Makeup Trends – Summer 2006

Posted on May 2nd, 2006 / Filed under Beauty , For the Face:

This summer, bronze is big, and I don’t just mean tanned skin. It’s on the eyes, cheeks and lips, but it’s not overdone. The general theme this season is sheer and natural, which is great news for you, because that also means low maintenance.

Cheeks

Bronze, rose and peach are the hot colors for cheeks, and several lines even have blush/bronzer palettes with two or more shades. The most important thing is to keep it light and simple; you’re aiming for a healthy wash of color, not fake ‘n’ bake orange. mark Instant Vacation Bronzing Powder ($6, meetmark.com) gives lightweight coverage and works on even very fair complexions. The mosaic-style, multi-colored Clinique True Bronze Shimmering Tones ($28.50, clinique.com) can be used all over, as a blush or as a highlighter. Tarte‘s Rock Royalty Palette ($30, sephora.com) comes with the brand’s popular Park Avenue Princess bronzer, as well as a sheer pink blush and a gold highlighter.

Eyes

Rich copper, bronze, chocolate, plum and rosy gold are everywhere for eyes. Women with fair, cool-toned (i.e. pink undertones) skin can also try peachy shades. Tip: line your eyes on the top lash line only with a dark brown shadow used wet instead of pencil or liquid liner. It will last longer and look much more natural. Stila Eyeshadow Trios in Gold Glow, Bronze Glow and Copper Glow ($24 each, sephora.com) come with highlighter, lid and liner shades in one pot. L’Oreal Wear Infinite Quartets in Golden Sunshine and Bronze Sunset ($6.99, at drugstores and mass-market retailers) are eyeshadow quads with soft shades of gold, brown, peach and plum. Too Faced‘s Candy Bar in Sugar Plum ($25, beauty.com) has four shades in pinks and plums that double as blush.

If you prefer bold, blue is the summer’s “it” hue for eyes. Try Bourjois Multi-Shimmer Loose Eyeshadow in Bleu Swimming Pool ($16, sephora.com), or Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadow in Peace ($17, drugstore.com).

Lips

For lips, sheer is key, and you can’t go wrong with shades of berry, rose-gold and pink. Many lip products contain sunscreen of at least SPF 15, but if yours doesn’t, make sure you wear a balm with SPF underneath. Tip: sheer out your favorite lipstick by applying a clear, moisturizing gloss or balm over top. Lancôme Juicy Tubes Smoothie in Gold Escapade ($16.50, lancome.com) is a light, shiny pink with gold. MAC Lipgelée in Goldensoft ($14, maccosmetics.com) looks a little garish in the tube, but applies as a soft, sheer bronze. Berry-tinted Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother in Glaze ($6.99, drugstore.com) is hydrating and has SPF 20.

Palettes

All-in-one summer palettes are a good — and economical — choice if you’re traveling or just want to pare down your stash for the hot months. Try Laura Mercier‘s Bronzing Books in Gilded or Bronzed ($45 each, sephora.com), which come with two bronzing powders, three highlighters, two shadows and two glosses in natural, muted shades. Too Faced‘s Mini Quickie Chronicle in The Beach Bunny ($15, beauty.com) includes a bronzer, two neutral shadows and two glosses.