Ah, the runway show experience — inspirational, on-point street style outside of show venues, the veritable hyper-stylish elite clocking fellow stars, the active buzz of top hair and makeup artists behind-the-scenes as gorgeous creatures sip champagne and pick at delicacies while being painted and coiffed, the hush as the lights shift, the music pumps, cameras flash, and the thrilling future of what could change closets, requests at salons, and
contents of makeup bags is revealed.

For many years, this was the runway show experience, until things changed and created an opportunity to
creatively rethink what a runway show could be. Even when formats changed and digital shows became
commonplace, the passionate vision for forecasting the future of fashion and beauty did not. Designers, those fine artists who hang their art on the human canvas, reliably refuse to compromise showcasing their creations to the max— thank God. However, after the show, their visions should be translated into what is suitable for each individual to ensure that physical appeal is maximized.

Understanding what inspires trends, such as those from past decades, can give great insight into how to best creatively utilise them to enhance physical appeal; one can and should cherry pick or twist elements of a trend so it can be personalised.

In a review of current trends, the nineties are making a reappearance but with unique and modern twists. In the 1990s, grunge, glamour, and minimalism collided head-on, and just as during the 1960s, when the spirit of anything goes was the practiced belief, the 1990s employed a similar attitude, especially when it came to self expression, individuality, and “just being who you are.”

Big lips were in, and lip liner encircled the outer perimeter of the lips to help them appear larger. A more subdued and neutral colour palette became standard as “the natural look” came into style. Eyeliner and eye colours were soft and subtle. Skin went from being matte-textured to more natural and shiny, with shiny giving way to glittery, funky, and fun everything. “Heroin chic” and the “waif-look” were brought in by model Kate Moss, and emulated, playing a big part in the decade. Several cosmetic companies answered the call for the need for more funky makeup and nail colours. Small breasts gave way to all sizes of breasts being in, and a hint of the looks from the 1930s, 1950s, and 1960s made their appearance during the decade.

Another decade that is trending, for the obvious reason, is the twenties. In the 1920s, short skirts, short hair, and rebellion were in. Wearing makeup was taboo before then; however, by the 1920s, no one fashionable left home without wearing it.

Pale skin was in, and raspberry or orange-hued rouge toned down with facial powder was worn on the cheeks. The eyes and eyelashes were heavily defined with dark eye makeup which was used on the lower eyelash line and eyelids, as was turquoise or green. The famous cupid’s bow-shaped lips, which were permanently pursed in a “kiss”, inspired by the actress Clara Bow, were drawn on the lips in reds, deep reds, brown-reds, plum, oranges, rose, and raspberry in matte-textures. These products would often be soap-based and dry out the lips. Liquid rouge defined the lip shape, like an early lip liner, and lip colour filled in the lips. Eyebrows were drawn on in thin, dark, arched, elongated, and downward-sloped thin or odd shapes denoting emotional expression. Fashion hero Coco Chanel was a powerful influence in the 1920s and ushered in the healthy look of a tan, amongst other style-changing trends. Orange makeup mimicked the look of a tan, and legs and smaller breasts were in.

Besides knowing the history behind a trend, to pull from it what personally resonates and inspires, physical attributes, such as skin undertone, facial features, and their balance, as well as personal style are also important to examine to know how to best use a trend to one’s advantage. To determine your facial attributes, view the videos DISCOVER YOUR FACE SHAPE, ACHIEVE MAXIMUM PHYSICAL APPEAL USING FACIAL DIVISIONS, and others on the CHARIS MICHELSEN YouTube channel.

For example, if a trending colour does not work well for your skin’s undertone and you want to wear it, try a version of that colour that better suits you. If orange is trending, and your skin’s undertone is cool, try wearing red-orange or red instead of orange. If bright lip colours are trending and you look better in darker lip colours, try mixing a favorite darker colour with a bright colour that works well with your skin’s undertone.

This goes for the placement of cosmetics as well. If you have close-spaced eyes and it is trending to encircle the eyes with eyeliner, bypass applying the eyeliner to the inner upper and lower third of your eyes or only apply light colours of eyeliner to this area.

