Spring 2009 Beauty Trends

Spring is officially here, and with it comes a whole new crop of beauty trends - fronted by sexy metallic finishes that magically make you look well rested (details on the next slide) gorgeously nonchalant hair, and ultra bright makeup shades.

We spoke with celebrity makeup artist Darac and hairstylist-to-the-stars Eliut Rivera for easy tips on scoring these luscious looks yourself. A purple pout? Give it a go. Grenadine lips, super-flushed cheeks, and "I-don't-care" updos? Bring 'em on! Time to shake up your makeup and hair and embrace spring's prettiest trends. Here we go!

- Melissa Foss

ImaxTree

MANDATORY METALLICS
Silver, copper, gold...these are the of-the-moment, look-at-me choices for eyes, that, with the proper technique, can help brighten your orbs and make you look less tired. Seen backstage at Donna Karan and D Squared, makeup artists loaded on the heavy metals with a light, pretty touch.

To make your eyes look really well-rested, extend the shade around the eye, toward the inner corners and slightly underneath. The shiny pigments will reflect light, drawing attention to your peepers and giving you that fresh, dewy, just-woke-up look. Any skin tone can get away with any of these shades as long as you use lots of mascara to visually open the eyes, and blend well. Keep the lips natural and rosy to rock this look day or night.

TRY THE TREND:
Stila The Precious Pearl Palette, $40
NARS Duo Eye Shadow in Hula Hula, $32

ImaxTree

PURPLE REIGNS
Prince would certainly approve: Violet rises again, and for Spring it's anything goes: lips, eyes, and even cheeks are sporting the royal hue, seen on the runways of Zac Posen, Erin Fetherston, VPL by Victoria Bartlett, and Phi.

But fear not: Purple is much easier to wear than you think, providing you take the look from the runway to the real way. Says celebrity makeup artist Darac: "Stick with sheer. For eyes, apply a neutral base color then follow with a wash of shimmery lilac shadow from the lashes to the crease." For lips? Again, take the tone down a notch. Fill in lips with a neutral liner and add a veil of shimmery plum gloss on top.

TRY ON THE TREND:
NARS Lipstick in Shrinagar, $24
M.A.C Hello Kitty Lip Glaze in Fashion Mews, $14
Prescriptives In Bloom Eye Color Duo in Lily, $24
Stila Pomegranate Crush Lip and Cheek Stain, $24

ImaxTree

FRONT AND CENTER
It's not just for Marcia Brady anymore; center parts are back with a vengeance, showing up all over the runways - like here on Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan.

Rivera suggests applying volumizing gel before drying your hair, then using a small comb to create an exact part. To get the elegant waves, wrap large sections of hair around a large-barrel curling iron for 10 seconds, release, and finger-comb.

TRY THE TREND:
Frederic Fekkai Au Naturel Sheer Styling Gelee, $23
Rusk Pro Elements Keratin Smoothing Treatment, $14.99
Pantene Nature Fusion Smoothing Creme, $5.99,
available at drugstores nationwide

ImaxTree

SHOCKING PINK POUTS
It's hard to go wrong with a bright pink lip; it's a shade that's universally flattering once you find the right application for you. Seen at a smattering of shows (like Twinkle, pictured), it's really taken to the streets - style-setters from LA to New York have embraced the color-pop pink pucker.

A tip to making the look last and keeping it elegant: Apply your lipstick first, then layer your liner on top. Sound backward? It's a tip makeup artists have been keeping a secret for decades!

TRY THE TREND:
Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté in Provacative Pink,$34.00
Maybelline Mineral Power Lipcolor in Healthy Rose,$5.99
Revlon Matte Lipstick in Pink Pout,$5.99
Make Up For Ever Glossy Full Couleur in #4 Fuchsia, $19

ImaxTree

FEVERISH FLUSHES
You're burning up! Look hot with one of the season's biggest trends: blazing cheeks. Designers like Anna Sui, Behnaz Sarfpour, Michael Kors and Derek Lam championed this trend - piling on pink and peach blush to achieve glows of delirious proportions.

"Cream blush makes you look lit from within," says Darac. Apply on the apples of your cheeks and add a hint of powder blush on your temples to accentuate your bone structure. Hint: Pick a shade that looks super bright in the package. Once applied, it'll look more natural than shades with brown undertones.

TRY THE TREND:
Avon Be Blushed Cheek Color in Icy Petal, $8
Tarte A Perfect Whirled Natural Cheek Stain, $28
Clinique Quick Blush in Peach In-A-Pinch, $21.50
Stila Convertible Color in Petunia, $25

ImaxTree

LOTS OF LINER
Take a cue from Cleopatra - there's no simpler way to add drama than black liner. And makeup artists at YSL, Lanvin, Matthew Williamson and Narciso Rodriguez piled it on, opting for a crisp flick on the top lids, or double-rimmed dose of goth glamour.

The trick to getting these looks is layering. Apply a black pencil on the inner upper and lower lash lines. Then dampen a small liner brush and dip in black shadow. Apply over the liner for a look that lasts all day and makes your eyes pop. To soften the line, layer a nude shadow over the dark line and smudge til you're satisfied.

TRY THE TREND:
Sephora Brand Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner, $12
Lancome ArtLiner, $28
Tarte EmphasEYES High Definition Eye Pencil, $18
Dior Crayon Eyeliner - Waterproof, $26

ImaxTree

BARE NAKED LADIES
A bare-looking face is, just like so many aspects of an easy-looking life, just an illusion - one which was achieved gorgeously on the runways at Marc Jacobs and Prada.

You must have a strict skincare regimen and know how to play up your best feature with the utmost subtlety. Never skip concealer under your eyes, a coat of mascara, and a hint of bronzer. Completely bare? We think not!

TRY THE TREND
Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer, $25
Being True Transforming Skin Tint, $46
Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder, $28
Sephora Lash Stretcher Mascara, $16

ImaxTree

CHERRY BOMB POUTS
Red lips for Spring? Has the world gone mad? Not really - the maraschino tinged shades seen at Michael Kors, Thakoon, Louis Vuitton and Nina Ricci are a fresh spin on this typical Fall trend. They look fresh with little other makeup and Spring fashions' brighter palettes.

How to make the look last? Apply a liner the same shade as your lips, then place a single sheet of tissue over lips, dab powder through the tissue onto lips so a thin coating goes through, then put your chosen shade on with a lip brush. "The color will be landlocked all day. No bleeding or touching up necessary," says Darac.

TRY THE TREND:
Cargo Plant Love Botanical Lipstick in Maria, $20
Korres Guava Lipstick in 55 Red, $22

ImaxTree

MESSY UPDO'S
Perfection? Pshaw! "'Styles that look like you just threw your hair up in 2 seconds look youthful and pretty," says Rivera. Models rocked their messy tresses at Moschino, Kenzo, Agnes B. and Monique Lhuillier.

To achieve this look, dry your hair with a diffuser to maintain your natural texture, flip your head upside down, pull some strands down around your face and secure the back with a few bobby pins. "Spritz with a flexible hold hairspray and you're all set," says Rivera. "Don't fuss with it, just go."

TRY THE TREND:
Bumble and Bumble Spray de Mode, $25
Philip Kingsley Weatherproof Hairspray, $17.95
Tresemme Tres Two Extra Hold Hairspray,$4.75

ImaxTree