The AW19 Beauty Looks You Can Wear In Real Life

Beauty’s got a new mood and it’s clean, pretty and more playful than previous seasons. Whether you fancy trying the latest diffused lip or effortless hairstyle, why not switch up your look and experiment with these simple trends …

SophieSahara/WWD/REX/Shutterstock

Philip Lim

The Look: Beach Babe Waves 

Along with messy chignons and swinging braids, this season favoured whimsical waves. The best bit? It’s a look that’s seriously easy to replicate. Try plaiting hair in sections and tie off with a band or clip. Then run a pair of hair straighteners over the braid a few times for maximum impact before releasing the waves. Set with hairspray or a texturizing mist for extra volume.

Takeaway Tip: If you don’t have time to methodically plait your strands, invest in the Babyliss Wave Envy tool. It creates long lasting crimped waves (think Sarah Jessica Parker) in half the time. One of our all-time favourite stylers for the effortless, cool-girl texture it delivers.   

WWD/REX/Shutterstock

Chanel, Gayeon Lee & Simone Rocha 

The Look: Easy Accessories

The message for autumn: put an accessory on it. This is the quickest way to inject your hairstyle with personality and instant oomph. Think satin bows added to twists and ponytails or elegant barrettes added to hair that’s otherwise untouched. It elevates the everyday into something more stylish. 

Takeaway Tip: While we can’t all afford a Chanel barrette, there are some appealing and affordable options on the high street right now. From Urban Outfitters to Accessorize and COS, everyone can tap into this style trend with ease. 

WWD/REX/Shutterstock

Dries Van Noten & Rixo

The Look: Glitter for Grown-Ups

The glitter make-up trend shows no signs of going anywhere and while it can seem daunting, several styles are simple to nail. At Rixo, loose glitter was smudged into mascara for lashes giving a subtle nod to disco – a look we will definitely try on our next night out. Meanwhile, at Dries Van Noten, make-up master Peter Philips combined glitter particles of varying sizes and applied them haphazardly on the lids and under the eyes – delivering a fresher, more casual look. Applying particles sporadically to the tips of lashes, instantly opened and widen the eyes further.  

Takeaway Tip: While beautiful, a heavy dose of glitter can distort the shape of the eye making it look flat. The trick is to apply neutral, beige-toned shadows in the socket to create depth, shape and definition. Then go in with your shimmer and layer up the lids for full impact. Skip blush too and instead enhance with bronzer, this keeps everything tonal and the focus firmly on the sparkle. 

Christopher Kane

The Look: Glossy Lids

‘Liquid ladies’ was the beauty order of the day at Christopher Kane. Skin was saturated with NARS’ Luminous Moisture Cream while lids were coated with their latest First Time Multi-Use Gloss for a slick, dewy finish. Mascara, lipstick, blush and bronzer were abandoned contributing to the overall freshness of the look. We can’t wait to road test this one in both summer and autumn.  

Takeaway Tip: For inspiration on this trend, look to @katiejanehughes on Instagram. She shows glossy lid enthusiasts the way to tackle the trend in a suits-all way. Try using eyeshadow and applying a clear balm or oil on top to create fool-proof jelly-look eyes.

Victoria Beckham 

The Look: Post-Facial Skin

Beautiful skin was the starting point for countless catwalk looks this season, and for some the finale, too. Namely Victoria Beckham, where instead of heavy make-up, it was about seriously plump, radiant skin. Go-to facialist and renowned aesthetician, Nichola Joss, prepped and massaged the model’s skin with Augustinus Bader The Cream and The Rich Cream. Joss said: ‘We wanted to make the skin feel and look fresh so the application of make-up was seamless. The cream absorbs quickly but leaves a great finish: it’s the perfect primer for make-up.’ 

Takeaway Tip: To recreate the healthy flush on top of the skin, opt for a cream blush like Suqqu’s Shimmer Liquid Blush in 02. Apply a small amount on lids and lips to pull everything together.

Startraks/Photo/REX/Shutterstock

Oscar De La Renta & Paco Rabanne

The Look: Punchy Pouts 

Red lipstick is an enduring make-up statement on the runway that continues to feel modern and chic. The difference this season? The shades are muted and blurred for a finish that’s satisfying and easy to pull off.   

Takeaway Tip: For the same soft-focus finish, use your finger to apply colour straight from the bullet and physically push it into your lip line. It allows you to control how much pigment you apply while keeping the overall colour muted. 

MeganCancula/WWD/REX/Shutterstock

Michael Kors

The Look: Smokey Eyes Reinvented  

These show-stopping eyes were created by make-up master Dick Page who used MAC to amp up intensity for an almost kaleidoscopic finish. We’re dubbing it the new smokey, and while not a look for day, it’s ideal for night worn with a LBD and pared-down skin.  

Takeaway Tip: If the idea of blending gold, black and dark brown (like at Michael Kors) feels overdone, try a single swipe of Stila’s Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Fairy Tail. Build and layer it up two to three times for the fullest graduation of colour. Keep this amount of shimmer looking fresh by going lightly with the mascara.

WWD/REX/Shutterstock

Carolina Herrera & Lanvin 

The Look: Colour Splashes  

Don’t worry – we’re not asking you to start swiping on primary paint box hues. But the idea of playing with colour instead of traditional blacks and browns is hugely appealing – not to mention a bit quirky.  

Takeaway Tip: For a less theatrical take on this trend, try a little wing of purple or green on the upper lash line – both colours have been huge on the catwalk and are less ageing than black. Or try a muted, shimmery shade along your lower lash line in a blue or wash of grey. It’ll look pretty and won’t wash you out when it smudges.

Fashion. Beauty. Culture. Life. Home
Delivered to your inbox, daily