This month’s Save Venice Ball in New York City was a parade of floral-print gowns, decorative headpieces, and superfeminine makeup: Think **Lily Aldridge’**s sheer lace evening dress, lush eyelashes and crown of dark red blooms, for example, or **Sofía Sanchez Barrenechea’**s sleek chignon, glossy pink pout, and matching fuchsia embroidered cape. Of the night’s best beauty moments, not one could have been described as edgy—a fact that seemed to register a subtle aesthetic shift.
After almost a decade of trying to master slept-in eyeliner, second-day hair, and model-off-duty style—or, on the flip side, extreme street-style statements—it suddenly feels refreshing to witness the return of pretty. Take, as further evidence, Olivia Palermo, Lauren Santo Domingo, or Caroline Issa, three stylish and oft-photographed women who are rarely captured with a sleek, bouncy, freshly shampooed hair out of place and, it’s worth noting, aren’t likely to be mistaken for being with the band any time soon.
And while rock-’n’-roll sex appeal will always have its place, there’s much to be said for the optimistic allure of bright eyes, glowing skin, and healthily flushed cheeks. Paired with a crisp white button-down shirt, a simple swipe of pink lipstick or a perfectly executed pedicure seem a lot less fussy than putting so much work into looking like you’ve made no effort at all.
Below, our favorite champions of the new polish—but consider this fair warning: Come May, you might actually consider staying in to wash your hair.
