As one season ends and another begins, a gentle shift in mindset and routine begins. It’s not just time for an exercise or a wardrobe re-set, but often you’ll discover a desire to adjust how you approach your skin, body, makeup and hair.
In step are a host of new beauty trends ready to meet you. Don’t feel you have to embrace an overhaul, instead get excited just by what appeals.
Tonal eyeshadow
For the majority, ‘do one thing and do it well’ prevails when it comes to makeup. Eyes are where that effort is concentrated, the supporting role going to celebrating skin that’s polished, and effortlessly chic.
A glee for glitz and gems may well exist for those of us spreading our wings for the northern hemisphere. But for the rest of us that exuberance is a slow burn until the weather really heats up.
For now, tonal shades of taupe, biscuit and mocha sculpt a monochromatic eye look that makes your natural eye-colour pop. Touches of neutral shimmer add interest and come the night, bold, graphic segments of colour and burnished metallics take pride of place.
Demi-matte finishes
As for skin finishes, glow still reigns supreme but more options for those that prefer a more perfected finish are returning, including velvet and demi-matte foundations.
At the recent Afterpay Australian Fashion Week makeup directors favoured a satin-finish skin effect by using creams to shape and subtly highlight the high points of the face. Lashes were lightly curled, with a lick of black mascara.
Setting powder is also making a comeback, albeit not the cakey and dry versions of old, but new ones offering to do more than just damp down shine. Of note? Westman Atelier’s Vital Pressed Skincare Powder. It sets makeup, smooths pores and takes down shine while keeping skin’s natural radiance. It also includes a Skin Defense Shield Complex that contains antioxidants and a probiotic, the ingredients micro-milled and pressed into the powder, aiming to help keep skin in beautiful condition.
“I use the translucent option as an invisible, skin-refining veil and the sheer tinted shades to even tone,” explains the brand’s creator, celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman. “ [The shade] Pink Bubble is great for a subtle boost of brightness.”
L-R: Tom Ford Eye Colour Quad in Tiger Eye; Westman Atelier Vital Pressed Skincare Powder; Clarins Skin Illusion Velvet Foundation; RMS beauty “Re” Dimension Hydra Powder Blush in Sangria
Blushing up
No trend round-up would be complete without mentioning the dominance blush has right now. The number of new releases is one signifier, another is the way everyone from makeup artists to social media stars is embracing its resurgence. Put that down in part to the different forms and textures it now takes. Blush sticks are idea for a quick application, while those that come infused with a satiny radiance help skin look healthy and vibrant.
Rich moisture
Winter skin craves moisture, so layering serums and a seasonal appropriate moisturiser should be a priority. Look for ingredients that help the skin hold on to water as well as strengthening the natural lipids or oils in the skin’s barrier.
“Hyaluronic Acid and Essential Fatty Acids are vital ingredients in moisturisers to hydrate and maintain a strong lipid barrier,” explains Linda Sharrem, Skincare Educator at Caci. “I always look for a nice base like Shea Butter with Vitamin E and Antioxidants like Resveratrol. Moisturisers can also be mini treatments and enhance the benefits of your serum. You can have Vitamin C and E for the day, Vitamin A (Retinol) in your night cream and for acne-prone skin, moisturisers containing salyclic acid to help keep the skin clear. “
She says the texture of a moisturiser should also play a part in your decision making. “Moisurisers are are generally skin type based so gels are more suited for oily or combination skin, water-base for blemish prone skin and nourishing moisturisers and oils are best suited for drier skin types.”
Embrace LED
LED, or light-emitting diode therapy, is a skincare treatment that uses varying wavelengths of light with the aim of helping improve the health and appearance of your skin for a plump, smooth complexion. Believed to stimulate collagen, make the most of cosy nights at home to carry out the 5-10 mins three times a week that the makers of top home-use LED light masks suggest for skin-rejuvenating benefits.
L-R: Mecca Cosmetica’s Mecca Athletica Enzymatic Body & Scalp Scrub; JVN Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Cream; Kaia Naturals Takesumi Bright Niacinamide Brightening Deodorant; Vyrao Free 00 Eau De Parfum
Advanced body care
Largely ignored by luxury skincare brands in the past, it’s as though they’ve suddenly realised the space from our neck to our toes has the most skin of all! To address the oversight, we’re seeing an continuing explosion in products that bring active ingredients we’re familiar with for our faces, to the rest of our bodies. While much of us remains covered up in the cooler season, it can mean an out of sight, out of mind attitude, resulting in dry, itchy, crepe-like skin that doesn’t renew effectively. Regular exfoliation and treating with active ingredients like retinol, niacinamide, vitamin C or salicylic acid in body washes, lotions and even body serums will ensure optimum skin cell turnover, so skin looks even, smooth and taut.
For anyone who experiences pigmentation and darkening of skin under the arms or dark marks after body blemishes, the arrival of two new Kaia Naturals products will be a “what took you so long?!” moment. The Takesumi Bright Niacinamide Brightening Deodorant works on underarms while also The Takesumi Bright Kojic Acid Brightening Body Bar is designed for the rest of you and tackles those spots left after ingrown hairs, insect bites, and acne.
Functional fragrance
Functional fragrance is another emerging addition. This Works Deep Sleep Body Cocoon includes a ‘Sleep Super Blend’ of lavender, chamomile, vetiver extracts, said to encourage ‘calmer nights’ while shea butter, camelia and sativa oils get to work on dry skin. Vryao, by former fashion creative Yasmin Sewell, brands itself the ‘world’s first wellbeing and lifestyle brand to fuse master perfumery with energetic healing’. The scents, like ‘Free’ that sings with citrus, jasmine and vanilla notes, and the mossy citrus aromatic ‘I am Verdant’ are blended with the intention of boosting the wearer’s energy and mood. They even come with a tiny crystal in the bottle for extra good vibes, should you believe in the stone’s mystical properties.
Multi tasking hair products
Round out the essentials with multi-tasking hair styling products that boost your do with minimal fuss. JVN’s styling creme adds essential hydration to strands while adding definition and shine .
Make the most of your shower time with Mecca Cosmetica’s Mecca Athletica Enzymatic Body & Scalp Scrub that smoothes your body and removed flakiness and product build-up on the scalp. Using scalp scrubs can also reinvigorate the skin that produces your strands to help it grow healthier hair.
