Two Editors & An Expert Weigh In On This Summer's Top Beauty Trends

By far the best time of the year when it comes to all things beauty, summer 2021 has the word fun written all over it. 

To share with you the top trends we’ll be sporting this summer, founder Natalie Papadopoulos sat down with beauty editors Emily Algar from Grazia and Bree Grant from PopSugar to fill you in on everything you need to know. 

First of all, summer beauty - what are your thoughts? Why do we love this time of year?

EMILY ALGAR: Summer beauty is definitely the best kind of beauty! It’s party season, the days are long and swimming every day seems to work wonders for my hair and skin. My beauty aesthetic is natural with a twist. I love a dewy complexion, a bit of bronzer, creamy blush and a pop of colour, typically on the eyes or lips. I definitely lean towards creamy textures too during this time of year – powders can feel a bit heavy when it’s 34 degrees out.

BREE GRANT: Summer is my favourite time of the year for beauty trends. It’s the holiday season, beach days are abundant and bold looks are always on-trend. Something about Summer just makes people feel more carefree, open to trying new things and experimenting with their looks. You often see people's real personalities shine through their looks and I just love that. 

NAT: What’s not to love! During summer we have that fresh dewy sunkissed skin which means we don’t need to wear as much makeup and can let our own natural beauty shine through. Of course, not missing out on the festive fun, pairing our looks with a few bold statements and pops of colour to match those warm balmy nights with a cocktail in hand.

What are we going to expect this year compared to last?

EMILY: I think in Australia we’re always pretty low key in regards to summer beauty, but I have a feeling this time around we might put a little more effort in, given half the year was spent in sweats on the lounge. I think pastel colour palettes will have a moment – I love mint green for nails, sky blue for eyes and a creamy peach tint on the cheeks. Also nails! Nail art is everywhere. I am someone who gets a manicure maybe once a year, but I have FOMO so this might have to change. 

BREE: I feel like last Summer it was all about paring it back, keeping the colour palettes neutral and experimenting a little with graphic eyeliner here and there. Whereas this year, I feel like because of lockdown and all the gloomy vibes, everyone just wants to break free of it all, express themselves, experiment with colour, and spice up their look. So we're seeing a lot of bright, punchy colour palettes, effortlessly cool eye trends and nails that just scream hand me a cocktail! And quite frankly, MORE. OF. THIS. Please! I wanna see a bright or pastel eyeliner in everyone's makeup bag this season.  

NAT: This year I think we are seeing more and more bright fun adventurous things. People have been locked down for so long that they had plenty of time to play around with their makeup drawers and find new fun things to bring excitement to their day. I for one am loving these trends. All rules are out, and people are just having fun expressing themselves in different ways. I think the key to this season's trends is, you don’t have to apply anything perfectly. 

On the top summer beauty trends for 2021

COLOURED EYELINER

EMILY: I love coloured liner and always have. I think it’s one of the easiest ways to trick up your makeup routine (just ask Kendall Jenner). You can keep it relatively neutral with a navy or deep berry, but I’m a big fan of pink, lilac and electric blue. For a liquid formula, you can’t beat Marc Jacobs Highliner. They come in an amazing range of colours and stay on well. Just pair with mascara, a full brow and you’re done! 

BREE: Ooft, this trend gives me real Euphoria makeup vibes, only wearable. It started trickling through from the US a few months ago after people were looking for ways to spice up zoom meetings and I'm glad it's arrived just in time for our Summer. If you're after a subtle take on the trend (no one wants ‘80s-esque blue eyeliner), opt for a colour that compliments your eyes. However, if you're feeling bold (YES GIRL) swipe on those hot pink, electric blue, lime green, and bright white hues! You can't go past MECCA Max's Zoom liners or Fenty Beauty's Fly Pencil. 

NAT: I love this trend kept simple and not done over the top. A kind of undone makeup look rather than paired with lots of different eyeshadows. I just love the edge a pop of colour to the eye can bring to the whole look. I love the Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Liquid-Gel Eyeliner.

VIOLET MASCARA

EMILY: Teenage me is excited about this. A burgundy-coloured mascara actually went viral on Tik Tok last week because of the way it made green eyes look brighter. The theory is that they’re opposing shades on the colour wheel. I definitely think it suits all eye colours and complexions though. You could even pair it with a soft purple shadow. Try this Shiseido one on for size: 

BREE: This trend makes me feel all kinds of nostalgic. It's a quick and easy way to add colour to your look without breaking out the eye shadow or liner. I like it because if you're a little too intimidated by the block eyeshadow or coloured eyeliner trend, coloured mascara gives you options; and if you pick a darker colour like violet you just add this subtle (but chic) glimmer of colour to your look. My top tip, start with a light coat and see how you feel before layering it on any thicker. You can always add more! I love Shiseido's ControlledChaos MascaraInk.

NAT: This is another ‘cool girl’ less is more look. It’s a way to add something to your look without being too adventurous. I would start with black mascara and add the violet to the tips if you’re hesitant. Again I love this look without too much coloured eyeshadow, let the pop of colour do the talking. 

BLOCK EYESHADOW 

EMILY: I love the idea of a single-coloured eyeshadow look because it’s so easy to pull off (and saves the hassle of blending). I use the Mecca Max single shadows for this because they’re cheap and the pigment payoff is amazing. Lilac, gold, blue and peach are all fun options! My tip is to keep it confined to the eyelid only, so it looks fresh + modern (as opposed to teen dance concert vibes). 

BREE: Ahh, I love how bold this trend is. I'll be honest with you, even as a beauty editor I found this one intimidating at first. I'd recommend starting with neutral or pastel colours while you get comfortable with a brush and single-coloured lids. If you're anything like me, even work a little over your lids with your finger for that effortless effect. To get a high-colour payoff, prime the eyelid before swiping on a powder eyeshadow formula with your fingers or opt for a creamy liquid eyeshadow for a more saturated or even glossy look. I like the Anastasia Beverly Hills Norvina Pro Pigment Palette Vol. 1

NAT: This trend is all about just having fun with it. Apply with your fingers, who cares if it’s messy, that’s kind of the point. The imperfection of it all. It’s 2020 - all rules are out the window. I’m currently using the Natasha Denona Sunrise Eyeshadow Palette and loving the warm tones.

COLOURED TIPS TO MATCH YOUR PEDI

EMILY: Open my Instagram saved folder and you’ll be met with 101 coloured French manicure inspiration posts. I think it’s such a fun trend, especially when matched to your pedicure. In terms of colour, anything goes! But I lie neon, pastels or an offbeat shade like pistachio green.

BREE: Oh, I absolutely became obsessed with coloured tips after scrolling through Instagram and seeing all the pastel colours. It's such a fun way to spice up your mani and tie it into every outfit you're planning to wear this Summer. 

NAT:  this trend is super cute. I’m personally not a fan of coloured tips over a full nail polish, I only like it on clear base nails. I’m loving a peachy orange or violet-blue like the Kester Black Acquarius Purple for this. 

THE MICRO FRENCH

EMILY: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is the queen of this look. I’m literally growing out my nails so I can copy. You could try and DIY but nothing beats a professional finish.

BREE: Oo, we can thank the achingly cool Dua Lipa for this comeback. While I'm still not 100% sure how I feel about it, it's such an early '00s vibe, I can see why it's circling back. When done right (read: in-salon and by a pro) it looks très chic. 

NAT: A 90s classic making a comeback like all 90s trends. What I like about this is how subtle it is. It’s again moving away from the overdone looks to something more undone. It also is less noticeable if a chip occurs so it’s win-win.