Spring Beauty Trends

It’s that time again; spring is here bringing with it brand new beauty trends, this season it’s all about re-vamping the look by making a powerful statement.

This year London fashion week was dominated with matte lips, bejewelled eyes and 60’s inspired lashes to compliment the designers fashion collections that strutted down the runways.

Amongst the myriad of beauty trends on the runway, three key trends stood out to Absolute:ly, here we take you through the steps on how to achieve these looks and what products work best for you, this spring there is something for everyone.

The red lip has always been a classic, timeless and powerful its reinvention has been significantly noticed at the likes of Prada, Missoni, Jonathon Saunders and Paul Smith. This spring a pop of colour on the lips is the key to brightening up a look, whether it’s fuchsia, coral, scarlet or cherry the only way to wear these bright colours is if its matte. To accentuate this look keep the rest of the face extremely natural, opt for a powered matte finish on the skin with a hint of blush to emphasise cheekbones. To keep the look neutral tone down the eyes, add a single sweep of mascara to open up the lashes and keep the rest of the face fresh. To achieve that vibrant jolt of colour, it is important to first choose the right shade that compliments your complexion, on our model we have gone for the classic power red as it suits her fair skin, blue eyes and blonde hair. Secondly prepare the lips, apply a colourless lip balm that will moisturise the lip making it easier to apply the lipstick, use a small brush to exfoliate and buff any dead skin off the lip area. Use a lip liner pencil to outline the outer most part of the lip which will accentuate the shape of the mouth, making the lips look bigger and fuller. Finally match the lip liner to the shade of lipstick, use a lipstick brush to apply the colour making sure the lips are fully covered and even. To keep the look fresh dab a small amount of colour stay gloss to stop the lipstick smudging.

Graphic created by myself

A Mediterranean influence has swept over catwalks this spring as makeup artists dabbed their brushes into shades of vibrant aqua, turquoise, jade and midnight blues. Designers such as Gucci, Versus, Stella McCartney and Fendi all embraced this dramatic trend as their models sashayed up and down the runway creating a bold impact. This look is fantastic for evening wear, re-vamping the smoky eye with a shot of colour that screams sexy, chic and sophisticated it will create that perfect statement glamour. To keep the eyes as the main feature, it is important to tone down the rest of the face. Use a matte foundation to create a flawless base, apply evenly with a brush. To cover any dark areas, spots or marks use a matt based concealer and apply on top of the foundation, finish with a powder to stop the face from becoming shiny or oily. Accentuate cheek bones with a powder based blush; opt for a natural pink to create a subtle glow. To create focus on the eyes, start with a matte white on the base of the eyelid to lighten the eye, using a brush apply the chosen shade of blue halfway across the base, getting darker towards the outer section of the eyelid. Blend using a smaller brush to create a smooth, even finish. To add impact on the eyes apply lashings of mascara, accentuating the lashes upwards and outwards, to emphasise the shape of the eyes apply a liquid based eyeliner across the base and top of the lashes. For definition use a brown brow pencil to fill and darken the eyebrows, following the natural shape of the brows, to finish use a brow gel to stop the pencil from smudging. Use a natural shade of pink to finish off the lips, keeping them simple and pretty.

Graphic created by myself

The sixties has become one of the biggest influences this spring with designers such as Marc Jacobs setting the trend at New-York fashion week. Eyeliner, fake lashes and big brows are all back for the perfect doll face look. This year designers such as Thierry Mugler and Miu-Miu have re-invented the retro flick, using a liquid gel to create a tight outline along the base of the lashes with a prominent flick at the outer rim to create a ‘cat-eyed’ shape. Other designers have gone for an all-out sixties look such as Chanel, using a platinum based eye-shadow with a slick of jet black eyeliner to create a bold contrasting look. The sixties is fun, flirty and retro, suited for a night time look it will create a bold and quirky edge to your makeup that is bound to make you stand out from the crowd. For the perfect doll face effect, keep the foundation flawless, use a matt based liquid to even out skin tone and cover any imperfections. Use a matt based concealer over the foundation to cover any spots, marks or dark areas under the eyes, to accentuate cheekbones use a high shine illuminator to add definition to the face. Use a bronzer for a more defined look along the cheekbones that will also add a touch of shimmer and colour to the cheeks. To emphasise the eyes use a platinum based eye-shadow across the whole of the lid, apply a liquid based gel across the top lash line to accentuate the shape of the eyes. Apply liquid eyeliner to the bottom lash line for a wide-eyed open look. For a dramatic effect, apply false eyelashes over the liquid eyeliner to create a “wow” effect, although false eyelashes can look heavy when applied properly it can produce a glamorous and sexy look. Define the brows with an eye brow pencil; overfill the brows to create a large, thick brow that will create shape in the face. Use a brow gel to stop the pencil from smudging which will also keep the eyebrow hairs in place. Use a natural peach colour for the lips, apply a small coat of lip-gloss to add shine to the lips for the perfect pout. 

Graphic created by myself

All three looks were created by professional make-up artist Agatha Biase