From the end of January 2010, beauty brands have been raring to go with an exciting launch of new color and texture. Spring seems to have come early this year. There are several strong couture inspired trends in make-up which have led to a glut of new products on the market. Many beauty brands, forecasting a recession recovery have also taken this season as an opportunity to reinvent or spruce up their image so there have also been some exciting new product launches.
New Color Trends
The '80s brights of the last few seasons have turned to ice cream. Pastels are injected with just enough pigment to stay fresh and fruity. The higher quality couture trend is still key but soft, timeless classics are favored over structured tailoring. Make-up reflects this with sheen on cheeks, rose lips and color shadow washes on eyes. Lashes are long, sleek and naturally lush rather than theatrically sculpted. Try Shu Uemura for a soft play with color. Nars and Mac carry through the 1985 vibrancy of last season but washed into sheer and dewy textures. Although this look is about fun, it stays controlled so invest in some good make-up brushes.
Adorned nails are still a big look but color has not gone into sorbet. Nails retain the dark, polished and hard edged feel of 2009. For truly up to date nails look for black purples, black reds, grays and car paint type dark metallic shades. Wear on perfect short nails for maximum effect. These add a grown-up edge to the pretty colors of this season; perfect for dressing up the soft vintage look. Try Chanel and Nars for the hottest colors.
Vintage Glamor
Even in make-up, the look is about lace, ruffles and vintage tints from duck-egg blue to coral. These paler colors are clear, evoking fun and youthful glamor rather than muted chalky pastel. Look out for pale cream peaches, gold shimmer, rosy tinted cheeks and bitten lip stains.
Dewy, hydrated skin is once more important to make-up and matte lips seem to be out for a season. Pastel lips are up to date, sheer and moist to dab on straight from the tube or try a tomato red to give old style polish. Hair is naturally wavy or has vintage curls.
Nude Skin and Lips
Nude skin and lips seems to be a trend driven by several beauty brands rather than taken directly from the runway. Nude lips go back to true skin colored flesh tones so no more rosy brown neutrals. This look is both pale and high couture rather than just natural; polished all over from flawless skin to defined lips and neat nails. Nude lipsticks exchange the '60s matte finish for a creamy, wearable texture without shine.
Healthy Tanned Skin
Creating that healthy glow in make-up has endured and tanned skin is back in many editorial and advertisement images. Luckily, good products mean that is easy to get a glow without the use of sunbeds, dangerous tanning practice or messy fake tan.
Laura Mercier has a deliciously scented range of body make-up which disappears in to skin helping to leave it silky smooth. Cult classic Nuxe L'huile Prodigieuse comes in a bronze or a clear version so is suitable for the palest of skins. It will simply impart a moisturized, dewy radiance to bare skin. For fabulous bronzing powders try Nars and Laura Mercier.
High-Tech Skincare Trends
The trend for high tech, anti-wrinkle beauty endures. This has even permeated the natural skincare market creating a range of hybrid products which fuse botanical ingredients with the latest technology. Many people are turning from surgery and cosmetic procedures to skincare in the fight against the visible signs of ageing. Others use skincare for enhanced maintenance in between procedures. A large section of the market still exists for people who simply want an affordable, good quality way to look their best whatever their age.
However, due to this shifting focus, skincare can now no longer just be pulled from the shelf, bought and used. When buying products it is important to educate ourselves about ingredients as well as the delivery technology the products use when applied to skin. After this, it is easier to choose a brand we will really get on well with. For super high-tech creams, ReVive and Natura Bisse remain popular with interesting newcomers such as ApoT.care. For a hybrid product try Wei or Chantecaille. For natural beauty that yields results try Ren and Nude Skincare.
Overall this season is going to be about grooming and polish but without hard edges. Key products remain mascara, lipstick and skincare but everything has a much more relaxed feel. Opulence gives way to timeless, luxe vintage for lazy days and sunshine.
Shefali Choudhury - Writer and visual artist, Suite Beauty topic editor, Shefali spent 10 years in professional makeup artistry from beauty to blood ...
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