There is a science to looking one’s best, which was perfected through the world’s first Universal Beauty Standard System which was used to create the illustrated and comprehensive beauty books Hollywood Beauty: The Art of Star Makeup and Grooming For Men: From Dirty to polished. These books instruct on how to look your personal best by using easy-to-follow cosmetic techniques and offering original tips, such as the timeless “four-point rule” to ensure your maximum physical appeal is achieved no matter what is trending on the runway.

The following is an excerpt about the “four-point rule” from Hollywood Beauty: The Art of Star Makeup:

THE FOUR-POINT RULE:

Count each “point of interest” as one point.

NOTE: You can choose to wear fewer “points of interest” than four but not more than four if you do not want to look overstated. If garments of the same colour are worn together as if they are one continuous piece, their point total would equal one.

For example, if you wear boots, pants, and a top in the same colour of bright orange, where there are no breaks in colour, where you do not see skin or another colour, those pieces working together would equal one point.

“POINTS OF INTEREST”:

A viewer’s eyes are drawn to look at:

1: Vibrant makeup.

2: Dark makeup.

3: Light-reflective makeup or opaque matte-textured makeup (other than a concealer, foundation, or powder).

4: Hairstyles that appear “done”/any hairstyle that requires hairspray or another product to hold it in place, etc

5: Busy patterns of clothing or clothing that contains embellishments or ornate details, such as multiple zippers, ruffles, etc.

6: Articles of clothing that are revealing.

7: Shoes, clothing, and/or accessories in bold “statement” colours, such as red, etc.

8: Accessories in general, such as hats, bracelets, etc.

MAKEUP:

Both makeup “LOOK #2” and “LOOK #3” count as one point. The point of interest will be your lips in “LOOK #2” and your eyes in “LOOK #3.” “LOOK #1” counts as zero points, as the face has no points of interest. NOTE: “LOOK #4” counts as two points, as your lips and eyes are both points of interest. See chapter THE FOUR BASIC FACES for additional information.

EXAMPLE 1:

You can wear a bold ruffled blouse (+1 point), simple blue jeans (+0 points), brightly coloured shoes (+1 point), a statement ring (+1 point), a simple black handbag (+0 points), and makeup LOOK #2 (+1 points) = 4 points.

Variation example:

If you want to wear a bold handbag (+1 point), choose to wear makeup LOOK #1 (+ 0 points) = 4 points.

EXAMPLE 2:

You can wear a simple black dress (+0 points), simple black pumps (+0 points), a colourful clutch (+1 point), layered, bold necklaces (+1 point), a bold bracelet (+1 point), and makeup LOOK #3 (+1 point) = 4 points.

Variation example:

Trade the simple black dress for a patterned one (+ 1 point), and take off the necklaces (+ 0 points) = 4 points.

Stick with the “Four Point Rule” and add up your points. By not exceeding four “points of interest” at any given time, you will always look your best. Also, consider the inspiration for a runway trend and your personal needs when styling the fabulous you.

More information and examples available in Hollywood Beauty: The Art of Star Makeup by Charis Michelsen.

In forecasting the future of fashion and beauty, the vote is for the maximization of one’s physical appeal and consciousness will always be in style— the more one chooses healthy and cruelty-free fashion and cosmetic products, the better. Some inspirational style icons who have made fashion and beauty their own, no matter the trends, are Gabrielle Coco Chanel, Jacklyn Kennedy Onassis, Audrey Hepburn, Jimi Hendrix, Ali MacGraw, Steve McQueen, David Bowie, Tom Ford, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Victoria Beckham. Remember that following runway trends is not mandatory.

f you love a specific look, and it is not “in” at the moment, do not let that deter you from embracing it; at some point, you might be the one starting a hot new trend that will be seen on the runway!

For more information and to view videos from Charis Michelsen, be sure to like, subscribe, or follow her on her social media channels:

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How to contact Charis Michelsen:

AGENT: Sheila Finegan sheila@trinityartist.com

MANAGER: Jeff Smith jeff@trinityartist.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: Daniel Weber @danielweber_photography

MODEL, MAKEUP, STYLING: Charis Michelsen @charismichelsen_official

HAIR: Sylvie Marshall Of Brighton Salon Of Beverly Hills @hairbysylvie

ARTWORK: Charis Michelsen (From The Book Hollywood Beauty: The Art Of Star Makeup By Charis Michelsen) charismichelsen.com