Definitely a day two feel on the face front, confirming the trend to "worn-in" eye make-up with a painterly patina. From sepia colour washes to a lined soft smoky look, or a combination of both, eyes were the most in focus feature. Lips were largely left pink-nude or occasionally deep red.
After the confronting beauty looks of Fashion Week day one, a more mannerly approach to using earthy yet off-kilter eye shadows showed how wearable they can be. They play up eyes and sit on skin without the artifice of brighter shades, making taupe through tan to olive, winners of the prize for best-dressed eyes. Paired with floaty or softly raised hair, the overall effect is ethereal rather than oddball. Both are better than standard issue, an approach seen in a few too many shows.
Pardon My French and Lucy McIntosh
This show in two halves saw Lucy Kemp of the Pardon My French label opt for an intense cat eye for her grunged-up Beatnik girls. I love a strong show look and, while this one has done the rounds overseas, it was nicely contrasted with smoothly ironed hair from Sara Allsop for ghd. The reigning New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year switched it about for Lucy McInstosh (pictured above), going for grungy styling, with a texturised wet-look. This was similar to the hair seen the night before at Stolen Girlfriends Club, but instead of the usual combo with a dark smoky eye, M.A.C's Samantha Holley grounded the look in the now, with a greyish-orange eye mix.
New Zealand Wedding Magazine Collection
Two looks for brides, with the Bobbi Brown team subtly pushing the boundaries and hair director Leisa (correct Leisa) Welch for Joico coming to the party. Brides are increasingly questioning cookie-cutter classicism, so nice to see rose pink lips and chignons parked for the occasion. Cream gowns were a consistent choice of designers in this group show, but these varied in cut from simple sheaths to billowing and bejewelled. Beauty-wise there was nothing to scare the aunties, yet enough variety to keep the fashion-conscious bride from feeling like an unfamiliar guest at her own big day. provided it is appropriate to the occasion, enjoy a little self expression.
Hair took two turns, worn romantically loose in a halo of curl or softly pinned up in a faux-bob in a modern interpretation of Gatsby style. A matter red lip was teamed with a soft smoky eye for the woman who likes a little depth of colour. For delicate types, try the combination of a pink lip and softly flushed cheeks, with the added definition offered by eyeliner.
