Spa Services: Worldly Wonders

This season’s beauty trends will help clients explore and celebrate their individuality.
Among the varying trends and collections we’ve seen presented this season, one common theme prevails: exploration. Whether with color or style, Spring 2014 is all about the client’s personal journey, and the beauty products and services you offer should be an extension and an expression of that journey.

Although the tried-and-true color palettes (pastels and neutrals) and skin trends (fresh, barely-there foundation) remain important in the spring and summer months, the beauty industry is seeking to shake up the status quo by adding a fresh twist to the season’s classic looks.

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute , describes this season’s consumers as striving for a state of thoughtful, emotional and artistic equilibrium. “While this need for stability is reflected in the composition of the palette, the inherent versatility of the individual colors allows for experimentation with new looks and color combinations,” she explains.

To help demonstrate the bold new twists and turns of the season, DAYSPA hit the road—figuratively, that is. Here, we take you along on our virtual journey around the world to bring you the hottest trends for the upcoming season in a clash of culture and color.

The lotus floral prints, origami wrap dresses and structured fabrics seen on the runways at New York Fashion Week demonstrated a strong Asian influence for the Spring season. Clients longing to sport these trends are in luck: the latest beauty products and color palettes make it easy for you to deliver an Eastern look with a Western spin.

The first (and most important) component to this Asian-inspired look is a naturally flawless face. Asian women are known for their porcelain complexions and this season, clients can make it their calling card too!

When delivering a gorgeous geisha look, bronzer can be set aside, as simplicity and neutral tones are your top priorities. “I love the idea of showcasing the natural, soft features on the face, keeping skin clean, without being afraid to introduce minimal pops of color here and there,” says Janeena Billera, national educator for Glo-Minerals. Just in time for Spring, the brand’s newly launched Luxe Liquid Foundation delivers buildable coverage with a natural glow. Meanwhile, lightly blushed cheeks lend a hint of color without detracting from the skin’s natural tones.

You can also add a playful twist to this discreet, demure look by experimenting with one of the season’s hottest trends: white shadow/eyeliner. “One of my favorite techniques is applying a white shadow or liner on the inner tear ducts,” says Allyson Harold, lead makeup artist and color trend specialist for Mineralogie. “Use a fluffy brush to soften the line. You can also add beige or a light silver shadow over the white liner to really open the eye and give it a ‘halo’ effect.”

Subtle-yet-unique nail art can help round out this Eastern-inspired look. “Seeing that nail art and design is as popular as ever, mixing and matching Spring colors makes for a playful manicure,” says Elaine Watson, global education director for Cuccio Colour. “We saw a lot of that in runway shows, such as Lela Rose, which showcased half-moon manicures in light blue and peach or beige and white.”

Eastern Treasures

1) Cuccio Colour polish in Under a Blue Moon and Life’s a Peach, cuccio.com
2) Keyano Eye Shimmer in Citrine, keyano.com
3) Mineralogie loose mineral blush in Sweet Pea, mineralogiemakeup.com
4) Glo-Minerals Luxe Liquid Foundation, gloprofessional.com
5) Jane Iredale PurePressed Eye Shadow in Oyster, janeiredale.com

Clients seeking a brazen and bold new look this Spring can draw inspiration from a region of the world that blends these vivid qualities in all aspects of life.

Whether out shopping in el mercado or heading to a carnaval, style-conscious South American women are always ready for the show. It’s safe to say these women don’t shy away from color—think eye-catching nails, dazzling eye shadows and fiery red lips—so it’s not surprising they provide the perfect inspiration for a Spring look that’s muy caliente.

“Beauty is very important to Latin women,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, executive vice president and artistic director of OPI. “It’s a huge part of their individuality and personality. They love nail polish and lipstick. It could be 7 a.m., and they’re already gorgeous and ready for the day.”

In fact, Weiss-Fischmann was so enthralled by the carefree atmosphere she experienced on a trip to Brazil, she decided to dedicate OPI’s Spring 2014 collection to the colorful country. The 12-item line’s high-octane hues range from flamingo pink (“Kiss Me I’m Brazilian”) to soft orange (“Where Did Suzi’s Man-Go?”) to a deep teal (“Amazon… Amazoff”).

