Makeup: Focus on a favourite feature
This is a great time to visit cosmetics counters. The chill in the air that brings about nature’s new colours inspires us to change our makeup as well as our wardrobes.
Today, as with fashion, there is no single hard and fast rule that everyone must obey. We asked two experts for their take on the fall 2006 face.
GLOSS GIVES WAY TO SHIMMER
Gone are the blindingly glossy lips of summer, says Sharlene Gill, makeup artist and associate director at Blanche Macdonald Centre. The fall lip texture has shimmer rather than gloss, with a slight matte sensibility.
“High shine goes when the weather cools,” says Gill, adding that the “berry” shades of summer are giving way to richer plum tones. One example is Stila’s “Sweet,” a new golden plum shade.
SOFT AND SMOKY
Smoky eyes are still happening. The quickest way to create them, says Gill, is to line the eye underneath and over with a soft liner pencil and then “smudge, smudge, smudge.”
Nicole Harvie, freelance makeup artist and key makeup artist for Life Network’s Crash Test Mommy, is also going soft on eyes this fall.
“A smoky eye doesn’t have to look hard and edgy. Try metallics (silver and gold), gunmetal, slate, navy, copper, olive green,” she says.
GO FOR A MORE SUBTLE GOLD
Autumnal gold hints for lips are muted, says Gill. “They’re not summer’s bright gold.”
She suggests looking for golden undertones in shadows such as Stila’s Jade smudge pot. “It’s an emerald gold, a truly fall colour.”
Fall eye shades also include neutral browns with a gold touch.
PICK THE EYES OR THE LIPS
For Harvie, the focus for fall is on “red, red lips and an almost bare yet fresh complexion and softly defined eyes. Use foundation where you need it to even out skin tone.
“Keep the eyes lighter and let the lips sing! Choose shades of raspberry, pomegranate, apple, merlot, cherry and fucshia. Another popular colour story for lips is brown — for example, chestnut.”
If you opt for fall’s “darker eye liner look, keep the lip nude,” says Gill.
THE LOOK FOR LASHES
Mascara is always with us, but Gill says seasonal changes affect even this basic.
“Go for lengthening and curling mascaras (such as Estee Lauder Illusionist Intense or Lancome Flextencils),” she says. “The volumizers that thicken lashes are best in summer, when we wear less makeup and mascara needs some drama.”
GLOWING SKIN IS ALWAYS IN
Radiance, a key word in foundations and powder for at least a year, is still hot.
“Women love the shiny skin look. It looks so clean and healthy. They won’t give that up,” says Gill.
The best quick fix when it comes to enhancing the complexion is bronzer, she says. “Year round, it will brighten and add warmth.”
MUSTS FOR THE MAKEUP BAG
We asked Harvie what to pack in the makeup bag this season. She picked the following five must-haves:
- An eyeliner to touch up or to increase the intensity of your eye makeup if you go out after work. Try gunmetal and olive shades.
- An intense shade of lipstick or a stain of the same hue with a lip balm to layer over top so it doesn’t look too matte.
- Translucent powder to blot your T-zone.
- Mascara.
- A blush to create a soft cheek flush.
kmoore@png.canwest.com
