Fashion's Top Makeup Styles

How To Step Up Your Style

I love flipping through fashion magazines and looking at the makeup styles, hair, fashion, you name it.  Inspiration is everywhere .   Almost every modern makeup look we see has its roots in the fashion world.  There were numerous creative minds at work trying to complete the artistic vision of a fashion designer through the makeup; a marketing director, a makeup artist,  a style director,  and a photographer, to mention a few. 

Below you will find nine makeup styles that are the are the most popular looks designers like to use.  They are regularly seen on catwalks, in advertisements, fashion editorials, on models and yes, on celebrities. 

At least one of these makeup styles listed is bound to resonate with your personal style and, even better, get you excited.

* Listed in order of least amount to greatest amount of detectable makeup.

Note:  "Glamour" spelling correct for both British English and American written practice.

1. Natural	2. Minimalist	3. Natural Beauty Chic
4. Modern Classic	5. Modern Glamour	6. Vintage Glamour
7. Diva Glamour	8. Cutting Edge	9. Avant Garde

Seasons may change, along with palettes, but these nine makeup styles have staying power.  They are a spectrum of types of looks that represent our collective style interests and the images that illustrate them have been collected from the pages of some of the most successful fashion magazines in the world (Vogue, Elle, InStyle).

Top Makeup Styles From Natural To Avant Garde

1. Natural

Natural style is the only non-makeup, makeup style on this list, but it is also a prevalent look on the pages of fashion magazines. It has its own style of beauty in its raw, honest take.  (Refer to the above image, page 1. and 2.)

The makeup worn is completely low key, and for the most part, purely functional. Lightweight foundation for even complexion, concealer for blemishes and dark circles, a touch of barely detectable blush and mascara and natural tint lip balm. That's it.

2. Minimalist

Minimalism is a term often heard in fields of design like visual art and architecture.  It describes the pursuit of creating designs that allow the subject matter to define its beauty through its core elements.  The simplicity of the design allows the innate beauty of those elements to shine.  

In terms of fashion, minimalistic design is a common pursuit amongst designers but only a handful are purists with complete collections, season after season, reflecting that design philosophy.   A clothing piece or accessory is at its most beautiful when its core elements lines, shape, texture and color, define it.  Added extraneous design details are considered distraction.

Some of the more well known designers with the "less is more" philosophy on designing are Calvin Klein, Jil Sander, Helmut Lang, and Reed Krakoff.  (Refer to above image, magazine page 7.)

What are the distinguishing design elements of minimalist makeup?  Think in terms of classic Calvin Klein clothing ads. The makeup appears to be 'barely there", clean, beautiful, sculptural and is secondary to the main focus on the facial features themselves ( refer to Minimalist face in above photo collage). The makeup does not reconfigure, hide or distract your attention away from the natural look of the face. MORE on minimalist makeup style...

3. Natural Beauty Chic

Natural beauty is a concept which is fairly self explanatory.  The appearance of beauty  in something naturally occurring (often used to describe nature's wonders).

Natural Beauty Chic is a makeup style term I came up with to describe the fresh look of natural beauty, with the ideals of natural beauty stylized and heightened.  The end result is fresh faced, youthful, pretty, with the appeal of a low key makeup style.  (Refer to the above image, page 3. and 4.)

Many top fashion houses opt for this style in their ad campaigns.  One of the most obvious examples is Ralph Lauren's ads that always feature this makeup style with larger than life "natural looking" beauties.  As you can see above, this is also the beauty style of Banana Republic, and Hugo Boss.   MORE on natural beauty chic...

4. Modern Classic

When something is classic, we are referring to a style that is characterized by excellent qualities setting the bench mark in its field.   Classics never go out of style and they always reflect good taste.

Modern classic makeup refers to styling with high standards; precision, skill, knowledge, and taste. The look is sophisticated,  and polished without excess or drama...some might describe it as tastefully gorgeous.  Chanel, Tommy Hilfiger, Oscar de la Renta, and Lacoste (as seen above on page 5.) style and ads epitomize the feel well, with MORE on modern classic makeup ...

5. Modern ('Jet Set') Glamour

Glamour, is defined as allure and describes a fairly overt display of attractive design qualities, with a definite feminine spin.  It's the descriptive term 'jet set' that may leave you unsure of its meaning. 'Jet Set' was a term writers coined originally, to refer to those with the money and means to fly in the early days of commercial air travel.  These days it also refers to a certain  V.I.P  type crowd whose lifestyles have a lot of appealing qualities including travel. 

In terms of makeup styles, "Jet Set" describes a clear modern edge to glamorous detailing, and has less of a "girlie girl" feel. Michael Kors magazine ads. His beautiful model Carmen Kass, wears makeup that is glamorous, notable, feminine but also very modern and stylish.  Add to this, the activities taking place in the series of ads are yachting, shopping, red carpet moments, and strolling in the park (definitely fitting the "Jet Set" definition). 

Glamour on its own incorporates feminine flare but not necessarily great style ( not long ago Hollywood glamour, before the days of personal stylists, could be more than a little quirky).

Back to Carmen, envision soft smoky eyes, defined full lips, and a sun kissed radiant complexion. Designers that use this look to compliment their fashions?...Michael Kors, BCBG Max Azria, Stella McCartney and yes, even Giorgio Armani these days. MORE on 'Jet Set' Glamour Makeup...

6. Vintage Glamour

In terms of a makeup look, vintage glamour is a style that is making reference to 'Old Hollywood", circa mid 20th Century.  There are many actresses that I could list but Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Jane Russel, Rita Hayworth, and Jane Mansfield should start helping you visualize the look.  Every element of the makeup was stylized; dramatic winged black liner, arched brows and bold red lips.

This look has appeared in many current fashion magazine ads including Bebe, YSL, Stephen Dueck, Chanel and Georges Marciano has launched models into stardom with this look (remember Claudia Schiffer and her Bridget Bardot look).  It is currently the 'go to' look for many A list celebrities like Gwen Stefani, Scarlett Johansson, and Angelina Jolie. 

Applying makeup in Vintage Hollywood Glamour styling has very distinct elements, more...

7. Diva Glamour

Diva glamour is the complete package of lavish and exuberant expression, from head to toes.  The makeup style is often a combination of playful use of color, line and extras, and high impact style.   Diva-esque celebrities include Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Catherine Zeta Jones, Nicole Kidman, Madonna and Cher (still) .  Designers who express this look and feel, not only in their designs, but in the makeup for their ad campaigns include Versace, Valentino, Yves St Laurent, Gucci. MORE...

8. Cutting Edge

Cutting edge style, as in the fashion, displays very fashion forward, style details.  The style can appear slightly avant garde, since it is often the introduction to a trend on its way, and pushing the "what is aesthetic" envelope but still displaying a recognizable beauty ideal.  Anna Sui, Marc Jacobs epitomize the artistic fashionista. MORE...

9. Avant Garde

Avant garde design is usually slightly off mainstream appeal and usually expresses a certain artistic intensity.  The makeup usually delivers a harder edge, with greater dramatic expression, and they are NOT always beautiful (although can be). 

There really is no 'how to' for this one as they are often more of an impromptu, artistic self expression.  The beauty style parameters that most of us work within, are not always evident (out of balance design may be exactly what the look is about).  They are, however, always eye catching...Designers like Christian Lacroix, Max Mara and Alberta Ferretti really bring to life thought provoking artistic statement making.

Last word on fashion's top makeup styles...

Something on this list of nine had to appeal to you.  Trust your reaction and give it a try.

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