Magazine pages, Instagram accounts, Pinterest boards, and fashion runways are constantly full of bold beauty looks, from vivid makeup colors to fierce nails. But what makes the difference between a minor change in the way some people use (or don’t use) beauty aides and a dramatic groundswell that turns the tide, affecting beauty routines for months to come?

To figure out which beauty trends in 2017 will turn out to be truly groundbreaking, our team of beauty editors consulted experts in Groupon’s network of salons and spas, pored over beauty magazines, and scrolled through the Instagram accounts of beauty insiders, celebrities, and top models. And based on what we saw, we’re pretty confident about our predictions of 2017 beauty trends.

Jump to: Hair Trends | Makeup Trends | Nail Trends

Hair trends

The lob haircut

The lob, or long bob, haircut has been popular for years because it flatters almost everyone and works with almost every hair type. And as Steven Deer, of Chicago’s Steven Deer Salon, says, “Sometimes having your hair too long can age you. … A good cut keeps you looking edgy and sexy and younger.” As such, the lob isn’t going anywhere in 2017. It’s too flattering on so many people and too easy to style to fall out of vogue.

Check out lob styling and upkeep tips with our best short hairstyles for women article.

Crazy colorful highlights

The balayage trend is still going strong; Laurie Leopold, of the blog 312 Beauty, says it’s popular because it “gives you that lived in look from the moment you get it done and requires virtually no maintenance.” Previous years, however, saw balayage take the form of more natural colors. This year, we think crazier colors will make a big splash—specifically, neon hair that glows under blacklights. Guy Tang, the celebrity Hollywood stylist known for his bold hues, has been playing around a lot with neon hair colors, painting different rainbow colors on long locks.

Maybe you need ombre instead of balayage. Our balayage vs. ombre vs. highlights guide illuminates the differences.

Braids

Braids have been in vogue for several seasons, and 2017 won’t be an exception to the rule. They remain appealing because there are so many variations and they’re a great way to hide greasy roots, something highly necessary in these times of infrequent hair washing.

However, there is a braid style we’re expecting to make major headway this year. Sleek high ponies set on top of the crown and wrapped with big chunks of hair will be the focal point. The braids might appear on the scalp, in the ponytail itself, or as the locks that disguise the hair tie. Models such as Hailey Baldwin have been sporting this style, and it appeared on the 2017 New York Fashion Week runways.

Master two braided looks with our braided-updo video tutorials.

Makeup trends

Makeup-free skin

No-makeup makeup may have been popular in previous years, but a growing Instagram movement (and some big names) have embraced actual no-makeup looks. The philosophy was particularly publicized by Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys, who wrote an essay about her desire to accept herself for who she is—which meant not wearing makeup. She went on to show up on red carpets and co-host an entire season of The Voice completely bare-faced. Keys—and the more than 12 million Instagram posts appearing with the #NoMakeup tag, following in her footsteps—have gone a long way toward helping women feel more comfortable in their own skin and less concerned about dashing out the door sans makeup if they wake up late.

Learn about one way to attain clear skin with our breakdown of microdermabrasion’s benefits.

Bold lips, bare faces

At the end of 2016, we were seeing makeup return to a fairly classic look anchored by deep merlot lip color. In 2017, we expect lips to live out loud. Metallics are migrating from nails and glitter from eyelids to make the lips the bold centerpiece of an otherwise bare face. One of the best makeup artists in the business, Pat McGrath, launched two unorthodox kits toward the end of 2016: Pat McGrath Labs Lust 004 and Metalmorphosis 005. The kits sold out almost immediately, with beauty lovers snapping up the supplies needed to created ruby-slipper and molten-metal lips.

Graphic eyes

Of course, there are plenty of women who still prefer to keep their eyes as the center of attention. We think 2017 will continue the trend of full, define eyebrows, but we think the rest of the eye makeup will evoke a darker mood than it did in 2016. For instance, the imprecise eyeliner look was all over the New York Fashion Week runways. Re-create it at home by mixing sooty black eyeliner with cream and smudging it around around the eyes with a finger.

Are you inclined toward bold eyes or lips? Take our quiz to find your statement-makeup style.

Dewy skin

Instead of the highly contoured faces popular the last few years, beauty lovers are embracing glowy skin. They’re creating the look with everything from sheer highlighters to strategically placed facial-oil drops. In 2017, we expect the use of lipstick as blush to grow. Makeup artists at Fashion Weeks all over the world have been dabbing and blending lip color onto cheeks to bring out a subtle, natural-looking flush.

Discover how to get radiant skin with our guide to chemical peels.

Nail trends

Square-shaped nails

Long square nails are looking hot right now, especially if the last few months of Kylie Jenner’s Instagram is any indication. This acrylic shape—an obvious flashback to the early ‘90s—is a trend evolution from the coffin nails (aka ballerina nails) recently favored by celebrities like Zendaya and Rihanna. The coffin shape starts out as an almond look that tapers into square tips. No matter what acrylic shape you go for, keep in mind that it’s important to wear gloves while gardening or handling household chemicals, says Bozena Haluch, a nail technician at Nails Boutique in Chicago. And cuticle oil can help strengthen the nails, adds fellow nail tech Samara Guerra.

See what other tips manicurists have with our 10 Questions You Wish You Could Ask Your Nail Artist article.  

Nude nails

There’s been a bit of a revolution when it comes to the concept of nude-colored items. Many women have rejected brands that cater to a limited range of skin tones in favor of those that understand that, in reality, nude comes in a number of hues. First it was foundation, then it was nude bras; now change has come for nail polish. After a 2016 filled with metallics, many manicure fans are switching to a more muted palette. This year will be all about nude polish that complements your exact skin tone.

“You used to see a few pale polishes to give that barely-there nail look, but now there are colors for virtually every shade of nude,” says Laurie Leopold of 312 Beauty. She recommends OPI’s Washington, DC–themed collection for a few options.

Get additional nail-design inspiration with our article on how to modernize french tips.

2017 beauty trends that just missed the list:

• The tiniest, most delicate tattoos
• Minimalist constellation ear piercings with small studs
• Not-so-minimalist eyelash extensions
• Microblading for believably lush brows