If ever there was a beginning of an era it’s 2021. A ranging global pandemic saw 2020 change virtually every facet of our lives and challenge us in ways we’ve never seen before.
As salons, hairdressers, and spas closed everywhere due to lockdown and curfews, people were forced to become their own hairstylists, manicurist, aesthetician, colorists, and dermatologist overnight. Of course, this wasn’t all bad as it gave us a chance to re-examine our beauty habits and try new things.
With searches for a DIY spa day, manicures, pedicures, make-up, facials, skin-care routines, hairstyles, hair treatments, and so on, soaring during the lockdown, beauty know-how is at an all-time high and people are taking their newfound creativity into 2021. This year will be unlike any other for the beauty industry and these are the forecasted beauty trends to watch out for:
Shag Haircuts
We all have a love-hate relationship with short hair. While some are scared of chopping off their hair because they are afraid it won’t be a good look on them, blunt cuts like shag haircuts are starting to be an absolute favorite for many.
A quick scroll through social media will confirm that the shag haircut isn’t going anywhere. The choppy, layered hairstyle from the ’70s is officially back. But don’t worry; this vintage-inspired look has been totally modernized and gives a mix of a retro and modern vibe.
It typically features choppy ends, a layered crown, and lots of texture but without making one look like they are in a ’70s hair metal band. This haircut is quite versatile as it can work for any hair length, style (yes, even if you have locks), and type (from straight and fine to thick and curly).
A shag haircut is one of the easiest ways to transform one’s look and thanks to its edgy attitude, it is bound to draw attention or highlight the facial features that you love most.
Wigs
Wearing wigs has become quite popular and this year won’t be an exception. Most women wear them to keep up with crazy hair trends. With how often we would love to change our look from short to long hair or perhaps you want to dye it purple today and green tomorrow. It would be totally impractical to have these hair changes every day, not to mention the damage it would cause.
This is where wigs come in; they are an easy and versatile way to keep things fresh without committing a drastic change, and it’s as simple as taking it off at the end of the day. Aside from seeming like an accessory, wigs are a wonderful way of concealing hair loss and protecting natural hair.
One great thing about modern wigs is they are very realistic and people won’t even know you are wearing one. There are many types of wigs available in the market today to suit every style and budget.
Bangs
The fringe trend never really goes away. What we’re constantly seeing is different versions of this hairstyle come into the fashion industry, whether as reinvented looks or brand new trends. Bangs, for instance, are a hairstyle for the ages. While they may require daily styling, many love them as they can easily take your entire look to the next level.
There are many different types of bangs styles and today’s trendy ones like curtain bangs, asymmetrical bangs, side-swept bangs, pixie cut with bangs, choppy bangs, and blunt bangs are the perfect way to update and refresh any hairstyle.
They are quite low-maintenance and can be flattering on pretty much everyone, which makes them the safest way to spruce up your look in 2021.
Uncomplicated Embellishments
2020’s biggest accessory was the face mask and since becoming the new norm, there has been a newfound focus on the upper part of the face. What better place to accessorize more than the hair? While there’s going to be a continuation of casual hairstyles like the shag haircuts, messy buns, curtain bangs, and more, these laid-back looks are going to be accentuated more with a variety of hair accessories.
From pretty pearl pins to extra-large scrunchies and even glittery golds, expect hair embellishments to be a staple throughout 2021.
But not the big kind that’s worn by the royal family, just small uncomplicated pieces for an added punch that shows up well on video calls.
Concealer and Balms
With many of us working from home and interacting with people over the phone/internet rather than in person, not to mention having to wear masks while out, our make-up routine has dwindled considerably. Many are saying goodbye to full-blown makeup looks and focusing on minimal routines.
This means forgoing heavy foundation, tons of contouring, and lipstick, and opting for a much lighter coverage of just concealer and balms. Maskne is real and people are trying to take better care of their skin and not trap makeup under their masks.
Searches for natural everyday makeup and how to achieve naturally glowing skin have increased in the recent past.
People are embracing slow beauty and have become more comfortable with natural glam than wanting to look flawless. The skinimalist movement is infiltrating today’s skincare regime!
Colorful Cat Eyes
With masks as the new norm, eyes are becoming the most defining beauty feature when we are out. As a result, they are expected to become a site of self-expression. The cat-eye is a classic eye look that can give you a glamorous, classic, trendy, and dramatic look all in one.
This look is constantly being modernized and changing the color and style will take it to the next level in 2021.
While classic eyeliners are expected to dominate 2021, consider playing with colorful liners and glitters to get the job done. Also, go for a dramatic style with mismatched colors or messing with the length or height.
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Arched Eyebrows
Chances are we’ll still be wearing masks for the first half of 2021; plus, they might just be a beauty trend we would love to keep even after Covid-19. Either way, the eyes remain the primary focus and where you can have the most fun with makeup.
Our eyebrows have had a chance to grow to their natural and fullest extent during the lockdown and it’s time to sculpt them into the trendiest shape, which is to give them an arch.
Arched eyebrows give dimension to the face, which is exactly what people need considering half of their faces will be covered. Still, on the eyebrows, expect to see more color with rainbow-colored looks becoming more popular.
Beauty Smarter Tech Gadgets
With limited to no access to beauty experts in 2020, a lot of people had to learn how to care for their face, skin, hair, nails, and body in general. People have mastered the art of cutting their own bangs, doing manicures, pedicures, and facial care, as well as eyebrow shaping among other beauty routines and, are ready to start investing in high-tech gadgets, devices, and skincare products that will get them the best results at home.
