Most people think that fashion week is all about clothes but style is just as much about beauty. Here are some predominant beauty trends picked up from the recently concluded PFDC L’Oreal Paris Bridal Week.

 

Backstage at fashion week, we were delighted to see how on point Nabila’s creative team - head by the fantastic Sara Shah - was when it came to trends and their execution. We managed to witness their fine work, up close and personal, and it was heartening to see Pakistani fashion following international trends so closely. More is always less when it comes to weddings in Pakistan, whether you’re the bride or a friend/relative of the bride, but thankfully we didn’t see any of that OTT make-up at PLBW. Here are some trends we hope to see being followed beyond the runway…

 

1. Natural, fresh and dewy skin

Please, can we stop overloading our faces with contouring and foundation that makes the skin look like a dried up palette of paint? There is nothing worse than a face that looks more white (or even sometimes a weird shade of grey) than the neck or the rest of the body. It’s time to have natural and fresh looking skin, as can be seen here on the lovely Cybil Chowdry. Having a more natural base also makes you look younger so here is your incentive for following this trend.

2. Glitter eyes

This trend picked up speed thanks to New York Fashion Week and while Pakistani women already like their glittery shimmery eye make-up, Nabila’s team created versions that were jazzy but stopped short of being tacky. You want to look glamorous but not exactly the ‘drag’ way. As seen here on Aleesha’s eyes, the way to do glittery eyes is to keep it simple and clean, using glitter very lightly. Over here, the eye has been covered with light gold dust, with a thin black eyeliner spread across the lid.

3. Work those eyebrows

For some reason, eyebrows are a very neglected part of the face, even though they have the power to literally change the way your face looks. And women in Pakistan have been thinning their brows to an over-sculpted proportion for far too long. But while full, thick eyebrows are in fashion, not every woman is blessed to have naturally sexy brows. It’s just as important to gently fill out the brows as it is to flick out the lashes. Case in point: Sadaf Kanwal is sporting the perfect brow - full, thick and shaped to perfection.

4. Lip Service: go very, very bold

Thankfully, the red lip hasn’t gone out of fashion because here in Pakistan we love our red lips, especially at weddings. The boldness of the colour really brings the whole look together, especially when the eyes and skin are both going for a simple and minimal look. Two of our favourite models can be seen here with their big and bold red lips: Sadaf Kanwal and Amna Babar. And if you’re bored with red then opt for a bright coral; it’s another winning winter shade.

5. Highlight those cheekbones

Of course, the product that really ties the whole look together at the end is the highlighter, a relatively new concept for Pakistani women. Adding that extra shine to the cheekbones really adds to the youthful glow that can be seen on Mahira Khan. (Refer above.) Of course, her skin has a natural glow but it is further accentuated by using a highlighter. And a beaming smile always works! You might want to check out her very hot shade of bright pink lipstick too!

- Photography by Manal Faheem Khan