As I, and the rest of the fashion insiders out there predicted, the Milan shows so far have had some pretty glamorous make up. For the most part, it wasn’t completely over the top glamour-Dsquared being the exception to that rule. The look from Gucci is very similar to my own standard look. I am all about the black pencil in the water line. Overall the major trends coming out of Milan seem to be flawless skin that’s sculpted, red or nude lips, and an emphasis on the eyebrows.

Pastel eyeshadow in matte and shimmery textures are a trend to try out this Spring. Lavender shadow was swept across the lower eyelids at Marios Schwab in London, Christian Dior in Paris, and Versace in Milan. This cool pale colour works on almost every skin tone from fair to medium dark. On darker skin tones I recommend pairing lavender with a deeper purple colour, similar to the ones in the Dior palette. To add more intensity to the eyes try smudging a charcoal grey eye kohl along the lash line. Lips and cheeks look best kept neutral to complete this look.

London Fashion wrapped up on Tuesday. I missed not being there this season, there were some really amazing shows and some emerging designers worth watching. After spending the last few days going through show images both on the runway and backstage, it’s easy to see why London Fashion Week remains the most exciting. The neutral palette of earth tones seen in New York seemed to continue on in London. Interesting placement made up for the lack of colour. The contouring at Vivienne Westwood was very intense. Combined with the soft cloud of teezed hair was so dramatic. Jeremy Scott’s geometric eyeliner paired with caramel shading on the cheeks, and mauvey brown lips is fantastic.

Next stop is Milan get ready for major glamour.

Images from elle.com & style.com

Spring hasn’t officially arrived yet, but judging from what we’ve seen so far at New York Fashion Week there is a lot to look forward to for Autumn 2010. There were some beautiful shows. Overall the make up looks seemed to be more about the eyes than the lips. I absolutely love the Alexander Wang make up. MAC Mid-tone Sepia Cream Colour Base blended and wrapped around the eye is such a hot look. I also enjoyed the cool taupe eyes at Rodarte, again in that wrapped around elongated shape. London starts today!

Images from style.com

Spring Summer 2010 is the season of the statement lipstick. Bold, bright, orangey red colours were splashed all over the runways. This vibrant colour was seen mostly in a matte texture. Although the colour is intense it makes green and blue eyes pop beautifully, and enhances an olive skin tone. Let your lips be the focus feature and the rest of your make up be neutral for a modern Spring look.

It’s the season of the side braid. This whimsical look got a 2010 redo at Alexander Wang and Miu Miu. The girls wore their braids slightly dishevelled, thick, and extra long. This is definitely my braid of choice. I’ve tried and tested it already, and got complements! If a sleek version is more your speed, then either the Lacoste or Gaultier look would be more appropriate.

Anyone else loving the one braided ponytail?

While we are patiently waiting for Spring to arrive, the white shirt is a go to transition piece. This wardrobe staple works for every season, and in between. Seen at Chloe and Alexander Wang for AW 09 in crisp button down form. Then again for Spring at Celine, and a softer version at Berardi. White always brightens up skin tone. Try MAC Strobe Lotion to add more radiance to the skin, right now on the face and collarbone. When the weather warms up it looks beautiful on arms and legs. I also love a little bit of white pencil on the water line. This opens up the eyes making them look bigger and brighter.

Images from style.com and netaporter.com

The couture shows have just about wrapped up in Paris. As usual there was outstanding make up and hair to go along with the amazing designer creations. Elie Saab’s neutral contouring and braided hair looked like it could be go from the runway to the streets the easiest. Jean Paul Gaultier showed a kaleidoscope of colours on the eye that looked like an abstract painting. Obviously JPG still can’t get enough of the jade nails!  I’m particularly partial to coral lips, so the look at Chanel was a favourite of mine. (I’m thinking about getting a fringe too!) Givenchy’s take on smoky eyes and red lips, with the must have bleached brow was amped up with a dose of glitter. Blue was the colour of choice at Christian Dior and for some of the Valentino girls who wore pastel coloured masks. In about a week we’ll be previewing NY ready to wear-I can’t wait…

