13 Spring / Summer 2017 Makeup Trends

1. 80's VIBES

Left Marc Jacobs Others. Centre Louis Vuitton Rex Right Kenzo Rex

Spring Summer 2017 took on the 80's in a big way. The makeup from Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton and Kenzo stood out the most. Makeup at Louis Vuitton seemed to be channeling 80's singer Boy George with lots of liner and bright colours. Marc Jacobs used pastel dreadlocks for his 80's Club Kids, which caused controversy for appropriating dreadlocks from the Rastafarian culture. Nars did the makeup for Marc Jacobs and he used gloss in various pastel shades to complement rather compete with the dreads each model wore. He added brown false lashes and clear lip gloss. At Kenzo, makeup artist Lynsey Alexander used MAC's Lip Pencil in Ruby Woo and MAC's Retro Matte Lipstick and Liquid Colour for her 'Glamazon' look. 

2. THE NATURAL LOOK

Left Burberry Imaxtree,Centre Michael Kors Indigital Right Lanvin Indigital 

Lanvin won praise for doing the  'No Makeup Make up look' so well. Foundation and contour were expertly blended so they remained completely undetected on the models. Burberry makeup artist Wendy Rowe applied Burberry's liquid lip velvet in Fawn Rose on models and made sure the skin was matte. At Michael Kors makeup artist Dick Page kept the look soft but natural- matte skin, groomed brows and no mascara. In some cases he even skipped lipstick and blush.  

3. DEWY SKIN

Left Givenchy Indigtal.Centre Prada Getty Images Right Anna Hindmarch Getty Images   

Givenchy has certainly mastered the art of fresh looking skin that has a no foundation feel to it. Over at Anna Hindmarch makeup artist Val Garland wanted models to have 'reflective faces...very beautiful and pure like they had  gone on a spaceship.' She used Elizabeth Arden's Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face. The rest of the makeup was kept to a minimum to highlight the skin. She added cream liner on the waterline, gloss on the lips and skipped false lashes. Pat Mcgrath did the makeup at Prada, where she groomed brows, subtlety defined the eyes and made sure skin looked flawless. 

4. DRAPING BLUSH

Left Kenzo Rex Centre Chanel Right Adam Selman Spencer C. Amonwatvorakul

The draping technique involves blush being applied from the cheekbone all the way up to the brow and temples. This was most obvious at Kenzo but at Chanel the blusher was softer and more wearable.  The trend was also seen at Adam Selman where pink blush was draped on both darker and lighter models. 

5. BRONZED SKIN

Left Philosophy Getty Images Centre Blumarine Getty Images Right Wang Imaxtree

Bronzed models are a given at the spring/summer fashion shows. At Philosophy, Tom Pecheux was inspired by the '80's film Blue Lagoon. The bronzed skin and a slightly 'damaged smoky eye' were to make the girls look like they've 'been on an island for several days.' He stippled MAC's Face and Body Lotion in Million Dollar Bling over the nose, cheeks and eyes to achieve a sun kissed look. Then he added some freckles with MAC's Penultimate Brow Marker. He applied MAC's Teddy Pencil on the lower lash line, MAC's Clear Brow Set and finally some of MAC's Lip Conditioner. At Blumarine cheeks were bronzed and highlighted. At Alexander Wang, makeup artist Diane Kendal wanted to create 'a surfer girl nude look,' with matte bronze skin, sunkissed light brows and pale lips.

6. GLITTER LIPS

Left Maison Margiela Getty Images Centre DKNY Getty Images  Right Fendi Getty Images

At DKNY Pat McGrath used her Lust 004 Lipstick Kit in Bloodwine on the lips and left skin and eyes natural so that they didn't take the focus away from the lips. McGrath also did the make up for Maison Margiel with blue and silver lipstick topped in glitter. Glitter lips continued at Fendi, they were covered in chunky pink glitter to capture the look of a cartoon anime character.

7. Red Lips

Left Roksanda Rex Features Centre Valli Right- Right Mary Katrantzou Indigital

Lips were red at Roksanda to match the 90's inspired SS17 sporty/boyish clothing collection. Over at Giambattista Valli, makeup artist Val Garland used MAC's Retro Matte Liquid lipstick in Feels So Grand as well as MAC's Velvetease Lip Pencil in Just Add Romance. Afterwards she used a soft, fluffy brush for a softer, undone lip. Skin was kept matte and a nude eyeliner was used on the water line. MAC Retro Matte Lipsticks  were also used at Mary Katrantzou in fuchsia, orange and red shades.

