After almost two years of pandemic-imposed virtual gatherings in front of our computers, the world is opening up again and makeup lovers are getting ready to paint the town red.
As calendars begin filling up with events, dinners and parties, the makeup industry is gearing up and taking a page out of some of the most fun decades in recent memory.
Looks inspired by the 70s, 80s and 90s were seen at this year’s Fall runways, in anticipation of life returning to some form of normalcy at the end of the year with the gradual return of (safe) social outings.
However, for those who prefer natural-looking skin, not to worry as the dewy glow is still very much in trend.
Here are some of the hottest makeup trends to drop this Fall.
Magazines, music videos and movies of the 90s featured stars with enviable pouts, lips outlined with a brown lip pencil with clear lip gloss swiped over them.
Defined lips are back in, and hues like taupe, plum and chocolate browns are all the rage at the moment as lipstick makes a comeback.
The classic red lip is back – in bright, richly pigmented crimsons as well as brick reds.
If you’re worried about lipstick smudging under your mask before an important dinner or cocktail event, check out long-wear liquid lipsticks that don’t dry out your lips.
For the adventurous, lips lined in shimmering metallic and iridescent colours will be just the thing to brighten up your entire look.
There are tons of lip colour options out there for those who aren’t fans of liquid or cream lipsticks. Tinted and coloured balms as well as lip gloss are the softer answer to the heavier options, but bear in mind they will require frequent touch-ups.
Whether it’s with lipstick, gloss, balms or tints, playing up your lips with bolder colours is the thing to do.
Experimenting with glamorous and bold eyeshadow colours is reminiscent of the 70s disco era.
“Loud” eye makeup looks dominated the Giambattista Valli runway, while models in the Versace show sported cat eyes in shades of fuchsia and crimson.Don’t be hesitant about exploring colours and textures, and experimenting with shades you wouldn’t normally attempt.
Enhance your eyelids with fun eyeshadow palettes and graphic liners to exude the disco vibe, and match this with a light lip gloss.
Another item to stock up on is eyeliner, whether it’s the crayon variety or a smooth liquid liner.
For a smoky effect, smudge your liner with your fingertips and glide it across your lids.
Get creative with graphic liner punctuated by a white pigment blend across the lower lash line.
Some prefer a more subtle look, and the kitten eye – a daintier version of the classic cat eye – is just the thing.
Smaller lines that you can achieve with short, thin strokes drawn across the lash line, with a tiny flick at the end for a subtle wing, is perfect for people who want a cleaner look.
A useful tip to achieve this look is to start your liner in the center of your eye instead of the inner corner.
Highlight the contours of your face with swirled, saturated colour in the form of dramatic blush.
Experiment with bright fuchsia and deep apricot for nights out, and for daytime, pretty pinks and light berries will do the trick.
There are plenty of ways to apply blush, including using a damp beauty sponge to make your skin look luminous, while blending in your choice of colour.
If you’re going for the monochromatic look, use the same lipstick on your cheeks and eyes. Just dab a little on your cheeks with your finger and blend it in using a blusher brush.
Use a bit of powder to soften the blush if you end up applying too much, and this will actually make it look like the colour is glowing from underneath your skin.
Amp up your glow to get a sun-kissed look by applying blush to the bridge of your nose, and this will give your face a lift even if you’re not wearing any other makeup.
Another new blush trend is something called “draping”, where one uses blush to contour the face which is less harsh than using bronzer.
Do this by blending a cream blush up near your brow bone and into your temples.Natural brows
One takeaway from extended mask usage throughout most of 2020 and 2021 has been that eyebrows are the most important yet overlooked feature on the face.
Super manicured or drawn-in brows are out – this year brought on a fuller brow trend, and a more prominent arch is becoming increasingly popular.
Fluffy brows are a style that suits just about everyone and goes with every look, and feathery arches are easy to achieve with a good trim.
Look for scissors specifically designed with a longer blade so that you can trim your brows in fewer snips. This will create an even, feathery look and all you have to do is brush your brows up with a spoolie.
Another trend that everyone is talking about is brow lamination, a method credited for many models’ defined, fluffy brows.
Brow lamination is done using a gentle perm solution, neutralising lotion and moisturing treatment.
This relaxes your hairs temporarily, and redirects them upwards, giving them a longer appearance thus making your brow shape look larger.
Ombre brows are also gaining traction, a trend that started on social media.
Much like the hair trend, ombre brows apply the same principle of blending colours using either brow tint of pencil.
The hair in the forefront of our brows is always softer in growth, and heavier toward the centre, and this trend involves a subtle colour transition that adds depth to the brows.
When it comes to hair, a recurring theme on the Fall runways were bangs.
All manner of blunt bangs styles in varying shapes, textures and thickness are in, falling right on or just past the brows.
Micro bangs were popular in the 1950s thanks to the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn, and it appears this trend is also making a comeback, as spotted on the Louis Vuitton and Rick Owens Fall runways.
For women who prefer lower maintenance hair styles, curtain bangs are a great option because even when they start to grow out, a good cut will ensure the layers will continue to frame your face.
If you didn’t think you could have bangs if your hair is curly, think again, because curly bangs in various styles are an emerging trend this year.
Wispy, flouncy bangs that are layered and tousled to frame the face are meant to look wind-blown, which means they won’t require much maintenance.
And a plus point is that they work with any kind of haircut.
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