Archive for April, 2011

Spring-Summer 2011 Makeup Trends

Ultra-natural, fresh-faced beauties are far from the only makeup looks gracing the runways this Spring. Spring 2011 is not about playing it safe—but about bold, saturated, untamed color!

With decadent colors like black, navy and red appearing on the runway alongside the typical Spring whites, pinks, and other pastels, it’s no wonder this season is perfect to rock a succulent burgundy-red or deep plum lipstick.

Large blocks of vivid color are also in vogue this season, such as orange, coral, turquoise, intense pinks, grass greens, and violets in clothing…and in makeup! No ”shrinking violets” here….go bold with one of the season’s hottest lip colors—orange! Or perk up your complexion with a flush of cool pink blush, and a similar cotton candy pink, matte lip color.

Makeup styles this Spring/Summer are bold, glam, and 70’s retro-inspired, yet not over-worked. A great look for eyes is to choose a beautiful bright color like yellow, turquoise, green or violet (you violet lovers will be in seventh heaven this season—it’s a hot color) metallic or iridescent shadow and apply it all over the lid, and blend into the eye crease. Bright colors such as these can enhance any eye color or complexion. Be sure to begin with an eye shadow primer to make your look last all day—I like Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer, or MAC Paintpots in mattes like Soft Ochre or Painterly. Add a highlight color in the inner, and finish with a black gel liner swept across the top lash line, “cat-eye style”. Don’t forget brows! Brow trends are thicker, bolder brows, brushed and natural.

If you’re comfortable going bold with both eyes and lips simultaneously, complete your perfect retro-glam look with a playful pink matte lipstick.

Or go virtually bare with the eyes, using the Photo Finish Lid Primer alone, with lots of mascara, and focus on your pout instead. Don’t be afraid to accessorize with makeup just as you would wardrobe, and try those bold lip colors—have fun with them!

A tip for helping lipsticks to wear longer is to begin with a touch of concealer over the lips to give a clean canvas. Then apply a lip liner to get a clean edge, and fill in the lips inside, particularly the outer halves of the lips. Apply the lipstick and blot with a tissue to rid the surface of some of the oils. Then re-apply the lipstick and set it with a touch of translucent powder.

For those of you who want the look, but are not as confident with a super saturated, bright lip color—go for a lip stain instead. You’ll get a more medium color coverage, and long wear. Or if that is still out of your comfort zone, try a light nude lip liner first, then a playful pink or coral lip gloss. You’ll get the look, but with a sheer coverage.

No matter how you choose to translate the Spring season’s glam looks to fit your personality, radiant, healthy, glowing skin is ALWAYS IN!! Start with a proper skincare regimen that includes a daily moisturizer with at least SPF 15 or higher, and an eye cream. A good foundation primer is also key to making foundations and powders apply smoother, look less like product sitting on top of the skin, and will last longer. I like the primers from Smashbox, and they have several types to choose from. Colorado is such a dry climate, that I find liquid foundations under powder is best for healthy, polished skin regardless of the coverage you desire. I love Face & Body foundation by MAC , or Face Fabric Radiance by Giorgio Armani Cosmetics for their sheer coverage and dewy look.

Highlighting skin is a huge trend this Spring, whether you choose to be a porcelain or bronze goddess. I am hooked on the Artificial Light Flash by Smashbox in either the bronze or fleshy tone for it’s opalescent, luminous glow it gives to skin. Just stipple it on with a brush or your fingers to the upper cheek bones, in a “C” shape around the eyes. You can also touch a bit to the forehead, nose, and chin. Set everything with a dusting of light-weight or buildable coverage powder like Halo Powder from Smashbox. If you prefer a powder bronzer, Giorgio Armani Cosmetics has several shades that compliment any skin-tone, and are not too “orange” based. If you go that route, make sure to use powder bronzer after you’ve set your liquid foundations with powder, or it will “grab” to the moisture and appear uneven or blotchy.  Finally, add a romantic finish with flushed cheeks in a color like Pink Glow or Pinch ‘o’ Peach by MAC.

Voila’…picture perfect!

—Heathyrre Kautz

Heathyrre Kautz Couture Pro Makeup Artistry

Voted Best Makeup Artist 2010, Denver's 7 A-List

 

Thursday, April 28th, 2011 Makeup Trends 5 Comments