Wow! Has it really been nine months since Kim Kardashian went platinum blonde? That didn't last long. Now that we're counting down to the end of 2015, it's only right that we look back at the most unforgettable beauty moments.
The Kardashian-Jenner family gave us a lot to talk (and argue) about -- from Kimmy's short-lived dramatic hair makeover to Kylie's successful Lip Kit launch. But there were other individuals who deserve some time in the spotlight. For example, model Maria Borges opting out of wearing super-long hair extensions to rock her natural hair at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Not to mention, Jared Leto and Zayn Malik serving #hairgoals with their brightly-dyed manes.
Here's a list of all the beauty moments from this year that are worth reminiscing about. Are we missing anything? Let us know in the comments section below.
Makeup Launches That Were On Everyone's Lips (Literally!)
The three biggest cosmetics to launch this year were all highly-coveted lipsticks. MAC Cosmetics fulfilled our holiday wishes with the Mariah Carey "All I Want" Lipstick, a champagne shimmer shade that harkens back to the frosty pout the pop singer sported back in the '90s. The youngest (and arguably most famous) Jenner debuted the Kylie Lip Kit line this November, and the products sold out unsurprisingly. But that wasn't the only lipstick to sell out super fast. Music and makeup lovers purchased all of Drake's signature Tom Ford lip color (a miniature metallic plum hue) online in "mere minutes."
The Natural Hair Movement Stormed The Runways
Black and biracial models with different hair types and textures, including curly, wavy and kinky, turned heads with their magnificent manes as they hit the runways. Standout looks included Michael Lockley's dirty-blonde coils spotted at Jeremy Scott's Spring 2016 Show and Maria Borges' teeny weeny Afro at the 2015 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. And we have to acknowledge singer-actress-style icon Zoë Kravitz, who walked in Alexander Wang's finale Balenciaga show with her waist-long box braids.
Social Media Campaigns Prove It's Time To Change Beauty Standards
Thanks to Twitter and Instagram, anyone with a message had platforms to make an impact. Amy Schumer used her candid humor to produce a "Girl, You Don’t Need Makeup" parody which reminded women that they are beautiful without makeup. The powerful movement took off thanks to a hash tag with the same name, and it even encouraged men to bare their faces in support. Meanwhile, YouTube star NikkieTutorials' #ThePowerofMakeup campaign reassured us all that there is absolutely no shame in getting glammed up either. Beauty brand Dove continued it's #LoveYourCurls mission by launching an emoji keyboard complete with 27 curly hair designs that represent various skin tones and hair colors. FINALLY!
Hair Color Got Trippy
We said bye-bye to ombré and hey, what's up, to a new hair color trend: tortoiseshell hair. Bronde, a natural-looking dye job, was a favorite among celebs like Gisele Bündchen and Blake Lively. Instead of a clear contrast from root to tip, the tortoiseshell look combines warm colors like golden blonde and chocolates to form a beautiful combination of hues.
Holographic hair came in the form of a new technique called "hand-pressed color," which uses sheets of glass and large brushes to create. Check out colorist Chiala Marvici's very cool process here.
On the other end of the spectrum, guys were embracing the Manic Panic-like colors that we thought were a thing of the past. Jared Leto rocked neon pink, Zayn Malik showed up to Paris Fashion Week with a platinum buzz cut (after Kim Kardashian went platinum) and Joe Jonas even dyed part of his 'do blue.
The Beauty Industry Got Called Out
The New York Times shocked with its investigative report on the terrible working conditions in New York nail salons. Of course, backlash ensued and the NYT issued a rebuttal.
Popular black hairstyles like bantu knots and the Afro were showcased in mainstream media, leading many to believe that these "trends" were new to 2015. Just to name a few instances, baby hair was a "wild" new trend, according to Elle UK and now defunct Lucky Magazine. Allure published a tutorial on how to get an Afro, using a white model, while "mini-buns," aka bantu knots, went down the Marc Jacobs runway and were deemed a trend without reference to its historical roots.
But, the industry didn't get away with these terrible mishaps that easily. Amandla Stenberg called out Kylie Jenner for cultural appropriation after Jenner wore cornrows. Stenberg went on to comment even more, powerfully stating "Do female black lives matter too?" Additionally, entertainer Zendaya clapped-back at Giuliana Rancic after the television personality made racist comments about the young star's faux locs hairstyle.
Good news, though! Model Soo Joo Park became the first Asian-American spokesperson for L'Oréal Paris, which is huge. Here's to more diversity in 2016!
Nostalgic Beauty Brands Gave Us The Best News Ever
Lip Smackers and Bath & Body Works made two major announcements this year that rocked '90s/'00s kids' worlds. The former was said to shut down its operations in America, but then Lip Smackers came back to say that our favorite flavored lip balm would be "revamping" its brand. Bath & Body Works confirmed that six of its legendary scents would be making a comeback, including Cucumber Melon and Juniper Breeze. Nostalgia never smelled so good and saturated!
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