The new beauty icons you should follow

We all have our beauty idols. 

Whether it’s Blake Lively and her amazing luscious locks, Cara Delevingne’s fiercely bold brows, or how Gigi Hadid always shows off a highlighted-to-perfection complexion, we all have a celebrity we look to for hair, makeup, and style inspiration. 

With new faces always emerging on Hollywood’s red carpets and down runways every day, there’s a whole new generation of beauty icons to follow, and these up-and-comers are worth keeping an eye on in 2017. 

Your new braid-spiration: Lucy Hale

Where you’ve seen her: The 27-year-old can be seen on cult TV show Pretty Little Liars.
Why she’s one to watch: Besides the fact that she gives us seriously tousled short hair envy, Lucy is living proof that no haircut is too short to plait or braid. With the expert fingers of hair stylist Kristen Ess behind her intricate and beautiful hairstyles, you can be assured that you’ll be dying to try each and every single braided look you see on her – no matter your hair length. 

Your new brow goals: Taylor Hill

Where you’ve seen her: She’s walked the runway for brands like Fendi, Chanel, and Dolce & Gabbana, but you probably know her best from her role as Victoria’s Secret Angel and as the new beauty ambassador for Lancôme.
Why she’s one to watch: Cara Delevingne may have brought the bold brow back in vogue, but with her soft arches, full shape and natural style, Taylor could very well be the one responsible for inspiring you to grow out, shape and fill in your brows. 

Your new low-key muse: Alicia Vikander

Where you’ve seen her: Picking up award after award for her role in The Danish Girl, and starring in Jason Bourne and The Light Between Oceans.
Why she’s one to watch: With her glossy brunette mane and creamy, flawless skin, Alicia makes us want to ditch the heavy makeup and hair tools and live a simple life of air-drying, BB cream, blush and mascara. Anyone who can walk down the Oscars red carpet and make natural makeup look that good, is worthy of beauty icon status as far as we’re concerned.

Your new contouring and highlighting queen: Shay Mitchell

Where you’ve seen her: If you don’t recognise her from Pretty Little Liars, you may have caught her in Mother’s Day or follow her Snapchat stories.
Why she’s one to watch: Yes, Shay has been blessed with radiant skin and cheekbones we’d most likely all kill for, but her (or rather, her makeup artist’s) highlighting and contouring game is strong, giving reigning queen of glowing skin, Gigi Hadid, a run for her money. With not a harsh contouring line to be seen, and just the right amount of highlighter on the highpoints of her face, Shay sports the bronzed glow highlighting and contouring kits were basically made for. 

Your new hair icon: Priyanka Chopra

Where you’ve seen her: The Bollywood actress has made it all the way to Hollywood, and stars in ABC’s Quantico, and will be in the upcoming remake of Baywatch.
Why she’s one to watch: Just look at all of that hair! With insane amounts of bounce, volume, and shine, Priyanka’s hair is what dreams are made of. And lest you think it’s the trickery of hair extensions, it’s all down to good genes and commitment to caring for her hair’s health. Priyanka told InStyle that she keeps her hair in such a fabulous state with warm coconut oil. She said, “I put it on and leave it in for two hours or overnight, but really massage it in; it'll stimulate the roots to help the hair become stronger and longer. I do it on nights when I’m at home and watching TV.” 

Your new off-duty style: Olivia Culpo

Where you’ve seen her: Olivia’s resume covers actress, model, television presenter, cellist and Miss Universe 2012, but she’s most popular on Instagram and Snapchat.
Why she’s one to watch: While Olivia’s red carpet glam looks are flawless, her curated street style is even better, showing off an array of casual and effortless hairstyles that are exactly what you want to wear on the weekend. While some are easy to copy (hello, half topknot!), others, like the tight braided style above, require a bit more skill and patience, but are totally worth the effort. 

Looking to copy Olivia's stylish Dutch Braid? Follow our easy braid tutorial right here.

Image credits: Getty;@kristen_ess