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Luscious Lips
THE LOOK: “Strong lips, beautifully shaped, lined and curved with tight corners,” says Terry Barber, MAC’s director of make-up artistry.
“More ‘done’ in application than of late, but worn with minimal coverage on the skin and eyes, making it chic and sexy rather than too costume or retro.”
Glossy or matte, the choice is yours:
Chanel Le Rouge Crayon de Couleur Jumbo Longwear Lip Crayon in Cassis, R610, for the ultimate berry lip.
MAC Lip Pencil in Currant, R230, helps enhance your shape.
Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in Miss Conduct, RRSP R310, blends in with the lip wand.
Statement Nails
THE LOOK: “The trend in dark lips isn’t one that everyone will be able to pull off,” says nail pro Jenni Draper, “but wearing it on the nails is a nod towards it.”
Since the relaunch of Chanel’s infamous Rouge Noir collection, dark hues on nails have made a big reappearance.
“Oxblood red will always be popular, but it’s made way for ‘almost black’ blues, dark forest greens and inky purples, too.”
If the dark nail is still too much for you, then a slim French manicure with a dark twist may be a more subtle way to wear this trend.
Essie Nail Polish in Bobbing for Baubles, R139, a deep blue.
Crabtree & Evelyn Nail Lacquer in Black Cherry, R190 – the name says it all.
Orly Nail Lacquer in Naughty, R159.90, a glossy grape. Yardley
Slick Eyeliner
THE LOOK: If you’ve finally mastered the smoky eye and it’s your go-to look, a warning: that lived-in, smoky smudge has been usurped by a sleek yet subtle black line.
“This ‘invisibility liner’ is the most flattering for women,” says Terry. “It’s a much skinnier, ‘lid-hugging’ line that creates a cooler, narrower eye as opposed to the big panda eye we’ve seen of late.”
Line the upper and lower waterline, too, as this intensifies the black and makes it hard to see where your lashes end and the liner starts.
The Subtle Smoky
Balance black eyeliner with a smudge of a neutral colour, such as Clarins Cream-to-Powder Eye Shadow in Nude Beige, R320; or MAC Crème Colour Base in Dusk, R250, all over the lid to open up the eye.
Liquid-liner: The neck of Lancôme Grandiôse Liner, RRSP R340, tilts at 35 degrees to get right into lashes.
While, Max Factor Colour X-pert Waterproof Eyeliner in Deep Black, R185.95, has a firm tip that’s easy to control.
Gel: L.A. Girl Gel Liner Kit in Jet Black, R59.95, is a richly pigmented liner.
Kohl: Benefit BADgal Waterproof Eyeliner Mini in Black, R85; Maybelline Color Show Crayon Khol Liner in Ultra Black, R39.95; or new limited-edition Clinique High Impact Kajal Eyeliner in Black, R310.
Push into lashes using Clicks Angled Eyeliner Brush, R50.95 or Real Techniques Bold Metals Angled Liner Brush, R250.
All On Brows
THE LOOK: Eyebrows have gone back to being natural again, but as full as possible, not overly tweezed, and looking brushed and groomed.
“We’ve moved away from the statement brow,” says Terry. “Think super groomed, brushed up and filled in-between. I’ve always loved the Margaux Hemingway look, myself; it adds a bit of sexiness to the face: tweeze too sharp and they look witchy; too unkempt looks crazy. Just find a fine balance that suits you.”
Givenchy Mister Brow Filler, R410, a coloured gel to give volume to the hair, groom and hold the brows in place; or Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper, R345, a gel colour that could stay in place for days – if you really wanted it to.
Estée Lauder The Brow Multitasker, R385, a brow pencil, brush and powder to fill and shape brows for a natural look. NYX Eyebrow Shaper, R134.95.
Use a fatter, waxy pencil with no pigment, like NYX Eyebrow Shaper, R134.95, for a more modern ‘soft focus’ brow.
Sorbet Light Up Tweezer, R115, Clicks
Also, Sorbet Light-Up Tweezer, R115, makes for super-easy on-the-go grooming.
