Every September, the Northern Hemisphere gets taken over by fashion week madness, and whilst the clothes might not be practical for everyday where, the makeup looks are a little more doable. It’s perfect timing for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, too, as it gives us the perfect opportunity to try out some of the trends with the upcoming warmer weather.
MINIMAL MAKEUP
We’re all tired of countless makeup tutorials offering advice on “natural looks” that actually require ten different products and a half hour in front of the mirror, but a few designers seemed to take minimal makeup to heart at NYFW. Jenny Packham and Alexander Wang both kept their looks to an absolute minimum, but Marc Jacobs took it a step further, with none of the models that walked his show wearing any makeup at all.
If you want to add something extra to your look, consider the “just bitten” effect of the models at Michael Kors and Tibi, who all wore a very natural, slightly flushed lip.
DEWY SKIN
This trend was all over the runway this fashion season, and for good reason. Gone are the days of excess powdering and a matte finish, at least for the next season. This is all about making your skin look natural and fresh, rather than overdone, but it can be a fine line between looking dewy and looking sweaty. Jason Wu and Thakoon mastered the trend at NYFW, with highlighting products applied where the light would naturally hit: think the top of cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, and your cupid’s bow.
For an ultra shimmery effect, consider applying highlighting products to your eyelids. Ryan Roche mastered the glossy look at NYFW, with the final product looking especially soft and romantic. Just grab a swipe of Vaseline and you are good to go.
BOLD BLUES
If warmer weather is all about long nights out for you, then this is the trend for you. Graphic eyeliner is making a comeback, but there is a definite pop of colour being integrated into the look this year. Blue appears to be the colour of choice for the season. Monique Lhuillier’s models all wore a bright hue across their lid, whilst Dianne Von Furstenberg preferred to blend the shadows so the look was a bit softer. Their takes on it might not be entirely wearable to the office, but they are a great look if you are after a change for a night out.
For a more doable look, try a light, pastel blue liner and a thin line on the upper lash line. Minty shades work particularly well in the spring and summer and will liven up your usual look, rather than weighing it down with a heavy black liner.
LIP ACTION
You might think that your dark lipsticks need to be locked away until autumn comes around, but the models have spoken and vampy lips are now suitable for all year wear. Alongside the darker colours come the usual pops of reds, oranges, and pinks, with an emphasis on a bare, clean face to act as a canvas for the swipes of colour. Keep your skin minimal to make the lipstick stand out, and make sure to invest in a liner to avoid smudging throughout the day.
DKNY opted for bold lips and decided to forgo foundation entirely, instead only using spot concealer with a light hand, whilst 3.1 Phillip Lim kept the skin fresh and radiant, relying on oxblood red for the focus.