The world of makeup is more varied than ever before. With the existence of the internet, people have the ability to up their makeup game anytime, anywhere. New trends are also constantly popping up, making their way into the heart of pop culture, and then inevitably someday being used on Ellen, and then declared dead. It’s the natural life cycle of these things. But some trends have really caught our eye (and the rest of our faces) in 2021.
2021’s trends are a fun mix of hyping up your natural beauty while also experimenting with new colors and shapes. Mixing delightfully campy makeup with something naturally subtle helps to emphasize your features in different ways. There’s a little something on this list for everyone, from those who want their eyeshadow to shine like a honing light for boats lost at sea to those who just don’t feel like waxing anymore.
These are some of our favorite trends we’ve seen pop up on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and more this year. Feel free to use some, none, or all of these fun makeup techniques. Just don’t use all of them at the same time. You would become far too powerful, and the world needs more time to build underground bunkers.
Bold Eyeliner
2021 is undoubtedly the year that eyeliner got taken to a whole new level. While traditional, expected kinds of eyeliner are all well and good, the makeup industry was past due for a shakeup. Eyeliner was stagnant for a while, but now it’s starting to see some major innovations.
Glamnetic’s favorite eyeliner innovation is our super pigmented, easy to apply magnetic liner that lets you effortlessly put lashes right on top. Some of the biggest, boldest eyeliner trends of 2021 have mostly been in two key areas.
Colorful Eyeliner
In 2021, people are into colorful eyeliner that makes itself known while also emphasizing your gorgeous features.
But if you don’t want to throw your perfectly good black eyeliner in the toilet just yet, you can also pair up your colorful and darker eyeliners. For instance, try drawing a pink, white, or blue line just above a black cat-eye. The bright color can mimic the exact shape of the cat-eye or do another shape entirely. This makes the classic cat-eye so much more interesting and modern while still keeping a timelessness and classiness that everyone can appreciate.
Graphic Eyeliner
In 2021, real eyeliner artistry is starting to take center stage. Before, the eyeliner game was largely about using darker shades to subtly bring out your eyes, likely hoping to keep attention away from the eyeliner itself.
Luckily, now things are totally different. People are experimenting with all different kinds of eyeliner shapes to go along with more interesting colors. The goal isn’t just to keep your eyeliner as close to your lashes as possible anymore. It’s finally time for all of your practice doodling in school to pay off because drawing shapes, lines, waves, and other patterns all over the lid is super hot right now.
Natural, Luscious Brows
Eyebrows of the 90s and early 2000s were characterized by thin lines, high, defined arches, and not a hair out of place. In fact, tattooed brows in those somewhat exaggerated shapes were a common trend for a while. Now, people are recognizing the beauty and uniqueness of a more natural brow shape. And, honestly, it’s about time these more authentic brows are getting their due.
Not only is a more natural brow generally easier to upkeep than worrying about constant plucking and waxing, but it also feels liberating. There is nothing more gratifying than stepping out into the world, singing, “this is real, this is me, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be,” and having someone tell you to stop singing, but that your eyebrows look amazing. So why not let both you and your eyebrows be yourselves?
By the way, “natural” doesn’t necessarily mean fully untamed or ungroomed, if that isn’t something you’re into. There are plenty of ways to make your brows more manageable on a day-to-day basis, but still maintain a youthful, effortless look. A natural eyebrow is more about not over-plucking, waxing, or any other preferred means of hair removal. Just remember to stay true to your brow’s natural shape, and when in doubt, probably leave the hair in your face.
Bright Eyeshadow
2021 is a year all about the importance of self-expression, so people are branching out of their usual makeup routines like never before. This is easy to see when checking out what eyeshadows people are flocking to right now. Gone are the days of a subtle brown ombré lid; the more bright, colorful, and exciting the shade, the better. And, honestly, subtle brown ombré lids were starting to get a little full of themselves anyway.
Try an out-there green that will make all grass within a mile radius bow to your glory, or a radiant yellow that will make the sun call its therapist. Really, try whatever you want, as long as it’s light, bright, and oh-so-right.
False Eyelashes That Still Look Like You
While many trends come and go, false eyelashes are one that has stood the test of time. This is probably because they have managed to change and evolve, rather than remaining stagnant and refusing to evolve. After all, you only want your lashes to stay in the same place while you’re wearing them, not while they’re being made.
That’s why we love magnetic lashes. They’re so much easier to apply than the glue-on eyelashes of the past, and Glamnetic has so many different kinds to choose from. If you’re looking for something wispier, or you don’t like blinking and feeling like your lashes are going to fly you into another dimension, we’ve got you. If you do like your lashes to have the ability to float you away from any awkward conversations, we’ve got you too.
Drawn-On Freckles
Finally, freckles are getting the recognition they deserve. They’re absolutely adorable, and having them usually means you went outside, which is apparently a good thing. While they’ve gone underappreciated for years, 2021 is the year to get totally frecked up. We just thought of that, and we’re really proud of it.
A lot of people aren’t one of the chosen few who naturally get beautiful freckles, and if that is you, don’t fret. There are plenty of ways for you to achieve this fun look, even if your genes are always trying to make things difficult. Some of these options include:
- Henna freckles
- Brown eyeliners
- Eyebrow pencils
- Freckle pen (a pen made specifically for creating realistic-looking freckles)
Freckles are a great way to cultivate a more quirky, unique look and can also be helpful in covering up acne breakouts. In addition, they make you look more youthful and give you a healthy complexion that others will recognize from a mile away. Just use your freckle-making product of choice and put some setting powder on top of it, so it stays on for longer.
What’s Trending
2021 is a year for expressing yourself in all sorts of different ways. Makeup is very much included in this self-expression, and that’s why the makeup trends that have made up the year so far are about being fun, or out-there, or just being more you. Feel free to experiment with these trends and find what you enjoy. You might just find a trend that becomes your new favorite.
Sources:
Here's Why Thin Eyebrows Were So Hot in the '90s | Glamour