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Would you believe that after all these years in the fashion industry, it was my first time to experience the Milan fashion week? Last October, I was invited by MAC cosmetics to take an insider’s look at the Spring/Summer 2004 collections. True to fashion’s fast pace, the week went by like a breeze! Each day was packed with shows, exhibits, openings and parties. Shows would start as early as 8 in the morning. It was like attending classes in school with the whole day filled with scheduled shows. Models-of-the-moment would shuttle from one show to the other – putting on then taking off their makeup and changing their hairstyles for different collections. Watching the shows and seeing the organized chaos backstage made me miss modeling. Milan is one of my biggest regrets. How I wish I tried modeling there!

Function and form are always at their best in Milan. After all, name any high-fashion brand and you will find it in Milan. Everyday life is always a main consideration no matter how extreme or over-the-top the collections are. For the Italians and especially in Milan, fashion is a way of life. It’s just an everyday thing – the catwalk and street wear merge. Looking good is part of their culture. And people from all over the world travel to Milan with one thing in mind – shopping. It’s the brand-name shopping paradise. That is why Giorgio Armani opened his megastore there – it carries his numerous products, from clothes to cosmetics, flowers, chocolates and homeware. Not content, he also sells books and magazines, houses a whole floor of Sony gadgets, a café and a Japanese sushi bar & restaurant. He also just launched a private club. Even Dolce & Gabbana’s new men’s store offers a spa and a martini bar. Then a Burberry megastore opened last year together with new houses for Vivienne Westwood and Helmut Lang. Also much talked about are the store interiors of Alexander McQueen and Marni. Even volume-based and less expensive brands like Zara and H&M could not resist the allure of Milan. Now, Milan no longer only belongs to the high-end fashion labels.

"Gleamy" – this is the new word that describes the look in Milan. It’s about healthy and glowing skin. The finish is natural and transparent. I did not see any powder foundations backstage. Only a little amount of cream-based or liquid foundation was used. Only necessary areas of the face were covered. The new creams are radiant and similar to a plastic finish. It is reflective. Even eye makeup and blush were cream-based. Thanks to technology, this dewy look can be achieved – and can last. Now more than ever, good skin took center stage. Feminine and sensual yet strong and elegant – that’s the woman of the season.

Here are the key looks for summer:

• Glow – Cheekbones are highlighted with peach or pink tones. Always remember that natural is key. So, create a healthy glow as if you’ve just finished a good workout. It’s about dewy cheeks on a hot summer day.

• Gold highlights – Shimmer ruled the runways. Highlight the outer part of the eye toward the cheekbones with gold.

• Shine on – Skin has a dewy sheen, as if you’ve just stepped out of the beach. Everybody loves a sun-kissed tan during the summer. Burnish skin with metal tones of gold and copper.

• Soft – Lips were soft, glossy and natural. Even smoky eyes took a new soft from from bold colors to naturals. Try colors of the sea, mauve, taupe or gray.

• Pouty lips – If you get tired of natural lips, red but sheer and shiny is perfect for summer nights. Think film star glam.

Natural is a summer essential, from skin to eyebrows.

One of MAC’s products has become a beauty keeper. When the Strobe cream was introduced on the market, product junkies fell in love with it. It’s a moisturizer and it makes the skin luminous. It has light deflectors that disguise under-eye darkness and wrinkles. It makes the skin glow. At the end of the day, when your skin starts to look tired, pat a little of the cream to the face to revive your makeup. Try it out. It’s perfect for summer’s skin.

• Wearable and upbeat – From makeup to clothes, that’s what the season is all about in Milan. Remember that no amount of makeup can hide what lies beneath. It is always best to have a clean canvas to achieve summer’s key looks. Take good care of your skin. Drink lots of water. Eat healthy. And, never leave home without sun protection! It’s the best gift you’ll ever give your skin.

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Next week: Milan’s hottest trends.

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Send queries and suggestions to jo@joyceorena.com.