HOT FOR LIPS
Vivid, crimson lips never really go out of fashion, but lately they’ve been providing even more drama than usual on runways from New York to Paris and Milan. It can be a tricky shade to wear. If you have lots of red in your skin, then steer clear or choose a pinker tone. If your teeth are a little yellow, go for a burgundy red rather than an orange one.
Instead of matching red lips and fingernails, top makeup artist Bobbi Brown is going for a deliberate clash this season with a red-hot pink combo instead – she likes this look for Valentine’s Day. Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color in Hot and Heart $54 each – a very creamy and highly pigmented lippy.
Shiseido Perfect Rouge Lipstick in Sublime $51 – a new formula, which produces a brighter colour, and makes lips more vibrant. Karen Murrell Lipstick in Rumba Rhythm $29.95 – an all-natural lippy with intense red pigment.
HOT FOR BROWS
Bold is still the way to go for brows. Most of us have gaps that need some help from a pencil or shadow. A good tip is to find your natural shape by brushing the brow hairs down, then fill in the sparse areas with a pencil using short, feathery strokes. Don’t be tempted to pluck your brows into an exaggerated arch – makeup artist Rae Morris says this creates a puffy eyelid, makes your face look fatter and is ageing. Estée Lauder Automatic Brow Pencil Duo $69 – a twist-up colour and a brush for grooming. Comes with a refill. MAC Veluxe Brow Liner $40 – available in five shades from blonde to dark brunette. Maybelline NY Master Shape Eye Pencil $18.99 – a wax formula that comes in three shades from dark blonde to deep brown.
HOT FOR EYES
The heavy, smoky eye is over for now. Platinum and gold eyeshadows with shimmer are the lighter match for bold eyeliner. Gold is especially flattering, even for women with more mature skins – just take care not to go too glittery. A sheer wash of colour is the most wearable option, but for a night out, get more coverage by wetting your brush before applying. On the catwalk these shadows are taken well above the browbone, but in real life this looks overdone so blend from the crease to the brow instead. Try MAC Mineralise Eyeshadow in Ice $50, a light gold base with white veining, and Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eyeshadows, $54 each.
