NYFW S/S 2010: The (Adore) Beauty Report

Backstage at Narciso Rodriguez, Donna Karan and Alexander Wang / via NYMag.com

The good thing about ready-to-wear shows from a beauty perspective is that, like the clothes, most of the looks won’t get you arrested if you decide to try them on your next night out. New York Fashion Week‘s spring 2010  beauty trends are easy to get your head (and makeup brushes) around. Kate Morris reports.

For the eyes it’s all about bronze.

We saw this at Narciso Rodriguez, Diane von Furstenberg, Rag & Bone, Thakoon and Zac Posen, and it’s basically a shimmering shade of bronze (veering either towards copper, gold or brick if you like) applied both on the upper and lower lids. No eyeliner. Mascara only if you must. Bear in mind that the warmer the bronze shade (i.e. the more red undertone it has), the more on-trend you will be, but the greater the risk of looking like you haven’t slept in a week. Shades to try: BECCA eyeshadows in Brocade (cool bronze), Damask (copper gold) or Jacquard (rich warm brick-bronze).

For lips, by and large it’s Nude City.

Most shows went with either a nude lipstick (Donna Karan, Diane von Furstenberg) or a barely-there stain (Alexander Wang); both were applied sparingly with a lip brush for a not-really-wearing-anything look. Benefit lipstick in Lady’s Choice or Laura Mercer Lip Stain in Shy Pink or Peach Glaze are both good options.

If you’re not a big fan of the nude lip, or if you’re not inclined to go with the bronze eye look, you can keep the eyes plain (just mascara) and go with a pop of raspberry colour on the lips, as in Marc by Marc Jacobs. The key here is to keep the rest of your face very simple – be very light-handed with your blush. Try Bloom’s lipstick in Cutie Pie.

Hair

At most shows was pulled back off the face, either loosely (Rag & Bone, Rodarte, Vera Wang) or slicked back tightly – see Marc Jacobs‘ ultra sleek ballerina buns and Thakoon’s slick ponytails. Hairspray is your friend in either case. Braids were also back – I loved the soft long side braid with volume on top at Alexander Wang, and there were also tight cornrow braids partly unravelled for kinked waves at Diane von Furstenberg.

Kate Morris is the founder of AdoreBeauty.com.au: a self confessed beauty junkie, she sources some of the most exclusive beauty brands for her one stop online beauty shop. Kate will be guest blogging for SASSYBELLA.com throughout the spring/summer 2010 shows.