As you get your spring and summer wardrobe in order, take some inspiration from a top international make-up artist to complete your new season look.

According to make-up artist to the stars Joseph Hernandez – who has worked with everyone from actress Dame Helen Mirren to supermodel Kate Moss – there are two key trends to look out for in the make-up world as the seasons change.

The first focuses on the eyes – using heavy, metallic shades paired with lots of mascara.

The French man, who is based near Toulouse but travels the world covering catwalk shows and professional shoots, says it was a look used by designers including Georgio Armani and Roberto Cavelli at the launch of their new season collections.

The other is far more 'fresh and feminine' – featuring softer colours from what he calls a 'marshmallow' palette to create a 'doll-like' look.

He says this was the look more favoured by design houses including Chanel and Louis Vuitton at their spring / summer catwalk shows.

Joseph says: “The first look is very dramatic and strong, using metallic silvers and golds – some of the designers even used real gold leaf on the catwalks – as well as greys and blues.

“The eyes definitely have more emphasis than the lips, which, along with the skin, are kept sheer. It's about making your skin look very transparent, like you're not wearing foundation.

“The other is more feminine using a palette of pinks and softer, sugary colours that are really pretty. It features long lashes, using either mascara or false lashes, and pink circled cheeks. There's also a much more glossy pout – in pinks, softer browns, golds and neutrals.”

He also urged women not to shy away from red lips.

“They would be great with the 'pretty' look,” he says. “I know it's one of those colours women can be afraid of, but if you're a bit tired or worn down this can wake you up, brighten up your look, and give you back some of your va-va-voom.”

Joseph said good skin was key to both looks, stressing the importance of a structured skin care routine using a good cleanser, toner, moisturiser, and increasingly, serum.

As a freelancer now working with Elizabeth Arden, it's no surprise to hear him praise their new Premiere collection of day, night and eye anti-ageing creams.

But the 46-year-old adds: “They really are brilliant.

“The texture is really nice, and the results are fantastic.”

Skin is so important to him since his signature style is 'modern, sheer and polished'.

“I like my make-up to emphasise the skin, not to cover it up,” he explains.

“I want to use make-up to make people notice the person – to make them say, 'wow she has got beautiful eyes', rather than 'wow, she is wearing a lot of eye shadow'.”

It's for this reason Joseph is keen to stress that whatever new looks are out there as we welcome spring and summer, you should always work to your own strengths.

“At the end of the day it's about what suits you,” he says.

“Fashion only gives you guidelines, and it's nice to mix and match.”

Joseph will be appearing at the Trafford Centre's Beauty Magic week, performing make-overs in the Boots store on February 4 and 5. For more information about the event, which includes demonstrations of the latest beauty products and treatments from beauty experts, visit http://www.traffordcentre.co.uk/beautymagicshowcase.

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