7 Fresh Beauty Trends To Try Now We Can Go Out Again

From blunt fringes and bobs to kohl-rimmed eyes and glossy lips, here are the best autumn/winter 2021 hair and beauty trends to try out after lockdown.

LEEOR WILD. COURTESY OF PRABAL GURUNG

It’s been more than a year since the world first went into lockdown. That’s 365+ days worth of Zoom, countless episodes of Bridgerton, and at least one miserable birthday. But thanks to the ongoing progress of global Covid-19 vaccinations, the end looks soon to be in sight. So, how do we want to look when this is all over? What new hairstyle do we want to emerge with from the chrysalis of lockdown? Which experimental make-up trend will we debut when we re-enter the world? Vogue looks back to the autumn/winter 2021 catwalks for the hair and beauty trends to try out after lockdown.

Black eyeliner There was something rebellious about this season’s shows. A moody teen spirit pervaded the catwalks, which spoke to a sense of defiance and grit in the face of world events. This was particularly felt in the thickly rimmed kohl eyes seen everywhere from Dior to Chanel, Sandy Liang to Libertine.

Dior autumn/winter 2021. ACIELLE STYLEDUMONDE

With masks still very much a reality for the foreseeable future, eyes have become the new site of creative expression. So, darken the waterline, like at Alice + Olivia, to create a sense of sultry drama or open up the eyes with charcoal around the lash line and lashings of mascara, as make-up artist Aaron de Mey did at Givenchy.

A red lip

Nothing says “I’m back” better than a bold red lip. It’s sexy, classy and it makes a statement. Take your cue from Prabal Gurung with a classic matte red or vamp things up with a high gloss as at Molly Goddard. Or if you’re feeling particularly daring, you might want to consider a silver (see Salvatore Ferragamo).

Molly Goddard autumn/winter 2021. BEN BROOMFIELD. COURTESY OF MOLLY GODDARD

Glossy lips If you’re thinking of making a beauty statement, but you’re not quite ready for the bold red lip, consider a gloss. Taking centre stage at both New York and London fashion weeks, the glossy lip is autumn/winter 2021’s must-have make-up look. It’s fresh, it’s playful, but it can also be soft and romantic. Go natural with a lightweight and hydrating gloss, as we saw at Ulla Johnson and Fashion East, or make it work for nighttime with a high-shine gloss as seen at both Casablanca and Mark Fast. If you really want to make a statement, why not opt for an ombre lip and slather it in shine like at Kiko Kostadinov.

Kiko Kostandinov autumn/winter 2021. COURTESY OF KIKO KOSTANDINOV

Pops of colour

Get ready to celebrate lockdown lifting with strategically placed pops of colour. Think psychedelic dyed rainbow streaks as at Matty Bovan or neon cuts as at Dolce & Gabbana. Elsewhere, there was shocking-pink winged eyeliner at Versace and purple geometric shapes at Giambattista Valli. Yes, we’ve spent a year embracing our natural beauty, but now it’s time to have some fun. Remember fun?

Matty Bovan Studio autumn/winter 2021. COURTESY OF MATTY BOVAN STUDIO

The fringe

If there was ever a time to get yourself some bangs, it’s now. And you don’t have to hack away at your hair yourself as salons look set to open soon (at least in the UK). But which style to choose? Do you go for the witchy micro fringe as at Rick Owens? The midi fringe as seen at Lanvin? Or how about corkscrew curls as seen at Marni and Proenza Schouler?

Proenza Schouler autumn/winter 2021. DANIEL SHEA. COURTESY OF PROENZA SCHOULER

For something a little less experimental but with just as much punch, opt for a precise, eye-grazing cut such as the ones we saw at Victoria Beckham, Tod’s and Emilio Pucci. And if you already have a fringe, consider growing it out – check Salvatore Ferragamo for inspiration or style into a ’70s shag as we saw at Atlein. There are plenty of styles to choose from.

The bob

Like a fringe, getting a bob is the perfect way to revitalise your look. It also beats the obligatory lockdown bun and gets rid of all those dead ends you’ve been accumulating. So whether you opt for that classic French-girl cut as seen at Staud or get dramatic with a blunt cut like at Valentino, it’s time for an update.

Valentino autumn/winter 2021. SALVATORE DRAGONE : GORUNWAY.COM

The headscarf

If you’re not quite ready to commit to a bob or fringe, let us tempt you with the headscarf. Channel your inner ’00s pop star with a satin bandana as shown at Versace, or hark back to old Hollywood with the silk scarves we saw at Dior – it’s the perfect way to freshen up your look without making it permanent.