It's no secret that a good chunk of the clothes, makeup and hairstyles that look great on the runway translate horribly into real life. Despite knowing this fact I still find myself teasing my hair out obnoxiously on party nights and hopelessly wondering why I don't look as fierce as Iman. Of course, the look always gets scrapped and I default to my usual boring style and eyeliner. But it seems that the times are a-changing on the makeup front! More and more often do I see bold runway-inspired looks in real life, on real women. The crazy thing is that they don't look half-bad. Of course, there is a fine line between bold and looking like a clown, or like Taylor Momsen. The best looks are the ones that create just the right balance of drama.
1. Dramatic eyes and dark lips. Yes, both at the same time! This is my favorite current trend to stumble off the runway. We have been told for years to neutralize the rest of your makeup if you are going to dress up your eyes or lips - one or the other, never both. However the dramatic look popped up all over the runways in 2010 especially with the bold, dark gothic lips on Christian Dior models. So, smokey eyes and dark lips might not be anything new, but they have certainly reinvented themselves. Darkness and drama aren't just for vampires anymore! In fact, these looks are making a splash with us mere mortals, too. If you are looking to create a little mystery on date night then a look like this is a great way to take your makeup a step out of the norm.
If it's too much: If you think that some of these looks are a bit too extreme for you try this: do not extend the dark eyeshadow too far. Meaning, try not to take it all the way up to your eyebrows, all the way out to your temples or all the way down to your cheeks. Stick to dark shadow on your lids and maybe just a little bit smudged onto your bottom lash line. If total darkness is not what you desire, try a warm chocolate-colored shadow instead of blacks and grays.
For lasting power: use an eyeshadow primer and a lipstick primer. Primers will prevent your hard work from smudging, creasing or fading and keeps you looking fierce for hours.
2. Chocolate and raspberries. While this may sound delicious, I'm actually talking about colors! Now that I have caught your attention with food, let's talk makeup. A growing trend both on and off the runway are chocolatey browns and raspberry shades in eyeshadow, blush and lipstick. Any combination of these shades yields a beautiful, feminine result.
How to jazz it up: Brown eyeliner or shadow with pinkish-purple blush and gloss is the most traditional way to go. But if you want to act outside the box consider your other options. A shimmery raspberry eyeshadow is the perfect way to play up your eyes. Finish the look by using a hint of brown blush in the hollows of your cheeks and play around with glosses; there are lip glosses of all shades on the market these days, so choose either a warm coppery brown or a more traditional pink for a glowing trendy look.
Beware!: Be careful to avoid the apples of your cheeks with brown blush. There is a fine line between being a blushing beauty and looking like you took a punch to the face.
3. Naked face. Remember what our moms would say when we first started wearing makeup? "It's not supposed to look like you're wearing any makeup!" Well, mom was right, sort of. It has actually become trendy to go nude - on your face, anyhow. That's right ladies; neutral skin shades are the way to go these days.
Not ready to take the plunge?: Never fear! If you aren't totally comfortable with minimal makeup bear some of these things in mind. Use foundation and concealer but try to only cover blemishes rather than fully cover your face. If you still don't feel right without full facial coverage, go for it. But skip the bronzer and opt instead for a shade of blush that barely deviates from your skin tone. With the au naturale look, go for a clear mascara instead of black. Remember ladies, your natural beauty is the easiest kind to work with - why not take full advantage of it?
