Beauty Trends 2012

A new year can often prompt you to think about spring cleaning your beauty regime and consider trying something new to look your very best. So what will the next 12 months bring us on the beauty front? Emma Parlons delved a little deeper to discover which trends we may be trying this year and to find new ways to glow and sparkle in 2012.

SKIN: We all know the skin rules: drink ridiculous amount of water and avoid over exfoliation. So, why is our skin not glowing?  Sarah Chapman, one of London’s most sought-after facialists, is aiming to make 2012 the year we realise the need for high levels of Vitamin A in our skincare routine. This wonder ingredient is anti-ageing and also repairs any damaged cells to keep skin looking naturally luminous. Sarah also told me that the biggest skincare trend for this year will be ‘products that are an alternative to cosmetic surgery’. Let’s all take heed and avoid the scalpel.

HAIR:  New York hair stylist Luigi Murenu, one of the industry’s most celebrated editorial stylists, tells me that this summer will be all about party hair, whether that is loose in luxurious waves or tied back (such as his ponytails at Gucci’s AW11/12). Luigi is a fan of John Frieda’s Luxurious Volume Thickening Mousse (£5.79 from Boots.com), as ‘it instantly gives hair the most beautiful, controlled texture and volume and is the perfect base for any and every style’. (See more 2012 hair trends in our article next month).

NAILS: Nails are looking more groomed than ever for 2012. After returning to London, former NYC stylist Lynda-Louise and her sister and Jo launched their own nail brand to make a stand on the nail front. As a reaction to a market full of toxic polishes, they launched Nail Girls offering a fabulous collection free from any harmful chemicals, not tested on animals, vegan friendly and using recyclable packaging. The fashion-led colours rival any of the more established brands. Lynda-Louise told me: ‘We know that perfectly soft pastels will be big this year to tie in with the catwalk, but strong vivid colours will be big too’. Neon Pink and Bold Blue are 2 of the most popular 20 colours Lynda-Louise and her sister, Jo, bring out annually. The polishes retail for £10.50 from www.nailgirls.co.uk  and Selfridges.

EYES:  Look into my eyes and tell me the truth: do you pluck, wax or thread?  Eyebrows may be bushier than in recent years but they are well-kept so if you’re a self-grooming junkie as I am, the La-tweez angled tweezers are fantastic. They include a built-in ultra bright LED light so that you can see the very short hairs before anyone else. They even come with a magnifying mirror in the chic carrying case. They are available online from Amazon.co.uk and HouseofFraser.co.uk for around £15.

LIPS: From the sublime to the ridiculous, I bring you a seriously futuristic lip look. Violent Lips is a a statement-making line of temporary lip tattoos. From bold animal prints to fun polka dots, each pack of Violent Lips contains three applications and stay put for up to 8 hours (available from Boots.com and TopShop.com for £7.99).

And finally, all beauty comes from within so, in addition to my existing vitamin collection, I am now adding Omega oil for its skin and hair boosting benefits. Paradox have just brought out a new version which, quite brilliantly, does not taste of fish (£14.99 from HollandandBarrett.co.uk).  Bingo.

by Emma Parlons

[picture credit: WENN/Puchkova]