Fall Makeup Newsflash

This fall season, makeup is all about the bold, the intense, and the lips. Everywhere from NARS to Smashbox and MAC to YSL, the good little girl-next-door look is out the door and powerful is in. Powerful is taking two forms this fall: statement and subtle.

NARS High Society eyeshadow trio

Statement eye makeup for this season centers around plums, purples, and Burgundies as eye shadow colors. While mascara is still important, the emphasis is more on shading on the lid and at the outer corners of the eyes than the actual length of the lashes. A helpful tip to make lashes look longer is to apply the most intense dark color of the palette you are using on the outermost half-centimeter or so of your lash line.

Subtle eye makeup gives a Victorian-era glow to any face; choose a shimmery eye shadow or cream eye shadow that is either your skin color or one shade lighter or darker, and then blend a grayish shadow into it. If this look doesn't have enough color for you, try mixing in a pale green or purple on the lower part of your lids and dusting the higher part of your cheekbones with blush.

Smashbox nude lip tech

Lip color trends this fall are at equally opposite sides of the spectrum. You can either opt for the nude lip or the big, bold red or plum shades. Nude lips are best if you adore your eyes and/or bone structure. By applying a shade of color to your lips that’s only slightly tinted or darker than your normal skin color, your complexion looks instantly smoother, and the attention will go right to those purple smoky eyes of yours! If you choose to go red, go all the way! To try out the wild new plum lip shades for the first time, go for a NARS plum lipstick. After applying the lipstick, kiss a tissue to soften the shade a bit and apply a light/clear gloss over the top. Pair it with sultry dark purple liner or sculpted cheekbones to share the attention with other places on your face.

NARS Fall 2012 lip collection

If you’re feeling a little less daring and want to mix classic, classy, and new all in one, go for the YSL look.

Red lipstick + matte green smoky eye + innocent blush= perfection! And, as this picture captures perfectly, play up your natural colors and assets. Big hair, for example, balances a big lipstick statement. Now’s the time to drop the bronzer, favor a paler shade that’s closer to your skin tone, and top the look off with well-blended pinkish blush. 

Pure glamour from YSL!

Happy fall styling!