For some it’s a sad time and for some it’s new beginnings… I am talking about the summer ending and autumn beginning. Even though there isn’t a hugely dramatic change for us in Oz, there still is a cooler edge in the air; therefore it is time to see how we can update our makeup look to suit the new season! Here’s my roundup of the best autumn beauty trends.
As I say every season, trends are trends…. It doesn’t mean we have to change our complete look and only wear the chosen colours and makeup design everyday – lets face it, some would be scary outside of the catwalk…
But, what they do is inspire and we aspire to some of these looks, which can help guide our makeup application into the modern world!
Keeping your beauty look modern is an important step that we should all re-look at annually…
Are we wearing the right shades, has application changed for the better and more importantly, is there a look out there that could be better for my style and face shape?
The answer is, possibly!
Trends come from the runway and the backstage teams are at the top of their game, designing beauty looks to suit the new craze in fashion.
You might not wear the actual makeup trend, but for shade advice and general style, it is great to look at, to not ‘change’ your makeup design, but either add to or adjust to better work for your personal look.
‘Makeup is a distraction for your not-so-good areas of the face. Apply a bold statement on a good section, to distract the eye away from the bad’
I still use this principle in my work as a makeup artist and I place less focus on a concern and more on a positive to get the perfect makeup balance – trends can help this as they can be a new edge to your look to bring out your positives!
I am going to break down the top AW 14 Makeup trends into 3 groups, to make it easier, that way you can see your focus areas and give an update or add-on to your current beauty routine.
Sports Luxe Skin
Nude, barely there skin has been a big hit for a few seasons, really teaching us that you don’t need a full coverage to get it right… In fact, the less foundation you apply, the younger you look as well as the more long lasting it is as there is less to move and crease into your expression lines.
We have also seen a huge push into contouring – more day-to-day women are getting out their bronzer and shading areas to lift and sculpt – it really is the makeup version of anti-ageing!
– Shading with a taupe/bronzer shade, under the cheekbone, jaw and socket area on the eye can actually take years off when applied correctly as it sculpts and lifts these areas for a more structured face shape.
This season we are seeing a lot more light on the face, to give that ‘Sport Luxe’ feel…
The base is still the same with barely there skin – covering only what we need too, with a little glow, (BB creams working wonders for this), add some shading on focus areas, but going over the frontal bones of the skin and adding a lighter touch – even adding white liners and shadow on the eye and inner corner tear duct gives an outdoor fresh approach.
Adding shade creates glamour where as adding light and white touches brings it down a notch – it also breaks up the ‘dull’ concerns when wearing a nude makeup look!
With the flat boot and general layered casual approach to fashion this season and the newly famed Chanel sneaker – this look is a hit!
Graphic Eyes
Just like in hair trends, ‘Yesterday’s look today’ is such a trend right now..
The undone makeup trend on the eye is a big hit…
Graphic shapes, black not grey and a raw edge is hitting our eyes this season.
Lashes are still big… Slightly chunky, winged outer lashes have a big focus and even the lower lashes making a come back with mascara.
False lashes that come in a heavier outer flare or actual half sets, rather than a full strip was very popular in many shows of late as it elongates the eye rather than the rounder style eye – although the rounder shape will still work best if you have a slightly heavy/puffy lid as it will lift the area!
This definitely is the season to embrace Black!
A black kohl pencil to line the inner water line and smudge it up around the eye, or a black gel liner that can be used for a winged liner or even as an eye shadow to create the ultimate black wash or like on some runways, a raw, uneven dabbed in socket to create texture and depth..
Whatever you choose it has a rock feel and either matte black or lacquer black is the way to go for eyes this season.
Black eye shadow wasn’t used as much as you would think – gel liners and pencils smudged were the hit product for the graphic eye, and if anything metallic was used at all, it was a hint of coloured metallic on the mobile lid only – I guess if are late for work, a simple liner smudge up into your socket or lash line with your finger will make you the trendiest cat on the street!
For a more ‘wearable’ approach, the general smokey shape applied in black, black shades will work wonders or even keeping your eyelid natural with a heavier black line on the lower lash line will give you a new edge.
Colour Block
Colour is definitely a minimum, especially with the skin this new season…
It is blocked, stained or hidden into an already dark eye so it does not take over the look, more a subtle pop than a makeup look in itself.
With the nude skin and contouring taking the world by storm, colour has moved to the eye or lip mainly…
For the eyes, if going neutral on the lids a coloured liner is a big hit!
Above we keep to the graphic eye trend, but with a coloured liner. This is an easy thing to do as you can use a coloured gel liner, or even wet an eye shadow to get the shade you want.
MB PRO TIP – When applying a winged liner – always see the outer finish point when the eye is OPEN! This will avoid a nasty dip flick when you open your eyes. The wing is meant to lift the eye upwards, so marking your finish point when the eye is open is crucial for success.
For coloured liner such as this trend, go a colour opposite to your eye colour for best results – contrast will make your eye colour pop!
If any colour shadow is used on the eye at all, it is either as a liner, or a metallic pop on the centre of the mobile lid – that is all.
Dark, edgy, smudged eyeliner and a metallic pop just in the centre of the eye is a great way to glam up the rock edge of the black liner.
Lips is a place we love colour, but the only shades shown on the catwalk were different shades of red.
From blue reds, to deep cherry or wine reds, it was either nude or red with lips for AW14.
I personally like to use different shades of red, but with my fingertip dab them into the lip to create different effects – the colour will last longer, but can change intensity from day to night he more you dab.
In summary, fresh nude skin, adding lift with contour, more importantly light to create a sporty, un-dull appearance is key for skin!
A rock edge eye with jet-black liners used to shape, define and smudge in for beauty-on-the-go and a hint of metallic colour on the mobile lid, or, keep it fresh with a simple coloured liner, as seen in the recent Chanel show in Paris, and a stained red lip to finish…
One, two or all of these could be that add-in you were needing to modernize your makeup look, happy trending!
