lifestyle

Many fall makeup lines capture the earthy look. Pictured: Precious Pearlescents collection from Chase Aston.

It’s a little pointless to announce the fact that “fall is just around the corner”. Really, here in Florida, it’s just plain cruel to remind everyone over and over again of the autumn season we don’t really get to see (until January that is). Regardless of our seasonal shortcomings, fall does mean a few things: start of the holiday season, falling leaves, (potentially) cooler temperatures, and changing colors. So, let’s take a cue from Mother Nature and follow suit; it is officially time to change our colors. Naturally, I am talking about make up colors. Say goodbye to the dewy sun-kissed bronzed Goddess look of the summer, and hello to the matte porcelain doll with high contrasts for fall and winter.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to imply that you have to look ashy and pale in order to sport a trendy fall palette; quite the contrary, actually. Fall is about new colors, in vibrant and contrasting shades. In the summer, one can get away with the slightly disheveled, straight from the beach look. You know the one; wavy and possibly unwashed hair, with little more than tinted moisturizer and bronzer on your mug. Fall is more about looking put together. Again, don’t assume that I mean you have to spend hours in the make-up chair with a full team of specialists to achieve this. Here are a few easy tips and tricks that I have stumbled upon, for you to interpret as you wish. Starting at the foundation; literally.

In the summer, especially the sweltering Florida kind, moisturizer with little else is ideal—it’s lightweight so your skin feels fresh and you don’t look like Swamp Thing by the end of the day. Granted you may not encounter mind-numbingly cold temperatures any time soon, but drastic drops in temperature can wreck havoc on your skin (see dryness, redness, flaking, etc.). However, cooler temperatures do tend to be a little more forgiving to your make-up. Finding your true shade in a matte finish is ideal. Like it or not, you will more than likely be a little paler than you were in July, so opt for a new shade instead of sticking with an old one. You can always darken your skin tone with blushes and bronzers, but lightening it is a whole other article (see Vitiligo, Michael Jackson, etc.). Starting with a soft, matte palette will allow the attention to be more on the featured areas of your face you have chosen to play up, and less about how tan you are (or aren’t) overall. If liquid foundation isn’t your thing, give a mineral-based powder version a try. They tend to feel lighter on, and blend into the skin very easily.

The dewy look I mentioned above is when you apply a shimmering bronzer or highlighter to certain areas of the face to give you a glow. It is very summer appropriate and specific. However, overdoing the bronzer for Fall can make your skin look artificial and just plain sweaty. Every expert article I have come across cautions overdoing the bronzer, but if you absolutely cannot quit it cold turkey, apply it sparingly and only to the areas of your face that would naturally be sun-kissed (the tops of your cheek bones, your temples, etc.). A metallic shade is a great trend that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but it looks best when concentrated on the eye for a little more drama.

Next, focus on your cheeks. Blush is called blush for a reason; it is meant to give your face that flushed and slightly embarrassed look that we women wear so well. Try concentrating it only on the apples of your cheeks, and using a rosy-pink shade. The apple is the round part of your cheek that rises up when you smile. The idea is to re-create that fresh in from the cold look, but down here, we’re really just faking it.

Now if they say that the eyes are the windows to the soul, make it your goal for your soul to pop! Jewel tones are a great compliment to fall fashion. Rich greens, deep purples, and even darker pinks make a great palette to play around with. Start for the day by using a brush to line your upper lids with your color of choice. Then easily convert the look for night by smudging it upward into your crease a little more; just note that the more dramatic your eyes, the more subdued and neutral your lips should be.

Now when it comes to your kisser, think berries; Blackberry, raspberry, strawberry. Berry shades were all over the New York and Paris runways for the fall collections in a variety of rich reds, dark burgundies, and even deep purples. The more toned-down the eye, the easier this look is for the daytime. Skip the regular lip gloss and try a lipstick. Sheer coverage with a hint of color is again, very summer appropriate, so you can easily figure out where I am going with this. The best way color play has been described to me is to look at it this way; in the Fall, all of the flowers (should be) gone, so it is our job to act as the flowers. Or your face’s job that is. Interpret as you wish.

Just because we don’t feel the same cooling temperatures as the rest of the country doesn’t mean we can’t rock the trends, and make-up is no exception. So once again, I push you to stray from your normal routine and try something new and different. At least with make-up trends, if you don’t like the look on you, you can always wash it off. Some stores even have open-product return policies if you truly hate the idea. I know what you’re thinking; and I admit that I’m not an expert by any sense of the word, more like a compiler of fabulous information that you normally wouldn’t think to look for. But if you still don’t want to take my word for it, go ask an expert. Try out my personal Mecca, Ulta, out at the Hammock Lakes Shopping Center in Palm Bay. If Walgreens and Sephora had a baby, Ulta would be said offspring, and it is chock full of experts who are paid to play and lead the way in trends and style.

Just don’t say I didn’t tell you so.