IF you’re not careful, January can be one big blanket of doom and gloom. The decorations have come down, the weather is miserable and the next pay-day is still weeks away. But the new season’s styles are out there so let’s cheer ourselves up a bit by checking out what’s checking in.
Unless you are a trained make-up artist or have a personal staff of image consultants running round after you it’s hard to recreate that catwalk this year the key looks for spring are easily achievable and can be pulled off by almost anyone with a minimum of experience or effort.
Below are the top 3 make-up trends to master in the coming months, and some of the best beauty buys to help you achieve them.
Cats Eyes
Whether it’s the seductive beauty of Sophia Loren or the head-turning chic of yummy-mummy Angelina Jolie, the cat-eye look has been on the wish-list of millions of women for decades. But it’s not hard to achieve and when done properly, can add a playful twist to any outfit and compensate for more natural makeup. The thickness and length of the ‘wing’ is more a factor of preference and occasion, Amy Winehouse type eye-liner is more suitable for a night out than a day in the office but do experiment with depth and colour in order to find a look that suits you. Dior EyeLiner (£17) has a tapered brush that works through a clicker-applicator, allowing for a flawlessly clear line. It’s a little pricey but definitely worth it.
Red Lips
Without doubt the easiest way to turn a look from day to night is by adding red lipstick. Reinvented this season by a multitude of designers it is increasingly becoming the stiletto heel of makeup: timeless, sophisticated and sexy. The shade debate is ongoing and the general consensus is that paler skin tones should stick with cooler, bluey shades/pigments and those with darker skin can pull off the brighter, orangey reds. There is an array of affordable lipsticks on the market at the moment, many with staying power that could give any high-end brand a run for their money. One of the most highly rated products from last year is Max Factor’s Colour Elixir lipstick at £7.99.
Statement Eyebrows
Big is most certainly beautiful when it comes to eyebrows this year. Many designers chose to pencil in angular shapes rather than follow a natural shape, resulting in a much more dramatic look. They can act as an unexpected tool for balancing facial features and drawing attention to the upper part of the face. Previously, it was a fashion faux pas to team dark eyebrows with light hair but now it appears that the more contrast the better. With more brands creating products that cater for eyebrows it is hard to decipher which will provide the best results. Clarins comes up with a quality product yet again with the Brow Definer in Darkest Brown 01, at £14.
