The weather may be chilly outside for fall, but spring is just around the fashion corner and it’s looking bright! At
L’Oreal Fashion Week it was just as much about the beauty trends that made their way down the runways as it was about fashion. Two beauty trends emerged as forerunners — smoky, bronzed eyes and high-shine vibrant-hued lips. So enjoy your matte lips and berry shades now, because come spring it will be all about shine and colour!

Earthy elegance
David Dixon’s African inspired collection with bright orange and red hues, earthy browns and shimmering golds is the perfect compliment to one of spring’s hottest beauty looks. Apply the same colour palette, mimicking desert sands, to your makeup and you will look like a natural goddess. "This look is very sexy and chic. Perfect for a night time look," says Eddie Maleterre, Artistic Director for L’Oreal Fashion Week. "The eyes are the focus and very seductive."

Smoky eyes get an update with rustic shades of beige, gold and brown and jeweled-toned green. Top it off with thick black liner and mascara to gives the eyes a polished look. To keep the focus on the seductive eyes, cheeks and skin get just a hint of bronzy colour and lips stay moist with neutral gloss.

David Dixon image by George Pimentel

Mod glam
The show Mad Men is not just catching the eye of TV critics, but also the fashion and beauty elite. Pink Tartan took a sassy turn back in time with 50s inspired collection. And what better to pair the look with than slick cherry lips, bold black liner and super shiny candy coloured nails? The end look is polished, sexy, flirty and put together. "The lips are very mod," explains Maleterre. "Bright pinks are very nice on the lips in a high-shine gloss, as are cherry reds."

Begin by contouring your cheeks with a light dusting of colour. Play up your eyes with a beige shadow over the entire lid and a hint of bright eye shadow (think bright electric colours) just in the centre of the lid for a splash colour. Top it off with a coat of black mascara (or false lashes for a more 50s vibe) on the top lashes only (perfect for winking). Apply a vibrant pink or red lip-gloss liberally to your pout for a sweet, glossy finish.

Pink Tartan image by George Pimentel

Hair
Blondes beware — it looks like brunettes might be having more fun this spring. Throughout fashion week, brunettes ruled the runway with super shiny locks that glistened and shimmered. Eric Del Monaco, Lead Hair Stylist for L’Oreal Fashion Week, says there is one word to describe the new brown hues for spring. "Tortoiseshell is what we are looking for. A soft medium to light brown shade that has a really shiny, healthy shimmering effect," he says. To get the right dimension opt for some cool and warm high lights to give more depth. "We are redefining the brunette for spring 2009 with amber, cinnamon and copper shades," explains Del Monaco.

The modern pixie
A short do is definitely in. Whether you’re playful with texture and slightly spiky tips, or keeping it ultra sophisticated with a slick and smooth look, pixies are hot for spring. Think Twiggy in the 1960s — short in the back, long on the top.

Joe Fresh image by George Pimentel

Braids galore
Medium- to long-length hair will look super chic when pulled back into a ponytail or chignon at the back of the head. For more drama try a braided bun that sits on the crown of the head. Keep things shiny and smooth with a styling gel such as Studio Indestructible Gel. Apply it to damp hair before styling.

Easy flip
A simple daytime look for medium- to long-length hair is to tousled hair and then gently flip out the ends. It’s a flirty look that is fresh and youthful — perfect for those early spring days.

Accessorize
Don’t think you can just play up your outfit with a bold necklace, bauble or bangle. Spring hair is calling out for fun, flirty accessories. Beads, jewels, scarves and dramatic head pieces all made appearances on the spring runways. While the gorgeous headgear that models sported for Renata Morales may be tough to pull off day-to-day, don’t be shy about adding some bling to your hair, or a brightly coloured silk scarf.

Renata Morales image by George Pimentel