8. SMUDGY BLACK GLOSSY EYES

Left Baja East Getty Images. Centre Balmain Getty Images Right Altruzarra Kerastase

At Baja East makeup artist Dianne Kendal wanted to create an 'urban beach girl look.' She buffed MAC kajal crayon around the eyes and used MAC's Mixing Medium in Shine.

Oliver Roustering, the creative director of Balmain wanted the girls 'to look like they had just come of the beach- sweaty and sexy with a bit of a tan.' Pecheux seems to have interpreted this as a sexy, smoky look instead. He blended MAC's Eye Pencil in Teddy into the lower lash line and used black eyeliner on the upper lash line before using it to shade the entire eyelid and applying gloss. He used eye liner in place of eye shadow because it works better with eye gloss. Cheeks were contoured and highlighted as well.

For Altruzzara, Pecheux used MAC Studio Waterweight SPF30 Foundation. Instead of traditional bronzer he used MAC's Glitter in Reflect Bronze. For the eyes he used black kohl liner in the waterline and lash line. Then he used MAC's Studio Orange Eye Gloss all over the lid and used a cotton bud to smudge the liner on the lower lash line for a  greasy, worn in look. He applied MAC's Mineralised Skin Finish for a glowing complexion.  Finally he added mascara to the roots of the lashes and some lip balm on the lips.

9. WINGED EYE LINER

Left  Moschino Getty Images Centre Elie Saab Getty Images Right Fendi Sony Vandevelde /Indigital

In contrast to the natural look was the glamorous, definitely wearing makeup look.  At Moschino, makeup artist Tom Pecheux went for the '90's supermodel look that he created originally on Cindy Crawford and Linda Evanglista. It was a very made up look using neutral colours. He teamed flawless foundation, four different shades of brown eye shadow, false lashes, drawn on brows and MAC's lip pencil in Spice on the lips. At Elie Saab a small angled brush was dipped in MAC's Pro Longwear Fluidline in Black Track to draw on a small half flick for a elongated kitten eye look. Then gold glitter was applied. Girls at Fendi also wore a bold, disjointed cat eye where the inner and outer corners had been lined while the middle of each lid were left bare. 

10. GRAPHIC EYE SHADOW AND LINER

Left Salvatore Getty Images centre Victoria Beckham Getty Images

At Salvatore, the graphic eye was created by applying MAC's Paintstick in Genuine Orange  in a thick line above the crease and MAC Studio Eye Gloss in Next Up Neon added on top  ''to amplify the colour and add shine. Brows were filled in using MAC's Eyebrow Eye pencil in Stud and set with MAC's Brun eye shadow. Over at Victoria Beckham, Pat McGrath used her finger to swipe a blue flash across the eyelids (from Beckham's Estee Lauder collection.) For Cividini neon coral was striped across the eye accompanied by copper glitter.

11. BURGUNDY AND PINK EYES

Left Anna Sui Getty Images Centre  Tadash Shoji Getty Images Right Topshop Unique Imaxtree

Makeup artist Pat Mcgrath working for Anna Sui, used a port wine shade around the eyes and taupe lipstick on the lips. It was a sort of mash up of 1960's, folk, rock chic and a cowgirl look.  The 80's vibes led Topshop Unique to create an 'Eighties powerlook with a soft and sexy finish.' Permed hair was teamed with russet brown lids using Topshop Beauty Colour Wand in Angels mixed with Temptation lipisick  up to the brow bone. Then vaseline was layered on top. Topshop's Beauty Glow Stick in Play up was used as a glossy highlighter on the nose, cheeks and cupids bow. While at Tadash Shoji pink shadow was daubed across the eye lids.

12. BOLD COLOUR EYES 

 Left Byblos Imaxtree/Matteo Scarpellini  Centre Vivetta Getty Images Right Jill Sandler Getty Images

Bright colours such as blue, purple and pink were a common trend. At Byblos models wore blue, teal or yellow from lid to brow bone and at Vivetta models wore candy floss pink eyeshadow. Ombre eyes were seen at Jill Stuar  using icy blue and salmon pink shades.  

13. A POP OF NEON 

Left Proenza Schouler Getty Images Centre Max Mara Getty Images Right Ackerman Getty Images

Working for Proenza Schouler, Diane Kendal took the unusual step of painting sunflower yellow and white pigment onto models' ear lobes to highlight the statement earrings. While at Max Mara, Pecheux took bright colours all the way from edge of the eyes to the temple. He  used a minimal amount of pigment to make sure that the brush strokes were clearly visible. Lynsey Alexander described the make up at Haider Ackermann as 'slightly punk inspired but with a ballerina edge.' To create the birds of paradise eyeliner she mixed yellow pigment with a white cream liner. Afterwards she used a cotton bud dipped in cleansing water to clean up the look. The skin was kept matte apart form highlighter on the cheekbones for 'bounce.'

