Some of the best beauty looks on the fall/ winter 2021 runways to dazzle the world every time you step out.
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They’re not for the faint of heart, but there’s no denying that cool blues—from saturated cobalt and electric blue to softer powder hues—instantly capture the eye. If you dare, go all out and rock a full cerulean lip like at Dolce&Gabbana, or put a twist on the usual cat eye with a vivid blue and go extra long and wide. Prefer something more effortless? Apply a single powdery tone all over the lids and simply blend out.
Tip: Apply a thin layer of eyeshadow in a similar shade over your eyeliner. Like how a setting powder prevents foundation from shifting, this can help your eyeliner stay on longer.
Whether it’s mask on or off, eyes are the windows to your soul and remain the premium site for self-expression. Many runways showed some variation of smoky eyes. At Max Mara, khaki green was used as a softer alternative to black, but in a strong graphic shape. Chanel and Dior, meanwhile, took it to the dark side, going with rimmed looks heavy on the lids and lower lash lines. Dior’s take featured a lighter area in the centre of the lids to help “open up” the eyes.
Tip: Prevent fallout from messing up your makeup with a generous layer of loose powder in the under-eye area before you work on your eye drama. After you’re done, simply dust everything away with a large fluffy brush. Or apply a small amount of colour at a time to reduce fallout.
A red lip is a time-honoured, seasonless beauty staple, but in a surprising turn, the hue didn’t go down the darker route as it traditionally does every fall/winter. Rather, the twist this season came in the subtler form of precision, with a defined outline that brings the pout into sharp focus—so ready those lip liners. While the shades are entirely up to you, there was a clear leaning towards a matte, velvety finish for a softer look.
Tip: Clean up mistakes easily with tapered Q-tips dipped in micellar water.
Cat eyes get an upgrade this season with drawn-out lines and the lower lids coming into play. Models at Erdem strutted down the runway with peepers accentuated with “flicks” that reach the temples before gently curving back down and running along the outer half of the lower lash lines. Valentino similarly went with a winged look that was not quite so extreme but elongated all the same, complete with lightly lined lower waterlines. Messiness has no place in this trend; the emphasis is on clean strokes, which is best achieved with liquid eyeliners. In this case, those with brush tips are preferred as they glide over skin without dragging.
Tip: If you’re not yet confident with your strokes, draw small dashes and then join them up for a clean extended line.
The blusher sitch this fall/winter draws from all seasons for fresh ways to energise your look. Simone Rocha went with a lovely amalgamation of spring/ summer hues and fall/winter execution, sending out models with a soft and warm powdery flush on the sides of the cheeks for a contouring effect. Flying Solo, on the other hand, opted for the more muted hues typical of fall/winter, but applied on the apples of the cheeks to evoke the sun-kissed look of fun in the sun
Tip: Apply cream blushers before setting powders so you don’t cause streaks in your foundation.
Reflecting optimism and cheer, the runways were punctuated by bursts of brilliant colour, which is unusual for the season. Bright pops of lilac, orange and yellow, for instance, were seen on the eyes at the Dolce&Gabbana, Ricardo Preto and Buzina shows. Wearing the trend is easy: Just pick the colour of your choice, then decide if you want to dial it up (blend across the entire lid) or tone it down (dab on just the corners). For a more spirited take, throw in graphic lines drawn with a liquid eyeliner in an equally stark hue.
Tip: Up the intensity of the colour play by using a primer—it’ll help the pigments adhere better to skin for more vivid results.