A new year means new trends. And just like fashion comes and goes, so too do beauty routines. Because we understand just how hard it can be to figure out what's what, we've done the hard part for you, sourcing the biggest trends to expect in the coming year. 

Here’s what we’re looking forward to on the skin, hair and make-up front this year…

The Best Beauty Trends of 2021

Skinimalism

If you gave up wearing make-up entirely (or close to) during 2020, you weren’t alone. And it turned out that, for many of us, it was a change we came to embrace. According to Pinterest’s 2021 Trends Predictions report (based on popular search terms), people are looking to improve their skin so they can skip the make-up and let their natural beauty shine through (freckles and all!). 

Women are now looking to serums, balms and cc creams as their hero products, and “face yoga” (yes, it’s a thing), to give themselves that I-woke-up-like-this glow. 

Dramatic eyes

With masks covering our faces often enough to make lipstick a bit of a waste, those of us who are still wearing make-up are looking to stand-out-eyes as the focal point of their look. Eyeshadows in all the colours of the rainbow are making an ’80s comeback. Graphic and mismatched eyeliner is appearing on top and bottom lashes. And Euphoria-inspired glitters and shimmers are making their appearance on runways, Instagram and on the streets. 

Also, keep an eye out for creative eyebrows—Pinterest noted an increase in searches for ombre powder brows, goth eyebrows and above-eyebrow tattoos...

Fringes

Fringes of all lengths and weights were front and centre at the spring/summer 2021 shows, so if you didn’t give yourself PTSD by cutting your own fringe during lockdown, now’s the time to take the leap—with the help of a trained professional, please. 

Probiotic skincare

We’ve been all over our gut health for years, but this year we’re seeing the boom of probiotic skincare. The idea is the same as the craze for all things fermented—the microbiome on our face is delicate and needs to be cared for to maintain skin wellness. The best way to do that? Applying products that contain the right pro and prebiotics. It’s already moved squarely into the mainstream with brands including Elizabeth Arden, Paula’s Choice and Clinique offering probiotic products. 

Cosmetic procedures

Suddenly spending so much time staring at ourselves on Zoom and having extra time in front of the bathroom mirror came as a bit of a shock to some of us. Plastic surgeons and cosmetic nurses around the world have reported a massive increase in requests for tweaks to our faces—specifically for procedures to make us look younger and less tired. 

The areas we’re most focused on are crows feet, forehead lines, bags under our eyes and sagging neck skin (the dreaded Zoom chin). Demand for Botox and lip fillers have increased, and some people are taking advantage of the downtime to go all-in on more invasive procedures such as breast augmentation and rhinoplasty.

DIY beauty

When we couldn’t get to our beauty salons, we had to bring the beauty salons to us. And with the amazing at-home tech that’s available to us now, DIY beauty isn’t going anywhere soon. Some standouts: NuFACE Mini Facial Toning Device, which uses electrical currents to tone the muscles in your face; GloPRO Facial Microneedling Regeneration Tool, for at-home microneedling, LED red-light therapy and microcurrent stimulation; Neutrogena’s Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment; and DIY laser hair removal tools like Philips Lumea. 

Natural Skin and Haircare

It’s not a new trend, but it’s gaining traction this year as we’re increasingly choosing natural, plant-based or organic skin and haircare (as well as food, cleaning products and materials). We’re particularly obsessed with brands that get science-y with their natural ingredients for truly efficacious products, like Tata Harper. At a more mainstream level, we’re seeing more and more pharmacy brands promising natural formulations without harmful chemicals.

While you’re here, discover 4 perfumes that are trending right now.

Author Bio:

Hannah Warren

Hannah was born in New Zealand and is based wherever she can set down a laptop. She's been playing with words since she could first pick up a pen, and in her spare time she's a pole dancer, pasta glutton and dog mum.

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