Now, I’ll admit it – I’m not exactly the kind of gal who sticks to seasonal makeup trends like they’re judicial law. If I feel like wearing coral nail polish in the dead of winter and burgundy lipstick in the middle of summer, well, no one’s going to stop me. But here’s another confession: I’m addicted to watching runway shows. Through my more recent YouTube excursions through some top designers’ Fall/Winter collections for 2014 to 2015, I’ve noticed some beautiful makeup trends that truly embody the spirit of the season, and which I’m really looking forward to trying out for myself. Here are a few of my favorites.
Soft Smoky Eye + Soft-Hued Lip
Above: Chloé Autumn/Winter 2014
This ethereal combination of a delicate smoky eye paired with either soft-colored or nude lips was a staple look at the Chloé Autumn/Winter 2014 show. A particularly pretty and unique take on the eyes was a shimmery lavender at the inner corner that blended out into a plummy brown. Another variation was a glimmering eye-brightening white pigment at the inner corner, slowly blending into another soft color (usually lavender in the case of Chloé, but you can get creative). This kind of eye makeup is also a great way to accentuate your eye color without having to pack on the liner.
Brown, Plum, Berry, and Burgundy Lipstick
Left & middle: Rebecca Minkoff Autumn/Winter 2014; Right: Byblos Milano Fall 2014
Moving into bolder cosmetic territory, lipsticks in these dark vampy colors have been all over the runways. The nice thing is that they work with virtually any skin tone – although if you have a very light complexion like me, you might need a little extra courage to wear them on an everyday basis. You can always try lightly dabbing the color on your lips and spreading it with your finger or a brush if you’re opting for a less dramatic look.
Natural, Feathery Brows
Above: Michael Kors Fall 2014
Thick and feathery eyebrows are definitely still going strong this season. I’m very fond of this trend myself (mostly because it means less effort and less waxing). Don’t be afraid to let your brows go au naturale, or just define a slight arch shape with a little grooming and a brow pencil. Brow powders can help enhance your natural color while also creating a lovely softening effect perfect for fall and winter. Feathery brows were often paired with the aforementioned dark lip on the runways, usually with minimal eye makeup.
Arrow-Pointed Liner and Cateyes
Left: Mara Hoffman Fall 2014; middle: Rag & Bone Fall 2014; Right: Dolce & Gabbana Autumn/Winter 2014
When designers did decide to focus on eye makeup, sharp arrow-like wings and cateyes were the favorite. The latest shows saw some interesting variations on the ever-popular cateye; while Dolce & Gabbana stuck to the classic look, designers like Mara Hoffman got artistic with Egyptian-inspired arrows framing the lids. At Rag & Bone, the “floating wing” reigned supreme, with a long black line lifting just before reaching the outer corner and sometimes extending nearly to the end of the eyebrow. Of course, dramatic and daring liner looks like these are usually best paired with a natural lip color – this is how they were usually worn on the runways – but they would certainly create a striking image with a dark or bright-colored lip if you were feeling adventurous.