Hair and makeup trends to embrace this summer
We’ve been really excited about this summer’s hair and makeup trends, as they’re the perfect balance between playful and practical.
![Beautiful woman with blond hair. Fashion model with red lipstick](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/beautiful-woman-with-blond-hair-fashion-model-with-red-lipstick-780x470.jpg)
The beauty of being two seasons behind Europe and the States is that we get to see a forecast of the next season’s trends months before they actually arrive here. We’ve been really excited about this summer’s hair and makeup trends, as they’re the perfect balance between playful and practical. Here are the summer 2021 trends that made it big internationally.
Glow from within skin
The last 18 months have shown some interesting beauty trends, the most noticeable of which is the major uptake in skincare regimes. Whether it’s due to the rise of maskne, or the fact that we’ve been forced to stare at our complexions on Zoom, skincare sales increased dramatically during the worst-hit months of the pandemic. This summer, the “natural skin” look stay, but with major emphasis on glow. We’re expecting to see a lit-from-within approach to skincare and makeup. That means lightweight coverage and a strong focus on radiance-enhancing skincare.
The two most important skincare ingredients to help increase radiance are glycolic acid and vitamin C. Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads (R379.95) are soaked in 2.8% exfoliating glycolic acid and are designed to resurface and retexture the skin. Use daily to reveal a brighter and smoother complexion. For fast-acting yet affordable vitamin C skincare, try the Creightons Vitamin C Superfruits range. Creightons Skin Radiance Moisturiser (R89.95) is a moisturising, lightweight lotion that contains natural fruit acids and enzymes and 2% vitamin C to enhance the skin’s natural glow. Creightons Vitamin C 2% Bright Eye Serum (R115.95) contains the same beneficial ingredients and works to reduce dark circles and brighten the eye area.
For light, sheer cover, we recommend applying a little bit of the wet n wild Photo Focus Dewy Foundation (R129.95). It evens out skin tone and gives a sheer glow while letting your natural skin shine through. Apply it with the new Real Techniques Miracle Skin Sponge (R179.95), which was designed to amplify your skin’s natural glow. Finish off with a few strokes of wet n wild Color Icon Bronzer (R99.95) and you’re good to go!
Colourful eyes
Summer 2021 eye makeup trends in Europe and the States were all about colour, be it graphic liner, rainbow eyeshadow or a striking cut-crease. And we’re not just talking single colours. “Tie-dye” eyes have made a name for themselves on Instagram. This striking look involves wearing several rainbow colours simultaneously, sometimes in the form of two or three graphic lines across the eyelid, or by blending various shades of eyeshadow to have one colour fade into the next. Get the look with wet n wild’s newly-launched Color Icon 10 Pan Eyeshadow Palettes (R169.95). Try shade Call Me Sunshine for warm summery shades and Heart and Sol for feminine pinks and purples. A good quality set of makeup brushes make application so much easier. Real Techniques Everyday Essential Eye Brush Set (R499.99) contains seven brushes and a metal eyelash separator to create any eye makeup look your heart desires.
Bold brows
Will bold eyebrows ever go out of style? It seems not, and frankly, we couldn’t be happier! This summer, we’ll be seeing a lot of bold brows with a feathery look as opposed to dark and solid colours. Again, a more natural look takes preference. To accentuate yours, we recommend wet n wild’s two new brow launches: Brow-Sessive Brow Shaping Gel (R124.95) and Brow-Sessive Brow Pencil (R85.95). Designed to achieve a “low maintenance full brow”, these products softly fill brows and are buildable, so if you can decide how natural or how intense to build your colour.
Natural-looking falsies
With the rise of mask-wearing we saw a lot of “bigger is better” when it came to lashes, but this season sees a more natural approach to falsies. Be it a complement to the colourful eye makeup trend (you wouldn’t want your lashes to compete with your eyeshadow) or an overall movement towards a more natural look, false lashes are in, but this season they’re here to enhance your natural lashes, and not to steal the show. Kiss Blooming Lashes in Peony (R148.00) add just the right amount of drama to accentuate your lashes without looking over-the-top. For a feathery look, try Kiss Look So Natural Lashes in Iconic (R135.00). Tapered ends help them blend in with your lashes for a natural look that is like your own lashes, but denser and fuller. Not that into falsies? Get the false lash look with wet n wild’s Big Poppa Mascara (R154.95) instead. This outrageously volumizing, dramatically lengthening, and intensely black mascara – infused with Castor Oil – makes even the shyest of lashes stand front and centre!
Beach waves
Beach waves is the ultimate classic summer hairstyle. This laid-back look is extremely versatile and works with most hair types and lengths. The easiest way to get the look is to use a texturizing spray to give the hair texture and volume, and finish off loose waves with a curling wand. If the curls are too stiff, run your fingers through them a couple of times to break and loosen them. Products to try:
Umberto Giannini Curl Scrunching Jelly (R149.95) banishes frizz, adds shine and gives definition to waves and curls.
Hask Curl Care Curl Shaping Jelly (R190.00) is a miracle blend of coconut oil, argan oil and vitamin E that hydrates hair to prevent curls from frizzing and drying out. This flexible, non-sticky formula sculpts waves and curls without leaving them stiff or crunchy.
Sunshine blonde
Shades of golden and honey blonde are big news this summer. Whether you’re already blonde and planning on lightening or darkening your colour, or you have red or brown hair and you’re planning on going blonde, the best thing you can do is to invest in hair care products formulated specifically for blonde hair. Try Provoke Touch of Silver Brightening Shampoo (R130.00) and Conditioner (R130.00) which neutralises brassiness and blond colour with a toning violet pigment while effectively cleansing and conditioning hair to keep it soft and healthy. Use a weekly hair mask like Creightons Sunshine Blonde Silver Brightening Silver Masque (R74.95) with violet pigments to brighten and protect blonde, platinum and white hair. It contains a blend of argan oil and violet pigments to protect and brighten blonde hair whilst deeply nourishing and repairing.
Going natural
In line with summer’s makeup trends, natural is in for hair care too. If you’ve been planning to transition to natural, now is a great time to do it. Natural hair needs plenty of moisture, so make sure that your hair care products are hydrating. The Perfect Hair Grow On The Go Shampoo (R99.95) and Conditioner (R99.95) is a great duo as it effectively helps promote hair growth while nourishing hair with coconut oil, castor oil and shea butter. Apply a deep conditioning treatment weekly for an intense moisture boost Cantu’s Shea Butter Natural Hair Intensive Repair Masque (R54.99). Penetrates deep into the hair shaft for an intense treatment to repair, restore and strengthen dry, damaged hair. If your hair needs a pick-me-up after a swim or on a hot day, we recommend a few spritzes of Curls in Bloom Hair Perfume (R99.95). Not only does is smell great, but the formula fights frizz, leaving hair soft and nourished throughout the day.
Curtain bangs
Curtain bangs are a great look for anyone tempted by a fringe, but somewhat scared. A regular fringe can be high maintenance, but curtain bangs are less maintenance and softer, plus they have a much softer look. Plus, it looks great when you wear your hair up as it gives a bit of coverage and shape around the face without taking centre stage. Apply a texturizing spray before you style your bangs (a flat iron or hairdryer will work) and lightly spray some hairspray on afterwards to keep them in check. Hask Keratin Protein 5-in-1 Leave In Spray (R189.95) uses the protein keratin to smoothe the cells that form your hair strands, making them fuller, glossier and much easier to handle – just what curtain bangs need!