The visages at New York Fashion Week were a vibrant departure from the soft pastels and monochromatic tones of last season’s beauty. If Spring/Summer is a tea party, Autumn/Winter is set to be a carnival – whether a burst of full-on brights or a simple jewel-toned embellishment, colour stole the show on the NYC runways.
Colour-lovers’ favourites MAC and NARS were out in full force, stamping New York Fashion Week with their trademark brights.
Clockwise from top left: Thakoon, Philip Lim 3.1, Donna Karan, Prabal Gurung, Michael Kors, Philip Lim 3.1
Eyes
Colourful eyes were the central focus in a kaleidoscope of reds, blues and greens.
The adorable pop-art inspired peepers at Philip Lim 3.1 were created using NARS Carpates Stylo Eyeliner, new for Autumn 2012 – if you can’t wait that long, we love Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil for its huge array of colours and staying power, and the intense pigments of MAC Chromographic Pencils are perfect for recreating this look.
Donna Karan’s “cherry, chocolaty” eyes were created by Charlotte Tilbury for MAC, who used two – wait for it – lipsticks to create the vivid crimson lids. Tilbury mixed Partyline and Diva lipsticks, but if you prefer a more conventional application try MAC Cream Colour Base in Fabulush or Makeup Forever Aqua Cream in 8.
At Prabal Gurung, Charlotte Tilbury (busy girl!) used peacock-blues from MAC. For a controlled application like hers stick to solids, but this gemstone colour palette is also a perfect opportunity to go to town with loose shadows; we love NARS Single Eyeshadow in Tropic and Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Alluvium.
Cheeks
On the whole, cheeks were sculpted in muted shades, but we loved the playful pink cheek at Michael Kors paired with a candy apple lip. For a similar flush, apply Shu Uemura Creamy Dome Blush Pink in a ‘C’, from apples to jawbone, and blend
Lips
At Thakoon, NARS Lead Artist Diane Kendal achieved that fiery kisser with Heat Wave Lipstick (Front Row Trivia: Jessica Alba also worked this lip at the Michael Kors show). For a less-matte finish in an equally vibrant shade, try Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Atomic Orange.
The beauty of this trend? If you can’t wait til autumn, these looks are totally season-appropriate for the summer, too. Pair a spicy lip a la Jessica with a bronzed cheek, don some shades and you’ll be hot enough for an Indian summer – even if the weather’s not!
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