If you are like me then you are so ready for the weather to change so we can get into the new season. I love seeing all the new ad campaigns because they set the tone for the season for make up, hair and fashion trends. Above are some of my favourites for Spring/Summer 2010. Armani showed  a very blunt fringe and sculpted cheekbones. Sonia Rykiel, Prada and St. John all showcased strong bright lips in different textures.  As a fan of the bleached brow trend, and high shine orangey red lips I particularly like the Prada campaign. Brows were also the stand out feature on Longchamp’s ad. Patent black highly arched suit Sasha’s already severe features. Alexander McQueen never fails to set the bar for innovation. Those shoes have been the most talked about foot wear of the Spring season. The snakes are unbelievable. This is the most visually stimulating ad I’ve seen in a while.

From left to right:

Sonia Rykiel, Giorgio Armani, Alexander McQueen, Prada, St. John, and Longchamp.

Images from Prada, St.John, and Models.com

Update your hair with one of the hottest runway trends — the undone updo. Seen in all sorts of variations — the loose chignon, messy top knot or intertwined with beautiful embellishments, this updo was seen all over the Spring/Summer 2010 runways creating an effortless, casual kind of luxury. Updo’s are no longer for special occasions. Now is the time to work with the natural texture of your hair and embrace those wispy flyaways. Check out Elle UK’s post for a DIY on this look.

All images are from Style.com

It’s still cold and/or raining in most parts of North America, and Europe according to my weather widget. So breaking into Spring attire is not going to happen quite yet, but these nude shades will help you start to transition to Spring easily. This season (AW 09) the nude trend was big at Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and blocked in with bright colours at Dries Van Noten. And this upcoming spring season the trend will continue with varying shades of nude. Alberta Ferretti showed us beautiful, gauzy lingerie pinks and ivory’s and Celine’s collection was full of sporty warm beige nude tones. This neutral palette of is sure to brighten up your current Winter wardrobe. If you’re like me, you’re currently wearing of lots of charcoal grey and black. For the face a quick dusting of Dior’s illuminating powder on the tops of cheekbones and temples is a fast way to add radiance to dull, dry, winter skin. Also after months of being addicted to every version of tar coloured nail lacquer I’m happy to try out a pale alternative. Blissed Out from MAC is the necessary antidote to AW 09’s dark polish.

As eager as we are for Spring to begin, by the end of February when all the fashion weeks are complete, we’ll be dying to start wearing AW’10 trends. Don’t you just love fashion?!

There are only a few months left of Winter and because Spring is not officially here, we’re in between seasons. I think this is the perfect time for a fresh faced natural look. Chloe, Stella McCartney, and Phi (RIP) SS 10, all had excellent examples of the no make up, make up look. I recommend starting with a perfect canvas. Using my usual concoction of a hydrating mist and moisturizer followed by concealer on any unwanted blemishes, and under eye circles. Powder the T-zone but leave the cheeks for a natural sheen. Brush through brows with a clear gel to keep them in place. Curl lashes and add a good dose or lengthening mascara to make the eyes pop. A touch of tinted lip conditioner on lips and you’re good to go.

What’s your routine for natural make up?

Images from style.com

Statement making hair accessories were on the runway, and red carpet for AW 09 — who can forget the LV bunny ears? Hair ornaments continue to be a trend for SS 10. Feathers seem to be the way to go as they were strategically perched on top of models heads at Chanel. An easy way to glam up any ‘do. I especially like the crystal, and jewel embellished barrettes and combs, it’s like jewelry for the hair!