The at-home salon and spa show no signs of going anywhere in 2021. The good news is brands are continuously inventing devices that can help make at-home beauty routine much easy and efficient just as in the professional salons and spas. But devices are just the beginning; there’s a smart tech part of the industry that is set to grow this year.
At-home beauty technology comes in several forms and while people are embracing DIY beauty routines, they still crave human connection, which they can now achieve via Zoom or an AI-powered app. With that being said, here’s a look at beauty tech trends that will dominate in 2021:
YouCam Makeup App
Perfect Corp, who is the leading AI + AR beauty tech solutions provider, has introduced the next generation of their advanced AI Skin Diagnostic solution. The technology is powered by AI to offer real-time and accurate skin assessment for all skin types, including condition tracking for acne, spots, texture, moisture, redness, dark circles, oiliness, wrinkles, and more. It then gives an overall score that users can use as a baseline for tracking their skin health, as well as monitoring improvements overtime.
YouCam’s AI Skin Diagnostic is fully compatible with all programming networks and can be customized for any retail channel, allowing skincare brands to integrate it directly on their e-commerce website, in-store beauty hardware, or app. This will allow them to connect to customers in a completely new way and help them get bespoke skincare recommendations. Finding the right makeup is now as easy as using your smartphone or computer thanks to the many YouCam Makeup features.
Becon’s Scalp Scanner
Has your hair become thinner overtime? Hair loss is a frustrating and often disheartening experience, which can force one to wear hats or wigs more often. The good news is there’s a device that allows you to tackle the problem head-on and put you in control.
The Samsung Becon Scalp Scanner comes in two parts: a handheld device that analyses your hair and an app that offers relevant advice.
The device is equipped with a number of sensors that can read scalp sensitivity, dead skin, hair follicle density, and more to assess the overall health of your head.
This smart device can be connected to a smartphone over Wi-Fi. Based on the readings, the app will then suggest courses of action bespoke to your needs that can help slow down the hair loss process or possibly end it.
Myrror
While most beauty apps specialize in helping consumers find new beauty products and treatments, this one helps them to actually map their journey using the products and treatments to discover their effectiveness. Consumers no longer have to rely on their memory alone when trying out new products to see what suits their current needs.
2021 will see many consumers use Myrror to track their wellness and beauty routines in real-time. They will be able to upload photos and even add notes throughout their product usage process and get a clear picture of what worked best so they can stick to it and what didn’t so they can avoid it. This app is going to come in handy for evaluating everything from creams to supplements, fillers, lash treatments, and more.
The Digital Beauty Advisor
Boots’ skincare brand No7 has partnered with Revieve, a beauty tech company, to offer a customized online shopping experience to its consumers with the Digital Beauty Advisor.
This is in an attempt to offer their online customers the same stellar customer service as is offered in their physical stores. This technology is powered by AI and designed to offer skin analysis based on the answers users give to the skin-related questions. It also offers personalized skincare advice and product recommendations.
At a time when movement is still restricted, people may not be able to get to a physical store as often as they would love to. This technology is able to offer convenience, customization, and a level of service that matches the store’s physical personal care.
Good (Skin) Days
Who doesn’t want to have good skin every day? Well, no one. A new skincare brand that combines Korean beauty innovations with Soko Glam’s community feedback was recently launched and features four innovative products: cleanser, moisturizer, toner, and vitamin C serum.
Everybody is looking for healthy skin and these four essentials will be the foundation of your skincare routine regardless of your skin type. These products are created using clean, cruelty-free formulas that can help achieve truly happy, healthy skin. And, on top of that, they are budget-friendly.
Atypical Cosmetics
As mentioned earlier, beauty know-how is at its highest this year and consumers are looking beauty products that are bespoke to them. Unfortunately, most skin care companies use a one-size-fits-all approach to create skincare products and treatments.
Atypical Cosmetics is redefining skincare by combing customization technology with the finest natural ingredients to create bespoke skincare solutions.
Since simple factors like local climate can affect an individual’s skin moisture levels and health in general, Atypical Cosmetics ensures that each order is uniquely created based on one’s skin type, skin goal, and lifestyle.
With the pursuit of global environmental sustainability, consumers are looking to buy from environmentally-conscious companies. Atypical Cosmetics are natural, 100%vegan, and come in recyclable glass bottles.
Samsung Lumini – Smart Beauty Advisor
Consumers are increasingly turning to technology for help in personal care and other facets of their lives. The Samsung Lumini is a handheld gadget that is powered by AI and designed to offer advice on beauty and lifestyle.
The built-in camera will snap a photo and quickly analyze the user’s skin and detect any skin problems, including pimples, redness, wrinkles, freckles, and more before they occur.
Based on the data collected, the accompanying app will then provide personalized skincare products, treatments, and even preventive solutions.
Since this technology is powered by AI, it’s able to provide bespoke recommendations for your skin based on not only the unique needs of your skin but also other internal and external factors that may affect the health of your skin.
Kao’s Sofina iP
Skincare routines can be time-consuming, between all the products you might have to apply and the time required letting them settle in. Working women invest great time and energy into every part of their lives and as such, their ideal beauty products and treatments are effective and efficient skincare routines that don’t consume much time.
Kao’s Sofina iP is definitely what they’ll need this 2021. It provides full skincare with only two serums: Sofina iP base care serum and interlink serum.
An accompanying app, Hada id, was also released concurrently with the double serum system. It uses AI to scan the user’s skin and provide beauty care recommendations that are tailored to their skin and skincare preferences.
Conclusion
Congratulations for making it to 2021. While it will be a while before life gets back to normal, there are so many things to look forward to, beauty trends being one of them. These are just a few to get you started. Since people were stuck indoors last year, they are going to want big, drastic changes in 2021. So, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone with your beauty regime.
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