The fall 2008 runways were nothing if not a study in contrast. Beautifully demure, highly tailored streamlined silhouettes dominated at Calvin Klein and Prada, while bold and brazen high-powered design reigned supreme on the Fendi and Balenciaga catwalks. And, of course, the makeup followed suit with everything from ethereal-looking skin to in-your-face eyeliner. The good news? Fall makeup trends truly offer something for everyone. The bad news? Some of the looks may be a bit much for the office (but there’s always after hours…). Here, a list of what you need to update your makeup bag today.
1. Lip stain: Shelf your gloss and opt for a saturated, matte red pout. Everything from dark berry tones—try Vincent Longo Lip & Cheek Gel Stain in Apollonia ($22.50, sephora.com)—to dramatic blackish reds like Lorac Sheer Wash Lip/Cheek Tint ($19, loraccosmetics.com) are fair game.
2. Tinted brow gel: Full, defined eyebrows are de rigueur this season (be wary of over-plucking!). Get them with Benefit Speed Brow ($12, benefitcosmetics.com), which fills in and sets brows in one easy step.
3. Gray eye shadow: Smoldering shades of gunmetal (like Maybelline Expertwear Single Eyeshadow in Night Sky Shimmer; $2.99, drugstore.com), charcoal (Stila Eye Shadow in Sajama; $18, stilacosmetics.com), and pewter (Smashbox Eye Shadow in Platinum; $16, smashbox.com) may very well be the new black. Use them to create the latest interpretation of the smoky eye—the dramatic, überchic raccoon eye.
4. High-octane eyeliner: Think of color as an accessory for your face, and experiment with sweeps of electric blue (M.A.C Technakohl Liner in Smoothblue; $14.50, maccosmetics.com), green (JK Jemma Kidd I-Conic Eyes Pencil Eyeliner in Drama Queen; $14, target.com), pink (Make Up For Ever Flash Color in Fuchsia; $17, sephora.com), or yellow (Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil in Honey; $16, urbandecay.com) along the upper lash line. But be careful—a little goes a long way.
5. Purple eye shadow: With its newly minted status as this season’s “it” color, purple is on lids everywhere in shades ranging from shimmering lilac like Cargo Eye Shadow in Yukon ($16, cargocosmetics.com) to intense, deep plum such as Laura Mercier Matte Eye Colour in Black Plum ($22, lauramercier.com).
6. Black eyeliner: Perhaps this season’s most versatile tool, this classic pairs perfectly with the ubiquitous gray and purple shadows or stands alone beautifully to create a flirty, classic cat eye. Try Cover Girl Perfect Point Plus in Black Onyx ($4.99; drugstore.com).
7. Matte foundation: Skin is less dewy and more luminous for fall, which means a flawless, clean canvas is mandatory. Get the look with Prescriptives Virtual Matte Oil-Control Makeup SPF 15 ($32.50, prescriptives.com).
8. Skin highlighter: Give skin a glowing, lit-from-within look with Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator ($22.50, clinique.com).
9. Gold blush: A touch of golden shimmer on the cheeks creates both a subtle contour and warmth—and is the perfect complement to an otherwise heavy color palette. Try M.A.C Powder Blush in Trace Gold ($18, maccosmetics.com).
10. Pale peach lip color: If you’re going for an intense statement on your eyes, keep your lips neutral with a sheer wash of color like Lancôme Juicy Tubes in Rose Fishnets ($18, lancome-usa.com).
