New York Fashion Week is still strutting its fancy stuff down the runways, so it’s way too early to predict any major trends for the season.
That’s not, however, going to stop us from copy-catwalking some of the new makeup and hair looks that we’ve started seeing. Especially when there are so many big and shiny news ideas making us rethink beauty in an interesting way.
Here are six big ideas we’re loving now.
1. Try a Multi-Strand Braid
A three-stranded plait? So last season. At Donna Karan, hairstylist Eugene Souleiman separated smoothed-out hair into four sections before braiding – a feat of hair trickery that required an assistant’s help to master. It was worth the effort; adding in a fourth section gives an extra chunky dimension to a braid, which can fall flat when executed in the traditional trio-stranded way.
Over at Marissa Webb (below), stylists were getting crafty with five-stranded braids.
Designed by TRESemmé’s Jeanie Syfu, hair was divided into five sections; the farthest was then woven over and under each other section, working all the way over to the left; this was then repeated from left back to right … and so on. It sounds tricky, and it is … although if you pull your ponytail to the side before braiding, and are happy for a loose finish, as above, a little practice will make perfectly imperfect.
2. Double Your Glow
Illuminiser is a backstage beauty mainstay. There’s barely a show where a highlighting cream or stick or powder is not dabbed or brushed along the upper cheekbones to catch the catwalk lights. But makeup artist Diane Kendal, working for Jason Wu, had a fresh approach to application.
Using the new Lancôme La Base Pro Hydra Glow (available in October), she patted the pearly lotion both before and after foundation. The result: the the mega-watt, super-swoony shine you see in the above photo.
3. Rework Your Wings
Think winged eye makeup and you automatically picture a sleek line of black along the upper lashes, right? Perhaps not for much longer.
At Honor (above, top), makeup artist Polly Osmond swooshed a vivid blue from the inner corners of models’ eyes out towards the temples. Meanwhile, at Nicholas K (above, bottom), Avon makeup artist Lauren Andersen flipped the traditional black-lined look, creating an upside-down cat-eye effect.
4. Lavender as the New Neutral Eye Colour
Designer Derek Lam originally asked makeup artist Tom Pecheux to concoct a nude eye look. Underwhelmed with the various brown-hued attempts, Pecheux got to experimenting, and used his pinkie to smudge on a favourite purple lipstick (M.A.C Violetta, $36, M.A.C, to be precise).
The layering of violet-over-nude created a subtle wash of lavender – and is a cute and quirky new way to wear neutral eye makeup.
5. Layer Your Styling Products
Big hair is sexy in theory, but can often end up a clunky, chunky affair. However, at Diane Von Fustenberg, the va-voomy styles were not weighed down with the usual tonne of mousse. It might seem counter-intuitive, but stylist Orlando Pita instead used a mix of products to create a light and airy effect.
The secret: Pita prepped hair with a root lift spray before blow-drying it out using a round brush; he then used a mixture of dry shampoo through the lengths and texturising powder at the crown, both of which help to create extra body minus the bulk.
6. Have a Wardrobe of Bright Lipsticks
At Carolina Herrera, bold lips were the beauty focal point – but models showed off a spectrum of M.A.C lipstick shades from pretty pinks through to glamorous reds, after makeup artist Diane Kendal decided to work each one back to best suit the model’s outfits.
Some of her picks currently available in Australian include M.A.C Red (a blue-toned hue) and Girl About Town (a fuchsia), $36, M.A.C. Think of them as your face’s best new accessories for the coming season. Well, a lippie is cheaper than a YSL bag, non?
Tell us, Primpers, what big shiny new beauty ideas here do you love?
Kat x