The Secrets to Wearing 6 Bold Beauty Trends
The Look: Platinum Hair
"I felt invisible until I went platinum," hairstylist Marie Robinson says. Although Robinson tints the strands of A-list celebs at her namesake NYC salon, she struggled to find her perfect shade until she tried the near-white hue. "My own dark brown didn't give pop to my skin or eyes," she says. "Now I'm addicted to my color."
How to Get It: The platinum-obsessed alternate their daily shampoo with Clairol Shimmer Lights and Sebastian Color to prevent fading and brassiness. Try Kérastase Masquintense to condition followed by Rodin by Recine Olio Lusso hair oil post-shower to avoid fried ends.
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The Look: Nail Art
"I've been fanatical about nail art for a few years," says NYC-based DJ Harley Viera-Newton, who became "obsessed" with nail designs while perusing Japanese beauty blogs. "My makeup and clothes are pretty tame, so I go nuts with my nails," she says.
How to Get It: Milani glitter polishes don't dry out (shown: Red Sparkle, Blue Flash, and Purple Gleam). When your nails seem weak, OPI Nail Envy contains protein and calcium to strengthen brittle nails.
The Look: Black Liner
Artist and illustrator Jane Kirby adds dimension to her heavily carbon-lined lids with a golden or pearlescent shadow base, such as M.A.C Eyeshadow in Dazzlelight. "I like when my makeup has worn a bit and naturally smudges-I want my eyes to look like the girls' smoky eyes in Peter Lindbergh photos," says Kirby.
How to Get It: She advises first applying a line along lashes with a light brown eye shadow or liner for precision, then tracing with darker black shades for an intensified effect (try a disposable shadow applicator to smear lines with control). After lining, Kirby lightly spritzes her lids with Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray for staying power, but she still relishes some imperfections. Since proper removal is key-"I've ruined some of my favorite white Pratesi pillowcases by not getting all my makeup off"-Kirby carefully wipes away her liner then applies Dr. Perricone HP Eye Lift before bed to brighten.
The Look: Red Lips
Classy, sexy, and timeless describe red lipstick and the women who won't leave home without it. Makeup artist Poppy King, who perfected the form with her own Lipstick Queen collection of crimsons, compares the shade to "a superhero cape-you feel able to take on anything in your red lipstick."
How to Get It: King streamlines her routine by forgoing lipliner, an easy approach for newbies: "Dab lipstick on your index finger and apply for a stained, been-eating-berries look," she says. NYC-based photo agent and girl-about-town Jen Brill also loves the ease and surprising versatility of crimson. "Red lips go with everything at any time," she says. But when wearing a bright red such as M.A.C Lipstick in Ruby Woo, King advises "mascara and a little eyeliner, to look fresh rather than overdone."
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The Look: Curly Hair
"I never got compliments on my hair until I wore it curly," says former music publicist Adesina Dowers. She spent her adolescence dependent on chemical relaxers, but during a stint abroad she let her natural texture grow. "It fits my personality."
How to Get It: Curl fanatics all have one thing in common: a very specific cut and cocktail of products. Hair Rules Quench Ultra Rich Conditioner doubles as Dowers' moisturizing treatment and styling secret-"My hair looks the best when I don't rinse all the conditioner out," she says; a few drops of Shu Uemura Essence Absolue on wet hair leaves curls "nice and shiny."
The Look: Blunt Bangs
NYC-based designer Wendy Nichol is unrecognizable without her bangs, which enhance her long-length blunt cut. "I think the combination is a pulled-together balance of feminine and cool," Nichol says.
How to Get It: She follows each shampoo (favoring Philip B Russian Amber) with a shot of icy water for shine and then a blast from the blow-dryer while smoothing with a brush for bangs with a sleek finish. "I keep the rest of my hair a little wild and just scrunch the ends with a tiny drop of Moroccanoil," she says. She blow-dries with the all-smoothing Mason Pearson Boar Bristle Brush.
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