Introducing the six top beauty trends for the new season. The spring/summer forecast: You’ll have never looked hotter.
THE STATEMENT LIP
The lipstick comeback has been the talk of the makeup world for some seasons now. But with the recent catwalk shows accessorising outfits with bold, bright pouts, now is right time to rethink your lip routine. That means stashing your stains and tossing your glosses. The latest lip look harks back to ye olde lipstick days. As in, lining and painting on colour for a perfect, polished pout. Think Rita Hayworth - coincidentally a muse at both Gucci and Valentino.
But the modern edge for lips is in the colour you choose - powerful shades of red, purple, fuchsia and even orange. Modern too are the newest formulations - more luxurious and hydrating than ever. Cases in point: Revlon Renewist ($19.95), gorgeous in Cherry Desirable and Succulent Peach, and Estée Lauder Signature Lipstick ($40), which is most must-have in Orchid Light and Black Cherry. Statement lips demand full attention, so don’t forget to pare everything else back: sheer base, minimal eye makeup, and simple hair.
FASHIONABLE FRAGRANCES
The celebrity scent bandwagon doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down any time soon (Gwen Stefani and Kate Moss are just two stars about to be bottled). But the designers aren’t letting that stop them from continuing to launch new fragrances at whiplash speed. Out now or very soon: Dior Midnight Poison, with its rose and patchouli headiness (from $85), Burberry Brit Sheer, a sparkling fruity-floral (from $79), Missoni Acqua, smelling of sun-warmed fruits (from $75), Stella McCartney Sheer Stella (pictured), a pretty mix of zesty lemon and romantic rose ($98), Thierry Mugler Eau de Star, classed as an aquatic-oriental (from $70), and Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Toilette, a lighter version of the cult eau de parfum (from $110). And from super-luxe jewellery brand Bvlgari, there’s the smooth and sensual Rose Essentielle L’Eau de Toilette Rosée (from $105).
FAIR-TRADING
Just as fair-traded chocolate and coffee make for guilt-free snack and caffeine fixes, ethical beauty products make pampering seem so much more than skin-deep. The Body Shop has championed the concept with its community trade programme, going strong now for twenty years. On its order list: shea butter from Ghana, honey form Zambia and marula oil from Namibia, to name just a few. The idea is basically about helping economically-challenged communities make their local industries sustainable and profitable. And it’s a concept that other big beauty brands are starting to get. For example, Chanel fair-trades in Madagascar to source the key ingredient for its Sublimage skincare range. Help the planet, and look good while doing it. Now what could be bad about that?
THE NEW BLACK
Black nail polish has been the hands-down beauty stand-out buy of the year. It still looks sleek, shiny and sexy. But kind of predictable too. Which was never the point of black polish. It was always meant to shock. But now that even ladies who do afternoon tea paint black on their dainty fingernails (or have it painted for them), what’s a beauty rebel to do? The two shades fighting it out for out-there nail colour of the season: purple and navy. Right now, it’s a too-close-to-call race between O.P.I Nail Lacquer in Russian Navy ($19.95 from Adore Beauty) and Yves Saint Laurent La Laque in #34 Black Tulip ($37).
Navy is also coming through as an unexpected yet sophisticated spin on traditional black liquid liner. It looks just as sleek, but has a beautiful eye-brightening effect. Try Yves Saint Laurent Eyeliner Moiré in #8 Marine Reflections* ($55).
BEAUTY ROCKS
With mineral makeup on everyone’s lips and skin, it’s not surprising that beauty companies are starting to dig deep into the earth for inspiration. The next rock stars of the beauty world: crystals and gemstones. Crystals are increasingly found in beauty treatments; for example, Heritage Healers salons (call 1800 685 050 for details) place crystals in treatment rooms to help calm and centre clients, the Aurora Spa Retreat in Melbourne (03 9536 1130) offers a divine Crystal Balance Massage, based on the technique of hot stone massage, and Babor spas (1800 139 139) do the divine Rose Quartz Facial, where smooth crystals are used to massage the face. And gemstones, with their various skin-enhancing benefits, are being mined and mixed into such products as Aveda Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser ($59.95, call 1300 300 054 for stockist details) and Sisley Hydra-Global Intense Anti-Aging Hydration ($250, 1300 780 800), which stars the collagen-boosting copper-rich malachite.
AN ALL-OVER GLOW
The last couple of summers have smelled distinctively of eau de spray tan. Word in the salons is that our obsession with trying to out-Gisele Gisele is fading fast. (Do we really want to take on the ultimate glamazon, anway?) In its place: a desire to look like ourselves, just a little big glowier. Call it the gradual tanner effect. Tanning moisturisers have completely changed the way many of us now tan. They’re quick, they’re easy, they’re fool-proof, and they give natural-look results. Not surprising we’re so hooked.
Body makeup is also becoming more user-friendly. Once the domain of makeup artist kits, you can now find all sorts of cinch-to-use sprays and shimmers in the shops. The latest must-trys: Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Shimmer ($34.95), The Body Shop Body & Leg Shine ($26.95), Guerlain Terracotta Spray Bronzing Powder Mist ($80 - available from September 16), and Elizabeth Arden Bronzing Shimmer Powder in Golden ($54).
