Faces of Fall 2011

It’s time to talk about Fall 2011 and I am going to begin with my favourite make-up and hair looks that I found the most inspiring. My personal favourites are the natural sun-kissed faces at Michael Kors, “luxurious and expensive” make-up at Roland Mouret, very lady-like polished looks at Carolina Herrera and Yves Saint Laurent and stunning lips at Gucci.

I also like the fact that the natural carefully defined eyebrows got attention they deserve.

Needless to say that the hair is simply perfect, too – the non-fussy lacquered do’s, side partings, low pony-tail or chic bun styles are feminine, but at the same time sharp and groomed, and so very simple to create. The latter is particularly important to bear in mind because every extra minute spent under a cosy duvet on a dark sleepy winter morning is more precious compared to the additional time needed for a complicated hair related extravaganza. Instead you just gather the hair in a stylish ponytail (or proceed one step further “enveloping” the hair into a reverse bun as Orlando Pita did for Carolina Herrera show) and move the parting depending on your mood and choice of outfit. Easy!

I did a bit of browsing to find out what products were used to make-up the faces at Carolina Herrera, Gucci, Michael Kors and Roland Mouret, and here’s some useful information in case you feel like re-creating them at home.

Carolina Herrera Fall 2011 by Diane Kendal for M.A.C. via Vogue Beauty

Skin: subtle foundation with a blend of faint pink blush (Angel) on the cheeks.

Eyes: “classic and clean” with the thinnest sweep of black cream liner very close to the lashes and “extended out just a bit”.

Lips: use a small brush to apply small amount of M.A.C. Prince Noir to outline the lips first and then – fill them. Keep the surface soft and matte by blotting off the excess with a folded tissue.

Gucci Fall 2011 by Pat McGrath via Allure Beauty

Skin: CoverGirl NaturelLux foundation applied with fingertips to even out skin tone followed by a dusting of powder around the nose, eyelids, and brows to cut any shine and set the foundation. No blush.

Eyes: A tiny barely there amount of taupe eye shadow in Tapestry Taupe on lids, beige eyeliner in the inner corners, plus layers and layers of CoverGirl NaturelLux mascara. Groomed eyebrows.

Lips: a mix of four products: a deep red lip pencil that both lined and filled in the mouth; a dark, blackened-burgundy lipstick dabbed on with a flat brush; a lighter, true-red lipstick tapped onto the middle of the lips; and finally, gloss.

Michael Kors Fall 2011 by Dick Page for Shiseido

Skin: start with Shiseido Perfect Refining foundation to cover any redness and blemishes, then dust with Shiseido Translucent loose powder from the mid-cheek to lower jawline only. No concealer.

Shiseido bronzer was applied from the hollow of the cheek area and diffused towards the jawline (the bronzer shade was dependent on the model’s skin tone).

Eyes: first using a fluffy brush apply Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye colour in bronze/taupe-like Sable (BR709) along the upper and lower lash line, blend well to diffuse the colour. Follow with Shiseido Eyeliner in Brown (#2) applied along the upper lash line and a couple of coats of black mascara on the top lashes.

Lips: Shiseido Perfect Rouge in Dune (BE310)

Photo sources: style.com, elle.com, tfs