We’re about to hit Autumn/Winter 2021 (seriously, where has the year gone?) and with the changing seasons comes a change in fashion and beauty trends.
SS21 saw us starting to get back into our beauty routines. But between face masks, working from home and cancelled plans, it might feel like a while since you last wore a full face of makeup.
Beauty is definitely back and it’s moving away from the natural, skincare-focused routines we saw in spring. Some trends from last spring are also here for autumn, so if you were into them then, you’re going to love this season’s trends too!
Let’s take a look at which AW21 beauty trends we can’t wait to try.
1. Creative Cat Eyes
First things first, cat eyes and winged liner are still in (yay!) but with a twist. AW21’s emphasis is switching it up a little and focusing on more creative cat eye looks like kitten eyeliner and reverse cat eye looks.
Kitten eyeliner is a more subtle, dainty cat eye that looks fresh, clean and suits everyone. It’s thinner lines and a more subtle flick as seen on the runways for Chanel and a whole host of celebs.
The reverse cat eye trend comes from TikTok and involves creating a cat eye look on your lower eyelid rather than your upper lid. Simply put, it’s a super-cute, modern take on your usual cat eye.
2. Lipstick’s Back
If you love lipstick then you’ll love the next trend: lipstick is back!
After 18 months of lip smudges from wearing a mask (or just having nowhere to go), a full colour lip has returned but with an autumn twist. Play with tonal autumn colours like plums and berry shades, classic reds and even some of the rich colours you saw in spring.
All of the big makeup artists have been showcasing full colour lips as one of the AW21 beauty trends to be seen in. In fact, it was spotted on the catwalks at New York Fashion Week for Prabal Gurung, Sportmax and Sandy Liang.
3. Khaki Nails
Ready for a change from French tips, swirls and summer pastels? Try a more understated khaki or forest green nail for your talons to be totally on trend in AW21. This colour palette is really easy to wear and suits everyone, whatever your nail shape or length.
It’s really simple to recreate at home too – just pick up your fave green shade and get ready to paint. You can even experiment with khaki nail art or tips if you’re feeling shy when it comes to all-over green.
4. Glowy, Dewy Skin
Okay, so we feel a little like this trend never really goes away. That said, glowy, dewy skin is still in this autumn. (No matte looks here!)
The idea is to create a base that glows from within but still full in coverage, groomed and glam.
It’s less about bare skin and freckles as we saw in spring and more about polished, flawless skin that radiates from within. We can take inspiration from the fresh, full coverage skin at the shows of Isabel Marant, Azzedine Alaïa and Philip Lim.
5. Natural, Brushed Up Brows
Though thin brows keep threatening to make a comeback (traumatic nineties overplucking flashback incoming), it doesn’t look like full brows are going anywhere.
Soap brows, brow lamination and bushy brows are still key AW21 beauty trends to keep on your radar. In other words, throw away your tweezers and grab your brow brush pronto!
This trend has been seen everywhere over the last couple of seasons on celebrities and the runways. Keep those brows full and natural to be up on the latest brow beauty trends.
6. Graphic Eyeliner
Bold, bright and seriously artistic eyeliner looks popped up all over the catwalks for AW21. We saw it on Jourdan Dunn for Givenchy, all over Versace (including on Gigi Hadid) and at David Koma’s London Fashion Week shows.
This is the total opposite of the more natural makeup we were all rocking last year. Even so, it nods to the spring graphic eye looks we saw earlier in 2021.
Crack out the coloured eyeliners and get as creative as you want with this standout, fashion-inspired look.
7. Metallic Eyes
It feels like it’s all about the eyes with these AW21 beauty trends, and this trend is no different. Metallic eyes were seen on stars like Addison Rae (created by iconic makeup artist Pat McGrath) and at the AW21 Prada show.
Like graphic eyeliner, you can really make this trend as subtle or as garish as you want. From mother-of-pearl duo chrome looks to statement gold – the choice is totally yours. It’s a simple and effortless way to add a touch of glam.
8. We’re Blushing
Blush is back for AW21! If you’ve been obsessed with your bronzer and highlighter over summer, it’s time to try blush again.
A great technique that’s been seen by celeb makeup artists time and time again is draping. It’s a way of using your blush to contour your face in a much more natural way.
If you’re not sure about blusher (and want to avoid the stripey, eighties blush look that’s definitely not a AW21 beauty trend!) then try out a cream blush first. It’s easier to blend than power and can give a more understated, stripped-back look.
9. Leopard Print Nails
We love leopard print, so we’re obsessed that it’s back for nails as one of the AW21 beauty trends!
The focus for this season is subtle hints of leopard rather than a full leopard nail. Although, if you’re feeling feline then why not go the whole hog?
Try leopard tips, stripes of leopard print running vertically or even just an accent nail if you don’t want to let out your wild side just yet. Try other animal prints like tortoiseshell or cow print too if you want something a little different.
10. Blunt Cuts
Blunt haircuts are in for autumn, especially fringes and bobs.
Truth be told, blunt micro fringes were seen on models at Rick Owens, Victoria Beckham and Vetements. Then there were Valentino’s models, who were also rocking blunt bobs.
Some retro blunt cuts like the 70’s shag (and even the mullet) are even popping up on catwalks and social media. Therefore, if you want to go all in on a blunt cut then this might be the trend for you.
(There’s no need to have a go at your own hair now that the hairdressers are back open either! Result.)
AW21 Beauty Trends: Why We Can’t Wait to Get on Board
AW21 sees some of our favourite beauty trends sticking around for another season, along with some exciting new styles from the catwalk that we can’t wait to try out.
Makeup looks are definitely getting more creative and colourful, with social media quickly picking up the latest beauty trends from the runways.
There’s a big focus on emphasising the eyes in bold ways, but lips, nails and hair are all having their moment too.
What are your favourite AW21 beauty trends? Will you be trying any of them out?
Lucy Thorpe is a freelance writer and marketer from the UK. She specialises in writing about beauty, fashion and lifestyle (with a bit of marketing thrown in for good measure). In her spare time you can find her reading, cooking or heading off to explore nature from her home at the edge of the Peak District.
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