Which trend is your favourite and will you be trying any of these out? 

10 Autumn Winter 2015-2016 Nail Polish Trends

Rounded nails were still trending on the fall/winter catwalks as well as short nails. Short nails were painted dark for a grunge look at Sass & Bide, blood red at Julien Macdonald (London Fashion Week) and nude at Robert Cavalli. Personally I like short nails they're much more practical for everyday life.

1. Neutral Nude Colours

Creamy Taupe nails in Jazz by Essie were spotted at Alexander Wang along with wet look hair . Nails at Olympia Le Tan were inspired by ballet and painted rose nude using Christian Louboutin nail polish in Me Nude, while At Cristiano Burani neutral nails contrasted against the bright red lips.



Left Alexander Wang Huffington Post Essie, Centre Olympia Le Tan Harpers Bazaar  Right Cristiano Burani The Fashioners

2. Updated French Manicures 

Several shows added a modern twist on the traditional French manicure. At Tadashi Shoji, white polish was applied diagonally as well as to the tips in a soft strokes that almost resembled fluffy clouds. It's definitely a look I want to try and copy. While at Chanel, nails were painted white with black tips. At Tibi, Jin Soon Choi wanted to create a look that was inspired by  “the sculptural lines, varied textures and icy palette of the collection" and painted curved, wavy white tips .

Left Tadashi Shoji Centre Chanel Ommorphia beauty bar Right Tibi  

3. Metallic Nails



Gold and metallic white-silver nails were seen across the catwalks. At Nanette Lepore the burnished gold nails matched the gold shoes from the line. The burnished look was achieved by layering a glitter shade in between two metallic polishes, Essie Nail polishes in For The Thrill of It, Shifting Power and Rock at The Top were used for the look.  Models at Reem Acra wore iridescent gold nails which was created by overlaying two shimmering gold polishes OPI Cosmo-not Tonight Honey and Up Front and Personal.

Left Nanelle Lapore Imaxtree Centre Ellie Saab Right Reem Acra

4. Dark Nails

Dark nails were doing the rounds on the catwalks. Jin Soo Choi chose a rich burgundy polish in Audacity for models at Derek Lam (left), at Erdon models wore brown Jessica Nails polish (centre) and dark polish was also worn at Alice + Olivia. (right.)

5. Textured Nails-Matte and Shiny 

 Matte was contracted against shiny textures to make an impact.

Models at Charlotte Ronson wore dark purple nails in Ink by OPI that were half matte and half shiny metallic. Antonio Marras had dark matte nails with a shiny swirl while

 Wes Gordon sported a geometric nail (using Essie Smokin' Hot, Sexy Divide and Matte About You) that managed to pick up the grey and purple colours in the clothing.

Left Charlotte Ronson Huffington Post  Centre Antonio Marras  IMAXTREE / MatteoScarpellini/almaphotos.net Right Wes Gordon Huffington Post

6. Shades of Grey

Grey seems to be colour of the moment - both for eye shadow as well as on nails. For Sally Lapointe, makeup artist Danielle Candidio decided to mix Morgan Taylor's Scene Queen and Sweater Weather polishes together for a custom made dove grey. Grey nails were also seen at Prabal Gurung while

 at Angel Sanchez make up artist Gina Edwards was going for a 70's glam nail to match the collection. She used Morgan Taylor's Sweater Weather and added Make it Last and Neddd for Support for a glossy finish.

Left Sally Lapointe Centre Right Centre: Prabal Gurung SLF Fashion Angel Sanchez Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images

7. Negative Space Nail Art

 

Negative space nail art still continues to trend. I love this trend and can't wait to copy these. At Marissa Webb, OPI polishes in Light My Sapphire (a dark navy blue) and a matte top coat were used. The negative space was created by using a piece of striping down the centre of the nail. Over at  Rebecca Minkoff eye catching chevron tips were worn. The look was cresated by Essie using  Mademoiselle for the nude base and then Berry Naughty, and Midnight Cami to paint reverse Vs at the tips. The nails captured the edgy rock and roll vive of the collection. While House of Holland adopted a minimal negative space nail art witdiagonal stripe with Sophy's nails.

Right House of Holland  Popsugar Imaxtree Centre Marissa Webb  Right Rebecca Minkoff

8. White Nails

The white sixties inspired nails appeared at Rachel Zoe (Left) and at Holly Fullerton (right) the latter using L'Oreal Paris's white nail polish. Kenzo saw a white and silver manicure using a white base and pattern of different silver brushstroke designs.

