Glamour Envy

From Runway to Reality: Spring 2010 Beauty Trends

Bryant Park

Peachy perfection at Michael Kors

The tents at Bryant Park have been dismantled and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week has come to a close, but my mind continues to spin with the parade of beautiful faces displayed on the runway. As always, the sky was the limit with beauty and the looks were extensive. From Madewell’s “no makeup” look, to Thakoon’s exaggerated brow, a favorite pastime of mine is to examine theatrical runway-ready looks and transform them into wearable trends appropriate for the events of everyday life. This time around, it was the lips I just couldn’t shut up about!

YSL Rouge Volupté in Faubourg Peach

One runway trend I loved for its simplistic elegance and universally flattering appeal is the peach lip. An array of designers, such as Vivienne Tam and Nanette Lepore, adorned their models with a soft peach pout that enhanced all skin tones while providing a subtle yet wondrous burst of color. This is one trend that will certainly add to the splendor of springtime. To replicate this look, I used Rimmel London‘s Lasting Finish Intense Wear Lipstick in Crush, which bestowed a beautiful wash of peach while brightening and intensifying my complexion. I also love YSL Rouge Volupté in Faubourg Peach for its creamy texture and glossy sheen. For times when my passion for peach is particularly potent, I use Rimmel London’s Crush and apply Revlon’s Crème Gloss in Peachy Sheen on top. The outcome is high in gloss, color, and sex appeal. This will definitely be one of my go-to looks for this spring.

Bold red lips were a key element of the look at Vena Cava

Face Chart for Vena Cava

Another trend that many people find alluring, yet frighteningly complex, is the bold lip that was seen at Proenza Schouler and Vena Cava, among other shows. Whether for a day at the office or a night of intense bar-hopping, no one should be scared to experiment with a little color on their artistic palettes (that’s right, your face is a palette!) If you’re a little color-shy at first, a great way to come out of your shell is to up the intensity of your lip color a tiny bit every day. If you want to wear a red lip with

Stila Lip Glaze in Cranberry

confidence, start with a gloss, such as Stila Lip Glaze in Cranberry (one of my all time favorites). Only apply to the center of your lips and use your fingers to blend it out to the edges. The next time, apply to the whole lip (if you’re still not comfortable, feel free to blot after application). Once you’re able to confidently walk out of the house with a glossy red lip, try a more matte lipstick. I love NARS Shanghai Express because it has a ribbon of black pigment that runs through the tube to make it flattering for all skin tones. To apply an intense red or dark lipstick, it is important to stay inside the lines and to make sure the color doesn’t bleed or budge. To do so, apply a lip primer, such as Urban Decay’s Lip Primer Potion, and a thin rim of loose powder around the lips with a Qtip. Then line and fill in your lips with a lip liner that is the same color as your lipstick, or nude. Using a lip brush, apply the lipstick within the lines, blot with a tissue to set the color, and reapply. And there you have it, a sexy pout that can brighten your complexion and make your teeth look instantly whiter! Be sure to leave all else natural to really let your lips do the talking

Stay tuned for more favorites from the runway at Bryant Park!

Proenza Schouler

Monique Lhuillier

Soft peach lips at Vivienne Tam to balance out the bold eyes

Images courtesy of: chichi212.com, luxury-insider.com, lastlooksblog.com, beautymaverick.typepad.com

Green with Glamour Envy!

Celebrate the holidays by adding a stroke of green to your makeup palette!

When it comes to makeup, green is a shade that has the impressive ability to send people running in the opposite direction. Many feel there are just too many ways a green shadow, for instance, can go terribly wrong!  Too bright, too tacky, too out there…whatever the reason, it’s time for a change.  Here are some great ways to make green a very wearable color and tips on how to incorporate it into your everyday beauty routine.

Kristen Bell in understated green shadow

First of all, if you have hazel or green eyes, there is no excuse for shunning this color, as it will do wonderful things for your eyes.  Green liners and shadows will have the same effect as wearing a green shirt- instant eye color intensification!

Bright shadows can be very intimidating for some, but remember, when it comes to makeup there are NO rules.  Never feel as though you’re committing an unforgivable makeup faux pas by experimenting with a little color.  When it comes to bright greens, such as NARS Cleo (a favorite of mine, a spectacular sea foam green!), only a little bit is needed to provide your lids with a beautiful, yet conservative wash of color. Use a darker green, such as NARS Night Clubbing (a color that could be mistaken for a green-brown from far way) on the outer third of your lid and in the crease to add depth. After applying black liner and mascara, the green will be less noticeable.

If you feel a bright sea foam green is something you have to work your way up to, then start with a green liner.  There are many different shades out there; you’ll certainly find one that fits your needs. I use Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Ivy Shimmer almost every day, as it looks like black from a distance but is a beautiful shimmering emerald green up close.  This color does an amazing job of intensifying green, or even blue eyes.

If you’re still not quite ready green shadows or liners, try a green nail polish. There is an endless variety available to you so you can choose anything from a mint green (Essie in Mint Candy Apple) to a shimmering dark emerald green, such as China Glaze in Emerald Sparkle.

China Glaze Emerald Sparkle

However you choose, spread the cheer this holiday season by adding a splash of green to your beauty routine and perhaps you’ll find what I have always known- green is a classic color than can easily become a part of your everyday makeup.

images courtesy of: www-cosmetics-makeup.com; blog.ellegirl.com; thisnext.com