How the beauty trends from couture runways translate to looks IRL — and what’s worth trying.
By Anjan Sachar
Think haute couture fashion and you instantly visualise grand designs and silhouettes that mimic a work of art. Similarly, the beauty looks showcased at couture shows serve as the perfect mood board depicting the colours, textures and trends of the season. “Couture make-up trends are forever a source of inspiration for next-level, otherworldly hair and make-up looks. They might not be an everyday dress code, but are perfect for the magical beauty looks that frame fashion and inspire our hair and make-up for special events, from weddings to festivals and parties,” says Florian Hurel, a Mumbai-based celebrity make-up artist and hairstylist, and founder of Florian Hurel Hair Couture & Spa.
Since couture clothing depicts a specific story, it makes it even more essential for the designer to work in tandem with make-up artists and hairstylists to create a beauty look that’s in sync. “Couture make-up goes beyond everyday beauty looks, often involving intricate designs, unconventional colours, and avant-garde techniques,” adds Sonic Sarwate, global senior artist, M.A.C Cosmetics. “It is about artistic expression and storytelling, while red carpet and regular make-up focus more on enhancing natural beauty and achieving polished, glamorous looks for specific events or everyday wear. Couture make-up artists push boundaries, using bold techniques and innovative products to achieve unique, one-of-a-kind looks that complement haute couture fashion. They discuss themes, colour palettes, and overall aesthetics [with the designer] to ensure harmony between the fashion, make-up, and hair elements. This collaboration allows for the creation of cohesive, impactful couture looks that seamlessly blend fashion, beauty, and artistry.”
THE EXPERT-APPROVED COUTURE TRENDS OF THE SEASON
Four make-up trends the pros trust will make their way from the runways to reality (and they tell us how!)
ALL ABOUT DEW
Sarwate envisions a radiant, dewy finish for skin to reign supreme as the perfect canvas. “Embracing natural beauty with a focus on healthy, radiant skin, couture make-up trends may emphasise minimal coverage, dewy finishes, and skin care-infused formulas to enhance and celebrate individual skin texture and tone.” He recommends starting with a glow-boosting highlighter like the M.A.C Cosmetics Strobe Cream all over, followed by a radiance finish foundation, a dewy cream like the M.A.C Cosmetics Cream Colour Base for added shine on your high points and finally, a hydrating setting spray to seal the look.
GO FOR BOLD
Both Hurel and Sarwate predict bold looks featuring jewel and metallic tones to be the perfect party trends this year. “Metallic eyeshadows, liners, and even lip colours [are] being used to add a futuristic and opulent touch to couture looks, often paired with dewy skin for a luminous finish,” says Sarwate. Hurel suggests using a volumising mascara like the Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara to complete your look and for a fanned-out lash effect.
MONOTONE MAKE-UP
Sarwate is a fan of playing with neutral hues all over your face for a monochromatic look. “This trend involves using various shades of brown, taupe, caramel, cocoa, chestnut and beige hues to create a cohesive and harmonious make-up look across the eyes, cheeks, and lips. This make-up is characterised by its minimalist approach, with a focus on neutral tones, defined features, and a matte complexion, reminiscent of effortless beauty trends,” he explains. His tool kit includes cult products by M.A.C Cosmetics such as the Eye Kohl in Teddy, MACximal Lipstick in Velvet Teddy, and Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette in Unfiltered Nudes.
COLOUR PLAY
According to Hurel, blues and reds (not together, of course) are the colours to include in your summer palette. “I definitely think this is going to be the summer of coloured mascara and blue eyeshadow. Also, of a muted, blurry lip in cool-toned berry shades and warm, terracotta reds along with blush concentrated on the apples of your cheeks,” he says. His favourite products: the ColorPop Pressed Powder Eyeshadow Makeup Palette in Blue Velvet, and Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush.