16 Trends That Will Be HUGE in 2018

Updated on 2/6/2018 at 1:50 PM

In 2018, our onscreen heroes will be female, our workouts will double as self-care, and our '80s-inspired style will be anything but subtle. Slip on something lavender, grab a fizzy drink, and get ready for a year that's equal parts action and empowerment.

Based on the insights of POPSUGAR's editors, our internal trend tools, and our hundreds of millions of monthly visitors around the world, we're highlighting 16 trends and themes you'll meet in the year ahead. Take a look at what you'll watch, wear, and explore in 2018.

Pop Culture Trend of the Year: Kickass Women

Thanks to movies like Ocean's 8 (Sandra Bullock! Rihanna! Mindy Kaling!), Black Panther (Lupita!), and A Wrinkle in Time (Oprah! Reese! More Mindy!), we'll see plenty of women kicking ass on the big screen in 2018. Think Gal Gadot in Wonder Woman times 10. Meanwhile, women in Hollywood will be demonstrating their power off screen, too, with some already wearing all-black looks during award season as a protest against sexual harassment in the industry.

Color of the Year: Lavender

Step aside, millennial pink, because lavender is about to have a moment. The Spring '18 runways pointed to a lavender takeover, with the color popping up on everything from sequined dresses to oversize knits and sharp suit sets. Meanwhile, celebrities have been showing off gorgeous lavender beauty looks, and the flattering, Instagram-friendly shade is being used in highlighters, lipsticks, and more.

Drink of the Year: Sparkling Everything

Carbonation is key in 2018, so prepare to say "cheers" to all things sparkling. It's not just fizzy water that's winning people over; brands are getting in on the trend by tapping into new categories. Alcoholic sparkling sodas, sparkling mineral waters, sparkling pickle juice, and . . . sparkling cold brew? We will absolutely toast to that.

Travel Destination of the Year: The Philippines

Grab your beach bags, because the island of Boracay in the central Philippines snagged the number-one spot on our list of 2018's top travel destinations. Just four and a half miles long, the small island is known for its stunning, postcard-worthy beaches and tucked-away hotspots. Sunbathing in paradise? Yes, please.

Beauty Trend of the Year: Water-Infused Products

The importance of moisturizing is Beauty 101, and based on the many H2O-based products hitting shelves, that won't be an issue in the coming year. Water-infused facial creams and water-blending lip oils are making waves, and micellar water is moving beyond skin cleansing and into hair care.

Look of the Year: The '80s, Modernized

Throughout 2017, '80s-inspired fashion picked up steam, and you can expect the nostalgic trends to explode in the coming year in a way that won't make you cringe. In 2018, some of the decade's most popular styles will return — with a more modern flair. You'll find updated power suits to help you channel your inner Working Girl, but don't worry, you won't have to embrace shoulder pads. Structured pieces from brands like Argent come in tailored silhouettes and rich shades that feel very "now." Meanwhile, '80s retro-inspired activewear gets a cool, contemporary upgrade with the colorblock pieces from Tory Sport collection.

Fitness Focus of the Year: Soul-Care

Self-care vibes are flooding into the fitness world, and 2018 will see the emergence of routines that zero in on both recovery and the mind-body connection. As meditation studios and sound therapy are becoming more popular, buzzy workouts like Animal Flow combine functional fitness with challenging, strength-building moves. The Class by Taryn Toomey — a celebrity favorite — emphasizes the spiritual elements of fitness, but along with that mind-body connection come squats and burpees that make you sweat. Meanwhile, expect to see more recovery-based workouts in the new year, too, as people turn to foam-rolling classes, pure mobility classes, and cryothrerapy in between those high-intensity, heart-pumping workouts.

Wedding of the Year: Harry and Meghan

Hold on to your fascinators, people, because it's time for another royal wedding! After Prince Harry popped the question to Meghan Markle, the world collectively lost its mind. (Talk about an insanely sweet proposal story.) If you're not yet acquainted with Harry and his other half, that's going to change, because the royal-wedding buildup will continue right up until they say "I do" on May 19.

Antianxiety Product of the Year: CBD

If 2017 left you feeling stressed, you're not alone. Enter CBD, the buzzy product more and more people are turning to as a potential way to help them cope with anxiety symptoms. Never heard of it? CBD is an active but not psychoactive component of cannabis, and with the growing popularity of CBD treats, oils, and supplements, don't be surprised if a friend or five mentions CBD in the coming months.

Parenting Trend of the Year: Smart Feeding Devices

The first "smart" wearable breast pump by Willow was a trendsetter in the high-tech parenting gear space. Up next? Along with a smart pump, Naya has developed smart bottles that track milk composition, intake, and more. Oh, and let's not forget the interactive water bottles for kids that turn hydration into entertainment and show parents (via WiFi) how much water their children are drinking. The future is now, right?

Attitude of the Year: Taking Action

Although 2017 had its bright spots, the heated political climate left many people feeling frustrated and disheartened. Outrage prompted people to speak out, with huge numbers rallying behind the Women's March and the expansion of the #MeToo movement. In 2018, expect to see an even greater shift from anger to action as standout candidates run for office in the midterm elections, inspiring hope for change.

Healthy Ingredient of the Year: Adaptogens

You may not have heard the word "adaptogens" before, but chances are you've eaten plenty of them. Turmeric, for instance, is already a hot topic in the health and beauty world, and now other adaptogens are making their way into the conversation. Special herbs like ashwagandha, maca, reishi, holy basil, and astragalus help with stress, anxiety, sleep, and improving your immune system, and they're available as supplements or as an ingredient in herbal ginseng tea.

Accessory of the Year: Oversize Earrings

So long, subtlety: standout, oversize jewelry is about to steal the spotlight in a major way. Classic studs will never go out of style, but in 2018, you can set your simple pairs aside in favor of statement earrings that take your look to the next level. In stores and on the runway, you'll spot jewelry with thicker shapes, colorful details, and unique textures that bring a "wow" factor to even the most basic outfits.

Home Trend of the Year: Matte Black

Among the metallic shades that pop up in trendy tablescapes, matte black makes a chic statement. The unexpected look has been bubbling up in the blogosphere, but matte black will become even more popular in 2018. HGTV fans may have already noticed the trend thanks to the black dinnerware in Chip and Joanna Gaines's Target line, and we've been eyeing chic matte black accessories from retailers like Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, and West Elm.

Adulting Trend of the Year: Travel as the New Master's Degree

The postgrad path used to be fairly clear: after school, you either headed into the workforce or went to graduate school to figure out what you really wanted to do with your life. Now? Not so much. More millennials are choosing to continue their education in the real world, turning to travel-related opportunities after high school and college, including teaching stints and nonprofit work. Goodbye pencils, hello passport.

Mythical Motif of the Year: Mermaids

This year promises to be pretty fin-tastic, because after last year's unicorn takeover, it's now all about mermaids. In the entertainment world, multiple Little Mermaid movies are in the works and a dark, thriller-like series about mermaids called Siren is heading to the small screen. Meanwhile, mermaid-inspired workouts are prompting fitness fans to channel their inner Ariel, and beauty launches continue to feature shiny palettes and sea-riously pretty pastels that work well on everything from lips to lashes.

New Year