2021 Must-Have Beauty Products
New year, new makeup! This is the year to go all out and refresh your 2021 beauty lineup. So, what better way to set some new year’s beauty resolutions than right now? It’s out with the old and expired products from years ago, and in with the new hottest makeup products and trends. The makeup world can most certainly be an overwhelming place, with new makeup dropping at dizzying daily rates, you may never know where to start. I definitely don’t! Thankfully, our talented VCFS makeup artists have told us the 2021 must-have products to add to your 2021 beauty routine. So, let’s get started!
Nina Nissan // Makeup Artist
Glam Glow SuperMud Mask: A great charcoal based mask to absorb oils and minimize pores. I use this every two weeks or when I feel is needed. I love the way my skins feels and looks after I’ve washed it off. Bye bye pores!!
Briogeo Cold-Pressed Castor Oil: Cold-Pressed castor oil helps grow lashes, brows and hair. I use this product on my lashes and brow every night before bed to grow them at best as they can. I struggle with damaged lashes from constant lash extensions and when I use this product, I can rock wearing mascara without the lash extension withdrawals.
Huda Beauty Silk Balm: Not a fan of Huda herschel, but this is an amazing clear gloss that plumps an denhances my lips like no other lip product. It’s a super moisturizing and non-stick formula that is even better than the Lip Injections Extreme.
Oaui Body Cleanser: If you want to smell luxurious, this product is a must in the shower. A hydrating body wash that smells like $$$ with a stuttle hint of florals.
Sania Sahi // Makeup Artist
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Original (Berry): A gel-like lip mask that you can leave on overnight for softer lips. Super moisturizing for smoother, plumper lips.
Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Pore Cleaning Toner with Moringa + Papaya: A deep cleaning toner for exfoliating your pores and controlling oil production. Use in the morning and/or night with a cotton round or your hands.
RMS Beauty Luminizing Powder in Grande Dame: A beautiful luminizing powder that gives you that lit-from-within look. Apply on the high points of your face or anywhere you want to highlight.
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm: A gentle but effective makeup remover that goes from a balm to an oil. Massage the balm over a dry and then rinse with warm water.
Maddy Toker // Makeup Artist
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% and Zinc 1%: This serum consists of a vitamin and mineral blemish formula. It can be applied morning and evening to reduce the appearance of blemishes, redness, and pores.
e.l.f. 16 HR Camo Concealer: This concealer is lightweight yet full coverage and I love to apply it under the eyes and down the centre of my face for a brightening effect. It has a matte/powder finish but does not leave the skin feeling dry or creased.
Buxom Full On Plumping Lip Cream: This has been one of my go-to lip products for years! It has a creamy and moisturizing formula with a slight tingling effect for fuller lips. My favourite colours are Hot Toddy, Rose Julep, and White Russian.
Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette: These powders give a stunning glow and shimmer to the face. They apply beautifully on the cheeks, eyelids, or inner corner for a brightening and luminizing effect.
Maddy Smith // Makeup Artist
Dormer 211 - Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid Complex: I’ve been using this moisturizer all winter on my dry and sensitive skin. It is non-comedogenic, hypo-allergenic, fragrance free, non-greasy and fast absorbing. It also helps speed up my acne healing and keeps my face feeling super soft. Couldn’t recommend more!
MILK - Hydro Grip Setting + Refreshing Spray: I use this spray both for priming my face and setting my makeup. Made with blue agave and cannabis seed extract, it is free of sulphates and parabens and is also vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free. This is a new favourite of mine!
NYX - Butter Gloss: I’ve been obsessed with plumped and glossy lips lately. So paired with the Too Faced Lip Injection Plumper Gloss, the NYX butter gloss is long-lasting and keeps my lips moisturized. It is also vegan and cruelty-free, which shouldn’t all products be nowadays? It’s a drugstore brand which also means its accessible at your nearest Shoppers and doesn’t break the bank.
PIXI - H20 SkinTint: I struggle with acne, so sheer coverage can sometimes be scary, but it is also crucial to keep your skin products as clean and clog-free as possible. This skin tint is water-based, moisturizing and has buildable coverage. Pixi is another cruelty-free and vegan company that you can find at drugstores. Ethical brands are easy to find, just plug in a google search and you’re all set!
Katie Bell // Makeup Artist
The James Charles Palette: Hi sisters! This is my go-to palette for any look whether it be natural or glam, as it contains almost every color you can think of. There are 39 deeply pigmented shades with a range of matte, metallic and shimmer colors perfect for doing makeup looks on yourself or others!
Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein Power Treatment Hair Mask: If you’re someone who frequently dyes or often curls/straightens your hair like me, I highly recommend this mask. It hydrates, reconditions, strengthens and smooths hair, and helps reduce frizz and breakage. Just after using this mask once I noticed a difference in the way my hair looked and felt.
Colourpop Ultra Blotted Lip in the Shade Slide: Colourpop is one of my favourite brands, and I’ve recently been wearing this colour because it creates a diffused, natural look with a matte finish that will last for hours!
NYX Radiant Finish Setting Spray: Don’t get me wrong I usually love NYX’s matte finish setting spray but this one is not what I thought it was and something I will definitely be leaving behind in 2020. It has a golden tint to it which made me look slightly orange and it left my skin with a sparkly finish which I don’t really like. Definitely not a product I would recommend.
Tia Gayle // Makeup Artist
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA: The literal cure to dark spots! I have sensitive skin and find serums to be less harsh than dark spot toners. I definitely recommend this for anyone who is looking to spot treat.
Paula’s Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50: Haven’t missed a single day of sunscreen application in 2021 so far! This sunscreen is my absolute favourite because it doesn’t leave a white cast, is smooth, and has a gentle scent - your skin will thank you for it.
Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk’r Instant Warmth Bronzer: As a woman of colour, I often struggle with finding a bronzer that isn’t too orange or grey. This shade range works well for me and takes my natural cheekbones to a whole new level!
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector: I rushed to the hair salon after the first lockdown to get an ash blonde balayage and my curls hate me for it. Using this between washes has definitely been a game changer in protecting my curls from heat and bleach damage!
Noor El Hussein // Makeup Artist
KIKO Beyond Limits Bronzer:I absolutely adore this bronzer by KIKO. Not only does it come in a huge compact (20g of product!!) but it’s also cool-toned enough that it sculpts the face but also warm enough that it makes you look sun-kissed.
YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE Kale + spinach moisturizer: This ‘Youth to The People’ moisturizer for all skin types is a great clean beauty option for skincare. It’s incredibly moisturizing without leaving the skin greasy and with the combination of hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, helps balance and condition the skin.
NYX Epic Ink Eye Liner: Eyeliner is a staple for me but I often find it hard to find a product that has a small enough felt-tip and an opaque and long lasting formula. This eyeliner has both and more for a great price.
FENTY BEAUTY Stunna lip paint in uncensored: FENTY beauty dubs this as a universal red colour and they mean it. It looks great on anyone and everyone and is my favourite red liquid lipstick to use. This is an intense and opaque red and trust me, a little goes a long way with this product.
Stay tuned for more content coming your way all leading up to our final performance!
Marley Higgs // Press & Media Intern