazing bangs in micro movements, and most importantly, keep in mind that less is more.
Shop: Feather Replacement Blade For Switch Blade Hair Cutting Professional Shears & Scissors 5.5, Vega Handcrafted Hair Comb(-HMC-32D), Accessorize London Metal Kirby Grip Multipack
Trend #4: Colored Mascara
Minimal effort, maximum impact. Colored mascaras and technicolor lashes are formally back, thanks to the “masked beauty” trend. Whether its peppy pinks, blissful blues, or tantalizing teals, bright hued mascaras not only add a splash of positivity and panache to your look, but also make your peepers pop upon application.
How: If you’re just staying in and Face-Timing, swipe on a coat of bright mascara first, followed by a stroke of black or brown — a layering technique for a subdued take on the trend. If you’re heading out, take your game up a notch by fluttering your way to 2021; AKA, pair your colored mascara with wispy lashes. We’re obsessed with this twosome for a whimsically romantic beauty look. Our advice? If you cannot make it, fake it! Because, the longer and more lifted, the better your flutter would be!
Shop: Kay Beauty Volume & Length Mascara - Midnight, Lakme Eyeconic Curling Mascara - Royal Blue, PAC Tapered Lash - 54
Trend #5: Slicked Back, Swung Low Strands
Take a break from tousled waves; easy, effortless glam is back in 2021 to make your everyday, just-out-the-shower vibe, an incredibly chic aesthetic. The key, however, is to keep it smart, confident, and sophisticated. Think: rather than scraping your hair back off your face in a ponytail, leave it free-flowing to tell its story.
How: To nail the relaxed sleek look, blow-dry your hair with a large round brush to get that lift at the roots (and dial up the oomph). Finish by applying a strong-hold gel onto a brush and smoothing it through, and fix it with a hair spray. If you’re just dipping your toe into the trend, use your fingers to comb some wet-look gel through the roots. Though it may take some chutzpah to pull off, the end result is well worth it.
Shop: Alan Truman The Blow Brush - Pink & Black, Schwarzkopf Professional Osis+ Mess Up Matte Paste, L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strength Hair Spray
Trend #6: Matchy-Matchy Manis
Psst…face masks don’t have to be meh! Here’s the trend we didn’t know we needed — a rock ‘n’ roll combo where beauty has been given an edgy, contemporary upgrade. We’re talking about cute polish and nail art that complements your face mask (matching prints, color play, dazzling designs…you get the drift).
How: Play around with delicate lettering, choose face masks featuring prints with buoyant, summery hues, and top off your mani with a few glitzy decals. Incase intricate nail art isn’t your vibe, keep things low-key yet sultry with press-ons and nail stickers. Running low on time? Pick a mask with max two shades and coordinate your polish with either of the colors. It’s simple, safe, and begs a double tap on Insta feed.
Shop: Anekaant Pack Of 2 Multicolor 3-Ply Reusable Embroidered Cotton Fabric Fashion Mask, Nykaa Breathable Nail Enamel - Dreamy Dahlia - 323, Pippin Paris Nail Plate (QXE 17)
Trend #7: Long Hair, Don’t Care
Prepare for a positive reset and embrace your natural texture. Extra long fantasy hair that somehow feels liberating after the perils of 2020 will be big in 2021. The year’s also about flaunting waves, curls, and coils with more personality, soul, and character, rather than wearing styles that look like they’ve been dragged through an intensive process. Translation? Feeling effortlessly easy and deceptively cool with more lived-in locks.
How: Expect to see a major comeback of imaginative hues sparked by quarantine experimentation. From bubblegum pink, fierce red, to more natural tones of sandy and cinnamon browns, 2021’s all about DIY dye jobs taking center stage, and beauty buffs making bolder decisions with their hair. Clearly, 2021 is going to be the year of the books, for it speaks of the carefree attitude that best sums up beauty trends 2021.
Shop: Streax Professional Hold & Play Funky Colours - Groovy Pink, Garnier Color Naturals Creme Ultra Hair Color - Plum Red, Biotique Herbcolor Hair Color 1N - Natural Black
