The spring 2016 I-don’t-give-a-shit call to individuality continues, initially making its way into our wardrobes in the form of Courtney Love-inspired grunge, and street-appropriate lingerie, and now, it’s rebelled it’s way into our beauty routines through daring new haircuts, brazen dashes of glitter, and unexpected colour palettes.

The spring 2016 runways favoured bold gestures, and celebrated unique styles that reminded us of the fun we used to have when experimenting with our mother’s make-up as young children (but applied much better, might I add). The whole no make-up, make-up phenomenon is still going strong, but the season’s colour game was an even stronger one, with shades of blue and pink popping up on the runways at Diane von Furstenberg and Christian Dior. Rather than a frosty, subtle shade of blue, Marc Jacobs offered us a graphic look smudged atop the eyelids accompanied by a sporadic hint of glitter, while at Chanel and Missoni, more than just a hint of blue was applied outside of the lines (if you know what I mean).

Shades of electric blue weren’t the only colours of our past that have made a comeback. At Lanvin and Christian Dior, pastel shades of pink appeared in a subtle way on model’s eyelids, while Max Mara went in a more daring direction and applied a neon shade of the same pretty much everywhere but models eyelids (see: eyebrows), proving there is really no wrong way to delve into this versatile palette.

And just as our favourite looks of the ’90s made their appearances down the runway at Saint Laurent and Alexander Wang, the decade proved to be alive and well in the beauty department as well. Matte shades of brown adorned models lips’ at Givenchy and Burberry, baby bangs and fluorescent hues caught our attention at Christopher Kane, and the quintessential ’90s grunge look complimented by smudged eyeliner and pale skin stayed strong at Marques ‘ Almeida and Sonia Rykiel.

If you needed a break from all the daring colour choices of the season, designers by the likes of Alexander McQueen, Prabal Gurung, and Isabel Marant embraced a refreshing take on (no make-up) make-up, and healthy, glowing skin, while swirls of tawny blush subtly heightened features at Rodarte, Michael Kors, and Balmain.

And if you’ve began to feel a little bored by the image of natural, dewy faces you’ll be excited to hear that glitter is back (in many forms). From dense sparkles atop eyelids at Creatures of the Wind, glued-on glitter slightly above the eyelid at Giambattista Valli, and sparkle-coated lips (yes, lips) at Prada, this season proved that glitter is not only appropriate to wear on your face, but it is now appropriate to wear just about anywhere on your face.

Speaking of face, let’s move our attention slightly upwards to our hairlines and talk about this season’s mane-spiration (get it?). When it comes to hair, ponytails, twists and braids conveyed a relaxed polish that can be executed inside the gym and the red carpet. And finally, bangs, bobs, and buzzcuts seem to be having their moment in the spotlight right now, nodding to the strong, individualistic woman who isn’t afraid to chop it all off (or simply to the lazy girl who can’t be bothered to deal with her hair day-to-day, whatever works).

Without further ado, here are the top 16 beauty trends of Spring 2016.

FRENCH INVASION

Designers by the likes of Tibi, Cushnie et Ochs, and Jonathan Simkhai paid homage to the good old french manicure, bringing the trend back in an assortment of modern ways. From dark outlines, to geometric shapes, the french manicure has been re-designed to cater to the individualistic needs of women participating in contemporary beauty trends.

BLUE SUMMER

From Chanel’s pastel blue mask that took over everything from eyes to brows and bridge of nose, to Missoni’s painterly smudge of cyan, it’s safe to say that blue reigns as the colour of the season – but the sea of blue didn’t stop there. At Diane von Furstenberg, smudges of turquoise combined with ocean blue drawn around the lids emulated mer-makeup (get it?), while graphic swipes of the shade at Marc Jacobs demonstrated an edgier take on the trend.

’90s KIDS

Smudged liner at Sonia Rykiel, choppy bangs at Christopher Kane, and brown lips at Givenchy proved that fashion’s obsession with the ’90s showed no signs of slowing down. At Marques ‘ Almeida, the era came by way of grungy brown eyeliner smeared across (and underneath) the eyes, while models at Chloe donned a stroke of pigment in the waterline, another key to looking like you just walked out of a time machine.

LOUD MOUTHS

Loud mouths – my personal favourite, has always been the best way to make a statement with makeup. It is obvious that the classic red lip is nothing new, but this season, it’s power was made clear at certain shows that had only a handful of girls wearing it, speaking to the overall theme of individuality this season. The one-look-fits-all approach may be long behind us, but labels like Dolce & Gabbana, Acne Studios, and Nina Ricci proved that a crimson lip is the ultimate power weapon.

