Wearable Trends from New York Fashion Week Fall 2012
Originally published on HowtoBeaRedhead.com
Another Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in NYC has come and gone, and this year I was privileged to serve in several backstage makeup teams. I can’t even begin to say how exciting it was, and what an honor it is to do that kind of work!
I’m pleased to share a few looks that I helped to execute for the runway, and how you can incorporate them into your own daily beauty routine:
1. Lips: go bright! The fastest way to look pulled together is to slap on a statement lipstick – you can skip other color cosmetics and let your lips create a chic focus for your face. You may have already heard that Pantone’s Color of the Year is Tangerine Tango, a luscious red-orange – don’t be afraid of it! If you’re not quite up for a vampy red, try poppy or coral. You can also soften a bright lip look by patting lipstick on your lips with your ring finger, achieving a softer stained effect.
Liz’s product picks: OCC Lip Tars in Queen, Grandma, and Harlot (mix with Clear to soften); MAC lipstick in Lady Danger
2. New ways to get your smoke on. One look our team did for a few shows was a matte smoky brown all over, blown out to precisely nothing, with a pop of highlight directly on the center of the lid – so that the inner eye was kept darker (an unusual twist!) This gave the eye an intriguing rounded shape. Try this in warm earthtone shades that complement your complexion – smoky eyes don’t always have to be black or grey, and the warmer colors are flattering especially with green and hazel eyes.
The key is the blending… instead of brushing on your color with a windshield wiper motion, use a soft brush to pat the pigment on, using less and less pressure as you work your way out. Then smooth out the edges to nothing using a clean brush.
Liz’s product picks: MAC #217 and #227 eyeshadow brushes; BeautiControl Au Natural eyeshadow palette
3. Get luminous. At a runway show, the models’ skin has to reflect the light strategically. We did everything we could to keep the T-Zone (forehead and around the nostrils) matte, while adding light-catching pigments and products to the tops of the cheekbones, above the lip, and sometimes even down the bridge of the nose. With only a few exceptions (where a more retro matte look was specified by the designer), we focused on creating natural, youthful, slightly dewy skin, only concealing where needed – and this is definitely a trend that every girl should try!
Once your skin is prepped, pat on a little sheen on the high points of the face – you can use anything from a rich moisturizer to a shimmery champagne eyeshadow. Keep it subtle – you only want to see it when you turn your face and it catches the light. This is a fabulous trick for date night!
Liz’s product picks: Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour Cream, Smashbox Artificial Light, NARS Multiple
