Confession: I’m not the best at applying makeup. No matter how many Youtube tutorials I watch, Pinterest pics I study, or TikTok trends I scroll through, (and believe me, it’s a lot), I just can’t seem to get the hang of it.
Luckily, 2021’s most notable makeup trend is surprisingly doable- which means it’s one that I can absolutely get on board with.
Earlier in the year- the ‘2016 vs 2021’ makeup challenge was trending on TikTok. The trend took a nostalgic look back to those sweet, sweet pre-covid times, and showed how makeup trends have changed since then. On the whole, it shows that we’re definitely leaning towards a more natural makeup style these days. Then again, that kinda makes sense when you consider that we’ve spent most of the past year indoors, not wearing makeup, and embracing skinimalism.
So, what exactly is the look we’re going for right now? Think: glowy skin, brushed-up brows, subtle liner and lashes, and lots of blush. Of course, there are variations to the trend: add a glossy lip, a few faux freckles, and some subtle highlight, if you fancy it.
Does this mean I’m going to kiss goodbye to spending hours trying to perfect that dramatic smokey eye and killer liner for a night out? My answer: yes. (Hey, I still love an *extra* makeup look, but I’ll be leaving those to the pros in the future).
Instead, why not try your hand at (or ask your makeup artist for) this look. Here’s how to nail it:
By by Beth Ryan
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1 BrowsFuller, thicker brows have reigned supreme during the pandemic and beyond- and we’re here for it. The best part? It’s relatively easy to achieve. The goal is a brushed-up, fluffy, dense brow look. If you’re blessed with bountiful brows, a slick of clear brow gel will work wonders. Another option is the TikTok fave: the soap brow, which uses a regular bar of soap and a spoolie to brush up the brows and hold them in place. If you’re on the sparser side, you can fill in the gaps using small hair-like strokes with pencil, gel, powder, or a brow pen. And if you really want to streamline the process, a more permanent solution is available in the form of brow lamination, for the ‘I woke up like this’ version of the trend.
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2 Eyes
Trying to achieve a sharp black winged liner has been the bane of my life for so long, so the (much more forgiving) trend of soft brown liner, with optional intentional smudging, is heaven-sent. Use an angled brush and brown eyeshadow for an even softer look, and if you opt for eyeshadow, soft neutrals and subtle earthy or bronze tones are a winner.
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3 Lashes
2021 has seen many people switching from full dramatic lashes to soft fluffy lashes or even a half-set of accent lashes at the outer corner of the eye. Again, if you want to streamline the process, lash extensions will work a dream – ask for a wispy full set or just a half set to achieve the same fluttery effect. If you’re not a lash lover, drop them altogether and just use a coat or two of mascara. Easy peasy.
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4 Skin
This past year has officially been the year of skincare and skinimalism, and 2021’s makeup is definitely following suit. Minimal, dewy foundation gives that glowy fresh look. If you opt to use concealer, add a touch on the inner corner of your eye, then another on the outer corner moving towards the temple, which has a major lifting effect. It’s basically a 30-second facelift- what’s not to love?
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5 Cheeks
Put simply: blush, and lots of it. Placing the blush on the top of your cheekbones and pulling it up towards your temples – where you would usually put your highlighter – gives a natural, lifted look. If you’re lucky enough to be blessed with freckles, embrace them. If not, and you fancy adding some, a small brush and some brown eyeshadow can do the trick. (I can say from experience that this one may take a *little* practice to get them just right, so bear that in mind.)
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6 Lips
For lips, think major 90s vibes. Opt for a liner- any colour will do, but chocolate and neutrals are a fave. If you want a more made-up look, channel another 90s fave and add an all-over colour in brown or nude. Or, you can skip the lipstick and go straight to the cornerstone of any good 90s look (and the biggest lip trend of 2021) – a lush, shiny gloss. Cher Horowitz, is that you?
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