SPRING BEAUTY BRIEF 2015
Et voilà - your spring beauty brief! Translating the catwalk trends into effortlessly easy looks, just in time for a seasonal overhaul of your beauty stash! Whilst the concept of spring beauty may summon to mind images of pastel-toned eyeshadows, glossy lips, and bright blush; we must remember that it is 2015; pastels and florals are no longer the go-to, and the SS'15 catwalks were teaming with cosmetic [and sartorial] surprises. From red lips to smokey eyes, bare skin and slicked back hair - spring beauty takes the word 'fresh' to a whole new level. Feminine, youthful, pretty - these looks are easily translatable into day-to-day life. Take notes ladies, and remember, practice makes perfect.
BASE The look : The 'no-makeup makeup' trend has seriously upped its game in recent months. After the models walked completely bare-faced at Marc Jacobs, beauty brands have realised that matte, mask-like foundation is a thing of the past. The season is all about sporting a lit from within glow - easily achievable via the vast array of barely-there foundations, BB creams, and tinted moisturisers available from both budget retailers and high-end beauty counters. Apply over a well-moisturised face, keep contouring to a minimum [use a cream contour to maintain freshness], and mix your highlighter with your foundation for an all-over radiance [last year's penchant for a bronzed goddess tan is toned down in favour of a delicate sun-touched glow]. Ensure blush is nude, natural, and 'barely-there' by applying with the lightest of brush strokes.
The products : Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation, Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser, Claudia Louch Flawless Finish Natural Face Makeup*, Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow, KIKO Radiant Touch Creamy Stick Highlighter*, Nars Blush in Douceur, RMK Vintage Candy Cheeks in Candy Rose*, MAC Blush in Fleur Power.
EYES The look : Exaggerated black liner has landed, with a twist [think : the anti-cat-eye]. You have free reign of your eyelid, so raise, extend, and flick those lines across the lid and over the crease - sticking to the lash-line is no longer essential. When it comes to eyeshadow pastels may be out, but purple is in. Think hazy brown-toned mauve and irridiscent grey-lavender shades - apply with a light hand and keep mascara/eyeliner to a minimum to avoid a heavy look. Brown is also back [and in way more than fifty shades] - from taupe to sand, and chocolate-brown; the shade is guaranteed to make your eye-colour pop. For evenings sport a 'slept-in smokey eye' [I stayed up dancing all night long]. Charcoal is the shade, and once again, the look is less about perfection and ALL about effortless cool - smudge those lines to your heart's content. This season brows are less 'statement' and more 'groomed' - use a tinted to brow gel to brush them up, subtly add colour, and maintain shape. Take note of the fact that lashes have gone unmentioned.
The products : Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Madrague, KIKO Long-lasting Stick Eyeshadow in Golden Brown, MAC Eyeshadow in Woodwinked, Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow in Saddle, KIKO Long-Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in Rosy Brown, No7 Shade & Define Eyeshadow Stick in Coffee Bean, KIKO Infinity Eyeshadow in Satin Ebony*, MAC Brow Set, Dr Pawpaw Original Balm, Nars Brow Perfector in Caucause*.
LIPS The look : Lips veer from one extreme to the other. Bold, matte red lips are the undisputed star of the season; but if you want something a little different to your usual bright crimson, opt for a warm-toned, slightly saturated shade [à la Burberry]. Blur the edges with your fingertips for a fresh take on a classic look [which also creates the appearance of fuller lips]. If you're amping up your eye look then do as the models at Armani and Gucci did and sport a subtle nude [high shine].
The products : Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Mysteriously Red, Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour in 19 Gabrielle, Burberry Lip Cover in Ruby, Nars Hardwired Lipstick in Deadly Catch*, Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Mandore, SUQQU Creamy Glow Lipstick in Haruoto*, RMK Vintage Drop Gloss in Butterscotch*, Tom Ford Lip Colour in Vanilla Suede.
NAILS The look : Nails are to be quite simply, clear and sheer. Enhance your natural nail colour with a peachy-beige [most flattering to the skin]. A word of warning : glossy topcoats, delicate pinks, and sheer nudes may appear simple and effortless, but provide so little coverage to the naked nail that they render stains, chips, and unsightly cuticles all the more visible. For this reason good nailcare practice is vital.
The products : Essie Nail Polish in Mademoiselle, RMK Nail Color in Smokey Beige*, & Other Stories Nail Colour in Swanskin Beige, Dior Nail Polish in Grége, Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers, Burt's Bees' Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, Solar Oil Cuticle Oil, Only Fingers + Toes Glass Nail File, Aēsop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm.
HAIR The look : Length is key to the SS'15 hair trend, so there's your excuse for growing out the long-bobs which dominated 2014. Sport a slightly off-centre parting, and keep the phrase 'effortless chic' in mind. A sleek low ponytail, simple half-finished chignon, or loosely tousled and natural locks make styling your hair effortlessly easy [this is a trend to make the most of!]. Allow hair to dry naturally and opt for straightening products over straightening tools. Braids are big; in more ways than one. Whether you integrate a few delicate plaits into your daytime look, or rock a supersize chunky braid come evening; just remember, texture is key. The most high-maintenance look of the season is ironically the one which appears most effortless - slick shiny hair, lightly gelled, and combed back for that 'I just got out of the pool' look. Between this and the braids, we're practically mermaids.
The products : Bumble & bumble Straight Blow Dry Balm, Got2B Express Dry Styling Spray*, Toni & Guy Texturising Spray, Bumble & bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil*, Essence Omega Repair Beauty Balm*.
Which trends will you be tackling this spring?
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*PR sample