the top 6 of fw16

Fashionweek may be closing up in my Milan and overseas the trends it set for fall are far from over or weak, so here's the top 6 of 16:

Jewel tones:
Emerald was more than just "Oz"as greens, ruby, and shades of crimson ruled the runway. We aren't fans but your local malls will be. 

YSL embodies the lipstick color of the year deep deep red

We all predicted burnt orange lips and lavender lids, with pastel polishes to match this season. After all, these were the shades littering backstage Prada and Vuitton as Pat McGrath, makeup phenom worked her magic. And, these shades will be seen, but so will black. We know, who would have seen that one coming?

A traditionally cold color, we associate black with the winter months. Well now, thanks to Rihanna, Gaga, and Selena, it is going to dominate up until about May. You heard us, it isn't the catwalks or Miuccia Prada who set this standard. It was Tinseltown, who can't let go of this hue, literally. From OPI to Chanel, black is beautiful, especially when it comes to nails and eyes with the re-emergence of winged lids and heavily smoky eyes.

Luckily, NYC and Rimmel help us do both on a budget, as their nail polish and eyeliners run from a cool $.99-$9.99, and can be found at any local drugstore. Yet, there are other ways to rock your makeup and wardrobe this season with black, and we will discuss how you can make this shade of the year work for you at the moment.

Old Color, New Ways

The crimson attack is not limited to eyes or nails as we discussed above. No, this shade is in for spring clothing as well. This classic hue is back in new ways:

1. -Seventies flares This Spring, thanks to Alexander Wang's take on seventies Flares bold lips and colt blocking is back. From pant stripes to tote bags, like the ones we spotted at the Gap for $59.99 and TJ Maxx via Buena for $24.99, anyone can pull off this look.

2. Leopard print but dont overdo it accessorize it Specifically, brown is being paired against jewel shades. From your gym bag to your clutch you can do this too. Add some leopard colored laces to your Reeboks or hang a funky leopard  key-chain on your black tote and you are ready for the gym and bar.

3. Nails-Consider deep purple gold or a reverse mani

4.  Red Eyes-Line your lids with red and work out from there. Pair it with some metallic gold shadow on the outer-lids to avoid goth and stay in season.

5. Get Your Wings-Not by flying commercial, but rather picking up a liquid eyeliner from Rimmel or Maybelline, which are our favs, and follow your inner-lid line as straight as possible, curving the ends up and out like Cleopatra or Sophia Loren about .25 cm past your brow line.

6. Make it Nude-Just like Spring offers a breath of fresh air, so should your wardrobe. Liven up this shade by purchasing it in sequin or metallic form. For example, pair a nude sequin mini with a collared white blouse and perhaps even a mock bow-tie and heels.

Above all, however you rock these colors this season, and further this whole year, don't rock it literally. (In other words, don't take the black too far and become a stereotype. We have Gene Simmons and Van Halen for that.) So next time someone asks you why you are wearing black in the middle of May this year you can say, black is back in how many ways? Answer: All of the above.

xo,

chasing pumas