With each year comes new beauty possibilities, new experiments, and new trends. As we reflect halfway through 2017 (can you believe it!?), we are reporting on the new, fun, and exciting makeup looks that have been brought to the forefront this year, and will continue to withstand the test of time!

While these are a set of beauty trends that you can follow and always use as a guide for beauty inspiration, keep in mind to always stay true to yourself (and/or your client’s aesthetic!) and expand on these looks to create a vision that is uniquely your own and artistically you.

Dark Lips

Think wine stained lips, dark reds and brown ombre. There is something about the intensity of this look combined with the fresh eyes that were on the runway. Effortless, with a touch of provocative darkness.

Two-Tone Lips

I’m sure you’ve seen this look on your favorite Instagram stars? We love it! This style may seem more suitable for the runway or editorial department, but with the right color pairings, you can add this to your daily look. The two tones will actually highlight the dimension of your lips (if properly blended), and you really don’t have to go crazy with the colors, a gorgeous shade of matte red on the upper lip combined with a deeper variation on the bottom will do trick. At a distance the two colors will look the same, but from close up, it will give you the playfulness you are looking for.

Blush it Up

This year’s blush look is anything but subtle (and this look is especially perfect for the coming Summer months as we regain our sunkissed glow!). MAC pigment works great for this look, but be sure not to go overboard. A subtle pop of color and flush will go a long way!

Gloss it Up

We are not only talking about the lips, eyelids can even apply here too (and a touch of gloss on the skin lends for the perfect cheekbone or collarbone sheen)! A touch of shimmer highlights the best features and will create the perfect youthful glow.

Watercolor Eyes

Pastels! Think of a mix of lavender, aqua, and gold shadows – you are the artist! This look brings a surreal delicacy to the makeup world; a romantic and artistic fairy world meets fashion, and transforms it into beauty! 

Smudgy Eye

If pastels are not your thing, and you are more of a smoky eye type of girl or guy, then you have to try the smudgy eye. As seen on the runway of Christopher Kane, where a patchy eyeshadow represented cigarette ash. Over at Balmain and Altuzarra where you can see how the black liner was used to create a bold smudgy finish. Meanwhile at Rag & Bone kohl liner was applied to give a "late night, early morning" feel. What does that mean for you? If your liner is a little smudged out, it's no longer a big deal – messy can truly be the new cool (with the right look of course!)

Glitter Heaven

Glitter is definitely still going strong. This is the perfect opportunity to fulfill your editorial dreams, as glitter always photographs so well! Some great new trend tips – used in your cut crease, scattered below your lashline, as a highlight, the opportunities are endless!

Powerful Brows

A beauty staple of the past few seasons, statement brows are here to stay. And what better way to tie your entire look together than framing your face with a beautifully bold brow? They don’t need to be perfectly trimmed or arched – in fact, some extra hairs are a good thing (though we’re not sure how we feel about the “feather-caterpillar brow” that’s taken Instagram by storm) – they should still look groomed. To get the look, try brow gels with fibers for added thickness.