Three distinct trends emerged from the catwalk shows this season which is great for those who like to experiment, but is also good news if you just want a quick update for your make-up bag. No mixing and matching though – choose one trend at a time for a successful outcome.
BRIGHTEN UP
HOW TOYou can be as daring as you want with this look, but the cool way to wear it is to use just one shot of vivid colour – choose eyelids, lips or nails to make your statement.
CHEEKSKeep cheeks colour free to avoid a "dolly" effect.
EYESYSL Long-lasting Eye Pencil in Absinthe Green (€25). Brilliant pop of fresh green which stays put all day. Barry M Dazzle Dust (€6.95). This is a range of shockingly bright shades from Boots chemists. Here's how to wear this look for next to nothing.
LIPSMax Factor Lipfinity lasting colour in three new bright shades (€9.99). Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay 'n Place Lip Duo in Forever Fuscha. Promises 12 hours of wear, and shine too (€23). Lancôme l'Absolu Nu in 102 is a fantastic shade of face brightening red (€23).
NAILSThese great fluoro shades from NYC (€3.49) are named after New York locations, such as Spring Street (orange), MoMa (magenta). Text 51500 for your nearest stockist.
SHINE ON
HOW TOThis is a beautiful look, especially for evening. The key is to keep it soft and luminous, with dewy skin, as seen here using MAC Face and Body Foundation (€36).
EYESGeorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense (€26). Crease-proof formula in molten metal shades which can be applied wet or dry with fingers or brush. Chanel Ombres Perlées (€50). Five colour palette of silken pearlised shades which blend together seamlessly for a gilded finish. LIPS Nude gloss or Vaseline.
NAILSEstée Lauder Sizzling Taupe (€20) is the perfect low-key burnished neutral.
NUDE AWAKENING
HOW TONeedless to say, nude does not mean nude, but the clever application of natural tones to achieve a modern, contoured finish. Colour is kept to a minimum – taupes, grey and beiges – but don't imagine this look is in anyway dull. In fact it's the most elegant and sophisticated of the three trends.
CHEEKSUsing powder instead of a blush gives a sculptured effect. One of my favourite face powders is Mac Mineralize Skin Finish (€26.50). It has just enough lift to create the desired effect without looking too flat and comes in a variety of shades.
EYESBody Shop Boho Beauty Eye Palette (€24.95). The packaging is cool, the product is a Fair Trade one, and they've included a lining pencil and brush with the four wearable shades. Rimmel Glam Eyes Orion (€7.95). A wearable trio with a larger pan of the shade you'll wear most. LIPS Bobbi Brown does a great line in nude shades, or just use a lip pencil to fill in fill in lips and finish with a dash of gloss.
NAILSMaybelline Forever Strong in Rose Poudré (€5.99) is a lovely nude shade.
pclarke@irishtimes.com
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/OG5QU2VZIJDGHESOL2AKTLF2IU.png)