Let’s face it, 2020 was a weird year. Orders to stay at home meant there was little reason to maintain our usual beauty and skincare regimes, except perhaps to see off that most unexpected of pandemic side effects – ‘maskne’.
But now, as lockdown lifts and people start going out once more, beauty and skincare are sure to become a priority for many. The question is, what will be the biggest beauty and skincare trends of 2021? And how has the pandemic shaped our approach to self-care and wellness?
Whether you’re a budding beauty therapist or are just passionate about all things skin, hair, and nails, we’re taking a look ahead at the biggest beauty and skincare trends you need to know in 2021.
Hair and Beauty
Vibrant Nail Art
If lockdown was good for anything, it was for honing skills we never thought we had – be it DIY haircuts, cooking or, of course, fancifying our nails. Being stuck indoors gave budding nail artists an opportunity to take their skills to the next level, so don’t be surprised if you see some out-there nail designs and colours now that lockdown is ending.
What’s more, we predict this bold approach to nail art will translate to professional salons too. With customers keen to make a statement on their first night out in months, nail artists should expect some fun and creative requests.
Fringe Fever
According to British Vogue, 2021 will see a huge rise in fringes, with the latest runway looks inspiring many to get the chop. Acclaimed lockdown watch The Queen’s Gambit is also thought to be behind the trend, with protagonist Beth Harmon’s micro fringe prompting a rise in kooky cuts.
Before you pick up a pair of scissors, though, remember that hair salons are once again open for business. Cutting in a fringe may sound simple, but a cursory search for ‘fringe fails’ tells a different story. Our advice? Book an appointment and leave it to the pros.
Bold, Block-Colour Makeup
In much the same way that people are going bold with nail art, we predict 2021 will see a rise in bold, colour blocking makeup. After all, with signs that the collective misery of 2020 may finally be at an end, isn’t it time to embrace colour and celebrate?
There are lots of ways to achieve a high-impact makeup profile. Whether you opt for dramatic eyes, a bold lip or a bit of everything, why not ditch your usual shades and try something new? It’s the perfect way to wipe away last year’s gloom and get ready for a lighter, brighter summer.
Scalp Therapies
Historically, skincare stopped at the hairline and hair conditioning treatments took care of things from the forehead upwards. But in the past few months, several products and scalp-care treatments have emerged, changing how we approach our scalp and hair health.
It’s easy to neglect your scalp, but the skin here needs the same care as the rest of your body. That’s why embracing scalp therapies can help rejuvenate this overlooked area, reviving the skin and helping to encourage hair growth and vitality too.
Brow Lamination
If you’re yet to uncover brow lamination, where have you been?! As our quest for the perfect pair of brows continues, lamination has emerged as the go-to treatment, creating the illusion of thickness, fullness and growth in a pain-free, non-invasive way.
Essentially, brow lamination is like a perm for your eyebrows. It involves smoothing the hairs into an even shape, for the ultimate in smooth, high-impact brows. As a practice, brow lamination is growing in popularity, so you should have a specialist near you very soon.
Skincare
Traditional Chinese Medicine
When it comes to skincare in 2021, wellness is the name of the game. Perhaps that’s why there’s been a rise in traditional techniques, not least ‘gua sha’ – a skincare practice that takes its origins from ancient Chinese medicine.
Gua sha is a natural skincare therapy that involves massaging the skin with a smooth stone, typically made from jade. This alleviates redness, improves circulation and is said to address chronic pain points, particularly those in the ears, jaw and sinuses. It’s also a great way to work moisturisers and serums deep into the skin, for a flawless and relaxing skincare regime.
Dewy Skin for a Healthy Glow
While 2021 may be a time to double down on colourful makeup, skincare that promotes healthy, dewy results is also likely to be a major trend over the next 12 months. And this makes sense, given that, during lockdown, many grew accustomed to wearing little-to-no makeup – instead letting their natural beauty shine through.
However, achieving that natural, dewy look and healthy glow isn’t as simple as not wearing makeup. Instead, you’ll need to pay special attention to your skincare routine and maintain a healthy diet that helps skin look and feel its best.
Mask-Wearing Maintenance
One of the biggest side effects of social distancing has been ‘maskne’ – the dreaded skincare complaint that’s seen thousands of people develop painful blemishes around their mouth and chin. It’s a recognised condition that’s caused by ‘occlusion’, which happens when something (e.g., a face mask) blocks the skin’s pores.
To combat mask-related blemishes, there’s been a huge increase in demand for spot-eliminating products, particularly serums like salicylic acid. A regular skincare routine is hugely important to preventing maskne, as is wearing the right mask; soft, breathable materials, like silk, are considered the very best for keeping spots at bay.
Pre and Probiotic Skincare
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s fair to say that, as a nation, we’ve never been more health-conscious, particularly when it comes to germs and bacteria. That’s why pre and probiotic skincare looks set to become the next big trend in dermatology – with a rise in cleansers, moisturisers and serums specifically designed to reduce germs and protect the skin’s natural bacteria.
Protecting your skin from germs and bacteria may sound like a job for soap, but there are now a number of brands offering probiotic skincare. Such products are said to protect the skin’s natural ‘microbiome’, a protective barrier that helps to reduce blemishes and maintain a healthy, youthful appearance.
Halal Certified Products
The past five years have seen major moves towards greater inclusivity in the world of skincare, with a swathe of new brands and products developed for different skin requirements. And here in 2021, this trend looks set to continue, with halal certification touted as the next major step forward for mainstream skincare.
Race, gender, vegan, and cruelty-free – skincare brands and professionals are becoming more aware of diversity and inclusivity. That’s why halal certification is considered by many to be an important next step towards ensuring that everyone can enjoy great skincare, whatever their background and requirements.
So, there you have it, our beauty and skincare predictions for 2021 and beyond. If you’re passionate about skin, hair, nails and makeup, perhaps it’s time to turn your hobby into a fun and creative career? At Oxbridge, we offer a huge range of distance learning courses in beauty therapy, so you can get to grips with the latest trends and techniques in the industry. For more information or to speak to one of our expert course advisers, visit the homepage or call us on 0121 630 3000.