The minute we saw this trend at the Carolina Herrera show, we were hooked. Not convinced you can pull it off? Everyone can wear this rich color -- no matter her skin pigment -- as long as you choose the right hue, says Ukaeje. It's a great alternative to the red lip, she says, as it's a fresh twist but still bold. To make this look more wearable, makeup artist Edward Cruz recommends avoiding an opaque color. Instead, opt for a more sheer finish for an "effortless look." He recommends MAC Lipstick in Sheer Plum, $15, which is a "winner for anyone looking for a quick burgundy fix."
To make sure you choose the right hue for you:
For very fair or light skin tones: A purple wine hue with pink/red undertones. For medium skin tones: Any hue, whether warm or cool, will be flattering. For dark skin tones: A burgundy/plum hue with blue undertones.
Once you've picked your color, here's how to apply it.
Step 1: Prep lips with a balm, then completely blot it out, so that the color doesn't slip. Step 2: Apply lipstick, then blot on a tissue. Step 3: Apply a clear gloss to make the color more sheer.
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Fresh face
Keeping the face natural and dewy was a runway fave seen at Michael Kors and Marc by Marc Jacobs. While spring and summer were all about colorful blushes, this season "it's more about the complexion and less about the blush," says Ukaeje. The key to nailing the fresh face look is to use a highlighter to provide dimension. Here's how:
Step 1: Apply primer to create a smooth base for foundation. Step 2: Use a sheer foundation, such as Nars Sheer Glow Foundation, $42, and place it in areas where you need spot coverage. Ukaeje says to take a little foundation and warm it up in the palm of your hand, then use your fingers to apply. This will help it go on smooth and even. Step 3: Apply a cream blush, which goes on more sheer than regular blush and looks more like a natural flush, says Ukaeje. Step 4: Apply a highlighting blush for extra radiance. You can mix a pale pink or pale gold shimmer highlighter like Nars Illuminator in Copacabana, $29, with your cream blush to tone down the color. Step 5: Finish with a pressed or loose powder, and make sure you put it on with a powder brush.
The signs of the new season are here. Leaves crunch beneath your gray wool booties and Starbucks is offering their seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte again. But you're not here to chitchat about the romantic elements of the season, are you? We didn't think so. So let's get to the stuff that we really care about right now -- like the burnt orange and electric blue colors that are popping up in eyeshadow palettes, the wine-stained lips we're seeing in fashion mags, and the revved-up cat eye that has us purring for the how-to's already.
These trends are hot off of the fall 2011 New York Fashion Week runways. And we know what you're thinking: "High fashion" often looks too gaudy for everyday wear and not appropriate for non-models. That's why we talked to Uzo Ukaeje, Nars International Lead Makeup Artist, who understands the difference between the runway and real life. We got her to spill all her secrets about how to turn these fall makeup trends into looks you can wear anywhere, from the office to a girls' night out.
We're not saying that the earth's relative location to the sun should dictate how you wear makeup all the time -- and of course there are endless ways to experiment with colors. But we think you'll find that the best fall trends are just new spins on classic looks -- and these how-tos will inspire you to spice up your same-old morning routine. So, grab that pumpkin latte and start taking notes -- you don't want to miss these.
