When it comes to fashion weeks — or Fashion Month, as the industry coins the back-to-back worldwide shows — the clothes are often the focal point of the events. But the thing people often notice first usually gets second billing: your face.
While spring is all about new beginnings, your makeup should be kept fresh and clean too. Of course pastels are a spring staple, but a stripe of neon works just as well for a pop of color. Electric blue was a huge trend this year on runways and easily translates to a great eyeliner color. Instead of using traditional black for your cat eye, try a blue liner like Nars’ Abbey Road. Keep the line somewhat thin to avoid looking like your whole eye is covered in shockingly bright shadow.
At the Chanel show in Paris, makeup artist Peter Philips daubed huge chunks of silver and gold glitter on the models’ lids and lashes. For a more subtle flash of springy metallic, MAC’s loose pigments in Old to Gold is a good choice. While not pieces of chunky glitter, the highly concentrated powder gives you a gleam for any springtime day.
In the same route as the neon palette, bright fuchsia is a traditional spring color that’s still fun. Additionally, fuchsia looks great on every skin tone, especially darker tones. Be sure to invest in a good fuchsia though, because it’s one color that can go from looking chic to cheap quite fast. Choose a rich, creamy stick like Revlon’s Colorstay Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie. Fuchsia can also work as a matte, just be sure to keep reapplying — patchy fuchsia lips are not attractive.
Perhaps my favorite trend that graced the runways was the “romantic” painterly look seen at Valentino. Legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath channeled old masters like Vermeer by keeping the foundation light and airy. McGrath applied soft grey crème shadow in the sockets of the eyes. To recreate these dreamy eyes, try Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Cream in 2 Steel. Be spare with the application, though. You don’t want to look like you didn’t get enough sleep the night before. Using your fingers instead of a brush will help with a light application because of the crème formula.
To top off the old masters’ look, keep the lip color simple and neutral. Steer clear of heavy lipsticks and glosses, and instead opt for a fresh balm. I love Maybelline’s Baby Lips line, but any moisturizing balm will do to recreate McGrath’s look. Tie your hair in a loose side braid, and you’re ready for whatever lovely things spring has to offer!
