Healthnut

RUNWAY TO REALITY
By Kim Wood

A true fashion enthusiast may swoon over the clothing at Fashion Week; however, the makeup can be a bit frightening. Every fall, during fashion week, there are so many hot new makeup styles that I am dying to try out but can never figure out how to pull them off without looking overdone and tacky. This year, I decided to tackle that problem and share my runway to real life techniques. Below are two standout looks from two different designers and made them perfect for anyone to wear.

Before trying any new makeup styles, apply your standard base makeup routine for a great complexion. Start with clean, dry skin and use a concealer under your eyes, around your nose and on any imperfections. My favorite is Victoria’s Secret’s Very Sexy Fluid Concealer. The wand applicator makes it super easy to cover exactly what you want. Then apply a light reflecting foundation like bareMinerals Foundation all your face which creates an even, clear complexion.

NUDE AND FRESH

In a collection by Veronique Branquinho, from Belgium, most of her models had a gorgeous, completely nude face. In the real world, it can be hard to wear this barely there makeup look without looking well totally naked. This earthy, au natural color scheme can be tricky but was I was determined to perfect this fresh-faced look.

To achieve naked looking eyes without looking like you just woke up, line your upper and lower lashes with a thin line of cream eyeliner. A flat, angled liner brush works perfectly for precise application. Smashbox Fusion Cream Eyeliner in Runway works perfectly. Try using the dark brown on your top lashes and the gold on your bottom lashes. Then sweep a nude shimmery shadow from your lash line to your brow bone. My favorite is Clinique High Impact Eye Shadow in South Beach. To add a bit more life to the look, lightly brush a shimmery powder like bareMinerals Glimmer in True Gold over the outer corners of your eyes, under your lower lashes and across your cheekbones.

To finish off the look, apply two coats of Rimmel Underground Glitter Mascara in Gold Digger on your top and bottom lashes and coat your lips with a gloss close to your own natural lip color. I like Victoria’s Secret’s Very Sexy Lip Gloss in Wet for that subtle, shiny glow.

DRAMATIC AND SEXY

Alessandro Dell'Acqua used a sultry smoky eye for his runway in Milan, but unless you are strutting down the catwalk, a standard black and grey smoky eye often can overpower your face. Lighten up the look by using a fresher set of colors. I prefer shades of green to compliment my blue eyes, but other color palettes such as blues, purples or browns may make other eye colors pop even more. Definitely do not be afraid to experiment with other colors that flatter your own unique eye color and then follow the same application techniques.

Use pencil eyeliner, which can be easier to blend for that smoky look instead of a liquid liner. If you are pinching pennies, try Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner from Rimmel London, which is a great black liner you can afford. After rimming your top lashes lightly with black liner, swe on a sheer coat of bareMinerals Glimmer in Envy. This iridescent green lit up my face, instead of drowning it in the usual sea of grey. For a shimmery powder that isn’t too glittery try bareMinerals Glimmer in Soiree and generously layered it from our lashes to just beyond the crease to add a bit more glamour to the look. Also, line your lower lashes with Soiree, using a thin angled brush. Finish off your smoky eyes with two coats of Bourjois Paris “Yes to Volume, No to Clumps” mascara.

To balance your dramatic eyes, apply a light sweep of bareMinerals Blush in Trendsetter across your cheeks. Trendsetter is a discontinued color, but can be found new on sites such as eBay, which is where I find many of my discontinued makeup favorites. To finish the look, try Beauty Rush Lip Gloss in Slice of Heaven for a splash of color.

TAKE IT TO THE STREETS

Both of these looks can easily go from day to night with a few touch ups and additions. Try adding a dramatic lip to the Nude and Fresh look for a night out. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Love that Red is an unbelievably creamy, matte lipstick in the perfect color red to brighten up any skin tone. For the Dramatic and Sexy look, try going a little lighter on the eyes for work or school. Be sure to have your liner handy to add some extra oomph to the look for night. Take a cue from Sophia Loren and extend your liner out from the corner of your lid. Use a pencil or a liquid liner to wing out the line. Now that you have mastered these runway looks, strut your stuff on your own catwalk.