Top Ten Make-up Trends For Spring/Summer 2012

Hello everyone! Hope you had a great Easter holiday. I know I sure did! It involved lots of singing. I had fun but am so glad that it's over now. I picked up a bunch of discounted chocolate and gummies yesterday, so I must try to show some restraint or the swimsuit season ain't gonna be pretty for me.

There are many different make-up looks this spring and summer. Some of them I'm not sure I would try (colour blocking), other than for modelling but many are easy and wearable and won't leave you looking like a clown at your workplace.

1. Colour Blocking

The trend of colour blocking continues even on the face. This is a look that can go too 80s in my opinion if you do your whole face. To give a nod to this trend, just do the colour blocking on your eyes and keep the rest of your face simple - a bit of blush and nude lipstick.

2. Orange

Pantone's Tangerine Tango has even made it into make-up for spring/summer! Sephora has teamed up with Pantone to create various orange make-up products. Because I love orange so very much I must elaborate!

The lip collection includes a set of four shades of liquid lip gloss in colours Luminous, Vivid, Glaze and Opal. Luminous is a semi-sheer bright orange with shimmer.Vivid is a bright orange opaque. Glaze is a soft peach shade with shimmer. And Opal is a translucent shade of apricot (more orange-red than Glaze). This collection also includes a Tangerine Tango crème lipstick.

For eyes, Sephora also introduced a Tangerine Tango eye shadow quad of powder shadows that can be used wet or dry and Tangerine Tango Twist eyeliner.

And for the face, the Tangerine Tango prisma chrome blush has a warm colour and luminous sheen that will impart your cheeks with a soft glow. There’s also a blush duo with two complementary colours.

3. Red Lips

Winter, Spring, summer or Fall red lips are here to stay. Any colour is up to you from coral reds to wine reds - anything goes this Spring/Summer. Surprisingly, red lips is a look anyone can pull off. Fair skinned gals look best in coral-reds, medium complexions wear pinky/cranberry shades, while dark skinned gals will look best in dark, rich colours such as burgandy or warm brick.

4. 60s Inspired Cat Eyes

We probably have Mad Men to thank for this trend that keeps going into Spring/Summer. You can stick with the tried and true liquid black eyeliner for this look. Or to make it more modern, why not try a coloured liner or one with glitter in it?

5. Navy Eyeshadow

Instead of the usual brown or black smoky eye, navy was where it was at on the runway. This would be a look best suited for evening. And once again keep the rest of your make-up simple.

6. Silver Eyeshadow

Fresh and light, this is a look that pretty much anyone can pull off. Younger women can do a more metallic eye and wash the colour all over the lid. Older women can use a more matte eyeshadow and just use it as more of a highlighter on the brow bone so you don't accent those dreaded wrinkles.

7. Sun-kissed Skin

It's time to break out the bronzer. First off, invest in one that is close to your natural skin tone and make sure it doesn't look orange. Then dust it on your cheekbones and a bit on your nose and forehead. Do not, may I repeat, do not overdo it or you will look like Snooki.

8. Exaggerated Lashes

Time to break out your false eyelashes? I think so! Now's the time for big lashes - the faker the better. If you're in a more conservative maybe save them for a night out with the girls.

9. Purple Eyeshadow

The purple eye is still going strong into Spring/Summer! If you want to try this look, apply one single shade all over the lis for a wash of colour. Green eyes look great with darker shades of eggplant or aubergine. Brown eyes are gorgeous with purples with a bit of broze mixed in. Blue eyes sparkle with a cool purple with grey undertones.

10. Natural Make-up

Less is more with this common trend. Just focus on highlighting your natural features. Choose a tinted moisturizer (don't forget the sunscreen), put on some light blush, neutral eyeshadow, and mascara on the upper lashes. Slick on some tinted lipbalm and you're ready to go!

Hope you're now ready to try some of these trends out!

Joelle