The Southern Hemisphere can seem a little left out when all the catwalkaction is happening over the other side of the world. But our situationdoes have a sunny side. While winter-bound northerners just get toplan warm weather looks monthsahead, we actually get to wearthem while they’re hot. Check out some of the key spring/summer trendsfrom the runways of New York Fashion Week…
Heat haze
The shows: Oscar de la Rentaand J Mendel
The look: Sultry, yet cleanand elegant. Natural, fresh skin is simply the backdrop for smudgy eyesthat smoulder in hues from coffee and cocoa to not-quite-golden bronze.
Make it work for you: Choose arichly pigmented shadow with shimmery accents to lighten the drama ofthe smoky eye. Skip liner for understated sexiness or use the clean,smooth line of a chocolate coloured pencil for extra definition. Applylengthening mascara on the upper lashes only and use the rest of yourmake-up to amplify your eyes, not challenge them. Keep lips nude andsheer and use fleshy blush and an illuminator to carve outcheekbones.
The tools: MakeUp Shop Micro Shadow in Old Gold or Brownie, $27 Revlon Limited Edition Collection Molten Metal Liquid Shadow in BronzeBomber or Copper Rush, $23.95 MaybellineNew York Unstoppable Eyeliner in Espresso, $15.25 L’OrealParis Telescopic Clean Definition mascara, $24.95
Wear it with: Locks that looklike you’ve been driving with the top down or a neatly woven bun.
Anti-trend
The shows: Josh Goot, Tuleh,Band of Outsiders, Y and Kei and Marc Jacobs
The look: No make-up,I-don’t-even-like-make-up make-up. New York’s runways saw minimalismreturn with a vengeance. In a statement against the tropical coloursthat often dominate the season, not only did nudie no-colours return toeyes and lips in many shows, but, in others, neutralising shades wereused to erase natural shading and hollow out cheeks.
Make it work for you: Takeinspiration, not direct instruction. Flat, neutral faces look strikingon the runway, but they just look unwell in real life. Keep eyesunderstated and natural with flesh-toned shadow (if any at all),instead investing your time in crafting a flawlessly natural face. Keepyour lips soft and ‘bare’, following your natural colouring when optingfor a creamy pink, peach or beige-based nude. And skip the mirror-gleamgloss – keep natural colours on the down low with a matte finish or anun-shiny sheen.
The tools: E.L.F.Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara, $3.95 MACMineralize Satinfinish SPF15 Foundation, $48 or MACStudio Fix Fluid SPF15, $48, for a little more coverage and anatural matte finish MACEyeshadow in Naked Lunch, $32 Pink-based MACLipsticks in Half ‘n Half or Hug Me, $35 MACLipstick in Café Matte (from the Mattene collection launching onOctober 8) for a rich caramel colour, $35
Wear it with: A smooth, sportypony or frankly-I-fell-out-of-bed-this-way hair (which, of course,you’ll have spent at least 15 minutes perfecting).
Orange lips
The shows: Jason Wu, NanetteLepore, Carolina Hererra, Carlos Miele and Temperley London
The look: Big, LOUD mouths.Citrus was the word on the most fashionable lips as the catwalk turnedout everything from sweet whispers of peach and juicy tangelo toscreams of electric orange.
Make it work for you: Go forit! Play it soft when you’re going for a natural look or add a twist oforange to your favourite red or pink gloss for a fresh summerstatement. But don’t be afraid to be bold. There are only two rules forwearing bright orange this season: Balance loud lips with simple, yetdefined, eyes and the more yellow-toned you go, the more matte it needsto be.
The tools: MACLipstick in Morange, $35, can be applied sparingly with fingers orsplashed on to its full effect. MACLipstick in Orange Dare (from the Mattene collection available fromOctober 8), $35, is the perfect yellow-based orange with a semi-mattefinish. For Carolina Hererra’s glossy look – Apply your orange lippy beneath alayer of fuchsia and then add a slick of clear gloss on top. Woah!
Wear it with: Confidence.
Blast from the past
The shows: LAMB, Marc Jacobs,Tuleh, DKNY and Ruffian
The look: Higher and higherstill. Designers took a tour through the decades as hair traversed 50sbeehives, 60s backcombing and high voltage 70s glamour. Marc Jacobseven took volume into bird’s nest territory with a messy, amplifiedupdo that no-one should take to the street.
Make it work for you: Read Trend alert: Sky-high hair fortips on turning up the volume and wearing the modern day beehive.
CAn’t wait for spring! Just bought an awesome (spring edit) handbag and have a gorg corally lippy, perfection for springtime!