Lifestyle

HEAVY metal is back in fashion this summer. But it has little to do with music and head-banging. Women everywhere will be twinkling and glowing with the new sparkly shades of metallics.

"We only had to look at Nicolas Guesquiere's metallic leggings at Balenciaga or the sculpted metal at Dolce & Gabbana to know that make-up for this season was going to be about texture and sheen," says NARS make-up artist Jayne Richardson.

"With the 60s influence running through most of the shows, we were drawn back to the contouring on the eye, pale skin and neutral lips.

"Metallic shadows were used to bring it forward into the future, with beautiful contrasts of gold and silver being used at Chanel, or slightly bolder and more textured sheen seen at Prada.

"It was a playground for all things futuristic."

Shimmering metallic eyes in grey, lilac and taupe are the easiest to pull off. They work for the minimal face during the day and can be layered upon for a stunning effect in the evening.

"Focus on the eyes using shine or texture to get the look. Be inspired!" says Jayne.

Make-up artist Mary Greenwell, who has worked with top models including Kate Moss and Penelope Cruz, adds: "Keep any metallics in pure clean shades - with shimmery white silvers and pure warm golds - anything too steely grey or yellow looks cheap, not chic. And you don't want that."

Night time is the right time for Eye Lingerie eye shadow in lace negligee (gold/bronze), £15, from www.powderrooms.com. Or, try Chanel's limited edition Lumiere D'Artifices, left, £29.

You can even mix the new metals. Silver eyeshadow on the eyelid would contrast beautifully with gold liner applied underneath the eye, Mary suggests.

FASHION WORLD HAS GONE WILD FOR FLOWERS - AND DRESSES

FLOWER power may have reigned in the 70s but petals are blooming once again for the summer of 2007.

The fashion world has gone wild over all things floral. Whether you're a fan of bold blooms or whimsical petals, it's the perfect print to showcase this season's bright colours.

"Beautifully vibrant flowers adorn dresses, skirts and jackets this season. It's the loveliest take on fashion's feminine mood," says Lucinda Chambers, Vogue's fashion director.

Floral trends were hot to trot on the catwalks - Alexander McQueen wowed with pretty petals on ball gowns and Chloe showcased retro prints to add some flower power to the spring/summer collection.

Lucinda says: "Designers have revisited florals: their abstract approach has made flower prints look fresh again."

Bring out your girly side and get swept up in this summer's floral fever.

So what are the floral staples setting the fashion world alight? This season's hottest buy, the dress, is the perfect piece to parade the trend to the fullest.

Lucinda says they make great staples: "Simple floral dresses are good day-to-night options."

To be bang on trend, hemlines should either be thigh scrapers or floor sweepers. Go short and sweet with Kookai's retro print floral shift, £49, or Warehouse's floral silk mini tunic dress, £60. If you're feeling pasty, cover up your pins with Primark's floral maxi dress, £10, or Warehouse's printed floral maxi dress, £45.

A pretty floral coat will really show the world you mean business on the bloom front. Try on Jesire's pretty spring garden printed linen coat, £165, or Betty Jackson Black's linen floral print swing jacket, £85, at Debenhams.

10:21am Friday 4th May 2007

Try these Body Shop Shimmer Cubes, £14, for a quick, funky look, or, left, NARS Liquid Eyeliner in Showgirl, £20.50 from Space NK.

Hot stuff like this W: Limited Edition floral print silk dress, £65.

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