Here are some of our favourite hair accessory brands:

Carolina Rodriguez

Bambako

Jennifer Ouellette

The most recent couture shows happened in Paris in July. Although the ready to wear shows are always at the forefront of our minds, couture this season had some very noteworthy looks. The mask look showed up at both Elie Saab and Givenchy. But the blending on the eyes at Givenchy is the real show stopper. Chanel was all about the strong liner, and when compared to their ready to wear show, this look was quite understated. Dior looked fresh and girly with brights on the eyes and lips. Armani Prive gave us a flash back to the 80’s with the strong brow, and Gaultier’s thin brows and dark skinny lips were a modern day version of the 20’s.

Images from style.com

As winter sets in we inevitably gravitate towards this seasons tweeds and woolies. A neutral palette for the face is the perfect make up look for this trend. This monochromatic look is brought to life by playing with texture. MAC Bountiful Brown Power Point Pencil has a subtle bronze shimmer to it. The Kevyn Aucoin eyeshadows contain both matte and frost finishes to add dimension to the eyes. Finish with the ever so relevant nude lip, in either lipstick or gloss. You have yourself an understated, yet beautiful look.

Images from style.com, and netaporter.com

The hottest girls in the business strutted their stuff in the Victoria’s Secret fashion show that aired last night. This is probably one of the most colourful, and fun fashion events of the year. The lingerie costumes change, and the wings seem to get bigger and more elaborate each time, but the make up look is consistent – bronzer, shimmer, and gloss. First you must be bronzed from head to toe. St.Tropez Shimmering Bronzing Mist will help you reach the ultimate tan colour. For eyes, the Heidi Klum Eyeshadow palette was used to create the frosty pastel look that the models wore. For all over sparkle try  MAC Silver Dusk Iridescent powder. Apply anywhere on the body with a soft hair brush. Finally, no angel is complete without pale pink glossy lips. This is easily achieved with the Christian Siriano Lipgloss.

Images from celebrity-gossip.net

I have always been a fan of the colour blue. I love all shades of blue, and this Fall seasons indigo blue is everywhere. Now, when it comes to blue make up please use with caution. As with all things, it depends on where you’re going, and what you’re doing, as to how you’ll wear that brilliant blue shadow. When in doubt do like Gwen Stefani pictured above, and wear your blue as eyeliner. You get a splash of colour without going too OTT.

Images from netaporter.com and style.com

There was an absence of brows on the Fall runways. Shows like Givenchy, Giorgio Armani, and Matthew Williamson featured a make up look that did not require eyebrows. What I like about this look is that it’s ethereal and edgy all at the same time. Now executing this no brow look, can make for a slightly more chaotic backstage environment, which was the case at Jonathan Saunders Spring show. All the girls that showed up with their natural brows, had to then be bleached out. After the show about 15 models swarmed the make up team as we mixed up dye to put their brows back to the way they were! Based on that, I think this is one trend that will remain on the runway.

Images from style.com

Glitter is one of the easiest ways to add glam to any look, whether it be make up or clothing. When it comes to make up you need to decide how much sparkle you want. This will determine the product you choose. For extremely glittery eyes I would use a product with large glitter particles like Sephora Glitter Eyeliner. The glitter is suspended in a clear gel which adheres to the eyes easily. For a more subtle look glitter pencils are a better choice like the ones from NARS. My favourite is MAC Reflects Gold. Reflects glitter has very small particles so the texture is super smooth — the effect is a more sophisticated glitter look. Stay tuned for glitter application techniques…

Images from style.com and netaporter.com

Lady like sophistication hit the runways this season. Strong feminine shapes like the pencil skirt, sky high heels, and statement necklaces deserve a make up look that takes more than five minutes to apply. Start by brightening and perfecting skin with YSL Touche Eclat. Eyes can be smoky in colour and almond in shape. Or go for a light coloured shadow all over the eyes, and define the lash line with a strong winged out liquid eyeliner using Armani’s Maestro Eyeliner. No lady like look is complete without a classic red lip easily achieved with Chanel Lipstick in Lover. Revlon’s All Fired Up nail enamel finishes the luxe look.

Images from style.com and netaporter.com