A touch of glamour with Armand
Poster: Armand 01/11/2005
PLUM GORGEOUS Deep, dark, dramatic purple, plum and aubergine are this winter’s trend for the eyes. Sounds sexy! But how do you apply them without looking like you've been beaten up?! I'm going to explain how to smoulder with confidence.Cosmetic companies have been looking at the ‘60s, ‘70s & ‘80s for inspiration and I'm sure you'll agree that some of the looks which are gracing the magazines and catwalks are reminiscent of the golden age of Biba.There is usually a fashion and beauty rule; if you remember it and wore it the first time around, don't wear it again. In this instance I disagree. Just take care in the application and of course blend, blend, blend.Always prepare the eyelid by using a good base for shadow. Try Guerlain Protective Eye Base or Clinique Touch Base Canvas; both are perfect at preventing creasing, especially in the Spanish heat. Obviously the older we get the more crepey the eye lid becomes, which leaves shadow prone to creasing, so a small amount of this will allow the eye shadow to stay put for longer. Once applied, use a light shadow as a base colour - try Beige from Shu Uemura or Silver Touch by Sisley. The latter is especially good at brightening dark, drab colours and giving a slight metallic effect. Then use a darker shade like Estee Lauder's Berry Ice at the edge of the eye and blend inwards into the socket line; and add Rimmel black shadow along the lash line to give a little drama and also to break up the colour and prevent the eyes from looking sore, which can be the case when using berry, purple and burgundy colours. This is the simplest and easiest way to use the winter trend shades. If you want to go for a more dramatic look then apply the berry tone all over the lid and use lashings of mascara like the Christian Dior, Diorshow. Avoid using mascara on the bottom lashes as this can make the eyes look “droopy”; instead use black or deep brown shadow along the lash line to give definition.Eyebrows are bold and groomed like Joan Crawford, Audrey Hepburn and Brooke Shields. However, if in the ‘60s and ‘70s you plucked your eyebrows to within an inch of their lives then you're going to need some help! Get yourself over to Gibraltar and visit M&S, as they may have come up with the answer courtesy of eyebrow queen Shavata, producing a handy brow kit complete with celebrity brow shape stencils like Kylie Minogue and Elizabeth Taylor. So find a shape that suits you and is easy to maintain. If you're fair then use a wax-based brow shaper like Benefit's Browzing; for deeper complexions try a soft pencil like the Shavata in the kit or try the brow pencils from Sisley, Clinique or Chanel. They're all easy to apply and have good staying power.Lips are not as glossy, so use a satin finish lipstick to perfect the look. Glosses can also “bleed” and creep any lines around the mouth. If your lip line isn't what it used to be use Estee Lauder Perfectionist Contour pen or La Prairies Stimulus for lips to refine the area. Apply Guerlain's Liplift on and around the lip.This season's lip colours are fairly dark but with more of a satin finish. Take a look at Givenchy and Clinique as they both have a large selection of colours. Keep the complexion simple by using a cheek stain, Origins’ Pinch Your Cheeks, and then apply your bronzer under the cheekbones to give a glow and warm up your look.Now you know how to vamp it up this season.
