What you see on the runways always gets toned-down and “civilized” a bit (or a lot) before it makes its way into the shopping malls and workplaces of us common folks, but make no mistake, the crazy trends and fashion ideas of Michael Kors, DKNY and Dior always affect the way we dress and do our makeup and hair. Noted one fashion editor, “It’s all a package deal when it comes to fashion – you can’t just talk about the clothes or the makeup or the accessories; it all has to come together to create what we so lovingly refer to as ‘fashion’.” This sneak peek into the latest shows of these fashion kings and queens will give you a heads up on what you’ll be buying and wearing next.

1.   Brightly colored, yet soft and satiny. That’s how makeup artists describe the latest trend in eye shadows. They range in color from spring Easter eggs to electric lights. Apply with a soft brush and a light hand. A little goes a long way! Especially popular are shades of violet, turquoise, red, orange and mint green.

2. Lips are not to be outdone. Red lipstick and gloss with a heavy orange base is so hot and sultry right now. Makeup artist Lisa Butler suggests applying a small amount of color to the middle of your lips and rubbing it with your finger to cover the rest of your lips. Reds tend to bleed and streak. This approach helps to minimize that.

3. It’s all about the hair. At some shows, there were more accessories to be found on model’s heads than on their bodies. Headbands are not alone, or forgotten, but they now range from a simple solid color wrap to a wild display of feathers or a cap of beads.

4. Ink is in and makeup artists are not afraid to use it. Temporary tattoos, and we don’t mean the skull and crossbones or Tinkerbell that you get out of the gumball machines, we’re talking about paint-on ink that it takes an artist to apply. If you’ve got the skills, paint on your necklaces, bracelets and anything else that strikes your fancy.

5. Geometric shapes make the single most striking appearance on runways. “They are timeless, really. We should use them more often.” A simple angled line across a black dress. A series of beaded triangles sprayed across a long-tailed shirt. Any choice is a good one.

6. Solid colors are so eye-catching and even more so with a single, outstanding piece of jewelry. A chunky cuff, an unusual pendant or chandelier earrings each achieve the desired effect.

7. Plaid, plaid, plaid. It’s back and it’s leaving the early 90’s run on the pattern in the dust. As always, when we redo a trend, we go big! Plaid in the electric colors of the 80’s and plaid in the colors of a mountain man’s flannel shirt –as long as it’s plaid, you’re in.

8. Comfort materials like rumpled linen and soft, stretch denim remind us that dressing well and looking stylish doesn’t have to mean that you are uncomfortable. Clothes should be a part of you.

9. Boots are back. Whether it’s a great pair of pointed toes and high heels or a rubber-soled winter boot with wool lining, boots are great with jeans, and dresses of any style and length.

10. Use a jacket as your greatest accessory. You can change your entire outfit with one, well-chosen jacket.

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