Essie’s new 2014 Resort collection also draws inspiration from a tropical paradise, with striking shades that include a cool coral (“Resort Fling”) and deep plum (“Under the Twilight”).

“Nail art and experimentation is crazier than ever,” says Arica Carpenter, brand manager for Cuccio Colour. “The accent ring-finger nail trend has evolved and now we’re seeing manicures with a different color and design for each nail. It’s taken on a life of its own!”

This season’s shadow palettes lend themselves to an exotic, fiesta-inspired look. “One of the most exciting trends for Spring is shades of shimmery gold, bronze and silver, applied on the face, neck and décolleté,” says Randal Hedges, brand ambassador for Jane Iredale. “These colors look amazing on skin in the sun.”

A bright red or coral pout is key to completing this sultry siren look. “The trend of brighter, more defined lips is coming back into style,” he adds.

South of the Border Sensations

1) Youngblood lipstick in Tangelo, ybskin.com
2) Essie polish in Under the Twilight, essie.com
3) Glo-Minerals jeweled eye pencil in Fizz, gloprofessional.com
4) Colorlab lipstick in In Love, colorlabcosmetics.com
5) OPI polish in Amazon… Amazoff, opi.com
6) Keyano EyeShimmer in Sapphire, keyano.com

The sun-kissed, fun-loving All-American, West Coast girl who inspired odes from The Beach Boys in the 1960s seems to be making a comeback! Deliver the California-cool look embraced by the season’s top designers with bright, clean skin and shimmery pastels.

“BB cream is a great way to get that barely-there makeup look this season,” says Mineralogie’s Allyson Harold. “Using fingers to apply cream-based products allows you to really work it into the skin and make it look more natural. Finish off the application with a facial mist or spritz—it sets the makeup and lends a dewy finish.”

Even clients with skin problems should not allow such issues to keep them from sporting this glistening, barely-there look, as another major trend this season is confidence. “Clients can still obtain a lovely, glowing complexion, even if they have a skin disorder,” says Judith August, founder and owner of Judith August Cosmetics. “Don’t allow that disorder to be their main focus. Spa pros should explain to clients that they have the power to control their skin issues and they don’t have to be a burden in their life.”

Annie Mayo, founder and owner of Advanced Mineral Makeup, notes that accenting the eyes with light pastels allows for a soft-yet-lively look. “We’re going to see a lot of soft blues, greens and purples this season,” says Mayo. “Gently washing the lid with these colors can really make them pop.”

While makeup is kept more clean and minimal, nails provide the perfect canvas on which to ride the creative wave. “Get ready for a non-traditional season, where neons, pastels, nudes and primaries all meet for a beautiful, eclectic palette,” says Rachel Schafer, brand manager for China Glaze and Seche (American International Industries brands). China Glaze’s new Sea Goddess collection emulates this sentiment with nail colors “reminiscent of sand meeting water.” The collection features dazzling glitters of light teal (“Teal the Tide Turns”), vibrant turquoise (“Sea Horsin’ Around”) and light lavender (“Tail Me Something”).

“You know how you feel when you’re driving along an open road with the top down in a great convertible?” asks Anne Marie Nicolet, director of marketing for Merle Norman Cosmetics. “That’s the best way to describe the carefree mood of Spring. The color inspiration draws from that mood with flashes of celestial pinks and purples coming into focus.”

So, finish off the look with a peach or light pink gloss, and your client will be ready for a day of coast-side cruisin’!

Beach Babe Must-Haves

1) Judith August masking creme, judithaugustcosmetics.com
2) China Glaze and Seche (American International Industries brands) polish in Sea Horsin’ Around and Conquer the World, aiibeauty.com
3) Mineral Mine Mineral Mist, mineral-mine.com
4) Mineralogie eyeshadow in Lavender Whip, mineralogiemakeup.com
5) Jane Iredale Lip Fixation in Craze, janeiredale.com
6) Youngblood lip tint in Peony, ybskin.com

From the urban chic of Cape Town to the culture-rich terrain of Tunisia, Africa is jam-packed with diverse offerings for the adventurous traveler. So it comes as no surprise that many of the Spring fashion and beauty trends gracing the Spring 2014 runways paid homage to the continent via bold patterns that mix vibrant hues and earth tones.

