Following a relatively quiet 2020 from many celebrities thanks to pandemic restrictions, we were hoping for a year of big beauty moments in 2021. There was much discussion and excitement at the top of the year about the hope and joy of stepping back out into the world and what that would look like from a beauty point of view. While the lingering effects of Covid meant the reality was somewhat muted – many of us, celebs included, spent a good portion of the year at home again – there was still plenty of looks and news to keep us inspired and excited.
In general the drama was turned down a notch as glowing skin remained key, accented by a bold liner here, or a defined lip there. The 90s became the era to emulate and a star undergoing a dramatic hair change, or just embracing their own natural locks, gave us plenty to talk about amongst ourselves while we waited out turn for our own appointments.
Anya Taylor-Joy at the Emmys
As the British-American’s star has ascended, so too her increased appearances on the red carpet. The Queen’s Gambit and Emma star had a number of memorable looks this year but it was this appearance at the Emmys that really stood out. What should have looked like a 90s school ball throw-back, somehow managed to look elegant and modern, owing to the 90s beauty revival and enough restraint with makeup that let her red lipstick remain the star.
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Amanda Gorman partners with Estee Lauder
Award-winning writer, poet and activist Amanda Gorman became the latest star to work with beauty giant Estée Lauder, but it wasn’t the standard spokesmodel contract. As part of the deal, Estée Lauder said it would contribute US$3m over three years to Writing Change, the company’s initiative to advance literacy ‘as a pathway to equality, access, and social change’. In addition Gorman will act as curator of Writing Change and ‘bring her voice of change’ to Estée Lauder campaigns from early next year.
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Billie Eilish goes blonde
Arguably the most talked about hair transformation of the year, the signer’s dramatic moved from her grungy two-toned black and neon green do, to platinum blonde garnered over 23million likes on Instagram when Eilish posted her shaggy new cut and colour in March. She’s recently made another U-turn, revealing a change to ‘expensive brunette’ a hair colour trend expected to pick up pace next year.
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Hailey Beiber at LACMA gala
Serving plenty of casual cool looks on social media this year, the Californian model is known for her low key vibe but it was this chic outing to LACMA’s tenth annual Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles that we think made a real impression. Bieber chose creamy merlot lipstick and a subtle sparkle on her lids to pair with her striking white Saint Laurent column dress.
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Nicola Coughlan at the BAFTA Awards
The breakout Bridgerton star kept us captivated with a consistent stream of fresh, modern makeup looks this year, but this appearance in a swathe of blue shadow that contrasted her Valentino dress has a clear favourite.
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Zendaya at the Oscars
Our pick for the reigning queen of the red carpet, Zendaya’s inventive fashion looks are always accompanied with a perfectly complementary beauty look and she rarely wears her hair or makeup the same way. This minimal makeup and mermaid hair chimes perfectly with her yellow Valentino Haute Couture gown at this year’s Oscars.
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Sarah Jessica Parker and co stars
Influential for just showing up as herself, it was entirely refreshing the way Sarah Jessica Parker and her co-stars unapologetically emerged into the limelight prior to this year’s filming of Sex and the City spin off And Just Like That. While much has been made of her greys strands, Jessica Parker points out it really is no big deal given it’s an eventuality for everyone.
“Gray hair gray hair gray hair. Does she have gray hair?’ she said in a recent Vogue interview, “I’m sitting with Andy Cohen and he has a full head of gray hair, and he’s exquisite. Why is it okay for him?”
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Gigi Hadid Met Gala
Gigi Hadid’s look at this year’s Met Gala brought together a number of this season’s biggest beauty trends – pastel eyeshadow, extended eyeliner, copper hair dye and hair accessories, with a touch of glamour.
Also relatable? Her makeup was mostly done with items from accessibly-priced brand Maybelline. Less within reach? Topping off the look with a Jacob & Co diamond necklace totaling 117 carats, reported by the New York jeweler to be worth around $12m!
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Dior signs Emma Raducanu
Another brand extending its reach beyond models to represent its brand, Dior announced it had welcomed 18-year-old British tennis star Emma Raducanu as the brand’s new ambassador for Dior skincare and makeup following her September US Open win.
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Jennifer Anniston launches Lolavie haircare
She’s been known for her hair for decades, so among the avalanche of other celebrity beauty brand launches this year, the Friends star’s haircare brand Lolavie was somewhat fitting.
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Dua Lipa for Versace by Pat McGrath
Dua Lipa made her runway debut at Milan Fashion Week walking for Versace’s Spring/Summer 2022 show in Milan for Fashion Week. Her electric look was created by legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath and signposts the way for bold and bright eye makeup looks to trend this summer and into 2022.
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Megan Thee Stallion at the Grammys
Megan’s Grammys look, particularly her hair complete with French roll and tendrils reminded us of everything we once loved about the ’90s, as well as signaling the era’s dominant return to the spotlight. The 90s has been key in influencing celebrity looks throughout the year and has emerged as one of the biggest ongoing beauty trends for next year too. Time to sharpen up that brown lipliner!
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Jennifer Lopez performs at the Presidential Inauguration
Was this J Lo’s year or what? We feel like she was everywhere this year, and her beauty looks were numerous, but a standout as got to be her performance at President Biden’s inauguration in January. Lopez performed a patriotic medley of songs that included a part of her own hit ‘Let’s Get Loud’ from her 1999 debut album ‘On the 6’, rocking a voluminous, flippy pony and her signature tonal makeup look.
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Images (top) @larryjarahsims, @mimicuttrell, @mugopus.
