If 2012’s beauty trends already feel like old news to you, it’s because they are. Now that the ball has dropped, we’re breaking away from last year’s dewy skin and fancy hair to make way for a new batch of trends and a more beautiful you in 2013.
Glowy skin was all the rage last year, but spring 2013 shows like Louis Vuitton, Stella McCartney and Prada have taught us that matte skin is the complexion of choice this year. “The big difference from the shows in the past was that they were all about the glow and highlighting,” said Pat McGrath. “I’m not saying that highlighting is dead but we did do all the steps that we normally do but we powdered over the highlighting because everything has to be more HD friendly.”
True, lining the upper lash line makes your eyes look bigger, but that’s so 2012. This year’s lower lines help accentuate the eye, too. Plus, they allow you to play with color without making a bold commitment.
2012 was a huge year for the “wet look.” Hair was slicked back with tons of product to give the effect of a fresh-out-of-the-shower look. This year, half-and-half hair graced the runways of Victoria Beckham, Rag + Bone, and Alexander Wang. On top, hair was slicked back or to the side, and given wet shine, while the rest of the hair was dry and natural.
Angelina Jolie’s serious slit at the 2012 Oscars made headlines and even resulted in a Twitter account for her right leg. This year, we’re keeping our legs hidden and our midriffs are taking center stage for a more demure and appropriate spring look. Who knows, maybe someone’s midriff will spark up a 2013 Instagram account.
Last year’s bold lip trend had us stocking up on coral, orange, and poppy lip colors. This year, those colors are moving on up to our eyes. Spring 2012 shows like Christian Dior, Milly, and Versus opted for a bare mouth paired with a rainbow of hues on the eyelids. Just don’t chuck your lipsticks yet, we think a bold lip is worth breaking some rules.
We’re leaving pretty hair, fancy curls, and over-the-top updos behind for 2013. This year is all about wearable, simple strands as seen at Alexander Wang, Diesel, and Roberto Cavalli. “Overall is was a very simple season in hair. Very wearable, kind of real-women friendly,” said Redken Creative Consultant Guido Palau. “We didn't see so many of the waves and soft, pretty looks that I know women kind of love. The hair was simple, straight-ish, but not completely ironed except for a few exceptions. It’s more about textures.”
Move over BB Cream, there’s another double letter product in town. Beauty Balms were a hit for their skin conditioning ingredients, but CC Creams, or Color Correcting Creams, give you the same benefits plus a few additional ingredients that help even out and brighten skin tone.
Make a statement with your hair this year by moving your middle part a lot further to the left or right. The simple hair we mentioned earlier was also given a “modern, graphic element” courtesy of extreme, deep side parts (see: Calvin Klein, Lanvin, and Marc Jacobs). It’s the perfect ode to the major 60s influence we spotted on the runways (without being too literal).
Those barrettes and headbands you bought last year? Ditch them. 2013 is all about the use of unconventional items as hair accessories. At Alexander Wang, models were given parts garnished with electrical tape, while at Erin Fetherston, zippers made chic headbands.
Stella McCartney brought back blue mascara for her fall/winter 2012 show, making us run to the nearest makeup counter in search for one. This year, blue is still making a statement, just not on lashes. At Anna Sui and Versus, blue liquid liner upped the ante on a standard cat eye.
Gemstones certainly feels like an upgrade from citrus fruit. We’re not sure when the craze over Pantone’s Color of the Year began, but we don’t hate it. Tangerine Tango was the color of choice for 2012, but we’re moving to the right of the color wheel for 2013. According to press, “Emerald, a vivid verdant green, enhances our sense of well-being further by inspiring insight, as well as promoting balance and harmony.”
Although nail art was spotted at shows like Kate Spade, Prabal Gurung, and Diego Binetti, nude nails took up the majority of looks for 2013 (see: BCBG Max Azria and Proenza Schouler). So, we’re on the fence with this one. This year, we’re trying the best of both worlds with nude nail art as seen at Rodarte and Imitation.
There’s only so much those Dr.Scholl's inserts can do to help you walk in those six-inchers. They also didn’t keep your tootsies warm, did they? 2013 is looking a lot warmer and more comfortable thanks to these furry heels and flat, Birkenstock-like sandals from Celine. No more of that “beauty is pain” mumbo jumbo.
Ombre hair had its two years of fame in 2011 and 2012, but it’s time to move on. There are plenty of other ways to make a hair color statement without having to go the two-tone route. We love the hints of maroon as seen at Carven - a color we prefer over ombre this year.