Clients looking to emulate the daring tribal-goddess look can achieve it via glowing, bronzed skin and nude glossy lips.

To create a tropical glow (without the dreaded UV rays), some tinted moisturizer and a bit of bronzer will do the job. “Bronze skin is in this season!” says Philip Luque, global educator for Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics. “I love that feeling of warmth and the summer sun.”

Offset this natural complexion with jewel-toned shadow and you’re sure to awaken the goddess within. And remember, when working on the eyes, don’t be afraid to color outside the lines for dramatic flair! “Adding highly pigmented pops of color allows for a variety of style statements, from an earthy, aquatic eye to a classically structured cat-eye,” says Glo-Mineral’s Billera.

This look also lends itself to fearless nails that express individuality. “This season’s nail colors, such as those in our Open Road Collection, capture the essence of carefree style in perfected, short shapes,” says Roxanne Valinoti, education manager for CND, citing the six-piece nomad-inspired collection that includes earthy sage (“Sage Scarf”), neutral beige (“Powder My Nose”) and muted red (“Clay Canyon”). “Ombre fades in contrasting colors, variegated shades and earthy textures to create an eclectic, chic look,” she adds.

African Gems

1) Jane Iredale Liquid Eyeliner in Black, janeiredale.com
2) CND Shellac in Sage Scarf, cnd.com
3) Colorlab Bronzer in Luxe, colorlabcosmetics.com
4) OPI polish in OPI Scores A Goal!, opi.com
5) Advanced Mineral Makeup Lipgloss in Nancy, advancedmineralmakeup.com
6) Aveda Eye Color in Viridian, aveda.com

When it comes to fashion and beauty, Europeans are très chic. The vast region includes some of the fashion industry’s most influential cities: Milan, London and, of course, Paris.

The beauty of the European look is that it is fearless, funky and no-holds-barred. From an exaggerated cat-eye, to electric eye shadow, to art-deco nails, delivering a chic, Euro style requires thinking outside the beauty box. “The Spring look lends itself to a clash of old and new cultures with contrasting, vivid pops of color paired with more neutral tones,” says Janell Geason, global artistic director for Aveda.

Experimenting with neons and bright shadows is a must, and while the deep plum and gray smoky eye of the Fall is at a standstill, you can create an updated version of this look employing a more vivid color palette.

Eyeliner application is as creative as ever. All-around eyeliner lends definition to the eyes, creating a sultry stare. The cat-eye trend remains strong too. According to Luque, educating clients on the proper cat-eye protocol often leads to a fun and engaging conversation—and can help boost makeup retail sales. “Line the top of the eye right in the lash line,” instructs Luque. “When doing the wing tip—and this is the part many women get wrong—make sure the wing lines up with the lower lash line so you get a nice upswing. Many women fail to do this, and tend to make the wing drag the eye down.” Experimenting with off-the-wall or interesting fake lashes can also make for an eccentric eye.

And let’s not forget the nails! Wild, unpredictable shapes and colors are a go for this cutting-edge gal. “Spring 2014 color is incredibly spontaneous,” says Shel Pink, founder of SpaRitual. “Look for fun and unpredictable bursts of color. My current color obsession is orange, and my ’right now‘ polish is Wilderness from our Explore collection. It’s a pop of soft orange with texture added.”

According to Karen Bock, owner of Brushes by Karen, when it comes to demonstrating the latest looks for Spring, spa pros need to lead by example. “Spa owners should be wearing the looks themselves,” she explains. “Once complimented, show clients how easy it is to create these looks, and sell them what they need. Employ dynamic product displays and complementary magazine images to excite and inspire them!”

You’re So Euro

1) SpaRitual polish in Wilderness, sparitual.com
2) CND nail additives in Desert Chameleon,cnd.com
3) Lady Burd lipstick in Spearmint, ladyburd.com
4) Cuccio Colour polish in Quick as a Bunny, cuccio.com
5) Glo-Minerals graphic liner in black, gloprofessional.com
6) Ardell (an American International Industries brand) Eye Lashes, aiibeauty.com