ORNAMENTAL HAIR

This season, hair accessories received a more modern, more mature upgrade from the butterfly clips of our past (although the ’90s is still alive and well on the runway), with rustic floral embellishments clipping back models hair at Rodarte, and Courtney Love-inspired tiaras at Saint Laurent (okay, maybe not that mature, but you get the idea). If the regal approach to accessories isn’t for you, take a cue from Dolce & Gabbana, where models rocked fruit and floral embellished headbands prominently across their heads. Or, keep it simple, like at Mary Katrantzou, with a black ribbon.

POUR SOME GLITTER ON ME

The best part about this season’s glitter trend is that it isn’t confined to the lids of your eyes. Pat McGrath’s highly coveted pigment made its appearance on models lips at Prada, a look you can achieve by simply brushing on golden gloss or re-purposing a metallic shadow. If you aren’t feelin’ the whole glitter-lip thing, you can take a cue from Giambattista Valli who had a multitude of glitter stick-ons placed above models’ eyelids, or Creatures of the Wind who channeled Ke$ha with an entirely gold lid. Bold is the way to go, and this one is not for the faint of heart.

PERSONALIZED PONIES

This season’s call to individuality continues in the form of personalized ponies. Balmain’s high, slick variation was suited for a modern day army, while Balenciaga’s was more of laidback, bed-time approach to the ponytail looped at the nape of the neck. Marni adopted a more playful approach, twisting models’ hair into two low pigtails. Why have one of the season’s hottest trends when you can have two?

SUNSET STREAKS

This season’s colour palette was anything but boring, and just as a sea of blues appeared on models’ eyes at Chanel and Missoni, Lanvin and Christian Dior introduced a more delicate addition to the palette in the form of pale pinks. Max Mara went for a more dramatic take on the sunset streaks, covering everything but models’ eye lids in the shade (you’ll see what I mean).

BANGS, BOBS & BUZZCUTS

Say goodbye to long locks and luscious waves this season, because bangs, bobs and buzzcuts are the ultimate way to make a statement and personalize your look. Designers abandoned uniform waist-length hair in favour of choppy bangs (at Alexander Wang), above the shoulder crops (at Fendi), and buzz cuts (at Versace). Is there anything more personal than a signature statement haircut?

NO MAKEUP, MAKEUP

That au naturale look is back for another season as designers by the likes of Alexander McQueen, Prabal Gurung, and Isabel Marant embraced a refreshing take on no make-up, make-up, and healthy, glowing skin, while swirls of tawny blush subtly heightened features at Rodarte, Michael Kors, and Balmain.

TWISTED MINDS

While personalized ponies proved best in creating that carefully curated lazy-girl look, twisted minds (and by minds, I mean hair), proved to be the best artfully simple solution to pulling hair away from your face for spring 2016. Inspired by postcards from Cuba (Proenza Schouler), soul singer Sade (Celine), and simply, urban life at Public School, each different version of the twist offers us different ways to embrace our individuality (once again).

GO FOR THE BRONZE

From well-tanned surfers and beach babes at DSquared2 and Tommy Hilfiger, to sun-kissed skin at Balmain and Michael Kors, designers delivered us a range of bronzed goddesses that will get you hyped for the summer.

GLOSSED OVER

Dewy skin has made its way back into the beauty game in recent seasons (despite the plethora of matte contouring techniques and Kylie Lip Kits flaunted by the Kardashians). “He likes the idea that they’ve been out all night sweating,” said Francois Nars of Marc Jacobs’ East Village muse. The glossed over look was achieved by skipping foundation, and applying a layer of vaseline to the lids, cheekbones, and under eyes. At Opening Ceremony, models flaunted a slightly sweaty look achieved with clear lip gloss, while models at Marchesa embraced the dewy look on the bridge of their noses and chins, proving that there are a number of creative ways to achieve this coveted look (actually sweating may also be one of them).

LASH ATTACK

When it comes to lashes this season, the stranger the better. Heavy-handed mascara application and artists’ love of false lashes created the extreme fringes found at Marni, Mary Katrantzou, and Louis Vuitton.

VAMPY LIPS

While red lips proved to be a winner (again) this season, a grungier (slightly scarier) take on the trend was also introduced. At Givenchy models donned deep shades of brown, while Burberry and Miu Miu illustrated the lip-look of the season with deep shades of plum.

SKETCHY OUTLINES 

Graphic eyeliner was another standout look on the runways, in many different forms. From sketched waterlines at Cushnie et Ochs and BCBG Max Azria, to thick outlines above the eyelids at Fendi, bold liner proved its versatility this season going from pretty to punk in just a few swipes.