By Leanna Pankratz (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: November 16, 2011
As proved year after year in the clothing industry, the onset of autumn and the approaching winter provides an excellent backdrop for looks that are perhaps just a little bit more daring or edgy than one would normally choose. Makeup, it appears, is nothing different. Maybe it’s a reflection of the dreary weather, but I, at least, have always noticed that when the sun disappears, dark eyeliner and lips with a little more drama seem to make their way into the fashion savvy girl’s makeup bag. Fall/Winter 2011 runways were a tangle of opulent and edgy makeup looks that reflected the somewhat exaggerated mode of the season. Two standout trends were certainly cat eyes and boldly bright lips, as demonstrated by names like Vuitton and Versace. Let’s take a look at these trends:
Bold Lips
Any look can be sirened up with a swipe of lipstick in a darker or perhaps unexpected hue. Runways were full of unique lipstick looks, with colours ranging from classic red to icy blue or deep purple. While many makeup wearers may shy away from painting on a neon smile, the look can be achieved, to an extent, by wearing a still classic, but more unexpected shade, such as rust, or a hue that is slightly lighter than your lip colour. Red lipstick is a makeup bag staple that can make a party season dress sparkle a little more. The best way to wear bold lipstick is in a matte finish, with avoidance of any lipsticks that look waxy or plastic upon application. The trick is to keep the look smooth and natural – as natural as bright lips can be, at least.
Cat Eyes
I fell in love with Kate Moss’ look in the ads for Dior Addict, a lipstick no less, but my eyes were certainly on hers. Cat eyes are an eyeliner look that draws its inspiration from the Edie Sedgwicks and Brigitte Bardots of the 60s, and can immediately make a look just a wee bit sexier. Cat eye looks range from a thin extension of a normal eyeliner application, to thick, kohl-dark lines reminiscent of the late Amy Winehouse’s famously thick eye makeup. Cat eyes can give the illusion of an almond-shaped eye, and have an effortlessly cool element to them. They look fabulous with messy-chic hair and a high boots for a rocker-esque look, or polished along with a sleek party dress and an updo. Versatile, and feline-sexy, cat eyes are a fall makeup standout.
