DIY looks from the runway.
The red lip, a bold sweep of liquid eyeliner and a defined brow are all rocking runways internationally and here in Auckland this week. Here's a "how to" from M.A.C's Amber D for each of these key beauty trends. Master them for an impactful new look that will work through winter 2011.
The 3D red lip
With red lips never going out of style, Amber D says it's great to look at new ways of giving a more modern edge to the classic red lip.
1 Start by using a small amount of concealer over your lip line - this will ensure you lips look perfect.
2 Line the entire lip using a lip pencil like M.A.C Brick Lip Liner. Then fill the entire lip area. Try using the pencil slightly on its side so that you cover more area a bit more quickly.
3 Apply a bold red lipstick like M.A.C Russian Red over the whole lip with a lip brush. Be sure to step back and check in a mirror that the lip is symmetrical.
4 Remove excess product from the brush by wiping it on a tissue.
5 Use a darker, more brown-based red (which will appear shadowy) with the lip brush to apply colour to the outer corners - a good amount is about 8mm in from each corner. Wipe the brush clean again, then use it to gently fuse the edges of both lipsticks into each other. This will create an effective 3D lip.
6 For extra drama, use a touch of gloss such as M.A.C Dazzleglass in Love Alert on the centre of the bottom lip and gently press the lips together to get an even, but not over the top, texture.
Graphic liquid eyeliner
A bold line of eyeliner will instantly define the eyes and give them an edge that will compliment a more minimal makeup.
1 Use a neutral shade like M.A.C Paint to wash a sheer amount of shadow over the entire eyelid with a brush. This evens out the eye area and won't crease throughout the day.
2 With M.A.C Superslick liner, start in the centre of the lashline and work a line outward. It always helps to be looking downward into a mirror, with your chin up. This help prevent too much blinking when the liner pen comes at your eye!
3 Try using the pen on a slight angle, this helps cover a larger area and makes it easier to get the line done cleaner and faster.
4 With the liner slightly on its side, press the tip down into the lash line, joining the line inward toward the inner corner of the eye. You want the liner to be a bit thinner in the inner and heavier on the outer to lengthen the appearance of the eye.
5 If you want to flick out the outer corners, try lightly wiping the applicator on a tissue to remove product and with an almost dry brush you can look directly into a mirror and mark where the line needs to be when your eyes are open. Once you get the positioning right, dip the applicator back into the product and create the flick, joining it up cleanly to the line along the lashes.
6 Practice makes perfect.
90s brow
Brows are back in focus this season. Amber D says think teens of the 90s, with their well-groomed but still slightly unruly brows.
1 Use a lash brush comb to sweep the brows upward - this helps to make it easier to see where the brow needs to be added to.
2 Use a brow pencil (M.A.C Lingering is a good universal shade) to feather small lines through the brow, filling in gaps and almost drawing in individual hairs rather than just creating a block shape. The lines should begin at the bottom of the brow and be going upward so the top of the brow line has a softness. The last third of the brow should finish at a soft point and can be lengthened slightly to elongate the eye.
3 Comb M.A.C Clear Brow Set (a backstage staple) through the brows from the underside up. Once dry, it will keep your brows in shape for the day.
