3 makeup trends to try this spring and summer

Other than Christmas, the bi-annual international fashion weeks are by far our favourite times of the year. The number one reason? It’s when the biggest and most successful makeup artists team up with the world’s top designers to set the beauty trends for the season ahead, giving us (and you) a sneak peek into what’s going to big. During New York, London, Milan, and Paris Fashion Weeks, we had our eyes peeled for the best trends for you to try, and here are our favourites.

Runway trend: Peachy tones

What it is: The light breezes and beautiful sunsets of spring will you have in the perfect frame of mind to experiment with gorgeous touches of pink, coral and sherbet on eyes, cheeks and lips.

Try it at home: Take inspiration from the overseas catwalks and work the pastel hue into your beauty look with a light-handed application. Luckily, this warm colour suits all skin tones and requires minimal precision, but it’s still important to get the rest of your makeup right. First things first - start off with totally flawless base to let the colour be the focus of your face. For your eyes and cheeks, gently pat or sweep the colour onto your features, slowly building the colour as needed. For powders, use a soft fluffy brush, and for cream formulations, use your fingers to allow the most control over the product you’re using. When it comes to your lips, gently dab your colour on for a lived-in, stained finish.

Toolkit: 

Maybelline New York Master Concealer is the key to a perfect canvas, just use your finger to pat the product over problematic areas. 

The Body Shop Shimmer Waves in Blush is just the thing to warm up your complexion. Simply sweep onto the apples of your cheeks in circular motions for a peachy flush.

Swirl Colour Theory Lipstick in Citrus Sorbet onto your ring finger and dab the colour onto your lips for a barely-there stain.

Runway trend: Glistening skin

What it is: Moving away from chiselled features sculpted with contouring and highlighting, the latest makeup trend shows off glowing skin that looks saturated with hydration - it’s a new take on sexy skin.

Try it at home: While this look may seem over the top on the runway, you can make it work every day by paring it back and focussing your highlight on just one area of the face, like your cheekbones. You should also look for high-tech formulas that hydrate and add shine without adding chunks of glitter to your face.

Toolkit:

Refresh your complexion with a spritz or two of SK-II Mid-Day Miracle Essence, which features SK-II’s signature Pitera essence to hydrate and soothe skin through the day. Try this before applying makeup to hydrate your skin, or afterwards to lock the look in place and leave a dewy finish.

MAC Strobe Cream is the original illuminating product to add a nice sheen to cheekbones. Use it on its own on the highpoints of your face, or mix a drop or two into your liquid foundation for all-over radiance.

Using Revlon PhotoReady Highlight Stick in Gold Light, draw a line along the height of your cheekbones, and use your fingers to soften the finish.

Runway trend: Bright blue

What it is: The one colour that seemed to do the rounds this season? Azure, reflective of bright blue skies and days lazing about a pool. The placement was consistent across the board, with a strong horizontal shape going across the eyelid, and sometimes extending out to a wing shape.

Try it at home: Go all out and work a creamy eyeshadow all over your eyelids to make a statement, or dip your toe in the trend by etching the colour around your eyes with a soft pencil, or by featuring it on your nails.

Toolkit:

L’Oreal Colour Riche Crayon in Ocean Blue is super versatile – colour in your entire eyelid to prove a point, or line your top lash line for a flash of colour.

Rimmel London MagnifEyes Double Ended Shadow & Liner in Dark Side Of Blue features a blue shade to line with and a smoky grey to take your look from day to night.

Too shy to take on the trend? Try a bright nail polish instead. OPI Nail Lacquer in No Room For The Blues is perfect for this. Layer two coats over a base coat, and you’re good to go.