Face:
Let us start with the basics. Your foundations, crèmes and setting powders will be a matte finish this season. The dewy days of summer are behind us, and a more natural and refined look is called upon for autumn. Great for all skin-types (it will tone down an oily complexion, yet lends subtle moisture to dry skin), a matte finish affords more room to play with eye shadows, liners and lip stains.
When applying a matte finish foundation, make sure you first apply an oil-free moisturizer and neutral lip balm; as matte crèmes can cake on lips, eyelids and skin that is not properly cared for. A matte complexion does not equal a heavy base. You can cover problem areas with a matte concealer, without having to apply full coverage. By doing so, it will further enhance the natural look when the summery bronzers and dewy highlighters have been tucked away.
A great product to achieve the matte-finish is NARS Sheer Matte Foundation. This foundation has a soft, matte finish that is sheer and is easy to build upon without being too heavy. The formula is weightless and absorbs oil, keeping your skin shine-free. In addition to its lightness, it possesses complexion-brightening properties, which improves your skins radiance and luminosity naturally. (Retail $44.00)
Bare Minerals has a mineral matte foundation powder that provides the no-makeup look or feel that gives flawless matte coverage and lasts up to eight hours. Similar to the NARS foundation, the Bare Minerals matte foundation also absorbs excessive oil and will not dry out the skin. Both great options to obtain a flawless matte finish. (Retail $27.00)
Eyes:
As Miss Audrey Hepburn once said, “The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.” Truer words have never been spoken, as our eyes are truly the window into who we are. As women, we get the pleasure of playing them up to sparkle, to seduce, to tell a story or remain a mystery. This fall is all about drama and intrigue when it comes to playing up our pretty peepers.
One of the eye trends you will be seeing this year is sparkle! Metallic shadows come into play just in time for the holidays. Natural metal shades of ore, gold, copper and silver are more fitting for fall 2013 than the bright colors that are best reserved for spring. Paired with a smoky, smudged liner it gives an air of sophistication and glamour.
This brings us to our second fall trend this year: the undone, smoky eye. Unlike the artful smoky-eye that you’ve undoubtedly mastered in your early twenties, the grungy smoky eye of the season rocks an attitude that is more edgy than elegant and more flawed than flawless, but in a very good way. Liquid black liner and cat-eyes have made a comeback too and look gorgeous for a Saturday night evening on the town with your best little black dress. Meow!
For day, the eyes are more understated. Extremely so, in fact. With just a light sweep of mascara, some concealer under the eyes and neutral or no shadow, the woman of fall 2013 incorporates color through her wardrobe and keeps her skin light and natural.
For the best in metallic shadows: The L’Oreal Paris HiP Duo Secret shadows pair two complimenting metallic shades together to take the guesswork out of color pairing. (Retail $8.25)
For the best in eyeliners: Whether you prefer liquid, gel, or pencil, you cannot go wrong with our top picks. The NARS pencil provides an intense pigment that glides on smoothly for precision. Its creamy texture is ideal for blending and smudging. (Retail $22.00) For a gel eyeliner, our top pick is Bobbi Brown’s long-wear gel eyeliner. It gives the appearance of a liquid with the ease of gel. Longwearing and water resistant it stays on without creasing. This is a great liner for pairing with your metallic shadows. (Retail $23.00)
Lips:
Fall is the best time of year for a perfect pout. Deep, rich colors make their dramatic appearance and this season it is all about wine. Deep burgundy, merlot and purple make up the delicious palette that works well with both a neutral and smoky eye. The purple lip caught on after making an appearance in Milan and it has made its way stateside. The deep reds seem to forever be a revolving trend and we could not be happier. Both provocative and sophisticated the deep red lip is a classic.
Best picks for a dark lip this season: Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. This lipstick gives a hint of a deep, rich color without being too bold. (Retail $18.00). Too Faced La Crème Color Drenched Lip Cream in Devine Wine gives a deep, rich color for nightwear. (Retail $21.00)
Best picks for a neutral pout: Lipstick Queen by Poppy Lipstick in Bare Nude. A full-coverage matte opaque lipstick with 90% pigment. An extremely creamy lipstick that glides on smooth and moisturizes. (Retail $20.00)
Nails:
Finally, yet importantly, a beauty routine is not complete without a perfect manicure and this season it is all about geometric shapes and designs, forgotten is the traditional French manicure and straight lines. Also trending this fall for your couture claws, is the repeating trend of the matte finish. Popular colors for your matte-finish manicure are maroon, black and mustard.
Best picks for nail care: Butter London’s Matte Finish. This matte finish top coat will create a shine-free matte appearance to any nail lacquer. (Retail $19.00) Also from Butter London, the nail lacquer in Cheeky Chops is a wonderful shade of mustard that is perfect for fall. (Retail $15.00)
For a dark, wine hued nail, look no further than OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark gel color. (Retail $9.00)
Remember that fall is a time of celebration. Do not take yourself too seriously and take time to enjoy fashion. Every girl loves to play dress-up and with the delicious options available this season, there is limitless options in feeling and looking your best.