Spring 2009 Preview

I have now looked back on 2008 and now need to look forward to 2009. Allure magazine compiled a list of the top beauty trends from the Spring runway shows. Here we go…

- Dark Eyeliner - Lots of show showed models with strong black and brown eyeliner. The contrast of the dramatic, dark eyes with bright, feminine clothing makes a very strong statement.

- Red Lipstick - This is the first Spring season to my memory that red lipstick is popular during. However, it looks very fresh and cheerful when paired with pink blush and springy clothing. This season’s red lips have a moist finish, not a wet or matte finish. This look will be best accomplished with a cream finish.

- Fake Lashes - On the runways, the makeup artists (especially Tom Pecheux at YSL) applied the strip angled upward on the lash line. This is not a look that would wear well of the runway though so it is recommended to apply black eye liner with the false lashes to fill in any gaps of bare skin.

- Highlighter - Makeup artists added shimmer to the cheekbones, the inner corners of the eyes, the centers of lids, and the bow of the lips. Powder highlighter is best for the eye area while cream highlighter is better for the lips. Either formulation can be used on the cheeks. When used correctly, highlighter defines features without looking like the lady is wearing a face full of makeup.

- Brown Shadow - Soft brown eye shadow shades were used on the lids and the along the lower lashes. Brown shadow gives more definition than taupe but it is still subtle.

- Hair Accessories - Decorative combs, barrettes, and headbands make very simple hairstyles look dressed up without a huge amount of effort.

- Brow Pencil - Well-defined brows are a universal must for this season. Brows are defined yet still need to look natural.

- Shine Spray - Hair is glossy and polished, no matter what style is being worn. Shine spray should be applied to the bottom half of damp hair then combed through. However, my hair is thick enough that I can use it on dry, finished hair without have it become oily and weighed down.

- Body Cream - Spring dresses show off more skin than has been exposed in the past few months and that calls for cream that contains gold or sliver shimmer and is used all over the arms and legs.

- Rattail Combs - The comb side of this tool teased hair into tall, exaggerated updos and the pointed tip created sharp parts on clean, neat hairstyles.

Well, I am not totally sure how some of these new looks are going to get off of the runway and translate into real life. I just really can’t see how big of a trend red lipstick will continue to be in a season where pink lip gloss usually reigns. I am hoping that highlighter mixed with a bit of bronzer will move the beauty industry away from the too tan look. I am looking forward to false eye lashes and hopefully getting the ones that I have to work out. Hair accessories could be very beautiful or very scary, depending on who is rocking this look. Shine spray is a no-brainer, since everyone looks better with shiny, healthy hair. I still refuse to believe that black eyeliner will really continue very far into spring. Beauty wise, this could be a group of spring trends to remember for years to come.