Here it is once again — our annual 2017 beauty retrospective. We're revisiting the cosmetic trends that made us stop and stare, the celebrity-backed makeup collections earning genuine praise, and the big stories that resonated far outside the beauty bubble (microbeads, we're talking about you). Whether you joined in, sat them out, or simply need a refresher, these are the moments that would dominate any beauty-lover's top nine Instagram posts.
In previous years it was Rihanna's wild hairstyles and daring colour choices that had the beauty press buzzing, but 2017 belonged to Fenty Beauty. Stocked exclusively at Harvey Nichols, this all-encompassing makeup line boasts 40 foundation shades, complexion-loving highlighters and, more recently, a universally flattering red lipstick (yes, it genuinely suits everyone). We aren't the only ones eagerly awaiting her next product drops.
When Miley Cyrus first debuted her buzzcut, we dismissed it as a passing whim. Fast forward twelve months (otherwise known as 2017), and Cara Delevingne followed suit. Then came Kristen Stewart, Kate Hudson, Zoe Kravitz — practically anyone with access to clippers jumped aboard. A bold two-fingered farewell to the flowing locks once considered mandatory for red carpet appearances, this trend easily outshines the lob.
Millennial pink packaging? Check. An addictive Instagram feed? Check. Unconventional formulations? Check. Global frenzy? Check. Yet Glossier delivered far more than buzz — their products have been delivering results since July. After months of watching our American friends indulge, Emily Weiss of Into The Gloss finally opened the doors to us Brits. From the Milky Jelly Cleanser to Cloud Paint and their newest scent, You, the label hasn't misstepped yet. We're curious to see how things unfold when fellow US cult favourite Milk arrives on these shores, reportedly by spring 2018.
Hair products don't usually whip crowds into a frenzy, but when styling legend Sam McKnight unveiled his signature sprays over summer, it felt as though Kate Moss's effortlessly tousled hair had been decanted into a tin. Absolutely iconic. The texturising spray claims the top spot on our list, though we'd happily repurchase every single one — the muted, powder-toned packaging alone is enough to upgrade any shelfie.
Plenty of celebrity-fronted makeup ventures are nothing but noise, yet the Gigi and Maybelline partnership broke the mould. Rather than merely lending her name, she collaborated with the brand to develop products drawn straight from her own kit. Smoky eye palettes, contour kits and lip shades practically begging to be photographed — makeup devotees were genuinely thrilled.
Beginning January 1, no UK manufacturer may produce cosmetic items containing rinse-off microbeads, and by June 2018 they'll be classified as banned goods. Those tiny plastic spheres responsible for the exfoliating action in scrubs and shower gels may have buffed away dull skin effectively, but they've also been devastating marine ecosystems. With 300 billion plastic fragments littering the Arctic alone, the beads are being replaced by gentler natural options that deliver identical results. Prepare yourself for the three S's — sand, sugar and salt — to take over exfoliation duties.
When Kim Kardashian first went blonde, salon colour-correction appointments skyrocketed as too many DIY attempts went awry. Undeterred, she embraced yet another daring transformation in September, swapping peroxide blonde for platinum. With grey balayage tipped as one of 2018's most coveted colour trends and metallic hair dye popping up on salon menus nationwide, steely silver claimed the crown as the year's defining hair shade.
Libertine went with fluffy pink, Jeremy Scott embraced playful polka dots, Gucci favoured crystal embellishments, House of Holland championed checkerboard prints, while Balenciaga and Marc Jacobs both pushed monogrammed manicures. Should anyone have needed confirmation that nail art had reclaimed its cool factor, the 2017 runways provided all the evidence required.
At-home hair colour, moisturisers, serums, sheet masks, scrubs, lipstick, highlighters… we're hard-pressed to think of a single product category lacking a plant-based alternative these days. Indeed, 2017 marked our collective pivot toward plant-powered formulations. Crucially, these aren't wishy-washy formulas delivering mediocre outcomes — they rival their chemical-laden counterparts blow for blow. Our current favourites? Algenist, BYBI, Axiology, plus one of the year's most exciting debuts — BLEACH London's inaugural makeup collection. Eager for additional vegan options? These ten brands deserve a place on your beauty radar.
