KEY POINTS:
One thing about the new season's makeup, it's not for beginners or those with commitment issues. It's going to take a certain amount of confidence to carry off the dark, smouldering eyes, the going-on black lips and the perfect porcelain skin. But so worth it if you're keen on sexy, grown-up makeup.
1 Bobbi Brown Stonewashed Nudes Palette
$140
You can rely on Bobbi Brown - makeup artist to the stars - to take an incoming trend that could be a bit scary for some and give it mass appeal. The smoky eye just got a safety net. This palette of seven colours goes from stone to espresso and every wearable taupe, grey and earth tone between, so you've got day and night, nude and full-blown smoky in the one kit. This really is indispensable for all seasons.
From Smith & Caughey's and Farmers Albany, from March 8.
2 Lancome Oriental Duo Khol Black and Gold
$42 for 1.14g
This is part of Lancome's Mystery Game collection that starts with a story about a woman on a train with enigmatic charm and a Sphinx-like gaze. Of course there's a handsome stranger on board but this is her choice of kohl. One half of the pencil is black and the other gold. The result: killer eyes. Oh, and by all accounts the pencil can also be used to pin up a chignon. Very Mata Hari.
From selected department stores and pharmacies.
3 Clinique Black Plum Almost Lipstick
$42
Somewhere between lipstick and lipgloss comes Almost Lipstick. You get a sheer colour with glaze effect. So instead of hard-out gothic black lips - the kind favoured by Mrs Munster - you can have a modern stain. It's really something.
From selected department stores and pharmacies.
4 M.A.C 3N Lipstick
$38
If you're going all-out on the smoky eye, you don't want to draw attention to the mouth. Get a nude mouth. M.A.C's N Nude collection is the business. 3N is a milky pastel pink that is utterly brilliant.
From Smith & Caughey's Newmarket and M.A.C Chancery and St Lukes.
5 Chanel Luna Joues Contraste
$89 for 4g
This may be called a blush but its actually a translucent highlighter that works wonders on cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, forehead and eyelids. It lights the skin in an incredibly flattering way and is a great foil to all the smouldering bits on the face.
From selected department stores and pharmacies from February 24.
