Lincoln Park Resident Shares 2019 Beauty Trend Forecasting

As we notice the days getting longer and green grass beginning to sprout, we know Spring is near, and clients are asking me what I think the new trends will be in fashion and beauty in the spring & summer seasons. Because designers showcase their collections in New York and Europe long before the season arrives, we have a pretty good idea of what will on the streets from the pages of magazines and from store windows. The forecast is that tie dye will make a return. Fringe will be hanging. Neon will make a splash. Sheer clothing will show it all off! Lots of active wear. We will see feathers, polka dots, large floral prints. It will be a celebration of individuality! AND … First Ladies are great influencers of American Style (think Jackie Kennedy, Michelle Obama, Melania Trump), as are celebrities such as the Kardashians and Kanye West, rappers such as Brianna, and models such as Kylie Jenner. The world takes notice of what celebrities do … and they want to follow! All of the forecasts that we mention are easily available at your neighborhood beauty salon, or at beauty outlets like Ulta or Sephora, or online.

But what about the other side of fashion: BEAUTY? What will our hair, makeup, nails look like as we are wearing the latest fashions, what are the hot trends? Beauty professionals go in droves to the (not-for-profit) America’s Beauty Show (March 30-April 1 @ McCormick Place) to find out the latest trends in beauty … and, for the first time ever, consumers will be able to attend a special charity event at ABS that will allow consumers to see how the salon professional learns trends and how to execute same. Here is a manufacturer’s preview of what will be presented … and of trends that you will see on the streets and at a beauty salon near you.

A good place to get the vibe on what colors might emerge is to look at something that fashion designers and cosmetic manufacturers use to determine trends, and that is the release of the Pantone Color of the Year. Recently the big announcement was made, and Pantone proclaimed Living Coral as the Color of the Year. Living Coral has been described as vibrant, yet mellow. It exudes optimism and our need for joyful pursuits. It is both nurturing and nourishing. It speaks to our concerns about the environment. As someone whose favorite pastime is snorkeling, I think Living Coral is an excellent choice! It speaks to my love of the ocean, my need as an urban girl to connect with nature, the desire most of us have to relax and find balance in our hectic lives. It is a soft, happy color. It’s exactly what the world needs right now. It also makes a great lip color, cheek color, eyelid color and nail polish color. It’s flattering on most skin types. So, it’s hard to go wrong with Living Coral!

HAIR & MAKEUP

Speaking of color, when we look at hair fashion, people have been more colorful than ever. Clients who we never thought would wear a fashion shade are asking for a pop of hair color here and there, or an all over color that’s bolder than before. This trend will continue, but we will see less of the whole rainbow all in one head. Colors will still be fun, but a bit less funky. Think sophisticated fun! Many hairdressers/colorists have trained hard to learn complex new color techniques, and this will result in work that looks more professionally done and less like it was done in the kitchen by a friend. We will see colors that seem near impossible to achieve. Hairstyles will remain soft with texture. Long hair will finally be coming above the shoulder and hopefully to the jawline.

In the ethnic markets, we will see a continuation of the trend toward natural hair. Hair and scalp health has become a major concern as many people have experienced hair loss due to tight braids, weaves, improper extension applications, strong chemical processes, mechanical and heat damage from styling. More salons and product lines designed specifically to help people control and enhance their natural texture will emerge.

And, for women and men who suffer from hair loss, there will be more products on the market than ever before. From shampoos, conditioners and treatments, to nutritional supplements, laser caps and micro needling, this market is exploding! The latest craze is PRP, where your blood is drawn and your plasma is injected into your scalp to help stimulate hair growth. This must be done by a doctor. And then there is FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction), where doctors remo ve follicles one at a time - typically from the back of the head - and transplant them where they are needed. They can even be transplanted to the eyebrows and eyelashes. Other options include Micropigmentation; think of a hair tattoo, one hair at time! And new advances in hair systems (prosthetic hair pieces) have gained in popularity. So, until they find the cure for baldness, there are lots of new options for hair loss sufferers.

NAILS

The nail market continues to evolve. The interest for “dip-powder nails,” an alternative to acrylic and gel nails, will remain strong. Nail art will be popular. Expect to see not only fun, hand-painted designs, but patterns, such as stripes and herringbone. And, we will see more professionals specializing in “healthy pedicures” that are done less for glamour and more for good foot care. As Baby Boomers age, the need for these services is on the rise.