Beauty Maverick

Fall 2009 Beauty Trends

As the haze of hairspray and powder settles following yet another Fashion Week, we’re beginning to see a number of beauty trends emerge for F/W '09.

Ones to watch:

Copper Smoke
Whether with a matte or shimmery finish, terracotta-hued eyes appear to be all the rage for fall. Worn with bare brows, a luminous complexion, and nude lips, this look should easily translate from the runway to real life.

Modern Lines
Seen here at Preen, the classic smoky eye is updated with a defined, day-friendly shape and bright white highlights.

Teased Tresses
Matte, voluminous updos are back and bigger than ever. Beehives, French twists, braided chignons— from Zac Posen to Marc Jacobs and Oscar de la Renta, there was no escaping these over-the-top coiffs. 

Grey Lips
Muted, dove-grey lipstick appears to be replacing last year’s black patent lip gloss as the ‘shock shade’ of the season. It’s not a look for everyone, but the models at Doo.Ri and Rodarte wore it surprisingly well.

The Return of NARS

Thanks to Francois Nars, Marc Jacob's F/W 2009 preview will be remembered for more than just his curious behavior or the fuss in the front row. 

Nars went all-out for the show (his first in over a decade), creating a total of 65 punk-inspired looks. “Imagine if you took a blender and filled it with some Stephen Sprouse, a little Saint Laurent and added a few nightclubs from the ’70s and ’80s, like Studio 54, Area and Mudd Club,” he told the NY Times. “You get this wonderful mix, much like Marc mixes it up with the clothes.”

Focusing on an edgy, night clubbing look, strong eyes and bold color were a major theme. Black shadow laid the foundation for creating the dramatic eye, to which the artists added cobalt blues, deep greens, bright purples, reds, fuchsias, and glitter. “There is a wide variety of color,” said Nars, “it’s whatever looks good on the girl.” 

Porcelain skin was also a key component to each look, allowing the black eyes and bright colors to pop. To achieve this all-over radiance, NARS used his brand's Loose Powder in Snow, a triple-milled, complexion enhancing base. Also used backstage were two new products from the NARS F/W '09 collection: Sheer Matte Foundation (launching in September) and Larger Than Life Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara (available in October).

Such theatrical looks may not translate directly from the runway to real life, but they're certainly a welcomed change from the standard smoky eye or bold lip seen elsewhere. Bravo, Nars.

It's Like You Were There

Whether you're addicted to Twitter or haven't a clue what it is, you must check out The Cut's up-to-the-minute posts from Fashion Week... They're fantastic.

For the Twitter-phobic, updates can also be viewed on NYMag.com.

Boy by Band of Outsiders F/W 2009 RTW

The looks presented at Sunday's show couldn't be more relevant or wearable, and confirm Boy's signature to be well-tailored separates with a modern finish. A concept they've now perfected with the use of more refined, feminine fabrics.

"I used to cut my womenswear pieces from the same fabric I used for the men's," designer Scott Sternberg said at the show. " This [partnership with a top Italian mill] affords us the ability to approach things properly."

To learn more about Boy by Band of Outsiders, click here.

Stærk Fall/Winter 2009 RTW

Through the use of a monochromatic color palette, contrasting textures and unexpected accents, Staerk's latest ready-to-wear collection evokes a sense strength and sensitivity that's as inspiring as it is timely.

Click here to view stills from Friday's show, courtesy of Style.com.

Giles Spring 2009 RWT

You can always count on the collections shown at London Fashion Week to provide us with a little more edge than those in NYC, and Giles was no exception.

To balance his bold prints and brightly colored frocks, the girls were given a dramatic 'winged' eye, contoured cheeks, and barely-there lips.

As for the hair, it was all about texture. Gone are the Mad Men days of perfectly coiffed tresses to match our lady-like dresses. Giles proves that the modern woman can be as rebellious as she is refined.

Tuleh Spring 2009 RTW

Celebration was the theme at Tuleh's recent RTW show in New York, with this collection marking their 10th anniversary in the business.

The quirky sense of glamour that originally put Tuleh on the map (or runway) is ever-apparent in the flirty fabrics and feminine cuts showcased for next season, as well as in their choice of hair and makeup.

Guilded eyes, minimal mascara, and mulberry lips provide a youthful glow, whilst brushed-out waves add a touch of refinement (sans seriousness).

All in all, a fabulous- and totally wearable- look for Spring.

Rag & Bone Spring 2009 RTW

I've always found it rather peculiar that, in the midst of extreme humidity and heat, the boutiques in NYC are stocked with wool and flannels for Fall, whilst the runway shows tease us with lust-worthy items (and beauty looks) that we could wear now- but must wait a full season to enjoy. Case in point: Rag & Bone's Spring '09 collection.

Muted tones, leather accents, and beautifully tailored silhouettes were all abundant, with a definite rock/punk influence woven through each ensemble.

In terms of beauty, the choice of defined eyes and matte, white-pink lips complimented the collection perfectly, and managed to look gorgeous on brunette and blonde models alike. My only critique would have to be the attempt at texturized, slept-in/rocker chic hair. Perhaps I'm just not getting it, but the majority of girls looked as though they'd taken a bit too much shine serum/pomade to their tresses. The overall effect was just a bit too stringy for my taste. 

What did you think of the Rag & Bone Spring 2009 RTW looks?

Would You Rock It?

This season is all about shock value and innovation. That said, would you dare to wear any of these beauty looks straight off the runway?

From the most modest to show-stopping (left to right): Yohji Yamamoto, Rodarte,  Anna Sui, & John Galliano.

Off the Runway

From the eccentric looks at Vivienne Westwood to the minimalist makeup at Chloe, many designers chose to showcase a rebirth in beauty this season by going blanc.

Of course, you're probably not wanting to stroll down the street with a layer of chalk across your face (as seen on the runway), but a soft touch of white can instantly illuminate your complexion and brighten your eyes. It's an extremely versatile color, and an easy one to incorporate into your Spring beauty wardrobe.

My favorite ways to white out:

Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Luna
Brush this sheer, stark-white powder across the top of your cheeks, above your brow bone, and (very lightly) in your cupid's bow for an angelic glow.

Yves Saint Laurent Ombre Solo Eyeshadow in Iceberg White
Perfect for highlighting, or providing a soft wash of white around the eyes.

Cargo Eyelighter Eyeshadow Pen in White
Use this dual-sided pen to brighten the eyes with the matte eyeshadow, and highlight the inner corners with the complimentary shimmer shadow.

M.A.C Cream Colour Base in Luna
This do-it-all product can be used on your eyes, lips, cheeks, and collarbones to achieve an icy, dewy finish. 

Benefit Mr. Frosty
Simple and easy-to-use, this sparkling white pencil provides a playful pop of color around the eyes. Try it on the inside of your eyelids to widen/brighten in a flash.

For inspiration, check out the Spring '08 shows of: Gareth Pugh, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, DKNY, Chloe, Ashish, Nicolai, Rick Owens, and Bluemarine.