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Posted: 2021-12-22T10:45:07Z | Updated: 2021-12-23T04:51:04Z 8 Of 2021's Best Beauty Trends And Products | HuffPost Life

8 Of 2021's Best Beauty Trends And Products

A look back at some of 2021s shining beauty moments and why they rocked our vanities.
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Mike Coppola via Getty Images
Selena Gomez, the founder and creator of Rare Beauty, was just one of many celebrities dipping their toe in the beauty industry this year.

The year 2021 was quite a time for beauty. Most notably, the notion of “the best in beauty” is better understood by a more nuanced notion: what’s best for you.

You don’t have to be a beauty influencer, expert or insider to have feelings about what had a cultural moment beauty-wise in 2021, but since these folks have access to more products and trends than most of us, HuffPost tapped beauty experts about the buzziest beauty of 2021 and what those trends mean for 2022. 

1. At-home salon care

When the pandemic shuttered salons and spas, many people were forced to adjust how they kept up their beauty regimens. And as we opened back up, we noticed that people continued the at-home salon trend thanks to a slew of professional-grade yet user-friendly products. 

“Realistically, most people in today’s world don’t have time to style their hair in a salon every day,” said Suzzie Monroe, founder of Luxbae, a boutique salon in West Hollywood, California. “For at-home styling, having an expert-recommended blow dryer, curling iron wand or flat iron is key. And with some practice, you can get pretty good at styling your own hair.” 

Score amazing waves at home with Drybar’s The Beach Bender: For people who struggle with a curling iron, this tool creates easy beachy waves, and its ionic technology prevents you from over-styling and frying your hair. 

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Another at-home trend that continued into 2021 was DIY hair color, with some caveats. “I often give a custom mix of take-home toner to my clients so they can freshen up their color in between their appointments,” Monroe explained. “But I absolutely wouldn’t recommend dyeing your hair at home with box dye! These are also formulated much differently than professional hair dyes and are remarkably hard to reverse or change in-salon later on.”

Get great color at home with Aura’s personalized hair care color-enhancing pigments: Salon-grade, color-enhancing pigments are a gentler way to dye, and you can personalize your formula based on hair type and lifestyle. They can be added to a masque or conditioner. 

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2. At-home IPL hair removal 

In line with the at-home spa, the market saw a deluge of high-tech beauty devices designed to enhance at-home procedures. One of the biggest trends was the at-home IPL (intense pulsed light) designed to zap away unwanted hair.

“Laser hair removal devices work by damaging the hair follicles during an active cycle of hair growth. Therefore, it takes multiple treatments, about a month apart, to completely stop hair from regrowing as hair grows in cycles,” cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green , who performs laser hair removal at her New York office, told HuffPost. At-home zapping is surprisingly easy, but it’s critical to heed instructions. “For any product you wish to use at home, it is important to use precaution, follow the directions listed on the product carefully. Always be sure to read the directions.” 

Try it at home with this SmoothSkin Pure IPL laser device: So easy to use, this FDA-cleared device assesses your skin tone and dials up the correct flash to ensure a safe and effective treatment. Expect to see results within 12 weeks when you perform the treatment once weekly. 

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3. Clean beauty at the drugstore

Clean and sustainable beauty has become a standard for people who want products that are free of toxic chemicals. The year 2021 saw the expansion of clean beauty into the mainstream market and even onto drugstore shelves. 

A product that took off in popularity was Odele’s line of clean hair care and body washes at Target:

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Versed  is another brand available at Target it’s “Climate Neutral certified,” vegan, cruelty-free skin care brand with environmentally friendly packaging, and everything under $25:

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4. Skin care for menopause 

Prior to 2021, beauty bloggers, brand ambassadors and editors rarely addressed menopause, despite the many skin care concerns this life stage ushers in. This changed in 2021 as more beauty brands tailored products specifically to the needs of women experiencing perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause. “There’s a million pregnancy skin care products on the market,” Janet, a New Yorker in tech, told HuffPost, “but when it comes to menopause, up until recently, there was a real dearth. But women don’t stop buying skin care at a certain age. In fact, we kind of double down, and we shouldn’t have to do so in the shadows.”

Deborah Kilgore, the global director of skin care knowledge for Paula’s Choice, explained that “when estrogen levels drop, the once-strong signals that stimulate collagen, proteins, elastin, hyaluronic acid and other substances begin to weaken. As these signals fade, important messages become muddled, and skin can appear to age virtually overnight.” She noted that this does not “imply that you should use ‘stronger’ versions of products or ingredients that you already use.” Instead, Kilgore recommends switching up your routine to add “ingredients such as plant-based phytoestrogens, which have been shown to target the effects of estrogen deficiency and, as a result, complement your other anti-aging treatments.”

Get Womaness The Works smoothing body lotion from Target for $19.99:  A luxe drugstore brand specifically created for the 40-plus crowd.

Get Hum Nutrition Fan Club for $40:  A beauty ingestible formulated for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause.  

