Runway To Real Life: New York Fashion Week Make Up

By Chloe Brinklow

It’s that time of year again – the 2011 fashion season is well and truly under way, and new clothing, hair and make up has marched down the New York runway! But what does it mean for us? Everything! Fashion week is a time where new trends are born, and we have the choice to bring them to life or send them packing.

We all have a routine, especially when it comes to beauty; you find something that works, perfect it and stick to it, and really, do you blame us? Busy mornings, back-to-back work meetings and family commitments don’t really allow much spare time to play around with new trends! But if you’re every going to shake things up and try something new, NOW is the time.

Make Up Looks To Break Your Mundane Make Up Routine

Go Out To Space With Derek Lam

At Derek Lam it was all about the eyes! No longer a window to the soul, they looked more like a portal to the future, with a bold, space-age silver shadow! The shadow looked a little out of place (much like the doc-marten style boots) in a collection that seemingly redefined sports and leisurewear. Touches of fur and leather were welcome, but the make up by Tom Pecheux for Estee Lauder was definitely the show stopper.

Rescu. Tip: We have a little wait on our hands, with Estee Lauder’s Pure Color collection not launching until winter 2011, but in the mean time, Tom Pecheux’s for Estee Lauder, Pure Colour Eyeshadow ($42 each) in silver bell and black crystals will do the job.

Stay Up From Dawn To Dusk With Rodarte

There is nothing about Rodarte, we didn’t the like! Bringing a certain lightness to the fall season, a powdery colour palette spread through the collection, into floor length silk gowns, 50s inspired A-line skirts and rompers. The hair was side swept, soft and romantic and the make up was neutral, a tinge orange and dusty. What do we like best? That everything is completely wearable!

The lips were a burnt shade of caramel and the face was decorated subtly with bone, beige sculpting powder swept just under the cheekbone. James Kaliardos, who created the look for M.A.C, described the eye as “…a stormy, sunset inspired eye of pale yellow, caramel and a touch of lavender.”

Let Lashes Do The Talking With Venexiana

Napoleon Perdis, resident
make up expert and all round make up pro, created a luxurious,
Europeanesque make up look at Venexiana. Inspired by label founder and
fashion designer, Kati Stern, the look was bold, yet chic -with all eyes
on the lashes!

Models walked down the runway, to punk music, under
harsh white lights and t he show had little uniformity. Plaid 80s fabric
made full-circle, 50s inspired dresses that walked next to floor length
silk gowns, and two wedding dresses closed the show. Confusing? Yes!
Cool? Most certainly.

Get the Look: Napoleon Perdis has the most
amazing range of Lash Patrol Lashes ($20-$25), made of natural hair, in
different styles to suit every occasion and individual. For even more
length and volume, apply a swipe of Napoleon Perdis Mesmer-Eyes Mascara
($35) and there you have it – runway beauty in real life!

Break All The Rules With Betsey Johnson

Maybelline New York, the official make up sponsor for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, has rebelled against the age old make up rule, that told us, never to pair a bold lip with a heavy eye! To-the-brow blue eye shadow and a red lip, (which sounds a little crazy) faded into the background against an over-the-top, colourful and quirky collection that had a cartoony quality – think Alice in Wonderland and Tim Burton movies.

Often with big eyes, there is lots of product needed to achieve enough pop. Powder shadows can be messy, with product falling in unwanted places, beneath the eye and onto the cheeks. Maybelline Tip: When doing a heavy eye look, do the eyes first and foundation second to avoid additional clean up.

Line Up With Vivienne Tam

At Vivienne Tam it was all about a flawless skin, natural lips and bold, defined liquid liner. A Rescu. favourite, this look is understated, chic and on trend. We are seeing a move away from pencil liners, as liquid allows a striking finish that really elongates the eye making it appear bigger.

Get The Look: Using Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner ($16.95) start from the middle of the eye and create a line along your lash line, then go up at an angle, to create a perfect edge. For a thick, solid line result, fill in the gaps.

Finish the look with flutter-worthy lashes with Maybelline Volum’ Express FALSIES Mascara ($19.25)

Images courtesy of Snapper Media, Estee Lauder and Maybelline New York.