 Borrowing inspiration from the runway is something we all attempt to do, at least at one point in our fashionable existence. Either we’re talking clothing, hair or make-up, there’s no denying in the fact that there’s an enticing world opening up on the catwalk, filled with endless possibilities and a never-ending source of excitement. Sadly, in terms of beauty, not everything is built upon simplicity, nor wearability.
 Here are 10 makeup ideas you should try out this spring.
1. Choose the fresh way of doing pastels.
Leave it to the makeup artists to constantly imagine new ways of wearing pastel eye-shadow come spring. At Holly Fulton, a lavander wash of colour was instantly made modern by the way of a simple, yet effective twist. Try it at home but remember to leave a small gap just above your lash line and go right up to the brow when applying the eyes.
2. Dust your eyelashes with a few gilded accents.
The fact that gold is a key component of spring 2014′s exquisite take on beauty probably doesn’t come as a surprise. If a gold glittery make-up is too much of a look for you, indulge in a poetic interpretation of the trend, as seen at Dries Van Noten.
3. Play with the reverse cat eye.
The cat eyes reigned supreme on the spring 2014 runways, but a new season calls for something less classical and definitely more modern. This is where Lucia Pieroni’s Japanese inspired graphic eye makeup acts like a breath of fresh air. It is truly a sharp and innovative trend.
4. Try the subtle take on blue eyeshadow.
Another one of this spring’s prominent makeup trends invites you to fully indulge in blue eyeshadow, appearing to state the louder the look, the better. But what if a loud make-up look isn’t part of your daily repertoire? Try the subtle sapphire eyes instead. To achieve the look, apply a shimmering cream eye colour in midnight blue close to the lashes before blending it with lip balm to disperse the shade.
5. Replace the red with soft pink.
If you’re ready to kiss the red lips goodbye, perhaps it’s time to coat your lips in something softer, thus sweeter. At Carolina Herrera, the baby pink lips came as a result of make-up artist Diane Kendal fusing together no less than three lip colors, among  them a matte lip pencil, for more of a gorgeous textured result.
6. Mix things up with white liner
Replacing the black liner with a white iteration, the look gained a sudden youthfulness. To recreate the look, simply apply a very thin, straight line of acrylic paint across the upper lash line, giving up on the mascara, the shadow and the contours altogether. Take a small Q-Tip dipped in makeup remover and clean the outer corners of the line into a blunt, square edge.
7. Use a chocolate colored pencil to make your eyes pop.
If you seek an effortless beauty look that should ultimately feel like wearing no makeup at all, but that has your eyes popping quite unexpectedly, this one’s for you. Try using a a nearly imperceptible chocolate liner along the top and lower lashes, softening the lines with a Q-tip coated in a tint of moisturizer. The combination of pencil and cream will make the lids look dewy with just the perfect amount of color.
8. Blur the edges with a muted red lip.
Despite having spring welcoming a warmer palette of colours, the red lips still managed to somehow dominate the 2014 runways.  If you’re on the lookout for an easy, but dramatic make-up look, do pair a super highlighted skin with this timeless red stain.
If you’re afraid of a bold red lip, try blurring the edges: apply a matte pencil over the outer edge of the lips and a concealer to erase the natural colour of the lips. Use a red lipstick and a blending brush to create the stained effect, and finish off with a basic red pigment blended all throughout the center of the lower lip.
9. Go for bold blocks of ice gem colours.
Some days beg for a fresh-faced beauty look, others instead ask for something more adventurous, more vibrant and more exciting. The inspiration you might be seeking out for the latter comes from MM6 Martin Margiela, where bold blocks of ice gem colours where used on the lids to add shape and shading to a otherwise bare face. Go for strips of lilac, yellow, orange, white and blue for the ultimate graphic look.
10. Adorn your nails with a crosshatch windowpane grid.
Pretty nails never go out of style and thanks to the wave of inspiration coming straight from the runway they are never about to go dull either. This season, mix the pretty and the edgy by adorning your nails with a crosshatch windowpane grid a la Tracy Reese. The only things you will be needing are a blue, white or green base, a black nail polish and a steady hand.
 -MISBAAH MANSURI
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