Beauty Packaging Design Trends We're Loving

Now that we’ve met the halfway mark of 2021, it seems fitting to reflect back on some of the best and biggest beauty packaging design trends we’ve seen this year.

While there will be many (many!) more to come, for now, we’ve really enjoyed the pastel hues, sleek gradients and custom typography that’s found its way onto the boxes and bottles of brands we know and love.

Looking for a little design inspiration of your own? Here are the top three beauty packaging design trends we’re currently loving:

Ultra-simple, type-driven packaging

Brands like OUAI and Nécessaire have paved the way in developing ultra-simple packaging that’s equally as minimalistic as it is iconic. Perfect for accenting a pared-down beauty enthusiast’s skincare shelf, we’re fans of this straightforward approach to primary and secondary packaging development.

Bold metallic accents

On the flipside of super minimal design, we’re also seeing a lot of bold metallic accents incorporated into packaging for a luxe aesthetic – and we’re here for it. BYREDO’s line of high-end fragrances is the perfect example of this, with a pewter cap added to each bottle. One thing that we love about metallic elements in packaging is that it feels heavier in-hand, instantly giving the impression that a product is elevated and worth the investment.

Matte bottle & packaging finishes

There’s something about a matte finish that feels so nice in-hand, and we’ve caught a lot of beauty industry leaders making the switch from glossy to shine-free over the last year. Glossier has been great at this for a while, with select serums packaged in a frosted matte glass bottle. For serums containing Vitamin C, this design decision also helps protect the integrity of the product in the bottle – a true win-win.