Be inspired by the creativity taking place on the runways worldwide. ESSENCE.com goes behind the scenes to uncover the hottest runway beauty trends for summer you should try now. Let’s get pretty!
By Qianna Smith & Cynthia Caban
Beauty Buzz: Shimmery Eyes
Backstage at the Erin Fetherston spring 2009 runway show, top model Chanel Iman flashes her smoky eye in a nude palette. Not sure how to get the effect? Check out Stila’s Smoky Eye talking palette in The Bronzes, $40, sephora.com. The compact actually plays a recording of a makeup artist explaining how to apply. Already know how to do it? Try Sonia Kashuk Eye Shadow Quad in Vivid Violets, $9.99, Target.com.
Beauty Buzz: Natural Pretty Pout
Fashion designers believe in the nude lip statement. It’s a great low-maintenance way to go for summer. Try lining your pout with M.A.C. lip liner in Cork, $13, and fill in with a lipstick in Cherish, $14, MAC.com.
How do you think Black Hollywood’s most stylish stars stay ahead of the curve? Actresses Sanaa Lathan and Brandy get inspired from trends they see on the runway. Here the pair sits front row and center at the Tracy Reese spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Take cues from your favorite designers and make beauty runway looks your own.
Beauty Buzz: Fierce Flush
Have a sweet and cheeky moment wearing Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color ($10, marykay.com). Brown girls rule with Cinnamon Stick—the warm shade looks especially natural on us. Keep makeup fresh with a spritz of Evian Brumisateur Facial Spray, $6, shopevian.com.
Beauty Buzz: Even Natural Complexion
Summer is the time to flaunt the skin you’re in. Take a cue from catwalk queen Naomi Campbell and camouflage small imperfections and discoloration by using Clarins Delicious Self-Tanning Cream, $42, clarins.com, for a sun-kissed veil of color. At night restore skin cells and fade uneven tone by using Ambi Fade Cream, $5, drugstores, or Neo Strata Ultra Smoothing Lotion, $27, neostrata.com.
Boost your radiance factor like singing sensation Leona Lewis pictured here at the Herve Leger By Max Azaria spring collection preview party. Check out philosophy—divine illumination—skin illuminating moisturizer for extraordinary ageless skin, $85, amazon.com.
Our favorite “Gossip Girl” actress Nicole Fiscella attends the Nanette Lepore spring 2009 runway show. It’s no secret that wearing brightly-hued colors illuminates our brown complexion.
ESSENCE magazine Beauty Editor’s Summer Tips
Skip the foundation. Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Luminous Liquid Bronzer, $29, department stores, makes you look as if you’ve just returned from a hot sun-and-sand rendezvous.
ESSENCE magazine Beauty Editor’s Summer Tips
Do plug a monthly facial into your BlackBerry. Too expensive? Try a weekly mask such as Skin 2 Skin Anti-Aging White Tea Clay Mask ($48, skin2skincare.com). It deep cleans, moisturizes and exfoliates in one shot.
Beauty Buzz: Sultry Red Lips
Bold red lips are back! Don’t be afraid to get in on this trend. Reds with blue undertones work best on lighter complexions while reds with orange base tones complement deeper brown complexions. Swipe on CoverGirl Queen Collection lipstick in Ruby Remix, $6.21, drugstore.com. A look this bold should stand alone, so keep eye makeup to a minimum.
Ruling the runway at Zac Posen’s spring 2009 show is Vogue Editor-at-Large Andre Leon Tally (left), Tennis titans Venus and Serena Williams (center) with Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour. Now that’s what we call all-out glam!
ESSENCE magazine Beauty Editor’s Summer Tips
Planning to show off your sexy legs this summer? New York City–based fitness trainer and physical therapist Joe Vega suggests doing 15 to 20 reps of squats, four to five times daily. Meanwhile, start to kiss the lumpy, bumpy cellulite good-bye with Bliss fatgirlscrub, $38, blissworld.com, and try a lymphatic drainage massage to flush out toxins and reduce bloating.
Beauty Buzz: Vivid Nail Colors
Bright nails are so right now. We’re feelin’ the POP Beauty Nail Glam collection, $14, beauty.com, in electric neon hues. Try a summer nail twist and paint your pointers a vivid pink or orange and, once dry, paint your moon a complementary shade.
Like the hot runway looks you seen for summer but don’t know if they’ll work for you? ESSENCE.com introduces an exciting new virtual online makeover tool, Makeover Magic. Try on celebrity hairstyles, must-have makeup products, bold beauty shades and more. Get the look you want now!
Check out Makeover Magic: The African-American Woman’s Ultimate Virtual Beauty Tool »
