Au naturel

Celebrities and models have already revealed their true faces. Are you brave enough to join the #nomakeup trend?

EVERY season we're treated to a new variation upon "natural" beauty but, for spring/summer 2014, models really were sent out onto the catwalks with the bare minimum of products and styling.

In essence, it's a look that's all about using as few products as possible to create a look that is fresh, modern and real. 

In 2013, "selfie" was selected as Word of the Year by Oxford Dictionaries, most likely because so many of Instagram's 150 milion-plus users spent a considerable portion of their time perfecting the right angle, arm length, lighting and filters. The right hair and makeup are, of course, also essensial ingredients in any self-promoting activity.

While some selfie posters have moved away completely from the spontaneous origins of the genre, there is an increasing desire for authenticity in social media. Which is why we see a new au naturel trend emerging: hashtag #nomakeup. And it's actresses and models who are leading the charge. 

The fashion industry took notice, from the stars, and the S/S 2014 collections the message was crystal clear: put the products away this season. Backstage at Balmain, Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler and Anthony Vaccarello, mascara was abandoned antirely. A natural-looking comlexion is also an important part of look. 

Almost more of a non-trend than a trend, the aim is to achieve a raw, natural-looking beauty using make-up to conceal flaws and to define features rather than to completely transform. The only make-up used at Alexander Wang and Balmain was a little concealer where it was needed, whilst at Christopher Kane, Guido Palau merely washed and dried hair before adding a little oil to tame any frizz. At Emilio Pucci and Giambattista Valli, eyes were given a wash of pale colour to hollow and enhance shape, whilst Lucia Pieroni complemented messy plaits with illuminated skin for a "Nineties supermodel glow" at Giles.

"The skin is very nude, very fresh", explained estee lauder's creative makeup director Tom Pecheux, backstage at Balmain, applying just a touch of concealer here and there. 

So, how to face this brave new world, sans makeup? The firs step, is to "moisturise, moisturise, moisturise". You want to keep your skin exfoliated, plump and dewy.

PUT THE PRODUCTS AWAY THIS SEASON, IT'S TIME TO SHOW THE WORLD THE REAL YOU.

Floral Mania

After a long winter, romance is floating in the air again. Roses and poppies have thrived on the catwalk and found the place on the most beautiful dresses. Flowers of all kinds and all colors have brought fresh air garden in the middle of urban bustle, with prints, embroideries and applications. The most big fashion designers use them.

Flower Power- beyond the privileged place they occupy in these seasonal classic floral prints were done seen some collections that explores graphic and modernist rather than delicate and suave. 

Floral trend this spring is not exactly a revelation in fashion, but we love how designers reinterpret it each year.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have chosen once again their inspiration from Sicily and almond flowers. Have transposed in the vaporous dresses the pictures and the flowers; also less predictable materials such as lacquered silk in tones of ripe plums. 

Also in Milan, Marni has transformed the look of delicate flowers in one edgy and very modern, using oversized prints and masculine cuts.

Mixed Bouquet- an explosion of florals burst from the catwalks, as green-fingered designers cultivated a flower-strewn spring/summer. 

This season's florals encompass the whole range from pastel pretty to techo sport and make an irresistable motif for this spring season.

True romance- the country garden arrangements in softly pretty hues conjure an air of virtuous romance. Add ultra feminine shapes and the air of girlish charm is complete. 

Midnight garden- floral descover a heart of darkness when scattered across a sombre black back ground. Here the sugary romance of pastel hues is abandoned and lush blooms take on a sensual, hot house glamour. 

3D detail- appliqued flowers are this season's loveliest detail. 

A fresh alternative to this trend would be to wear flowers in your hair, as accessories. Designers offer a variety of accessories that will bring spring into your outfit. Regardless of the approach, I suggest you try a total look that can combine various floral prints. There are too many rules to follow. The most important: choose a dominant color and just add other shades to match.