Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Guest Feature: Summer Beauty Trends

A guest feature from Aleya at the Long Island Beauty School follows. Thanks, Aleya, for the summer tips! We need to be forced out of our comfort zones now and then. Aleya has some gentle ideas for change.

All of the photos came from the fashion-forward looks created by makeup artist extraordinaire Napoleon Perdis for Rosemount Australian Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2011. Stunning and colorful, his looks embody the trends for summer. You can see more of his work on his Facebook page.

To the relief of all, summer is on its way, and so are the hot beauty trends that go with it. While some of these trends were taken from those that sprang with spring, there are a few that are exciting and new.

Nails - Step away from the pretty pinks that were trendy last year and go vibrant with color! Try a polish that’s coral, hot pink, purple, yellow, or, blue. If you’re a little more conservative, you can still wear pastel colors. It may be fun, though, to dazzle with a touch of glitter.

Lips - Make your lips stand out by applying red or hot pink lipstick. There are tons of shades available in each color, so select one that looks good with your skin tone. Take this trend one step further by applying matte lipstick instead of a gloss.

Colorful Eyes - Have fun with your eye makeup by applying eye shadow or eye liner in bright bold colors, such as electric blue or canary yellow. Hot pink and red are also big for summer (on some skin tones). You can use just one color or blend a few together for an edgier look.

Smoky Eyes - Use bold colors to create exotic smoky eyes. Copper is so trendy!

Neutrals - Feel like a clean, fresh look? Here’s your chance. Tie your hair back in a nice, sleek, low ponytail and wear a touch of neutral makeup. Get a touch of shine with a nude lip gloss.

Glowing Skin - Great skin is always in fashion, but this summer your skin should look fresh, clean, and even a little sun kissed. How about a bronzer?

Braids - It doesn’t matter how you wear them as long as you do!

Parted Hair - Channel your inner Gwyneth Paltrow and part your hair in the middle. It’s okay to part your hair on the side as well, but wherever you decide to part it, make sure that the part really stands out and looks clean.

Have fun! There are no limits to your creativity, so let yourself go and enjoy the ride.

Any questions for Aleya or Napoleon?

Photos courtesy of Napoleon Perdis

8 comments:

Eileen said...

Thank you for this informative and timely guest post. It is a delightful summation of the best trends to emerge for this summer.

Neon lips and tips? Such fun! I'm in my sixties so it's all about adapting the trends and, with this year's products, it is easier than ever to be on trend without being foolish. I just keep my finger nails neutral and consign the bright oranges and pinks to my toes where they look great with strappy sandals. As for the lips, the translucent offerings from Chanel, YSL, Guerlain, etc. are perfect for us older women who want to rock a bright and cheerful color without looking like a clown or like we'd glow in the dark. This year I've bought more lip products than I could use in a lifetime!

Natural, glowing, sun kissed skin? Just about every major brand has been bringing out tinted moisturizers and sheer foundations with color adjusting pigments. It's never been easier to get a luminous, soft focus look. As for bronzers, this has been an incredible year! Long gone are the days when I'd just brush on my Terracotta and be done with it. Now, I select my bronzer du jour with the same care I'd select my blush, lipstick, or eye make-up. This year alone I've added Guerlain's Terra Inca, Dior's Aurora, Chanel's Bronze Rosé, and Nar's Laguna to my ever growing collection--and I love them all for the different looks they create.

I began wearing make-up in the early 1960's, so I have always had a strong affinity for deep colors around the eyes. Back then, though, the look was bold and geometric rather than smudged and smokey. It's been a treat to witness the evolution from stark outlines to gradient shadings with the addition of color. Smoky eyes have come a long way from the classic blacks, silvers, and grays and have lightened up for summer with beautiful browns, cinnamons, and coppers (love D&G's new summer quad). Add a bit of cassis, warm berry or coral and I'm in summertime heaven.

There is just so much that is exciting and fun to be found in this year's summer collections. And, make-up artists from around the globe have been creating beautiful looks--from natural to stunning--to inspire and entice us. Thank you again for an informative post and beautiful pictures.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Eileen,

Thanks so much for the comment! Naturally, I agree with everything you say. Given my age, I don't think I could rock yellow eyelids, but yellow nails would be fun.

I am also in the "When on earth will I wear all my new lip colors?" mode. I must have purchased at least 50 new ones for spring/summer...and I love them all. It would be good for me if the companies bombed out with their next round of launches. :)

I did get the new La Prairie tinted moisturizer, which I need to feature. I LOVE it.

Must thank Aleya for the words and Napoleon Perdis for the photos. As soon as I read her feature, I was reminded of the looks he created for the Australian shows. Perfect match!

Hopelessly Devoted To Makeup said...

I love copper and braids, how fun! I think we all need to be reminded to break out of our ruts and try some new things. You never know what will appeal to you!

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Hopelessly Devoted!

You reminded me of that line from a song..."Shake 'em up, baby!"

lovethescents said...

What an important article for me....I'm so not trendy these days, as much as I try to be, and following the trends can be time-consuming. This is just what I needed: quick and informative! So now, even though I'm part of the 'milk and cookie' crowd, I can be there and look up to date :-)

Funny about the brightly coloured eye makeup. I did try on one of those MAC paint pots in a hot pink colour. Although I loved the colour, I thought it brought out the red in my eyes and my waterline. Then I read the packaging, "not intended for use on eye area"! Not a purchase I made, you can imagine. So that being said, once our baby starts sleeping through the night, I'd love to go for some hot pink liner!

Thanks for keeping me in the loop :-)

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Lovethescents,

That's the albino bunny syndrome. I can't do a pink eye either. I have some red in my eyes/waterline, and pink emphasizes it. Avoid!

Good idea...wait for the baby to get some sleep during the night.

Eileen said...

Hi Charlestongirl,

I got a good laugh out of your 50 plus lipsticks. I don't come close to that, but I've also been wondering how I was going to get use out of all mine. Thank heavens I like to mix up my lip look throughout the day.

I can hardly wait to hear about your La Prairie tinted moisturizer. Not all tinted moisturizers are created equal and there are certainly some duds amongst them, but it sounds like La Prairie has come out with a real gem. I'm sure we'll all be looking forward to your review.

Charlestongirl said...

I'm eager to write it, Eileen! La Prairie's new tinted moisturizer is like liquid silk. They have an nice, very light shade that's perfect.

I saw it in February and wanted it then. I'm glad it arrived in time for warm weather and more makeup-free days.

I will wear all that lipstick - eventually. Fortunately, it you are good to your lipsticks, they last for years.