1. Statement lips
Boldly coloured lips like those at Ruffian and Ossie Clark are big news this season. Lips should be both mute and nude in colour, or they’re all-out bright. For a seriously uninhibited lip, try chocolate and cherry tones; ruby, garnet and currant also work beautifully. If you’re nervous about going super bold, rather apply bright shades as a stain instead. To achieve the berry-stained pouts that Chloe, Donna Karen and Carolina Herrera pull off so well, concentrate lipstick in the centre of the lip before blending the colour out towards the lip line using a lip brush.
2. Eyeliner
From ’80s rock to modern Geisha girl, eyeliner is a must-buy this season. Liquid eyeliner is everywhere, and if you don’t have a steady hand, try using a pencil instead. Soften the edges of liquid liner with eye shadow, and remember, don’t overdo it. What works for the catwalk, may not work for the office.
3. Eye-popping colour
Shades of grey and silver, glitter-encrusted or full-throttle hues, eyes have gone all-out. Bold eyes look really effective as an evening or party make-up, so don’t try statement eyes during the day. To channel the ’70s and ’80s rock and disco-inspired looks at Ellie Saab, Zac Posen and Salvatore Ferragamo, try shades of grey, blue and teal. If you’re new to colour, I suggest trying softer bronzes and burgundy shades; they’re a great alternative if you’re shy of bold colour. Or add just a pop of colour to your usual smoky eye by trying a hint of coral on grey eye shadow or a pop of green on bronze.
4. Pretty flush
Glowing, flushed skin is a must this cool season. To achieve the luminous complexions seen on the Missoni and Bill Blass runways, use a luminiser under and over your foundation. My best advice – swap your foundation for mineral powder. I recently changed to it and found it non-irritating, so it’s perfect for sensitive skin and gives a really polished look to the complexion.
5. Wow brows
Stop over-plucking; thickly defined brows are a mainstay. Big brows are important this season, but don’t think you can let them go altogether — this season’s sleek and sophisticated brows require careful grooming, so visit your beautician for a professional brow-shaping. Also, invest in a brow pencil in a similar shade to your natural brows to give them fullness and fill in any gaps. Please ladies, don’t try darker shades if you are blonde – Madonna’s style in the 80s was not cool!