MOST WANTED
ELIZABETH ARDEN MARCH ON BEAUTIFUL COLOUR LIPSTICK
Another round of fashion shows at New York Fashion Week bites the dust and the overarching beauty and hair trends to reckon with are inspired by the 80s. One of my favourite decades (yes I actually lived the dream) marked by makeup excess, big hair and loads of colour.
The 80s revival is upon us where hair and makeup are all about more is more.
BOLD EYES
Glitter made an appearance at Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, where makeup artist Val Garland modernised it by smearing it over the model’s foreheads. Caution is advised when attempting this one at home.
Meanwhile at Simone Rocha, glossy, shimmery eyes were the go; at Marc Jacobs the purple metallic eye was a standout, the perfect foil for shimmery skin, and at Carolina Herrera it was all about a blue smoky eye. So, if you’re somewhat shy of colour, try this 80s throw back by starting out with a wash of colour and build the intensity.
DYE JOBS
At Marc Jacobs, several of the models got serious haircuts with mesmerising rainbow-inspired dye jobs at the hands of London-based colourist Josh Wood. Diane Kendal went in hard with glittery eyes that she applied using her fingers and a brush.
LASH LOVE
One of our favourite shows was Anna Sui, where Pat McGrath played up pretty doll-like eyes with coloured eyeliner around the eyes and shazam false lashes. Note to self: need to master false lash application, pronto.
We love the fact that Anna Sui was the muse for her own beauty look, as both McGrath and hair stylist Garren referenced a shot of the designer from the 1980s. The volume-rich hair flick is definitely a look to conjure.
HAIR ACCESSORIES
I really don’t know how I feel about the return of the banana clip. It does make me shudder slightly, but Guido Palau’s interpretation for Alexander Wang has a strangely alluring appeal. Claw grip, banana clip, whatever you call it, Wang has somehow managed to make it look cool. “The hair’s a take on 80s executive,” explained Palau backstage.
At Tom Ford, models wore shimmery sooty eyeshadow with lots of lashes and big statement leather headbands anchoring undone hair. There were even some “mullet tales”.
FOCAL BROWS
At JW Anderson, clever makeup artist Aaron de Mey revisited “Baby Brooke Shields” brows as a feature and paired them with flawless skin. Now this is an 80s look that is definitely worth a try.
CRAZY LIPS
Maybelline’s new Lip Python Kit in Untamed made a second appearance at NYFW, this time at Self Portrait. After applying the green base, makeup artist Thomas de Kluyver then “tapped” a plum colour in the centre of the lips.
WIG OUT
The 80s bob got a major makeover at Jeremy Scott with sharp neon wigs. These were the backdrop for makeup artist Kabuki who applied 3D wings to the models’ brow bones. Where to next?
FRONT ROW FAVOURITES Meanwhile front row at Alexander Wang the DJ duo the Khadra twins decided to take on If you’re in the market for a new red lippy (always, right?!), the perfect option right now is the March On collaborative lipstick, $51, from Elizabeth Arden and Reese Witherspoon – a limited edition product in the brand’s signature Red Door Red shade, signed by the actress and with 100 per cent of the proceeds donated to UN Women. An early advocate of women’s rights, Elizabeth Arden famously provided red lipsticks to the suffragettes marching on Fifth Avenue in New York in 1912. Wearing red lipstick, which wasn’t at the time a socially acceptable practice, became a symbol of the women’s movement and has remained an icon of female power to this day. So not only do you get to be part of a powerful history, you’ll look fabulous and be giving to a great cause. the 80s trend with turquoise lids and colour blocked red lips. We vote yes!
LONDON UPDATE
Another beauty staple of the decade – the winged eye – was in full swing at Molly Goddard’s autumn/ winter show and performed with precision by Hiromi Ueda. Much like applying false lashes, this is a technique that is easier said than done.
“It’s all about eyeliner,” Ueda explained. “Molly’s clothes are amazing, so I wanted to do makeup that’s not too natural, but I kept it quite cool and sophisticated.” She created a sharp shape, saying: “It’s better to start from the end, beginning where you want to finish it, then after you can fill it in from the centre.”