In the last 30 years, there have been countless iconic beauty trends from contouring to red lipstick and pencil-thin eyebrows.
Some of them, like fake tans, are so beloved and so much better than alternatives (e.g. sunbeds) that they stick around. Others, like body glitter, now only exist as a small stain in the corner of your bedroom carpet.
So, what 2021 beauty trends are getting everyone’s attention? Has the pandemic or recent world events influenced The Next Big Thing in beauty?
Let’s take a look at some of this year’s trending beauty products and see which ones you fancy trying out.
Multi-Colored French Tips
Classic pink-and-white French tips were all the rage in the early 2000s. Reese Witherspoon rocked them throughout the iconic 2001 movie Legally Blonde.
But with the rise of gel nails came more creative colors, textures, and patterns. French tips became passé.
But in 2021, many are opting for a clear, fresh, and glossy nail with multi-colored tips. Some opt for one, simple bright neon color on every nail, and others wear the rainbow.
It is an understated look that is not too in-your-face but is a little bit different.
Bold and Graphic Eyeliner and Eyeshadow
Everyone knows that the best beauty trends from around the world start in queer spaces and drag ballrooms. And one of the biggest 2021 beauty trends is 100% a result of the popularity of drag queens and hit reality TV shows like RuPaul’s DragRace.
That beauty trend is a return of the uber bold and graphic eyeliner. Not a cute little liquid eyeliner flick, but dramatic, block colors covering the whole eye area up to the brow. Drag queens are, well, the queens of this look.
And the recent pandemic likely influenced the rise of the eyes, too, considering everyone needed to wear masks all the time!
Creamy eyeshadow or eyeliner is best to create this 2021 look. And you want to find a big make-up palette that gives you plenty of variety and a choice of colors to match together. Opt for a lighter shade in the inner corner of your eye and then a darker shade for your lid.
Colorful Goddess Locs
Do you have natural curls or long, coiled hair? If so, you might want to try one of the new beauty trends in hairstyles this year.
Goddess locs are faux dreadlocks that have a bohemian, laid-back look. They often have a short curl at the end of the strand of hair instead of 100% dreadlock from root to tip. It is also common to mix braids, loose hairpieces, and natural fabrics like wool into the style for texture.
It’s the ideal summer hairstyle as it can help protect curly hair which is more prone to drying out than other hair types. Add colorful strands of hair or wool of different colors to lean into the hippy vibe.
CBD Skin Treatments
CBD is everywhere right now and has been for a few years. It’s available in drops, gummies, vaporizers, and now in creams and lotions.
CBD topicals can act as pain relief for joint and muscle pain, itches, and swelling. In hand creams, it can treat the symptoms of arthritis and even skin disorders.
If people find that CBD creams work better than alternatives, this trend will not be going away any time soon.
Textured Mullet or Shag Haircut
Popularized by truckers and bull riders in the Deep South in the 1990s, Miley Cyrus helped bring this hairstyle bang up to date in 2021.
Mullets are short in the front and sides and longer in the back. Shag haircuts have many layers of differing lengths and create a fringe effect around the face and neck. And when you put them together, you get one of the hottest hairstyles this year.
Granted, it is a popular cut amongst queer communities in particular at the moment. But if you feel like you can pull it off, go for it! This haircut is bold and might not last, so it could be now or never if you want to stay in style.
High Cheek Pink Blush
Many could predict that some beauty trends 2021 would be a result of the recent pandemic, and this trend is one of them. Wearing blusher high on your cheekbones is a recent trend and is likely due to the guidelines on masks.
How is anyone supposed to see your flawless make-up if you have to hide it beneath a piece of fabric?!
If you want to follow this 2021 trend, wear your pink blush high on your cheekbones and towards your outer eye area.
The “No Make-up” Make-up Look
Versions of the no-make-up look have been around for years, but it has evolved again in 2021.
In this year, hydrated skin is where it’s at and it is super important to keep it glowing for this beauty trend. Natural, unshaped eyebrows and nude, filler-free lips are also key.
Instead, enhance your natural features. If you are not blessed with dark eyebrows and eyelashes, you can tint them at home or head to the salon. Put the fake eyelashes back on the shelf and opt to have a chemical eyelash curl. Visit Brow Trio for cruelty-free and vegan and formulated to emphasize what makes your brows unique.
Reach for the hydrochloric acid every evening to keep your skin plump and find a concealer that is the perfect match for your skin tone. And that’s all you need to follow this 2021 beauty trend!
Inclusive Skincare and Foundation
Fenty Beauty launched in 2017 with an inclusive foundation range. And since then, other brands have felt the pressure (as they should) to be more inclusive to all skin tones.
In 2021, more brands are extending their foundation lines to include more options for people of color. Creators of sunblock are also making products for more skin tones and stores are stocking more black and brown-owned brands.
This is a trend everyone hopes to see rise and rise in the coming years, not only in 2021.
2021 Beauty Trends: Worth the Hype?
New beauty trends come and go every year, but the best do stick around. And there are certain 2021 beauty trends, like CBD treatments, that will not disappear any time soon.
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