Social media can be a bit confusing sometimes. While you have legitimate sources for trends, you also have artists playing around and using their creativity, and these end up becoming something people imitate... and lo and behold — it’s a trend! Some of these can be fun, a few others are downright ridiculous. But, there are ways to make them work!
Oil-slick lipsWhat is it? A black-based lip with metallic colours (ranging from blues to greens, purples, golds and silvers) in the centre and tons of gloss to represent an oil slick. While these are a dream to look at and photograph, they don’t quite work for everyday (however, if you still love the idea of oil-slick lips, please go right ahead!)
An easier way to achieve a similar look would be to ombre the lip a little bit. If you’re feeling really bold, go with colours like purple or even oxblood reds and deep browns that give you the same effect as a black base. Go over it, with a colour in a similar spectrum, towards the middle. For example, a plum with purple, a bright red with oxblood and so on. Once you’ve blended the two in, top it off with a clear gloss (I love the MAC one) or even a shimmery gloss. It may not be the matte lip (that is also a trend), but it’s still a statement that will get people talking.
Pro Tip: For longevity (because the gloss will move your lipstick around), use a matte long-lasting lipstick formula underneath (L’Oreal Moisture Matte Lipsticks or the MAC Retro Mattes).
BakingYes, you read right, and no, I’m not talking about cookies. Baking involves adding a thick layer of translucent powder to areas you want to highlight, and leaving it on for five-10 minutes. (It takes me about that long to make up my entire face in the morning, but oh well) before dusting it away. Once again, it’s great for pictures taken with a lot of light, and keeps your make-up on for much longer — but you will look like cake face.
Under the eyes, below the contour lines and around the smile lines are popular places to “bake”, as it prevents the make-up from settling into fine lines and creases. While I wouldn’t do it personally, (I believe make-up is meant to enhance not mask) a great way to incorporate this into your make-up routine would be for those long night-outs, which involve sweating your face away. A few minutes of baking keeps the make-up on longer and ensures you don’t crease.
Neck ContouringAnd I left the best one for last. Ever wonder if the back of your neck looked a little less than perfect while wearing a top bun or a high pony tail? Nope? Me neither. So it beats me how this trend caught on... it involves adding a lighter shade of foundation to the centre of the neck and darker colours on either side to give the neck a slimmer and more lifted appearance.
While in theory, it sounds fine... I wonder what makes a person stare at the back of their necks long enough to want to contour it.
While fashion and beauty are all about trends that should eventually make you feel like a goddess — some things are meant to be just fads.
