Stuck in a beauty rut? Now’s the time to break free from your usual routine and experiment with one of the new looks gathering serious steam in 2018. marie claire quizzed three experts – in hair, make-up and brows – for the lowdown on the trends, techniques and products you’re about to see everywhere. The overarching message? Colour is back – but it’s your call how you wear it…
HAIR TRENDS
With Angela Blunt of Barney Martin
Custom colour
“Last year’s ombre has finally reached its inevitable final phase and became a classic rather than a trend. Colour is more daring but less in your face; think artfully placed pieces of vibrancy. Balayage is being superseded by bespoke colour – colouring is such an art form that a professional can use colouring like contouring to help give you cheekbones and make your eye colour pop. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach so we are tailoring every colour service to the individual and getting awesome, unique looks as a result.”
The new neutrals
“We can now say that pink and grey are the proven new neutrals in hair colour.”
The It product
“No kit is complete without dry shampoo and I’ve just got my hands on some R+Co Skyline dry shampoo powder. A few spritzes of this gives you movement, body and oomph. Just like an original 90’s supermodel. Everyone wants healthy-looking locks and I rate R+Co Palm Springs Pre-Shampoo Treatment to feel as glamourous as someone from a Slim Aarons’ book.”
MAKEUP TRENDS
With Sarah Tanno, Marc Jacobs Beauty global artistry ambassador and Lady Gaga’s personal make-up artist
Bold eyes
“Big bold eyeliners and full coverage lips will be big this year, as will colour – liners with colour and shadows with colour.”
Fresh skin
“Fresh, flushed skin you can see is back – I’m really over the contour highlight on everything. Step away from the contour kit slowly and no one will get hurt – instead, try bright lips and flushed tone cheeks.”
Full coverage lips
“Liquid lipsticks have taken over the world but I never was into it until recently. Marc Beauty just launched a liquid lipstick in a crayon form that delivers high impact colour in a swipe. I love the key ingredient, Ghost Pearl, which I have never heard of before. It makes the lip colour slightly change in different light. It is really amazing. I’ll be putting them everywhere this year. It’s a new kind of finish I bet you will love!”
BROW TRENDS
With Hannah Mutze, national brow artist, Benefit Cosmetics
Bleached brows
“Lighter Brows are looking to own 2018! Bleached brows have been seen on ALL the runways – from Givenchy + Mary Katrantzou to the ever-androgynous Alexander Wang. Adopt a more wearable take on this look by taking your brow pencil a couple of shades lighter for a softly defined finish. If Kimmy K is doing it, SO. AM. I. When lightening your brow shade, opt for a cool, taupe-based tone to ensure a natural-looking finish.”
Embrace texture
“Textured brows are a universally flattering brow look we’ll all be jumping on in 2018. The addition of texture leads to a more youthful, thicker-looking brow – aka brow goals. This look is all about visible hair definition and the best thing is – all brows can achieve this look with a slick of Benefit 3D Brow Tones which add subtle highlights or lowlights to the brows.”
Continue strong
“So many made the ultimate ‘90s mistake of thin brows, and I hope most have learnt their lesson. We’ve now also come to recognise the transformational power of eyebrows where ageing is concerned, studies have even proven faces with stronger brows appear more youthful! On the other hand, hopefully 2017 saw the end of the over-drawn, overly defined eyebrows.”
Main image: NARS for Alexander Wang A/W ’18.