Beauty & the Brush

Go from simple to chic in minutes with 2010's hottest looks.

The time has come to say adieu to 2010. This has been an interesting year to say the least - we witnessed Europe immobilised by volcanic ash, the much anticipated release of the Apple iPad, the first ever Fifa World Cup on African soil, and of course, the launch of The Express Tribune. In fashion, everything was bigger and bolder, and the beauty world is no exception. Out of the hundreds of looks created on this year’s catwalks, we’ve chosen our favourite beauty trends of 2010.

Cat/Winged Eyeliner

While this style was by no means new, celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Lauren Conrad made it cool again. Ladies both in and out of Pakistan brought out their inner Sharmila Tagore and flipped out their liquid liners to encompass their eyes. Why did we all love this look so much? Not only did it take a quarter of the time a detailed smokey eye look demanded, but even with minimal blush and lipstick we still managed to resemble the subtly sexy bombshells of the 60s.

Jewel-toned Shadows and Liners

Makeup artists around the world finally heard our pleas and moved away from the staple black/brown combination of smokey eyes. 2010 was all about creative eye looks, with celebrity trendsetters seen in shades from Barbie pink to canary yellow. Those who wished to stick to the classic darker shades opted instead for aubergine tones and sapphire blues. The fun colours of the year were not just reserved for shadow-savvy consumers. Ladies who were a bit gun-shy were able to make their eyes pop with vibrant liners. Vivid peepers were best matched with nude blushes and lips.

Bright Lips

Rihanna has had some pretty questionable beauty moments this year, including her latest Raggedy Ann red hairstyle.

However, she got the biggest trend of 2010 spot on - dramatic lips.

From corals and crimsons to grape and shocking pink hues, makeup counters were lined with colours from every shade of the rainbow. Planning on rocking this look on new year’s eve. The idea is to pair your flirty lips with minimal makeup. Keep your cheeks pale along with your eyelids. A simple swipe of mascara will add a little polish.

Braids

Forget the latest Prada clutch, this year’s must have accessory was the loose side-braid. Made popular by Serena van der Woodsen on “Gossip Girl”, ladies everywhere were spotted mimicking the big braids. The look was soft, feminine, and easy in a pinch when blow-drying hair became a chore. Especially popular with the Hollywood crowd was the fishtail braid, or the khajuri choti. Not familiar with the phenomenon? Enter a quick search into YouTube and dozens of how-to videos will pop up. Experiment with the look and sport it at this new year’s eve.

Edgy nails

Loud nails been making their way onto the scene for a while now, but this was the year the trend really exploded. From teal to metallic, neon to greige - funky coloured nails were seen on red carpets and in coffee shops alike. A fan of this look? Just remember to keep your nails well trimmed. After all, we don’t remember kitsch being en vogue this year.

Happy 2011 to all our readers!

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2010.