Get Indeed Me-no-pause Cooling Mist for $20:  An ultra-cooling facial mist designed to plump skin and relieve flushing.

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Target/Hum/Indeed

5. All eyes on the brows

From barely there ’90s brows to glitter-enhanced disco brows, it’s been quite a year for the eyebrow. “Brows bring balance and proportion to your face and eyes,” Benefit’s global brow expert, Jared Bailey, told HuffPost. 

Hollywood makeup artist Stevi Christine has thoughts on pulling off a great everyday brow look. “For everyday brows,” she said, “trends are a no!”

Christine recommended a technique called brow mapping to create the brow look that best suits your face. “We do a simple brow mapping to enhance your eyes and face. I’ll usually use a spoolie to map it out to see if one brow is a bit higher. I’m into a fluffy, accentuated ‘undone but done’-looking brow. Brows that give you confidence when you walk in somewhere, not that overpower your face.”

To get a great natural brow, try Merit Brow 1980, a volumizing pomade that adds a hint of color to help define arches. 

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6. Celeb-touted brands

From Jennifer Aniston’s LolaVie to Alicia Keys’ Soulcare , 2021 saw many celebrity-helmed beauty brands arrive. Although these are not a new trend, celeb-touted brands are being held to a higher standard than ever before. Super-influencer Jackie Aina, who launched Forvr Mood , a luxe self-care line, told HuffPost that celeb brands today have to be “interactive with their fans and customer base” to be successful. “Right now I’m loving Fenty [by Rihanna] and Rare Beauty [by Selena Gomez]! I feel like initially when Rare Beauty came out after Fenty, they were quickly looked at as competition, but I think they’ve both proven in the beauty space that they have their own voice, their own brand identity and they focus on different types of products. Even if there is any crossover, like let’s just say they both came out with a line of blush, they are both very different and stand on their own.” 

If you want to give it a try, go for Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch liquid blush trio. This limited-edition set by Selena Gomez includes a dewy and matte variety, including a “Selena favorite.”

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7. Sheer foundation  

Skinamalism trended hard in 2021, which meant that full-coverage foundation went the way of the dodo. Cosmetic dermatologist Dendy Engelman explained the benefits of sheer foundation, formulated with ingredients like “antioxidants and hyaluronic acid to actually improve the health of your skin barrier while you wear them. Sheer foundation is a smart option for those with mature skin, as it won’t get trapped in fine lines and create creasing. People with dry and oily skin types can also benefit from sheer foundations that work to hydrate and nourish the skin barrier all day long.” She told HuffPost this “no-makeup makeup look” is overall a healthier option for skin.

Try Saie’s Slip Tint, a tinted SPF that glides on with a dewy finish. The standout feature here is the color-matching service that allows users to send in a selfie to get a custom shade recommendation.

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8. Extra lashes

Peeking out behind our masks and framing our faces when a bold lip was not possible, 2021 was all about the eyes and, in particular, extra lashes. 

Style influencer Erika de la Cruz told HuffPost, “Lashes were huge this year because not only do they instantly elevate your complete look, but they’re often the only things needed on casual days.”

To get the look, try LoveSeen’s Troi false lashes. Jenna Lyons’ luxe lash line continues to sell well, with a variety of lashes for different eye shapes, skin tones, hair textures and style preferences. 

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Before You Go

14 Box Subscriptions For Beauty Lovers
A completely personalized monthly box of makeup and skin care from Ispy(01 of14)
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Get either five deluxe samples, five full-size samples or both, depending on the monthly plan that you choose. Complete a personalized quiz to determine your beauty product preferences, foundation shade and skin concerns so Ipsy can curate a unique box of products you will actually use. Ipsy often includes cult-favorite brands like Tatcha, Tarte, It Cosmetics and First Aid Beauty, as well as offering products from indie brands and Black-owned businesses.

Get it from Ipsy for $13 to $41/month (up to a $170 value).
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A luxury beauty and makeup box curated by the experts at Allure(02 of14)
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Get at least three full-sized makeup and skin care products each month all of which have been tested and approved by the beauty editors at Allure. There's also a mini-magazine included with each box that features tips on how to use the products, which makes this box a great option for someone new to the beauty world.

Get it from Amazon for $23/month (a $100+ value).
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A seasonal subscription of full-sized products (beauty, wellness and more) from FabFitFun(03 of14)
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Sometimes beauty is more than just makeup it's also about self-care. FabFitFun sends out a generous supply of products four times a year, with items ranging from skin care to fashion and wellness to home and tech. Past boxes have included Koral ankle weights for exercise, Sunday Riley's high-dose retinol serum and the internet-viral magnetic eyelashes from Glamnetic.

Get it from FabFitFun for $49.99/three months (up to a $300 value).
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A box of viral and internet-approved beauty and lifestyle products from Macy's(04 of14)
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Get five deluxe sample-sized products as well as a surprise bonus item, all tucked away in a zip-closure makeup pouch each month, with this $15 subscription. Products from Macy's bestselling brands like Tarte, Anastasia Beverly Hills and Marc Jacobs are always included, so you can be sure to get something you like each time.

