2015 saw a lot of beauty trends go viral, including clown contouring, glitter beards and sunset hair. So what will 2016 have in store? Well, we’ve collected 11 beauty trend predictions from make-up artists, hair stylists and of course, straight from the runways, so you can be prepared for the year ahead (and earn full bragging rights for knowing what was going to be ‘in’ before everyone else).
#1 Colour
International hair and make-up artist Heidi Scarlett King predicts 2016 will be a year of colour. “And no shyness about it either! Almost every runway for SS16 had bold brights on the eyes or lips.”
In particular, if you take a look at images from the Diane von Furstenberg, Monique Lhuillier and Marc Jacobs shows, it can safely be predicted that blues and teals will become particularly popular for enhancing the eyes.
Diane von Furstenberg
Monique Lhuillier
Marc Jacobs
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#2 Natural brow
“I think the days of the overdone Instagram brow that you had to use ten products to create will be over”, says make-up artist Sheri Vegas. “I much prefer a natural brow that is shaped for what best suits your face as it is much more flattering and makes you look younger.”
So if you spent all of 2015 trying to grow your brows, don’t worry, your efforts have not gone to waste. Big brows will still be in, just a little more wispy and less structured.
#3 No more heavy contouring
“I predict next year will see the demise of the heavy clown style contouring which does not suit everyone and will date very quickly”, says make-up artist Eloise Proust. “The natural style of highlighting known as strobing will remain popular.”
Celebrity make-up artist Fiona Stiles also agrees, explaining it will “still be a big focus, but with a more gentle, sheer, see-through application so that the effect is less theatrical and more believable”.
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#4 Facial sprays
As natural and light make-up coverage continues to grow in popularity, skin care is becoming more and more of a focus.
“I predict beautiful facial sprays will be a big thing”, says Eloise. “Filled with essential oils and natural ingredients, these sprays will give your skin an instant hydration [boost] and glow [and some have] ingredients to help your make-up stay on all day.”
bh recommends:
- Qsilica REHYDRATE Energising Facial Mist
- Kosmea Hydrating Rosewater Mist
- La Mer The Mist
- Alpha-H Instant Facial
#5 Dark eyes
Celebrity make-up artist, Jenny Patinkin, predicts dark-rimmed eyes will be big for spring. Get the look by “[smudging] a soft black or graphite grey powder shadow or kohl liner all the way around your lash line”.
Take a look at the Cushnie et Ochs and Anna Sui runway shows for inspiration.
Cushnie et Ochs
Anna Sui
#6 Glossy lips
Matte is out and gloss is in. But instead of bright coloured gloss, Director of Global Artistry and Pro-Artist Relations for Kevyn Aucoin Beauty, Viviana Martin, says it’s more likely to be “shimmery or delicate and muted tones”.
Celebrity make-up artist, Jill Freeman, also envisions more natural-looking, glossy lips to be big in 2016.
#7 Bright red lips
BUT all is not lost for bold lip lovers, because bright red lips (is red ever not in style?) will also be popular throughout spring, according to make-up artist and founder of Sonia Kashuk Beauty, Sonia Kashuk.
Oscar de la Renta
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#8 Long hair
If you couldn’t quite bring yourself to cut your locks (even after the Bingle bob and lobs took over all of celebrity land), your resistance is soon to be rewarded because long locks are coming back. At least that’s what Barney Martin, Pantene Hair Expert and Owner of Barney Martin Hair Salon is predicting.
#9 Diamantes and glitter
Sparkles and all things glitter have been quite a dominant beauty trend at music festivals in past years, but if the Givenchy and Creatures Of The Wind shows were anything to go by, some glitz may make its way into our everyday (or maybe just every weekend) beauty looks. It may appear subtly with a big rise in metallic shadow use, or something far more out there like bejeweled brows, but either way we’re definitely expecting some more diamante and glitter statements this year.
Givenchy
Creatures Of The Wind
#10 Funky French manis
We’ve been talking about the return of the French mani for a while now and after seeing the close-ups from the Veronica Beard, Jonathan Simkhai and Monique Lhuillier shows, 2016 is definitely going to be the year. But it’s not a French mani as you know it, think coloured tips, geometric patterns and almond-shaped edges.
Jonathan Simkhai
Monique Lhuillier
#11 Bows and headbands
The top knot has long been everyone’s saviour for second or third day hair, but as 2016 gets underway we may begin reaching for bows and headbands to style our greasy mops. To really amp up the glam, go for metallic slides and full headbands like those seen at Givenchy and Rodarte. A satin head scarf (like the one seen at Cushnie Et Ochs) can be fashioned into a statement bow at the front of the forehead or you can keep it simple with a lax black ribbon tied around a low pony, like at Oscar de la Renta.
Rodarte
Cushnie Et Ochs
Oscar de la Renta
Would you try any of the above trends? Do you have any other predictions for 2016?
Some great looks still trending years later!