Spring/Summer 2015 Color Trends

  • Fresh-faced complexions and contoured cheekbones remain a major look.
  • The next generation of soft hues employs a dirty pretty edge, with hints of shadowy grey undertones.
  • The popularity of temporary metallic tattoos inspires cosmetics to follow suit, prompting an influx of jewelry-emulating makeup such as faux ear and lip rings created with metallic liquid liner.
  • Nails have been a place to experiment with an unconventional palette of blues. As a result, blue has catapulted to popularity in other areas of beauty.

Spring/summer 2015 is one of experimentation. Color application is becoming more liberal and spontaneous, moving to unexpected places like the brows, earlobes and at the roots of hair.

Many of the trends from fall/winter 2014–15 continue into spring/summer 2015. In particular, fresh-faced complexions and contoured cheekbones remain a major look. Dewy skin continues to shine with the addition of glossy highlights on high points of the face.

Read on to discover the most enticing hues of the season.

Haute Apricot

Peachy hues emerge as a fresh, color-tinted variety of spring neutral. These nectar-inspired hues provide a luminous, girl-next-door glow on skin, with a dash of innocence, capitalizing on a growing desire for a simple, lighthearted approach to beauty—and daily life. Cheeks and lips flush apricot with a touch of gold, while nails take on more intense tangerine hues that channel a playful, happy-go-lucky vibe.

On the runway, these shades are being utilized by Ralph Lauren, Erdem and Nicole Miller.

Shaded Pastels

Subtle, muted hues emerge as a counterpoint to the deep saturates of fall/winter 2014-15.

These nouveau pastels are not the sweet tints of seasons past. Texture is paramount, taking on chalky finishes to further update the look. This next generation of soft hues employs a dirty pretty edge, with hints of shadowy grey undertones, emphasizing the growing complexity of the modern woman’s taste. Pale dusty blue and lilac are favored varieties On the runway, these shades are being utilized by Dior (also launching pastel eyeliner stickers), Badgley Mischka and Sally LaPointe.

CultuRED

There is an undercurrent of nostalgia for the 1980s, and the reemergence of red is leading the movement.

This classic hue signals power and strength, a theme that has grown in importance over the past two decades. Nothing says bold-faced confidence and self-assurance like an almighty red.

On lips, the color takes on slightly blue cast, evolving from warmer incarnations of seasons past. Cheeks also veer cool. Nails take on the timeless hue with a sense of novelty, after the rainbow of polishes in recent years.

On the runway, these shades are being utilized by Zac Posen, Burberry Prorsum and Versus.

The Midas Touch

Gold makes a bold statement this season, maximizing impact with considered application (location, location, location!). A little gilt goes a long way, with poignant touches of metallic shine in all the right—and unexpected—places.

The popularity of temporary metallic tattoos inspires cosmetics to follow suit, prompting an influx of jewelry-emulating makeup such as faux ear and lip rings created with metallic liquid liner. While this edgy application may not be for the faint of heart (or traditionalist), subtle touches of bronze and gold hold appeal for sophisticates while retaining a nod to the wild side.

On the runway, these shades are being utilized by Dries Van Noten, Anthony Vaccarello and Anna Sui.

Cue the Blue

Hues of blue continue to shine for spring/summer 15. Most coveted for their fresh cool appeal, these shades are at once tranquil and energetic.

Recent seasons have seen denim-inspired tones adorning nails, using the hands as a safe zone to experiment with such an unconventional palette. As a result, blue has catapulted to popularity in other areas of beauty.

From aquamarine to deep cerulean, a big focus is on the eyes, which shimmer in a variety of smudged, smoked, winged and washed applications. The most adventurous dare to bare a moody pout, but this still remains a fringe color for lips.

Matte, gloss and pearl finishes meet in various combinations—creating diverse, dynamic textures to emulate nature’s most luminous, iridescent influences.

On the runway, these shades are being utilized by Fendi, Jean Paul Gaultier and Armani.

Roseanna Roberts has served as the director of color trends at The Color Association of the United States (CAUS) since 2010. During her time with CAUS, she spearheaded the launch of the beauty forecast—the first new committee to be added to the association in more than 20 years. Roberts also works as a color and trend consultant in New York. Contact her at [email protected], and peruse more of her work at roseannaroberts.com.

More in News