Make-up in 2021 will be about striking a balance between the colour and skincare worlds. We are now more health-obsessed than ever and with the rise of wellness influencing our daily self-care regimen, the importance of ingredients is be more influential than ever.

We have revised and rewritten everything we knew about beauty pre-pandemic. Gone are the days of thickly applied one-tone foundation. We now want to stay subtle yet stand out. We want our skin to breathe but we also wish to experiment with products. We want natural tones as well as splashes of striking colour-blocks.

So, what does that mean for make-up?

It means the focus is no longer on the coverage of your foundation and how likely your product is to appear cakey – it is on minimalistic, dewy looks that embrace your natural skin with a dose of colour.

Eyes are dramatic, cheeks will glow and lips are matted and transfer-proof. It’s the perfect example of a polished, natural look.

Must-have make-up products include matte liquid lipsticks that offer a choice of bold shades, cheek blushes to contrast with our masked-up faces, and lengthening mascaras and liquid liners for dramatisation.


Our Recommendations:

For men who wish to invest in cosmetics for a subtle skin boost, we recommend ALTR London’s best-selling Face Fix Concealer with an easy-to-apply, buildable formula available in four shades - light, medium, bronze and dark. Made from natural carnauba and candelilla waxes and supreme china clay, ALTR’s Face Fix ensures that not only are blemishes and dark circles hidden but that dirt that may become trapped in the pores of the skin is drawn out.

In an extremely popular trend of combining colour and skincare ingredients, ALTR’s revolutionary concealer helps to both heal and hide your skincare insecurities. It is also cruelty-free and the packaging can be recycled.

For those who wish to accentuate their cheeks, Dominic Paul’s Liquid Highlighter is available in three shimmery shades: Phuket, Koh Samui and Bangkok, which can be applied on top of your foundation or just on bare skin.

An extra perk? It is 100% vegan and cruelty free!

Other options include two products from the patron saint of blush, Daniel Sandler. The first option is the award-winning Watercolour Liquid Blush available in six subtle shades: Cherub, Spicey, So Pretty, Glamour, Divine and Caress. The blushes are silicone-free, water-resistant and transfer-proof making them perfect for mask-wear! The second is Daniel Sandler’s Watercolour Gel Cheek Colour available in four shades - Nectar, Petal, Mango and Berry - and enriched with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid for skin hydration.

For a bold colour statement try Dominic Paul’s Matte Liquid Lipstick available in five velvety colours: Lee, Sawadee, Red Chilli, Thai Spice and Patong. With its transfer-resistant formula you don’t even have to worry about it smearing or smudging onto your mask!

April 10, 2021 — Lydia Mason