Yes, we know you’re all set to move on to 2022, but before we dive in, let’s take a moment to reflect on some of the biggest trends that beauty had to offer this past 12 months. From the return of some of the most iconic looks from the ’90s (remember Naomi Campbell’s visibly lined lip trend?), and syrupy, liquid hair to retro, groovy nails, and the ‘floating eyeliner’—we’ve listed the most popular trends that gained mainstream attention in 2021.
Return of the Y2K
Inspired by the late 1990s and early 2000s, this fun, nostalgic beauty trend includes everything from visibly lined ombre lips achieved by using a dark lip liner, and nude lipstick to colourful eyeshadows and sparkling face jewels (or face diamonds) that owned the red carpet for some of the biggest events this year including the 2021 Met Gala.
The Floating Liner
Allowing a little extra breathing room between the crease, and the brow bone, these swipes of pigment drawn above the lids give a floating illusion (sort of like a negative space manicure). The line is drawn diagonally on the crease of the eyelid, extending it out straight in the direction of a classic cat-eye.
Skinimalism
Skinimalism deconstructs an extensive skincare regimen, and brings sense (and sustainability) to the conversation. It’s about ditching a complicated multi-layered skincare routine that could potentially be aggressive to your skin, and opting for minimal yet effective skincare—a pared down routine that includes a hydrating cleanser, a nourishing moisturiser with healing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and cica, a broad spectrum sunblock to protect, plus one or maximum two active ingredients for your specific concerns.
Microbiome-Friendly Skincare
ICYMI, your skin is not as sterile as you’d like to believe. Thousands of microbes, good and bad, live on its surface, and the balance between them keeps skin in good health. Harsh ingredients can strip down our skin’s microbiome and protective barrier, and hence, a new breed of products was born. Kind to skin and super nourishing, these products work with your skin rather than against it, and even help build back the protective barrier.
Onion Power
Known to accelerate hair growth and collagen production, onion played a huge role in haircare this year with leading beauty brands like Mamaearth, Biotique and Wow Skin Science—including our in-house line, Nykaa Naturals—launching a range of onion-infused products in the form of hair oils, shampoos and masks (that were quick to become bestsellers this year). The unconventional ingredient is proven to be a powerful component in the treatment of breakage, hair loss, dandruff and premature greying.
Liquid hair
Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Megan Fox, and Dua Lipa, were spotted on red carpets sporting fluid, shiny, show-stopping glossy locks. How do you get this syrupy, satiny finish? A great hairstylist, a salon treatment or two, and of course, hardworking hairstyling products will help you get the look.
Multicoloured Pastel Tips
An millennial update on the classic French mani, this one makes for a good ’gram, probably why it’s one of the biggest nail trends to come out of 2021. Select five pastel shades and a nude or sheer base. Think sky blues, buttery lilacs, greens, and sky blues. It’s a great way to add some pop of colour to your nails and try out multiple shades all at once for fun, bright tips.
Retro Nails, Wavy Swirls
Another trend that takes from the rise of nostalgia, these groovy swirled nails focus on retro colours and negative-space detailing. Think ’60s album art, made modern with the use of an elevated colour palette: think muted neons, nudes and bright candy hues.
An Elevated Wind-Down
As we continue to evolve our bathrooms as private spas, a peaceful retreat from the chaos outside, this trend moves us towards luxury masks, mood-boosting bath oils, scented candles, and bathing essentials that are stress-relieving. There was a strong demand for gua sha stones, dry brushes, bath oils, hand creams, and aromatherapy products, and one that’s predicted to grow well into 2022 too.
A Supplement For Everything
With the rise in stress and stress-related concerns—cue hair fall, dull skin, anxiety, sleeplessness—came a need to boost our wellbeing in every way possible. While we sprinkled essential oils in our baths and meditated as we gua sha-ed, we also made a beeline for easy ingestibles: gummies for hair growth, chewables for a sense of calm, and pills for perfect skin. Now, you can find a supplement for almost every concern, and with our lifestyles being what they are, one can expect the trend to stay strong for some time to come.
