Let’s look forward to the hottest beauty trends of 2021 — what does this decade have in store?
We all know that 2020 was a tough one — a battle we fought through, and one that didn’t have much call for makeup or fashion. Most of us were stuck at home for the majority of the time, and when we did venture out, we were covered by a mask. The year didn’t have much call for beauty trends or innovations.
Zoom calls were the way we socialised last year, and this year isn’t shaping up to be much different — but we have hope that things will change. Regardless of what’s going on in the world, fashion and beauty live on and evolve — and beauty even evolves to reflect where we are and what we’re living through.
Knowing this, it’s unsurprising that, in many ways, 2021 will see a return to a more natural, laid-back look — with a splash of feistiness for good measure. After all, we may be in lockdown, but we want to be ready as soon as it’s safe to go out and play. So let’s look at the trends we believe will dominate in 2021.
The Top 15 Beauty Trends of 2021
1. Bright, 80s-Style Colours
We all know that fashion is cyclical. What goes around comes around, but it’s never done in quite the same way. We take inspiration, but then we give it our own slant.
Most agree that fun, bright, 80s-style colours will be all the rage in 2021. The daredevils out there who aren’t afraid to stand out will favour bright yellows, oranges, blues, pinks and greens on their eyes, lashes and lips. These hues are just what we need to lift our spirits, and there’s so much to play with. You can do a lot with glosses, shimmers and mattes. Stock up on mascaras in all the colours of the rainbow, and try painting colour-block shapes on your lids. Why not crack open your electric-blue eyeliner too? The sky’s the limit — be as expressive and creative as you dare to be.
2. Super Long Lashes
We all love long, luscious eyelashes, and they’re going nowhere in 2021. The longer and more lifted, the better. In fact, you may be seeing more “lash lifts” (which are, essentially, perms for your eyelashes) rather than extensions because, after all, aren’t we all looking to save a little more time?
3. The Smokey Eye
The smokey eye is most definitely back — and it’ll be big in 2021. A smokey eye is an easy and quick way to add an element of style and sophistication. Stock up on your dark grey and navy eyeshadows for a dramatic impact — with all the mask-wearing we’re doing these days, our eyes are the one way we can make a real statement.
4. Full, Feathery Eyebrows
This is one way we’re honouring the natural look this year. 2021 is all about full, feathery brows. If your brows have been worn away by too many years of plucking or waxing, they may be refusing to grow through, meaning you don’t have much to work with. If this is the case, not to worry. You can always consider semi-permanent eyebrow treatment or fill in your gaps with a thin brow pencil, which mimics natural brow hairs and ensures a realistic finish.
5. Clean, Glowing Skin
In this shift towards the natural, clean, glowing and dewy skin will be one of the biggest beauty trends of 2021. To get this look, invest in a stellar skincare routine, drink plenty of water and make sure you get your sleep. Complement this clean look with a relaxed eyeshadow, and let people see your natural beauty.
6. Red, Red Lips
From the natural to the not-so-natural, for those that want to make a real statement, bold red lips will continue to dominate this year. Finding the right shade is key — there is a shade of red for everyone — and when you find the right hue, you’ll be bursting with confidence.
If you want a picture-perfect lip colour that is guaranteed to never smudge, our lip blush treatment is right for you!
7. The Cat Eye
The redefined cat eye will be huge in 2021. Our obsession with this look dates back to Ancient Egypt, but these days, we use eyeliner and smudged eyeshadow to create a distinctive rocker-chic vibe. Experiment, have fun and find the cat eye that will work for you.
Love your eyeliner but want to save time without compromising on perfection? Check out our semi-permanent eyeliner services.
8. The Parisian Look
Now we’ve mentioned bold red lips and the cat eye, it’s the perfect time to mention a look that will be huge this year — the Parisian Look. To achieve this look, keep your skin fresh and clean-looking, rock your eyeliner, but place a heavy focus on your lips. This look is enough to lend an edge to even the most casual of outfits.
9. The Split Eyebrow
If you’ve not yet seen the split eyebrow, you’ll be seeing it soon! This trend will give you an unexpected look with minimal effort.
10. Violet Lashes
We know that 2021 is the year to have fun with colour, and that starts with your lashes. Specifically, violet lashes. Trust us, you’ll start seeing them everywhere. Simply prep your lashes with a white lash primer, followed by a few coats of bright purple mascara.
11. Blue-Light Protection Skincare
We all know about blue light. We know it can mess with our sleep — but how much thought have you put into how it affects your skin? Apparently, when blue light penetrates the skin, hyperpigmentation can occur as a result of DNA damage. Think about that, then think about how much time you spend in front of a screen — it’s not a pleasing thought, is it? Thankfully, 2021 is set to be the year of blue-light protection skincare. If you’re curious, check out products from skincare brand GoodHabit, and read up about how Niacinamide can fight blue light, keeping you looking young and healthy.
12. Refillable Skincare Products
Our patience with single-use plastic products is quickly wearing thin, and companies are taking note. We don’t want to continually add to the plastic washing up on our shores, so to combat this, many brands are starting to offer refillable skincare products — Humanrace and Fenty Skin being two great examples.
13. Natural Hair
This is a trend a lot of women out there will welcome wholeheartedly — natural, laid-back, low-maintenance hair. Ditch your hairdryers and straighteners, and let your natural hair shine through (and recover). You can have fun with accessories and different updos, but feel free to let your hair do its own thing for a little while, and see what happens when it’s untamed!
14. Plant-Based Skincare
Plant-based skincare is going from strength to strength — it’s not just vegans that care about plant-based products anymore, and it’s no longer a niche area. We all care more about what is going into our skincare products and why. And, innately, we trust plant-derived ingredients much more than anything we can’t begin to pronounce. Many more brands are starting to introduce plant-based products to meet demand, and this is set to continue for 2021.
One particular brand we love is Tropic. As well as being plant-based, the company is cruelty-free and has a strong mission and commitment to sustainability. Every Tropic order goes towards helping a child in Nepal, Cambodia or Myanmar get education they would otherwise be deprived of, with every £50 funding one day of education.
15. The Return of the Fringe
Fringes are back! You may have seen this trend all over TikTok or Instagram, whether it’s a dramatic block fringe, a “micro fringe” or a soft fringe that frames the face and accentuates your features. If you’ve been thinking about trying out a fringe for a while, now is the time — start 2021 off on a daring note, and you won’t regret it.