Get it from Macy's for $15/month (up to a $95 value).
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A regular supply of personalized products from Birchbox, a woman-owned business(05 of14)
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With a self-created identity called Beauty Casual, Birchbox offers a range of five different deluxe sample-sized hair care, skin care and makeup products. This box is a great option for people who feel consistently overwhelmed with the amount of products, ingredients and lengthy routines out there.

Get it from Birchbox for a $13/month rate if you sign up for a 12-month subscription.
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A monthly Kinder Beauty box of products from top clean and ethical beauty brands(06 of14)
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Receiving a monthly shipment of five clean beauty products from Kinder Beauty is kind of like beauty for a cause. Every month, a portion of the company's proceeds goes to organizations such as the ASPCA and Farm Sanctuary. The company also has taken steps to reduce waste by using packing products that are made from 100% recycled materials that are biodegradable and compostable. Enjoy a mix of both full-size and travel-size skin, hair and makeup products from ethical beauty brands like Kopari, Pacifica and Osea.

Get it from Kinder Beauty Box for a $23/month rate if you sign up for a six-month subscription (a $165 value).
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A bimonthly Love Goodly box filled with nontoxic beauty products from socially conscious brands(07 of14)
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Every two months, get four full-sized vegan and cruelty-free beauty products from Love Goodly, which supports artisans around the world. Past boxes have included certified natural eyeliner pencils, fruit-derived enzymes scrubs and antioxidant-rich marula oil for hair and skin.

Get the Essentials Box from Love Goodly for $34.95/every two months (a $77+ value).
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A box of Beekman Beauty artisan skin and body care that comes every season(08 of14)
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Receive a new assortment of clean products from Beekman Beauty every three months, including serums, moisturizers, jelly cleansers and masks. Beekman Beauty uses clinically kind ingredients and nourishing goat milk in many of its face and body products, which make this a great option for people with sensitive skin.

Get it from Beekman 1802 for $65/every three months (a $150 value).
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A monthly dose of GlossyBox skin care, hair care and makeup products tied up in a pink box(09 of14)
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GlossyBox features a new theme each month, like "pure relaxation" or "poolside paradise." Each edition has related products from crowd-favorite brands like Glow Recipe, Batiste and Purlisse. It covers everything in beauty from hair accessories, makeup and skin care.

Get it from GlossyBox for $21/month (a $60 value).
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A Detox Box that highlights the best of green beauty brands(10 of14)
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The monthly Detox Box includes Detox Market's holy grails and tried-and-true favorites from clean beauty brands. Each box highlights a new brand, so you can experience the full range of products that can nourish damaged hair, even skin tone and minimize the appearance of fine lines. Brands include Vintner's Daughter, Osea and Tata Harper.

Get it from The Detox Market for a $39.95/month rate if you sign up for a six-month subscription (a $90 value).
(credit:The Detox Market)
A skin care-intensive box from Dermstore filled with full and deluxe sample sizes(11 of14)
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Get full- and travel-sized products that have been hand-picked by the skin care and beauty professionals at Dermstore. You might be able to test out the brightening powers of a Skinceuticals vitamin C serum or the potential firming capabilities of Sente's Dermal Pressed contour serum. There's a heavy emphasis on skin care, so this subscription would be a great option for all those derm-enthusiasts out there who love trying out the latest active ingredient or product in skin care.

Get it from Dermstore for $24.95/month (a $180 value).
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A Lookfantastic box of deluxe sample sizes from high-end beauty brands(12 of14)
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Get five deluxe sample sizes and a surprise item each month in the Lookfantastic beauty box, which features high-end brands in skin care, makeup, hair care and nail care. Previous boxes have included the firming Prai dcolletage cream, the long-wearing precision brow pencil from Diego Dalla Palma and Balance Me's BHA exfoliating concentrate for brighter, smoother skin.

Get it from Lookfantastic for a $16/month rate if you sign up for a 12-month subscription (a $60 value).
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A monthly box of beauty products that are redhead-approved(13 of14)
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You certainly don't have to be a redhead to subscribe to this monthly supply of beauty and wellness products from How To Be A Redhead. But this women-owned and operated business only includes items free of heavy chemicals that also complement red hair. Previous boxes have included sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners, face masks and makeup perfect for those beautiful ginger manes.

Get it from H2BAR for $24.98/month (a value of up to $140).
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A monthly subscription of skin care products hand-picked by a dermatologist(14 of14)
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Board-certified dermatologist Alan Parks from Eastside Dermatology in Ohio selects each skin care product included in this monthly delivery. There's a mixture of deluxe trial sizes and full-sized products such as serums, moisturizers, cleansers and masks from trusted names in clinical skin care.

Get it from DermWarehouse for $30/month (a $100 value).
(credit:DermWarehouse)

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