Makeup Tips/How To

While models dressed up for Fashion Week, their lips dressed down, as several designers sent nude lips down the catwalk. Peach, pink and even beige lip shades ruled the runway in finishes of matte and high gloss.

What we see at Bryant Park can signal upcoming trends, like nude lips for fall 2009, but I think the look’s perennial. Go Team Nudes!

I’ve been spotting examples of it all week long… Here are some ideas to try at home.

At the Oscar de la Renta show (pictured at top), the lips were natural, pink and glossy.

For lips inspired by the same look, start by lining your pucker with MAC Cremestick Liner in Pink Treat, a creamy warm rose. Then, add one layer of a pale, shimmery beige lipstick — I used MAC lipstick in Quiet, Please.

For more glossy shine, top it off with pink and shimmery MAC Lipglass in Cherry Blossom.

The lips at the Narciso Rodriguez show were all about the matte, peach and nude.

I like this one because it’s pretty easy. Apply one layer of warm and peachy MAC Mattene lipstick in Flattering (a matte lipstick), applied straight from the tube.

My favorite nude lips at Bryant Park this week have been the peachy, glossy lips at the Anna Sui show.

Begin by lining your lips with MAC Cremestick liner in Honey B., a creamy peach.

Then, layer shimmery peach Benefit Full Finish Lipstick in Thrillin’ Brazillian directly on top.

Finish with some clear gloss, like (try MAC Lipglass in Clear), slicked over the whole lip.

I think nude lips look fantastic with pretty much any eye look, but they look exceptionally stunning when paired with smokey eyes (click for a simple smokey eye).

Tea and crumpets

A peek inside Crown & Crumpet

The sun is making an unscheduled appearance today, yea! This, after more than a week of gloom and rain, so I’m playing hooky to meet a friend for tea and crustless finger sandwiches in San Francisco this afternoon. 🙂

I hope you’re having good day so far. Let me know how you’ve been.

Your neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Don’t pull any punches this Valentine’s Day, and GO FOR THE BOLD! Try on a pair of crazy bold false lashes like Make Up For Ever’s Alexandra Faux Lash ($15). Her thick black fringe and dramatic length demand your full attention.

I did this look with Alexandra yesterday, pairing her with demure pink cheeks and a strong red lip.

If you’re hitting the clubs with friends on The Big V, this could be a fun look to wear. It’s playful and says to the world, “Hey, ya’ll! You can’t stop this love machine!”

The key to the look is the lashes — the bigger the better. Here I’m wearing Make Up For Ever, but you might also look at falsies from other brands like Shu Uemura, Revlon or Ardell.

1. Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in #0L, $17: matte black eyeliner
2. Smoky Lash Mascara, $22: black mascara
3. Faux Lash Alexandra #110, $15: dramatic false lashes with lash glue
4. Sculpting Blush #8, $24: matte, bright pink blush
5. Aqua Lip Pencil in #8, $17: true red lip liner
6. Lipstick #205, $18: bluish red lipstick
7. Mist & Fix Make-Up Fixer Mist, $27: makeup fixing spray

Eyes: Not to steal anything away from the lashes, I kept the eyes simple, starting by lining my upper and lower lash lines with (1) Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in #0L. Then, I curled my lashes and applied two coats of (2) Smoky Lash Mascara. Finally, I glued (3) Faux Lash Alexandra lashes on my upper lash line, aligning the shorter end of the lashes with the inner corner (the side closest to my nose).
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