Makeup Trend Report

Turning the less-is-more mentality upside down, designers sent out their models looking more natural than ever this season.  But were they actually wearing less makeup?

Clean, glowing complexions with barely-there makeup dominated the runways, making more look like less.  The nude tone galore was dragged into both spring/summer and fall/winter collections with the help of every girl’s new best friends, foundation and lipstick.

Full brows, nude eyes, perfect skin and bold lips brought a new twist to looking effortlessly fabulous. But this trend can fool anyone into thinking that it’s truly effort-free. “Even though it’s “barely-there”, this look requires flawless skin, which calls for makeup like good foundation and concealer,” says Flare Magazine’s Beauty Editor, Kristen Vinakmens. As each season presents a new rendition of the minimalist trend, new shades of lipstick take over the runways, going hand-in-hand with the increasingly loud designs like exaggerated shoulders and hips, heavy fabrics and the use of pop colours like hot pink, green and orange.

However much trendy, this looking isn’t for everyone and can make regular makeup wearers feel a little naked. “Without a lot of colour in the face like blush and lipstick, it can make some women look a little pasty. Unless they’re comfortable not wearing any makeup at all, the barely-there trend is best left on the runway,” says Vinakmens.

So how does one go from being done-up to being done-up without looking the part? Beauty expert Sandy Gold gave Lifestyle her tips.

Exfoliation and Moisture

Exfoliating your skin can reduce and even demolish red spots, dark spots and uneven complexions. Make sure to read the ingredients before making the purchase. Look for kojic acid, alpha and beta hydrogen oxide acids and jojoba plant seeds. Be aware of your skin type and remember that when it comes to exfoliation, natural is not always better. With a facial scrub, cleanse your skin once in the morning right after you wake up and once at night at 10 p.m. to remove make up from your pores. Gel cleansers are usually less irritating and don’t interfere with your skin’s natural moisture. Results should show in about two weeks, leaving your skin soft, even and ready for the next step.

The intention of natural beauty is to augment your look and replace your concealer with a hydrating tinted moisturizer. Applying sun screen with an SPF of 15 or higher 365 days of the year is the kindest gesture you could do for your skin. The sun’s harmful rays cast a dry spell to your skin and form brown spots –especially to easily freckling skin.  On top of anti-wrinkle creams, moisturizing your skin at least twice a day will give it a healthy, hydrated glow.

Foundation

A good foundation is the heart of the barely-there trend. With so many different types, shades and brands of foundation, it can be a little dizzying to try and pick the right one. The most important thing when choosing the right type of foundation is the shade.  “The perfect shade is one that matches your own natural skin tone exactly, regardless of whether you’re a warm or cool undertone. I would suggest choosing a yellow-based foundation to add warmth to the skin, “ says Gold.  But before choosing the right shade comes choosing the right type of foundation –liquid, tinted moisturizer, cream or powder. 

Liquid: Evens out the skin tone and can provide very little, medium and full coverage. A tinted moisturizer is perfect for those who don’t like to wear a lot of makeup and already have a great complexion. Medium to full coverage foundation covers redness, blemishes, discolouration and acne. For oily skin, issuing a matte finish foundation will help to control shine throughout the day.

Powder: A quick and easy way to even out the skin tone. Time isn’t always on our sides, and power foundation understands. To apply, use a round powder brush or for more coverage, use a sponge.

Cream: Provides maximum coverage. A cream foundation is your best bet for full coverage, especially when applied in layers and pressed into the skin. This type of foundation is very heavy, so choosing the right shade and brand for you is essential to avoid looking cakey.

For a dewy, glowing finish, Gold recommends mixing one pump of liquid illuminator into your foundation everyday to give your skin a boost of radiance.

Colour

For long-lasting, stained lips, Gold recommends pressing liostick into lips in layers, while blotting between each layer. Fill in brows with a soft brown pencil and use a clear mascara to groom and hold brows in place, especially if you want pull-off a very bare look without blush or coloured lips.  Apply soft, light colours of blush in shades of pink and beige to define your bone structure.  If you’re too shy to go fully bare around your eyes, apply a thin line of brown eyeliner with your mascara.•