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Life continues to evolve. So does the concept of beauty. As 2010 draws to an end, 2011 promises a whole new start and a fresh perspective on what looking and feeling fabulous should mean.

Every year, Pantone Color Institute — the global authority that largely sets the color standards for the fashion and design industries — announces the new trends for the coming season.

In keeping with the tradition, this month the institute proclaimed the vibrant and energetic hue known as honeysuckle to be the hot color of 2011, a perfect match for what it anticipates to be a tough year for business.

“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits,” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone Color Institute, wrote in the group’s press release. “Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going — perfect to ward off the blues.”

The experts at the institute aren’t the only ones predicting up-and-coming colors. During Jakarta Fashion Week last month, considered by many a preview of the new year’s hot local trends, soft makeup that emphasized a natural, healthy glow were featured on the cheeks of many of the models.

“The colors peach, coral and bronze match perfectly with the skin tones of Indonesian women and will give them a fresh and natural blush,” said Qiqi Franky, a celebrity makeup artist.

Perhaps to contrast this naturalistic look, strong and vibrant eye makeup seemed to be a trend throughout Fashion Week. For example, smoky eyes, a makeup technique that creates a dramatic look, was frequently seen in shades of green or soft purple tones.

“Smoky eyes have been a makeup trend for five years and they seem to be here to stay,” said Carry Hidayat, a freelance makeup artist.

“But there’s a trend now to replace dark colors used in the technique with cool, ice colors, such as purple, green or gray, which are then blended with warm colors such as beige or peach so that the eyes look more strong and dramatic, yet less scary.”

At Fashion Week, lips featuring strong colors such as red and dark purple were paired with neutral, golden-toned eye makeup, while softer pink, peach and nude lipstick colors were coupled with the strong, dramatic smoky eyes.

“We will see more fresh and natural colors making their way into women’s makeup bags next year,” said Melanie Kridaman, corporate communications and public relations manager at L’Oreal Paris, the company behind an array of cosmetic brands, including Maybelline. “The use of colors will be more variable and dynamic.”

The Body Shop is also set to contrast natural, healthy looking complexions with strong lip colors next year.

“Lip color will be the strong statement of the entire look,” said Ratu Maulia, public relations manager for The Body Shop. “Vibrant colors, like red, will create a more glamorous look on women.”

Ratu added that those who prefer strong eye makeup should pair it with a more natural-hued lipstick.

The Body Shop offers brilliant colors such as baby pink, blue sapphire, amethyst green and copper in its new “Baked to Last” eye-color and blusher collection. The ingredients in the cosmetics have been slowly baked for eight hours to generate a safe and long lasting makeup color. “It is our commitment to offer safe, natural products for our customers,” Ratu said.

Sariayu, a brand produced by Indonesian cosmetics company Martha Tilaar, announced “The Colors of Asia” as its makeup palette for 2011 during the 17th anniversary celebration of the Indonesian Association of Fashion Designers last month.

“These rich colors are a part of our traditional heritage, and now they are part of the world’s color trends,” said Martha Tilaar, chairwoman and founder of the Martha Tilaar company.

The new makeup collection, enriched with pomegranate extract as an antioxidant and a UV protector, consists of dark exotic colors such as brown, purple and emerald green, as well as warm tones such as orange, red, pink and yellow.

“Orange is definitely the new upcoming trend in lipstick colors,” said Qiqi, the celebrity makeup artist. “It creates a younger and fresher look in fair-skinned women.”

Despite next year’s color trend predictions, experts say the way makeup is applied should depend largely on each woman’s personality and preferences.

“You can create your own trend,” said Carry, the freelance makeup artist. “You can experiment with a lot of different colors and styles and see which works best for you.”

In the hair department, veteran hairdresser Rudy Hadisuwarno, who owns salons throughout Indonesia, believes that 2011 will be centered around what he refers to as “equipoise.”

“Equipoise is balance,” Rudy said. “So, we try to create a balanced total look by eliminating a person’s weaknesses and emphasizing his or her strengths.”

According to Rudy, next year’s styles will harken back to the hair trends of the 1960s. “We’ll be seeing lots of medium-length shaggy hairstyles, as well as simple and straight long styles.”

He said red would be a trend in women’s hair color next year, while for men, colors will be more natural, including dark mahogany or dark blue with elegant grayish streaks.

Rudy said the short and spiky mohawk style, without a long tail at the back, would again be a popular men’s style. “It creates a powerful, masculine look,” he said.

Shunji Matsuo, a Japanese hairstylist who runs a hair studio in Dharmawangsa City Walk, has a slightly different opinion.

“Medium-length hairstyles will be the trend for men in 2011,” he said.

According to Matsuo, using a disconnected hair-layering technique combined with a light perm along the edges will be a popular, sexy, bad-boy look.

“Even men can perm,” Matsuo said.

He predicts that women’s hair, on the other hand, will be short and curly with violet or beige highlights.

“Both men and women now like to emphasize hair texture,” Matsuo said. “It minimizes the need for hairstyling on a day-to-day basis.”

Famed hairstylist Peter Saerang, who owns a number of hair salons in Jakarta, agrees with Matsuo.

“The trend will be simple, textured basic cuts that require minimum styling,” he said.

Deriving his inspiration from hairstyles of the 1970s, Peter believes that women’s styles next year will be either very short, with a boyish cut, or very long and feminine. “The hair will almost all be one length with very minimal layering at the bottom.”

He says men’s styles, on the other hand, will feature sleek and flat cuts, split on the side, faintly reminiscent of The Beatles in the ’70s.

For colors, the senior hairstylist believes warm, natural colors such as dark brown and dark gold will be complemented by more daring highlights such as green, blue and red.

“But, these are only trends,” Peter said. “Don’t be a korban mode [fashion victim]. See what looks good on you and do it. Trends should never dictate your personal tastes.”