These were the stand-out beauty moments from 2021 (just in case you missed them)
2021 was a big year for beauty. Sure, we may have been locked down during the first six months, but that didn't stop beauty brands from innovating, celebrities from experimenting with their hair and makeup, and us from revelling in it all from the safety of our homes.
As the world opened back up, IRL meetings and in-person events served as a runway for us to showcase all the trends we had trialled at home, from DIY nail art to perfected winged eyeliner, and we all made a beeline for the pro services we couldn't quite master ourselves.
There were, of course, a few spectacular beauty moments that caught our eyes more than others: Social media dished out a number of them with TikTok feeding us viral makeup hacks and celebrities taking to Instagram to reveal recent hair transformations, there were technological innovation took product development to new heights and the return to the real world saw a shopping revolution that we can only hope continues to grow.
Keep scrolling to discover our roundup of the best beauty moments from the past 12 months…
billieeilish / InstagramBillie’s blonde hair
In march, Billie Eilish took to her Instagram page to debut bouncy platinum blonde curls – a stark contrast to her famous neon green roots and mullet chop. The post received a record one million likes on Instagram in six minutes, apparently breaking a record previously held by Selena Gomez after her 26th birthday post in 2018 and is now one of the most liked Instagram posts ever. The makeover marked the beginning of Billie’s transition into womanhood and evolution of her image from her signature rap-inspired baggy tracksuits to classic, Hollywood pin-up styles and we couldn't be more here for it.
Glossier’s first permanent store
To mark the return of IRL shopping after nearly two years of various levels of lockdown, Glossier has opened their first-ever permanent international flagship at 43 King Street, Covent Garden. It’s set in a historic 17th Century townhouse, bordering Covent Garden's main square, and mixes heritage features with sleek modern finishes, and plenty of ‘gram-worthy moments, including the giant G in the foyer and a conveyor belt to collect your haul.
Celebrity beauty boom
From Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez, to Harry Styles and Pharrell Williams, to, err, Ellen Degeneres and Machine Gun Kelly, 2021 was the year that every celebrity on the planet launched a beauty brand. Undoubtedly inspired by the unprecedented success of Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty and Kylie Jenner’s Kylie Cosmetics, both of which have been valued at well over one billion dollars, A-list singers, models and actors have developed skincare ranges, makeup offerings and hair care formulas in a bid to cash in on the beauty boom. A few of our favourite launches from the past 12 months include r.e.m.’s Beauty 100% vegan liquid eyeliner that allows us to recreate Ariana’s famous cat-eye flick and Fenty’s new fragrance launch, because who doesn’t want to smell like Rihanna?
Pro Pop-Up
From the sniffing and swatching, to the expert advice from brand ambassadors and counter staff, to the sheer thrill of stepping into a buzzing beauty hall simply, there are many aspects of shopping for beauty IRL which cannot be replicated online. Now that the world has opened back up (at least in some ways), beauty brands are making the most of being able to connect in person with a number of exciting beauty pop-ups across the country, with the most exciting ones being hosted by the ultimate skincare and makeup pros including Jamie Genevieve, Lisa Eldridge and Caroline Hirons as well as spaces created by our favourite brands (the Benefit Cosmetics bus was a particular high point for us). Here’s hoping 2022 offers more opportunities to meet more of our beauty heroes on the highstreet.
Wearable beauty
Whether a spritz of Chanel No.5 or a sweep of a Gucci lipstick, beauty provides a purse-friendly entry point into some of the world’s most luxurious fashion houses. This year, we noticed couture brands taking it one step further, merging makeup and accessories with the launch of wearable products. Take DIOR Rouge Dior Minaudiere and Lipstick Holder, Valentino Beauty Go Clutch, Carolina Herrera’s lipstick keychain caps and charms, all of which add a flash of the designer’s glamour to your outfit for a fraction of the price of the fashion equivalent.
@IHEARTSARAHY / INSTAGRAMBig on TikTok
Although TikTok isn’t new, 2021 was arguably the first year that beauty brands really acknowledged and embraced its selling power, after a number of cult products and new launches went viral on the platform, including Maybelline’s Sky High Mascara, which picked up over 3.4 million likes, Too Faced's Lip Injection Maximum Plump Lip Plumper with #toofacedlipinjection picking up 53.4 million views and CeraVe cleansers, which were popularised and broadcast to billions by skincare influencer Hyram.
Cordless revolution
2021 marked the year that hair tools successfully went cordless – we say successfully because there had been attempts to do so for a good few years, but it was pretty much confined to super niche or pro brands, and between the sad battery life and excessive weight of each tool, they weren't much to write home about.Now, we are spoilt for choice with offerings from trusted brands including Dyson, Babyliss and GHD, which span across all types of tool including curling tongs, hair straighteners, hot air brushes and hair dryers. Batteries have become a lot more powerful, meaning the devices can reach optimum temperatures for styling in next to no time, and last long enough to totally transform your style.
instagram.com/kaiagerberBob mad
It's undeniable, 2021 was the year of bob haircuts. And though there have been some contenders for the top cut of 2021 (looking at you The Shag, The Mullet, XXL length and even, layers), bobs have held onto its title for another year as the cool-girl cut we can't get enough of.
