S/S 2014 Beauty trends

In my feature posts I will be focused on beauty trends for S/S 2014. I want to analyse every single fashion show to find trends.


1. Pretty Romance

• Pretty Romance focuses on romantic hair and make-up that ties in with the Modern Romance apparel trend. This look is "gorgeous, young, fresh, whimsical and romantic", explained Lucia Pieroni
• Make-up is soft and pretty with powdery textures and delicate pastel tones of sky blue, mint and washed lilac
• Loose updos have a dry texture with flyaway pieces left to fall around the head. Decorative hair clips are used as embellishment
• Look to Mary Katrantzou and John Rocha's floral dresses for nail colour, texture and design inspiration
• The Costume Institute at The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art's Charles James: Beyond exhibition, opening on May 8 2014, will provide beauty inspiration for colour, texture and finishes
• Key products: pastel-coloured powder eyeshadows, matte foundation, translucent pressed powder, creamy peach lipstick and texturising matte hairspray
• Key shows: Zac Posen, Michael van der Ham, Zang Toi, John Rocha and Mary Katrantzou

2. Multicoloured tribal

• A vibrant colour palette and textural beauty trend inspired by the Maasai and traditional African textiles. Bold primary tones of red, orange, blue, yellow and green are important colours
• Make-up focuses on strong lip and cheek colours. Matte orange lips are teamed with a coral orange blush swept high onto the cheek. Skin is luminous with a radiant glow. Brows are pencilled in for a groomed finish
• Hair is brushed back into sleek, tight ponytails. The double-braided ponytail updates the classic plait and is accessorised with multicoloured fabric, as seen at Mara Hoffman
• Create graphic fingertips with a ripple effect in two-tone shades
• Key products: orange lipstick, coral-orange powder blusher, gold illuminator, luminous liquid foundation and shine spray
• Key shows: Opening Ceremony, DKNY, Mara Hoffman and Byblos Milano

3. Sports luxe

• "Girls look effortlessly luxe and expensive, but not overdone… groomed with an outdoorsy feel", explained Debbie Finnegan of the look
• Sports luxe updates winter's Urban Ballet beauty trend, which was all about sports-inspired hair and make-up with a pretty edge. Fast-forward to spring/summer and girly looks are replaced with more grown-up and glamorous styling
• The face is kept natural with only a slick of cream eyeshadow in metallic green-grey on the eyelids, as seen at John Rocha
• A multi-textural finish is important for hair. Mix wet and dry, smooth and wavy textures on the head. Super-shiny roots are contrasted against dry, wavy lengths
• Sleek deep-side partings are combed flat to the forehead, forming a long, sweeping fringe
• Add metallic gold to monochrome nails, as seen at Assembly. Half-white and half-gold fingertips are toughened up with black lines to create a graphic finish
• "This look is sporty and boyish but still glamorous and rich", adds Gucci Westman
• Key products: illuminating tinted moisturiser, eye primer, metallic eyeshadow, tinted lip balm, hair gel and shine serum
• Key shows: John Rocha, Issey Miyake, Assembly, Aquilano Rimondi and Cédric Charlier

4. Candy pastels

• Powdered pastels from last season are updated with bright, luminous, sweet-inspired shades. Limeade, lilac and glass blue are standout colours
• Add bubblegum-pink highlights on the head, as seen at Ohne Titel, or dye the entire head in this candy tone for a more daring, girly look
• For make-up, focus on one facial feature. Colour is applied either on the eyes or lips - never both at the same time - to create a strong impact
• Bright pastel blues in saturated power pigments stand out against a pared-back base and natural lip. Alternatively, keep eye make-up minimal and skin fresh to allow the matte lip to stand out, as seen at Assembly
• Look to Gareth Pugh for nail-colour inspiration. Models sported opaque seafoam fingertips
• Key products: lilac lip stain, radiant foundation, candy-pastel eyeshadows, pink blusher, temporary pastel hair dye
• Key shows: Miu Miu, Ohne Titel, Assembly, DKNY and Gareth Pugh

5. Natural textures

• Hairstyling has a rustic aesthetic and make-up is based around an earthy colour palette
• Make-up focuses primarily on the eyes, with rusty-bronze eyeshadow dusted all around the eyelids. Brows are pencilled in with powder rather than a pencil for a softer, more groomed finish
• Skin is fresh and dewy with a hint of bronzer on the cheeks for a sunkissed, outdoorsy glow
• Texture is essential for hair. Create natural waves by unravelling plaits rather than using electrical tools for a relaxed and undone finish
• Hair embellishments such as feathers and floral wreaths add interest to wavy hair. This is a key accessory for summer festivals
• Key products: rusty-bronze powder eyeshadow, apricot bronzer, brow powder and texturising spray for wavy hair
• Key shows: Holly Fulton, Hermès, Derek Lam, Anna Sui and Donna Karan New York