A lot can happen in a year - just ask Justin Bieber, who suddenly went from being “that bratty kid” to having mature-aged women (and men) humming along to his every song. And just as Biebs has undergone a transformation over the past 12 months, so has the make-up market (although, perhaps not such a drastic one). Gone are the days of the heavy full-coverage foundation, super contoured features, and drawn-on brows - 2016 is truly “fresh to death”.
Here, we talk to some of Australia and New Zealand’s top make-up professionals to discover just what we’ll be seeing on the make-up scene in 2016...
The theory of evolution
Technology infiltrates into all areas of modern day, with the beauty industry highly impacted by its ever-growing capabilities and popularity. When comparing this year to last, senior artist Carol Mackie reveals the major change is the technology in product formulations: “With so many new products available to choose from, it allows endless possibilities in application. There’s a lot of layering sheer washes to give multi-dimension and clever light effects, bringing luminosity and life to the skin. Technology is not only the future, it’s also creating trends itself!”
national make-up artist Stephen Gaskett also sees technology impacting beauty trends in 2016, but has a slightly different take on it: “We are seeing an influx of online trends that promote health and wellbeing. The outcome of this awareness and education on making healthy choices is a beautiful, glowing complexion and bright eye. As we are much more aware and educated through social media, we see these holistic wellness trends translating into beauty and how we approach the category.”
As technology evolves, so do the beauty trends. “The beauty trends in 2016 haven’t differed from 2015 as such but more-so have evolved. For instance, contouring was huge in 2015 and from it has stemmed other forms of contouring such a strobing, baking and even tontouring (contouring using self-tanner). Another trend that has evolved is the bold brow. At first it was the ‘power brow’ or ‘Cara Delevingne-esque’ brows. 2016 will still hold a place for the bold brow but it will be a softer, more natural look,” says brand manager Niva Thongkham.
Let’s get naked
2015 saw a lot of nude skin, but this year the trend is set to be taken to a whole new level. “It used to be that we wanted to look healthy and tanned, and now spa-fresh-looking skin is a fashion statement in itself. Skin is kept modern thanks to many new products and tools to create subtle shading and highlighting, rather than a paint by numbers effect. Sun-kissed rather than tanned – layered products that are so sheer they create warmth that’s believable,” says Mackie.
managing director Joni Morrissey agrees with Mackie that 2016 will see a more natural look with dewy skin in abundance: “More fresh looks rather than an over-done ‘cake face’.” To ensure this look is achieved, Gaskett advises consumers to pay special attention to their skincare regimen as well as what make-up they are putting on their face. He comments: “A flawless complexion is always on-trend and beautiful make-up starts with beautiful skin.”
A side result of the minimal make-up trend is the return of the freckle. “Freckles are having their moment and are showing up all over the runways during fashion week. Barely there foundation that allowed the freckles to show through (or faux freckles applied) was everywhere on the runways,” reveals Thongkham.
Colour me wild
While skin is kept natural, that’s not to say there’s not going to be pops of colour in abundance. “The key to this make-up look is to think about colour placement on one feature. It could be an eye, lip, lashes or adornment on the face with a sparkle of glitter or jewels,” says Mackie. Another advocate of the sparkle is Revlon make-up director ANZ Melanie Burnicle. “Sparkle - did anyone say sparkle?! It’s everywhere! Gold glitter to glitz up your make-up or add a twinkle on your eyes with your favourite colour.”
Mackie and Burnicle are also on the same page when it comes to getting into the blue. On the runway, Mackie saw “a lot of primary colours and a whole spectrum of blues, aquas, emerald greens – think reflections in the ocean!”, while Burnicle has spotted a tinge of blue on everything from eyeliner to eyeshadow.
Less serious sculpting
Last year saw contouring really take off, but this year it’s all about strobing. “The top trends will no doubt be strobing. It seems that make-up artists are turning against contouring, especially the big named ones,” reveals Morrissey. The good news? It’s simpler to apply. “Strobing is much easier than contouring, all you need to do is highlight really!” laughs Thongkham.
Alongside strobing, 2016 will see ‘baking’ gain notoriety. “Another trend that has been used by the drag community for years but has started to gain popularity is baking (or cooking) where you thickly apply pressed powder to your foundation with a damp make-up sponge in the areas you want to highlight. After letting it sit (or bake) for about 10 minutes, you dust away the excess, and voilà, your face will look perfectly sculpted!” says Thongkham.
Keeping an eye on things
The three key trends for eyes in 2016 are the natural-yet-enhanced feathered brow, blue eyeshadow and liner, and doll-like deconstructed lashes. “Lashes were everywhere this season, applied in a fun, very playful way - chopping, layering and not worrying about a pattern or too much balance. It created a multi-dimensional look that opened up the eye in a doll-like fashion. We added lots of mascara to almost clump up the lashes and bind them together,” says Mackie. Gaskett adds: “Ensure you are up to speed with this trend by investing in a good curling mascara which will instantly lift and open the eye.”
Getting lippy
The buzz words for lips in 2016 are red and matte. “The red lip is a beauty bag must-have for 2016. It's strong and bold. Matte is making a statement, but really it’s all about the colour red,” says Burnicle. While 2015 did see some red lips, it was more a smudged stain on the lip rather than this year’s bigger, bolder version.