Runways and romance might sound like an incongruous mix but, take it from us, if you’re hung up about what hair and make-up look to rock on Friday, it’s here you’ll find ‘the one’ for you.
Red Alert Let’s face it, a red lip will always be up there as a date night staple. But, if you’re a daredevil kinda girl, why not freshen things up by going for a modern matte texture à la Antonio Berardi? Make-up maven Gucci Westman kept the skin looking polished with just a touch of powder (a must-have in order to avoid your date being able to see his reflection in your face) but the piece de resistance was the vixen-like velvety lips. 'The matte mouth makes a lovely contrast against a dewy face. It’s quite a done, grown-up lip so I started with a lipliner before applying a matte red lipstick over the top,' says Gucci.
Pretty in Pink Pink can be girly and cutesy (a little too much so on occasion, wethinks) but applied as a wash over the eye as seen at Burberry? It’s love. 'I’ve called this a "petal eye"', divulged make-up maestro Wendy Rowe backstage at the show. 'The key to keeping it looking modern and wearable is to go for a velvety texture (shimmer is a no-no) and ditch the mascara as that instantly lends a coolness. It’s all about looking as effortless as possible.' Here here.
Strict Machine If naïve and carefree aren’t doing it for you, how about going for one of this season’s scandalously straight, ultra-disciplined looks? Hair hero Laurent Philippon had everything under control at Cedric Charlier with some extra-follicular S&M by way of a fetishistic length of leather to whip the side-swept, ultra-low ponytails into shape. Ooh la la; Christian Grey would approve.
Floral Tribute Say it with flowers (even if he's less forthcoming) with a soft, romantic updo accessorised by a few botanical adornments as channelled by the models at Dolce & Gabbana. Keep the make-up equally pretty with a petal-perfect pink lip and lightly defined eyes so that you can really afford to ramp up the risqué factor with your outfit.
Underwater love If you’re old enough to remember one of (we think) Daryl Hannah’s finest performances you’ll know why her hair in Splash as gone down in hair history. Just shy of being crimped, these ethereal mini-waves are part mermaid, part Pre-raphelite goddess and, as super-stylist Garren noted backstage at Anna Sui, it makes for the perfect mix of romance and rock-chick. Garren’s tip? 'Divide your hair into 5 mini braids when your hair is wet and sleep with them overnight to achieve this effect by the morning.'
Living Doll We loved the babydoll lashes, sugar-sweet lips and cute coifs at Carolina Hererra. Hair supremeo Orlando Pita fashioned two French twists to create a ‘structured, elegant updo’ inspired by seashells whilst make-up artist extraordinaire Diane Kendal used a combination of fake lashes and mascara for her ‘modern Twiggy-esque’ eyes. Turn up looking like this and he’ll be sweet on you in no time.
The Big Smoke Smoldering eyes are the age-old staple of the seasoned seductress (try saying that after a few glasses of bubbly!). And judging by the look at Cushnie et Ochs it’s clear to see why. Still reticent? Then try going for a more forgiving colour such as a soft brown or burgundy and confine to the lids rather than taking it all the way up to the brows which gives a more dramatic effect. Smokin!
Bardot babe Let’s face it, nothing spells ‘sexy’ like a bit of bed-head texture and some morning-after khol. The key to taking it from pretty to phwoar is injecting a lived-in, effortless feel as seen here at Blugirl. For hair this means that texture is all-important. Two-day tresses are the best (never a bad thing in our opinion) as newly washed hair is too flyaway. Start by prepping with a texture spray, tong lightly in random sections before the all-important teasing commences (backcombing at the crown is key to Bardot’s sex-kitten locks). For makeup, keep the skin raw to off-set the sharp feline flick and start making friends with khol as you will need to smudge it all the way around the waterline of the eye before letting it settle and re-applying.
That's you sorted, now here are 50 lovely Valentine's Day gifts you could buy him...
