Make-up, hair and nails: The beauty trends you need to know for spring/summer 2018

If 2018 has been all about female empowerment, then it’s clear beauty trends have been paying attention.

This spring/summer the key style message is power!

We’re talking bold, strong shapes and shades, don’t-mess-with-me hair, and make-up with an I’m-wearing-it-because-I-love-it vibe.

It’s been described as punk-inspired, 90s inspired, and even classically chic, but like all beauty trends, this one has its own unique stamp.

Here’s how to power up your spring/summer 2018 look.

Make-up: stained lips

Bold, bright and strong shades will be on the lips of fashionistas this season, and the words they’ll be saying are bright pink and coral, tomato red, raspberry and cherry.

This year’s biggest beauty trend in lips is all about capturing a moment in time.

Forget the sharp lines and thick gloss of immediate application – the look you’re after this season is softer and more natural and is only achieved about an hour after you’ve put on your lips.

They’re calling it the blurred lip look and you can create it by dabbing on the colour and blotting the edges to create a more natural, imperfect stain.

A little gloss on top seals in the colour and completes the look.

Hair: short and sweet

If you’ve ever been tempted to cut off your locks, now is the time to be bold, with all the brightest stars on the red carpet showing new and fun ways to rock a crop.

Whether the look is punk (think: Katy Perry), or a more gamine cool vibe (think: vintage Mia Farrow), short hair is making a bold style statement.

Why not take a leaf out of Kate Hudson’s book and go that one step further with a buzz cut?

Channel Alicia Keys and Lily Cole, who both went to the extremes, cutting their long locks off for short sharp styles.

And remember, the difference between a buzz cut and a cute pixy Twiggy cut is just a couple of weeks.

Of course, for those who prefer their hair stylists use scissors not clippers, the good news is that lobs, bobs and even pobs, are still hot this season.

Nails: arty

It’s the 90s trend that’s come back brighter and stronger than ever: nail art.

Bold colours, metallic shades, embellishments and glitter have all made an appearance on the catwalks of Europe and New York this season.

But really it’s about art.

Swirls, shapes, and pop art designs are all on trend, as are letters – spell out a word that reflects your current mood or say it with attitude using graffiti-inspired lettering.

French manicures are huge this season – but with a twist.

Checkerboard French manicures make a statement; zigzags will electrify each nail; and ocean waves tips make a big splash.