There are two types of trends in this world: Those that take hours to replicate and look most appropriate in a fashion magazine, and those that are easy to master and add to your everyday look. Here, you’ll find the latter. Though these hair and makeup looks are inspired by the runways, they aren’t overly fussy to recreate. Just fun and fresh. Welcome to the beauty of 2021.
Makeup Trends
Lips Lips Lips
Nicole Kidman, prepare for bold lips! Her makeup artist, Kate Synnott, says she’s “super excited to do lips lips lips on all my clients in 2021.” She’s optimistic that mask-wearing will be less mandatory as the year progresses and it’ll be time for everyone to put their best lips forward and show off a color-framed smile.
Bright pops on the pout were all over the Spring ’21 runways, including at Hermes, Balmain and Tom Ford. So whether you’re in the mood for a classic red, a vivid fuchsia or a pop of tangerine, now is the time to start playing with color.
Synnott recommends using a tapered eye smudge brush “to soften the lipstick around the edge of your mouth for a more natural effect.” Want to take bold lips to the next level? Try blue, as seen at Anrealage. A few key tips for wearing blues: Navy is the most universally-flattering shade of blue; an opalescent blue gloss works well on fair skin tones; medium skin tones can pull off teal and royal; deep inky blue and denim shades pair beautifully with dark skin; with a blue lippy, keep the rest of the makeup pretty minimal.
Yes to No Makeup Makeup
Makeup artist Naoko Scintu calls this trend — seen at Alexander McQueen, Prada and Victoria Beckham — “timeless, as it showcases the skin looking it’s absolute best.” It’s also her signature look that keeps clients like Florence Pugh and Lily James on her roster.
Scintu says, “Prep is the most important part of nailing this trend. If you spend time on prepping the skin, you are halfway there.” The key is to get visibly hydrated, plump, radiant skin. Try Sunday Riley’s Bright Young Thing Visible Brightening Kit, whose three steps will get you that youthful radiance. Pressed for time? Try the brand’s C.E.O. Glow face oil for instantly glowing skin. Next step, use a primer on skin before applying a lightweight foundation (Scintu recommends Armani Luminous Silk, applied with a flat foundation brush. For Synnott, “a glowy cream” (like C.E.O. Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream), “a hint of concealer and a swipe of bronzer” achieves the no-makeup makeup look with minimal effort.
Hello Bold Eye Makeup
This trend is like carrying a big bouquet of fresh flowers — onlookers can’t help but glance and smile. Models on the spring ’21 runways showed a Crayola assortment of eyeshadows, including pastel green at Bronx and Banco, silver at Ralph and Russo, and bright blue at Tom Ford and Bethany Williams. Armani Beauty ambassador Scintu says, “Anyone can pull off this trend, but it’s easier to make it work by using just one element on the face,” so leave the lips understated. For example, with a vivid blue eye, Scintu recommends a super-matte rose-pink lip; with silver, she suggests a light pink or neutral glossy lip.
Synnott adds that the texture of a cream eyeshadow “is more flattering, youthful and easier to use.” And though multi-colored ombre eyes look very cool, they’re hard to pull off. Stick to one bold shade at a time — it’s statement enough.
HAIR TRENDS
Retro Shag Hair
“Retro hair is back,” says hairstylist Jillian Halouska, whose regulars include Natasha Lyonne and Julia Garner. Daring trendsetters (Jennifer Lopez, Maika Monroe, Rowan Blanchard) and models (Valentino, Paco Rabanne) are making the case for the ‘70s-inspired shag. The beauty of this choppy style is its universality: Halouska says it works on any texture of hair, any thickness, any length, “It can be curly or straight, with bangs or without.”
The positives of this edgy cut don’t end there: It doesn’t require a lot of overstyling or fighting your natural hair with irons and piles of products. And that’s something we’re seeing a lot of lately, says Nicole Kidman’s hairstylist, Kylee Heath. “People are working with their natural texture, more volume and body, and I love that.”
When styling the look, Halouska says to “skip conditioner for a fluffier shag” and recommends Hair Rituel by Sisley Volumizing Spray “to add grit to a shag” and give it that cool pieciness that the look calls for.
Long Curtain Bangs
Heath predicts more women will embrace long cheek-grazing bangs that (as the name implies) sweep open from the hairline to frame your face. “Most people can pull off a curtain bang, unlike a straight-across fringe,” she says of the sexy look. “A curtain bang is flattering for any size of forehead and face shape. They are also fairly easy to manage.” She says the look, seen on Anya Taylor Joy and Emma Roberts, works well with a high messy ponytail or with a tousled, down look with texture. They’re fabulous with curls (the fringe is curly too) and again, work with any natural hair texture. Possibly the most alluring aspect of the curtain: Easy grow-out for those commitment-phobes out there.
Pixies, Bobs and Other Crops
“Short haircuts are making a big comeback after months of quarantine grow out,” says Halouska. While a square bob— the blunt shape was seen in Chanel’s fall ’21 collection and on The Crown’s Emma Corrin — is a classic option, there are plenty of pixies on offer for inspo. (See Selma Blair, Demi Lovato, Lea Seydoux and model Edie Campbell.)
MATRIX artistic director Nick Stenson calls the modern take “undone and playful” and suggests a deep side part when styling for extra volume.
Once again, to make a short cut fresh, own your natural texture. If your hair is thick and curly, then wear it thick and curly. For styling, Heath says, “To get volume and texture, use a product that is also treating your hair at the same time, like Better Natured Hydrating Leave-In Milk.”
Ponytails for All
Hairstylist Nai’vasha (Tracee Ellis Ross and Alicia Keys are clients) admits that “ponytails have been around” but that the 2021 options “are limitless.”
There were elegant low ponytails on the runways at Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta and Hermes, perfect for times when you want to exude understated confidence (ideal for the workplace, natch).
“You can nail it and make it cool by adding fun accessories,” says Nai’vasha. Brandon Maxwell sent models down his runway with scarves tied around ponytails, giving the look a breezy, relaxed vibe (hello, weekend option). Wavy hair looks whimsical and romantic with a drawstring scrunchie. If you have length, try weaving something through your hair like Alicia Keys’ shimmering cord or a scarf. Those with a thick texture, dress up your pony with clips or pearl pins. Think of your ponytail as part of your whole look, not just an element to be pulled away.
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