Backstage beauty: how to recreate next season’s sexiest look
As we teeter on the edge of next season, it’s time to look to the Fashion Week A/W17 shows for the beauty inspiration that will take our look from summer to winter, in a way that’s fresh, sexy and strictly on trend. We’ve already made our decision: our go-to look this winter is going to be the new smokey eye and nude lip combo that Elie Saab’s models demo’d with such damn sex appeal. Let’s face it - who doesn’t love (and suit) a dark eye/bare lip combo? But the new smokey eye and nude lip is far sexier, far more glam and far fresher than the traditional combo we’ve become accustomed to. Plus this look, in all its shimmering, sparkling glory, will truly come in to its own once the Christmas nights out kick off. The glitter in the smokey eye keeps everything very modern, while the soft muted lip is slightly less matt than we’ve seen recently and a refreshing alternative to the matt Kylie Jenner lips we’ve seen so much of lately.
To recreate the look, your base should be sheer. A sheer base keeps skin looking fresh and stops the overall finish being too ‘done’: this look should be understated, undone, raw glam, rather than dolled-up glam. Forget contouring, forget highlighting, just let your natural skin shine through, as the Elie Saab models did, freckles and all. A very light concealer under the eyes and around the nose will tone down any shadows and redness, but aside from that, leave the base alone. Eyes require a product that leaves a black smokey sparkle: MAC Mineralize Eye Shadow in CinderFella is the best we’ve found for nailing the Elie Saab smokey eye. Layer the pigments with either your finger or a brush (a brush will keep the look more precise) but stick to just one or two layers to keep the colour fairly sheer. Take the colour all the way underneath the eye and up to the brow bone, and finish with a slick of black kohl on the waterline. Finally, for the perfect new nude lip, apply a coat of the long-lasting super wearable Smashbox** Always On Liquid Lipstick in Driver’s Seat* (a nude that veers slightly more towards terracotta-nude than pink-nude). The finish is matt, so add a slick of lip balm (good old Vaseline will do the trick) to freshen the lips and leave them with a moist finish that is modern, flattering and kissable, in equal measure.
Which is your favorite look for next season? Check out the A/W17 shows and let us know below.....
*included in your August Roccabox.
** £10 off when you spend £40 on www.smashbox.co.uk Offer valid with any purchase of £40 or more. Enter offer code SBXROCCA10 at checkout. Offer starts 01/08/17 at 00:01 AM GMT and ends 30/09/17 at 23:59 PM GMT. One offer per customer per order.