Colour cosmetics have now been existence for 6,000 years, and while its concept remains the same, its ingredients and innovations have surged forward with the development of new technology and scientific insights. This year alone has seen 919 new products land on Australian beauty editor’s desks - a rise in 10 per cent from this time last year, according to research by My Market Insight.
Euromonitor reported that colour cosmetics in the past year has been “heavily driven by new product innovations”, also commenting: “Manufacturers invest[ed] heavily in this area to draw in consumers”. This has led to the continual growth of an arena said to be worth $US390.07 billion globally by 2020.
2015 has seen a surge in brand availability within Australia’s golden shores - largely lead by the long anticipated arrival of American heavyweight Sephora and cult brands - such as Urban Decay and Charlotte Tilbury. The surge in make-up offerings available Down Under has led BD to enquire with a handful of leading Australian make-up artists as to what consumers can expect next year.
Strong arches, strong eyes
The future of make-up is all about graphic eyes. “The graphic eye was a huge trend seen in both seasons [at fashion weeks] and in particular for Fall '15,” says make-up artist Heidi King. “Shows such as Proenza Schouler, Versace, Fendi, Dior and Celine all had variations of graphic bold eye shapes. This resulted in leading brands like Rimmel, Maybelline and L’Oréal creating bold eyeliner pens and gel liners.”
Thanks to the likes of Cara Delevingne and her statement-making arches, the strong brow as a trend also looks set to continue. King comments: “Brows have been huge for the past eight seasons (and counting!).” She says that not only is this a result of fashion’s imprint but also thanks to the influential power of Instagram: “Designer shows from fashion week plus the brow trend has become a thing of its own on Instagram - the ombré brow still seems strong!”. Rae Morris agrees the strong brow is now eternal: “here to stay forever, I say!”
Euromonitor has proof of their statements, commenting: “Eyebrows have become a notable trend within colour cosmetics and have the potential to form their own product category. Big, bold and statement brows are on trend as consumers look to replicate the brows of popular celebrities such as model Cara Delevingne.” While the perfectly-crafted power brow had its moment in 2015, 2016 will see a surge towards a more natural feathering effect.
Colour my world
A rainbow of colour is about to emerge in make-up trends, taking a step away from the favoured nudes of past seasons. Hayley Dutton says: “Colour is set to make another massive come back for 2016. We have already seen it bursting onto runways in the Spring 2016 collections with a one-tone teal smokey eye, bright aqua shadow paired back with a deep plum lip and no shortage of colour inspiration when it came to luscious locks.”
Tobi Henney adds: “Plums and purple tones were huge this year on both eye looks and as a statement lip. Blue is back! Navy, sky blue, royal blue on the eyes is looking mighty fine for 2016. Reds and burnt orange tones on the lips and warm brown tones for the eyes will be seen a lot throughout next year.”
Morris agrees, saying she has seen “tropical eyeshadows - a mix of soft matte multi-coloured eyes, think soft greens to aqua blues. Matte blue eyeshadow (we have to thank Chanel spring/summer 2016 for this and Missoni), deep berry lips (Miu Miu), and strong gold lips (not one that I’d like to see personally) as seen at Prada.” The difference this trend makes from past runway shows? “In the past we have focused colour only on one area of the face, however, going forward we will see an array of colour on the face for 2016,” explains Dutton.
Sculpt those cheekbones
What remains undoubtedly the most obvious look of 2015 that is expected to continue? Why it’s the contour. King says: “Another cosmetic and social media make-up trend (but not actual make-up trend) was of course contouring. Once make-up companies saw a lucrative opportunity in the market, almost every brand has brought out a contouring product of some form!”
Dutton believes that contouring, as well as its cousin strobing, will remain relevant. “We saw a massive adoption of contouring and highlighting last year and then a transcendence into strobing; the organic transition of this will be a move into more light-reflecting gloss across the face.”
Shine on
Alongside strobing, 2016 will see “a reintroduction of gloss in the form of a light-reflecting gloss than a high-shine gloss, whether it be on the lips, eyes or cheeks” says Dutton. For Morris, light, luminous cosmetics as a trend will surface in the form of metallic gold products. “Prada gave us a preview, but I think we will see liners and mascaras following suit. Even if you can afford to buy that solid gold necklace, you can still embellish by wearing some liquid gold on your face!”
Dutton continues that for those who are afraid of a highlighter, there are easier glossy options to bring the look to life: “Cream products are a great way to add shine without too much gloss, cream eyeshadows and blushes are a great first step. You can also get creative and mix your shadows, blushes, powders and bronzers in with your favourite lip gloss and apply over the face. There are many ways to experiment.”
What’s next
Just as trends in fashion come and go, so too do they in the beauty world, filtering down from the catwalk into the make-up bags of women everywhere. And with colour cosmetics proving no less important to the modern women than they were to the likes of Marie Claire and Cleopatra (who would not be caught dead without her eyeliner), it seems safe to assume that they (and experimentation with bold colours) will remain beloved of the fairer sex for a long time to come.
Colour cosmetics that have BD excited for the future include:
Arbonne
AVON
Babor
Bodyography
Colour Theory
Clarins
CROP
Dr Hauschka
Eminence Organics
Jane Iredale
Lacura
Laura Mercier
MOMMA
ModelCo
Natio
Paula’s Choice
Physicians Formula
NYX
St. Tropez
Australis
Image crop: @raemorrismakeup
