Makeup artist Athena Skouvakis Talks Spring/Summer 2010 Beauty

Collection 2000 makeup artist Athena Skouvakis is best known for creative and gorgeous beauty looks that make her a regular fixture backstage at high profile fashion shows from Dior and Versace, to Viktor & Rolf and PPQ.

Athena highlights the hottest 2010 catwalk beauty trends across Face, Eyes, Lips and Nails and reveals her top tips on how to recreate these fashionably fun looks without blowing the budget.


Face

Skin was big news this season...luminous and dewy looking skin with pretty cheek colours in pink pastels (at Nicole Farhi) or sunkissed skin (at Jaeger) reminiscent of Lauren Hutton in the 70's. To achieve this yourself make sure you look after your skin, use the right foundation for your skin type and perhaps use false tan a few times a week to keep your skin looking healthy and sun kissed without the harmful UVA rays. Always exfoliate your skin before using false tan for an even coverage. Use cream blushes that are sheer to give your skin a dewy finish and keep powder to a minimum.
Catwalk inspiration: Throughout the shows skin was luminous, polished glowing with creamy sheer blushes at Jaeger, Aquascutum, Betty Jackson, Erdem and Burberry Prorsum.
Get the look for less: New Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Foundation (£5.86) and Lasting Perfection Concealer (£3.91) are the base essentials to create a flawless look. Both products offer up to 16 hours of flawless wear to ensure you look picture perfect all day long.

Build a healthy glow with Collection 2000 Shimmer & Shade (£3.99), a handy 3-in-1 highlighter, bronzer and highlighter product which is ideal for warming the skin and contouring the face.

Eyes

At Luella colour was strong on the eyes in red, black and vivid blue taken right up to the brow line. To make this style more wearable in your day to day life, just use less pigment to make it more sheer and use it only on the eyelid remembering to blend it really well. You do not need to go dramatic if you are not feeling it, sometimes less is more! Make sure to apply the colour carefully and start with a small amount of pigment, building it up with a brush as you go to make it stronger or keep minimal for a pretty and natural look.
Remember one colour doesn't always suit all. I usually use yellows, reds and mauves on girls with blue or green eyes and blues and greens on girls with brown eyes but if you really love something on yourself then there are no strict rules. It is important to be comfortable with the colour you are wearing whatever the trend.

Catwalk inspiration: The key styles for the eyes that stood out for me for S/S 2010 ranged from the Graphic Samurai lines at Antonio Berardi, bold Red and Aqua at Luella and pastels in Lavender and Green at Nicole Farhi.

Get the look for less: The new Collection 2000 Eye Palettes (£3.91 each) have all the shades you need in one compact carrier. Available in either Angelic (a selection of muted earthy shades) or Pop-tastic! (bold brights) these palettes offer an impressive payoff in an array of colours that really pack a punch. For a more space-age take on this key trend, add depth and some sparkle using the new Collection 2000 Glam Glitter Eye Wands (£2.93) and line the lids with the new Glam Metallic Liquid Liners (£2.93).





Lips & Tips

Strong lip colour is going to be very fashionable this season, so if you are a lip girl and want to try the strong reds and corals remember to keep your eyes pretty and sheer by simply dusting a translucent shimmer and lots of mascara or no colour on the eyes with maybe a black liquid eyeliner - just keep it simple.

In contrast nude, glossy lips always look good in the warmer months, but this season stick to something sheer in earth tones or light pink.

Finally, Nails were mainly in nudes and creamy colours at most of the shows this season with hints of coral and red again.....the main rule is just have fun with it all!

Catwalk inspiration: From balmy pink at lips at Luella and Aquascutum, strong, sexy Coral and Mauve Red lips and nails at House of Holland and Nude nails and lips at Mathew Williamson.

Get the look for less: For intense lip colour, try Collection 2000 Colour Extreme Lipstick (£3.49). It comes in 11 eye-popping shades and is enriched with shea butter for maximum poutability. Try Playful (coral) or Frenzy (deep plum rose) to recreate this catwalk style. If nude is more your thing, opt for Love Your Lips Balmgloss (£3.99). It comes in six fruit-inspired flavours offering moisturising lip colour and an SPF20. Try Delight (pretty light pink) or Tender (nude with a light shimmer) both are fantastic on their own or worn over your favourite lipstick.

For nails

Change your colour as often as your style with Collection 2000 Hot Looks Nail Polish (£1.79) - a collection of ten scorching shades to keep tips looking seriously sassy.

Thanks to Athena Skouvakis for these top tips!