Left  Rachel Zoe Centre: Kenzo Mark Leibowitz Right Holly Fulton

9. Red nails

 Classic reds also took centre stage on the fall/winter runway. At Blugirl short, rounded,red nails matched red lips while at Marc Jacobs nails were painted 'ruffian style' red with beige crescents at the base of the nail. At Emporio Armani short berry nails matched the  red handbags and coats in the collection.

Right Bluegirl  Harper's Bazaar Imaxtree Centre: Emporio Armani Mark Leibowitz Left Marc Jacobs

10. Minimal Nail Art

Simple nail art was heavily featured on the runway to compliment the minimal clothing and face makeup. As they say less is more- and good news for those of us who love nail art but don't want to spend a lot of time on it or who aren't the best at it but still want to join in. Minimal nail art also means nails will be more appropriate for different situations such as work and nights out.At Ryan-Lo, nails were painted a nude shade with Leighton Denny's polish in Barely There and a diamond stone placed at the base of each nail. At Cushnie et Ochs nails were simple but striking. Using Christian Louboutin Beaute polishes the nails were painted in Sweet Charity for a nude base and small squares were added in navy (Wherever) and teal (Ni Toi Ni Moi) to match the clothing collection. Jenny Packham saw bronze and orange added to a pale pink base using Essie nail polishes. At Erin Featherston a gold cross was added to the forth finger only peach nude shade The minimal and somewhat sixties mod look white nails with black half moons was seen at Zero + Maria Cornejo. Sixties influenced nail art was also seen at David Korma. The white and nude nail with black geometric curved line was inspired by Barbara Brown's op Art textile designs using Ciate Nail polish.

Left Ryan Lo Harpers Bazaar Centre Cusnie et Ochs, Christian Louboutin Beaute,   Left Jenny Packham, Essie

Left Erin Featherston Huffington Post  Centre Zero + Maria Cornejo Right David Korma Harper's Bazaar

Happy New Year!

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Beauty in 2015........

 has been the year of contouring, strobing, instagram eyebrow perfection, 90's nude lips and big full lips. I gotta admit that I'm glad to see the back of the bubble nail art (if you don't know what I mean see this post) and though I never saw anyone doing this IRL, glitter armpits!

Beauty in 2016...........

Basically sheet masks and nude lips are here to stay, MAC is bringing out a coloured Strobing cream and Marc Jacobs Beauty hits Harrods early this year. I'm excited for the Korean influenced beauty trends hitting our shores such as the peelable lip stain and glass nails , both sound so amazing and innovative.

My Take on the Year and New Year Resolutions

After having a pretty rubbish year I'm glad 2015 over.  I found reading this post: Making the Most of a Fresh Start  by Rebecca From Roses really helpful. The points about leaving things in the past and not letting circumstances define you were really useful and got me in a positive state of mind for the year ahead. 

I've struggled with a lot of health problems so becoming fit and healthy is my main resolution this year. And the other is finishing my chick-lit/ women's fiction novel. What are your New Year Resolutions?

 

BEAUTY TRENDS- The Bubble Nail - A Do or Don't?

Bubble nails have actually been around since 2009 but it's only recently that bubble nails have become more popular, appearing on Instagram feeds and sent many others copying the trend.
Bubble nails are created by layering lots of layers of acrylic in the middle of the nail to create a 3D dome or bump on the nail. Basically they look like half a marble stuck onto a nail. The difference in nail length separates the two similar styles: when the nail is kept short these are called Bubble nails and when nail tips are longer they're called hump nails. Bright colours, patterns and jewels are then painted on to finish the manicure.


Top left Enderkate4 Top Right Mermissues Bottom Left Nailedxlucy_  Bottom right- Nails by Ann

Generally both Bubble and Hump nails have to be done at a salon and since bubble nail manicures aren't covered in beauty school, nail technicians have developed their own techniques by trial and error and online tutorials such as those on Youtube. Neither styles are recommended to be worn for too long as the huge amount of acrylic can damage the nail. However celebrity nail artist Pattie Yankee says hump nails are safer for the nail because the ball of acrylic can be balance on the natural stress points. The nail on the bottom left was done by adding false nail to the bubble tip so it curled over.

Top Right and Bottom Right Nails by Ann. Top left Body Wrap Mona Bottom left Aesthetic beauty Liverpool

To me this fashion trend was made for Lady Gaga and fans, I'm not sure if Kylie Jenner will be joining in and I've yet to see these nails in real life. I would imagine basic everyday tasks like  texting, tying shoe laces and applying makeup and creams would be difficult with bubble or hump manicures! What do you think are they a do or don't?