Bye Bye Neutrals, Hello Gorgeous!

I love summer just as much as the next girl, but I have to admit, I’m a bit anxious for fall to arrive. Not only will it mean much less humid days and hopefully nights below 80 degrees, but it also means it’s time to welcome luxe cashmere wraps, beautiful layered looks, and gorgeous leather boots back into my wardrobe.

To me, fall is the BEST season for fashion. Summer styles are all about staying cool and being effortlessly chic, but for the fall, it’s ok to look like you put some effort into your look. The one thing that is usually a bit of a bummer for fall? The adventurous shades of navy eyeliner and kiss-me-pink lips typically shy towards blah-blah browns and beiges. But not this fall! I was excited to see that boring make-up is not what’s hot for fall 2010. Some of the hottest designers like Diane Von Furstenberg and Chanel made-up their beautiful models in over-the-top smoky eyes for their fall 2010 runway shows, and the look was anything but bland. A smoky eye is always a great look for fall, and since it can look a bit too heavy in the hot summer months, I am excited to welcome this make-up staple back come autumn.

The look that I was most excited to see come down the runways, however, was the gorgeous shade of coral-meets-red that lined the pouts of models for Hervé Léger by Max Azria and Richard Chai, among other on-trend labels. Not only is such a bright, daring hue a totally unexpected look for fall, but it effortlessly rocked with both the edgy, sporty-girl looks of Léger and the slouchy-chic styles by Richard Chai. Grand prize for best make-up on the fall 2010 runways goes to Lloyd Simmonds for M.A.C. Cosmetics, who created gorgeous equestrian-inspired looks for the Vena Cava fall show. With glowing, unfussy cheeks, groomed ladylike brows, and a bold notice-me pout, this look is neutral enough for fall without being been there, done that dull. With a look this glam, I just might have to take up horseback riding!

To score a similar look, dust a warm bronzer on the apples of cheeks, sweeping upwards. Apply two coats of clump-resistant mascara (I swear by Diorshow) in dark brown or black to both top and bottom lashes. Finish with a nude lip liner topped with matte lipstick in a bright orange-red shade. To get a runway worthy look like the ladies for Richard Chai, try ROUGE VOLUPTÉ Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick by Yves Saint Laurent in Extreme Coral or Red Muse (available at sephora.com). Added bonus: the creamy smooth lipstick packs an SPF 15 punch that will keep your pout looking and feeling fabulous all year long.

 

Like what you've seen on Dress to Express? Visit www.sicaria.com/sicariablog to see my posts as a Sicaria blog contributor. Look for posts by "Samantha" to see more of my fashion faves!