Fall makeup trends aren't wrapped up in one pretty little package this season.
Oh, sure, they're pretty enough to please the woman who prefers soft and feminine. But they're not going to turn off the woman who prefers a modern edge, either.
If you're thinking that means plenty of choices, you're correct. Treat yourself to a new lipstick. Make it dark plum. Or barely-there nude.
"Trends are all over the place for the season, but the biggest has to be purple," said Devin Whiting, cosmetics buyer for Balliet's. "Lots of purple -- on the eyes and on the lips, but not at the same time."
For fall, women can take their pick of bold lips and neutral eyes or pale lips and dramatic eyes.
The idea is to emphasize either lips or eyes; not both.
If eyes are the focus, then reach for regal shades of purple, shimmer gold, bronze, green or rich gray to give them plenty of attention. Balance the look with lips in barely-there pink or peach.
For bold lips, drench them in deep berry, classic reds and dark plum. Eyes should be more natural in shades of taupe, brown or gray.
Both looks are trend-toppers, so let your mood guide you.
Whiting said earth tones such as browns, golds and bronzes for the eyes are made even prettier with an added touch of metallic. Her favorite lipstick collection for fall is Laura Mercier Scarlet Passion, with lip shades in tempting colors of raspberry, scarlet, crimson and aubergine. The lipsticks offer intense color and beautiful texture, she said.
Brows are naturally full and defined, Whiting said. Gone are the days of overplucked, thin brows. Cheeks are rosy and healthy. Alex Mendez-Kelley, owner of The MakeUp Bar, agreed that fall trends bring a lot to the makeup drawer. The result of so many choices -- metallics, neutrals, green, purple and berry hues -- offers a look that's festive, fun and dramatic, depending on which color and which stroke goes where. "I would say glamorous is in, that high-society glamour," she said. With the nation starting to feel an upswing economically, fashion and makeup are shouting out to women this fall, she said. "It's a feminine look with a lot of glamour power behind it. I think of strong women -- Joan Crawford and Bette Davis -- and I'm channeling them right now when I'm doing makeup." Clothing for fall is pretty and feminine, and makeup reflects that, Mendez-Kelley said. Lilly Stone of Sooo Lilly Cosmetics said fashion's infatuation with the past also comes into play with makeup. Dark, smoky eyes play up 1980s rocker looks; classic red lips define the 1940s cinched waists and pronounced shoulders; and cobalt blue liner and pops of pink complement '60s mod looks. Just as there's not one look in fashion, there's not one look in makeup, she said. "It's not so much we're adapting to the makeup; the makeup is adapting to us."
Chanel's fall collection, inspired by the architecture and lagoons in Venice, delivers deep sienna and rich rose tones and dusky grays and greens. The colors can be softened for day or made bold for evening. NARS offers a look that's romantic and feminine with an edge. The fall collection includes ice pink eye shadow paired with warm rose gold; velvet matte charcoal with sparkling blue slate for a new take on the smoky eye; and matte mustard for a bit of surprise. Francois Nars said he likes all the richly pigmented shimmery eye shadows in the collection. "The fall colors can be used in a multitude of ways -- to create strong eyes and muted lips, or the opposite: pale eyes and a strong pout. I don't tell women what to wear; I provide different options for them to choose from."
