Fashion Week may have served up some super inspiring beauty trends but if you can’t wait until next season to give cloud hair and glimmer eyes a whirl, GLAMOUR columnist, Nikki Wolff, has shared 3 wearable beauty trends you can trial right now.
The return of blush
While 2018 was all about bronzed skin, this year I’ve seen a surge in the return of blush – and I couldn’t be happier about it. Whether applied on the apples of the cheeks, draped right under eyes or used to sculpt cheekbones, a healthy and rosy flush makes you look happier, more youthful and keeps makeup looking fresh.
As for texture, liquid blushes will give a more natural-looking glow. Apply a small amount directly on to your blush brush (synthetic or natural) and diffuse onto the cheeks bit by bit. This allows you to build up the intensity that you want. Try The Body Shop’s Lip Cheek Stain, £8 or BECCA’s Beach Tint, £20.
Underlashes
I love the look of full lashes and swear by adding individual lashes for volume, but for a super glam look, adding an underlash is a fresh take on a dramatic eye.
Keep it flattering by going for a fine, short length such as Eylure’s Underlash, £4. 95. I prefer a strip lash rather than individuals as they look more natural (plus it can be tricky to get individuals to all face the correct direction when applied underneath a lash rather than on top). Apply your mascara first, wait for it to dry and then slot the lash strip underneath your natural lash line, as close to your eyelashes as possible. For a Twiggy-style 60s look, add another slick of mascara after it’s dried.
Glossy everything
To get that covetable and fresh supermodel skin, it’s all about the texture you use. This season rather than focusing the glow on one part of the face, I love adding gloss to everything – eyes, cheeks and lips. Highlight your skin with a liquid for that super natural, post-facial glow. It blends into the skin more naturally, giving a ‘bouncy’ and plump complexion. I love BECCA’s Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter, £30.
Matte lips will always have their place but a layer of lip gloss adds so much dimension to the lips; choose a clear gloss to go over your favourite lipstick, or try NARS’ Full Vinyl Lip Lacquer, £23 – it has a strong pigment that gives a mirror-like finish without feeling too sticky.
The idea of using an eye gloss may be intimidating, but once you’ve mastered the technique, it looks sultry and sophisticated. Instead of adding the gloss on top of a powder eyeshadow, first use a kohl pencil drawn all over the lids and soften out with a fluffy brush. This gives a warm smokiness, plus you’ll find your glossy finish looks more even (I love Kevyn Aucoin Exotique Diamond Eye Gloss, £30, as it sits comfortably on the lids).
My top tip for eye gloss is to use normal mascara rather than a waterproof one. Waterproof mascaras are hydrophobic (which means they repel water), and most eye glosses are the same, so they can dissolve each other. The formula of normal mascaras won’t melt into a hydrophobic gloss so you’ll find it lasts longer and doesn’t smudge or crease.
