Fashion school milan

Runway Best Bets - brief fashion and beauty notes - Brief Article

Beauty ideas worth snagging

Every fashion season has its beauty standouts, and there were plenty of sister-friendly takes for fall. From New York to Milan and Paris, black liner reigned supreme, as did the matte lip and a seemingly naked finish in foundation. Hair hits included curls in all textures, from Afro-esque halos to romantic tumble sets; the choppy bob; and the buzz cut, an eighties redux updated with a longer, hand-combed crown.

Because it's just as important to know what's out as it is to know what's in, here's what didn't make the scene: body shimmer and vinyl-like lip glosses. Overall, this is the season where updating your look will simply require a few punctuation marks, like wispy asymmetrical bangs to accent your bob, or a stained nude lip to back up a well-defined eye. Your inside look at fall's defining details begins here!

THE DEFINING DETAILS

EYE STYLE

The eyes definitely have it for fall, with black liner proving to be the most versatile look prowling the catwalk. At some collections it appeared as a clean and fresh sweep; at others it was more high-impact with a deep and smoky take that fully rimmed the lids top and bottom. Color and texture were also at play, with a creative mix of pencils, shadows and creams in shades of gray, slate blue, warm plums and fresh neutrals.

HAIR FARE

If ever there was a revival moment, this is it! Do's that smack of the sixties, seventies and eighties all had their time in this season's spotlight--from the coquettish page boy right out of charm school to 'fros on the loose to directional buzz cuts for a new age. Off the beaten path came a bit of newness--choppy bobs and the new big bangs that ruled, whether blunt cut, flipped and asymmetrical, or parted deep from the crown, ending in an exaggerated sweep. Wigs, too, were out in full force, whether as sassy cuts with elongated sideburns or bangs, or as gilded locks and 'fros!

Hair Accessory of the Moment

A chic must-have: The neat peau de soie headband shown at Carmen Marc Valvo in New York.

FACE FORWARD

In a season where less is so much more, it's all about the fine points. Take, for instance, the new Hollywood brow, a play on shape that involves tweezing or trimming on top of the brow for a subtle arch, capped off with a slightly shorter tail. According to makeup artist Gregg Brockington, who turned it out at the Valentino and Ungaro shows in Paris, this hot brow is actually a throwback to the twenties and thirties. Also noteworthy was a bit of fifties replay at Claude Montana, where the brow was dramatized by a deft arch and a sharp ending. The sculpted cheek represents another change, signaling a move away from spring's full flush in favor of bronzing powder or softer hints of color (many times the experts were multitasking products like lipsticks, which offer a wider range of hues than blush), applying it high or slightly under the cheekbone. Hands down, the clean, semimatte face provided the reality check we want. Some artists achieved the "fresh as a weekend in the country" look with a simple dusting of loose powder to cancel shine. Gordon Espinet, executive of makeup artistry for MAC cosmetics, perfected the look with MAC Matte, which gets rid of shine without adding any color, or with matte foundation and loose powder.

LIP CHIC

Lips part into two camps for fall: sensuous nudes or double-take reds. Bare skinlike finishes encompass everything from a slip of lip balm to truly naked tones (read: healthy-looking sheers) that are more reflective of concealers than lipstick as we know it. Other times the tempo is upped a bit to a fab matte stain using a slick of color to achieve a dark or dusty rose (truly pretty!). Unmistakably though, there's always a bit of glam around, no matter how natural the rest of the face appears. This season it's a clear red, whether matte or soft satin.

GYPSY WOMAN

One could clearly see that hipsters and rappers alike had their influence on fashion designers whose eclectic mixes of color and accessories, combined with minimal makeup or decorative touches, spoke of a style clearly our own. We also felt vibes out of East Africa (read: adornment, head wraps, bared skin, no matter the season), which truly proved to be the ultimate thrill!

NAIL PLAY

After seasons of French manicures or corporate-perfect nudes, nails are coming on strong. Across the board that means either long and strong on color, from rich reds to inky twilight tones, or short and metallicized.

PHOTO OPS

Celeb sightings are now commonplace at the collections. Eve was spotted at Imitation of Christ, Mary J. Blige at Luca Luca and Michael Michele at Oscar de la Renta, while Kimora Lee Simmons and Faith Evans kept the flashbulbs popping at Sean John. To work style to the max, these divas take in the collections firsthand instead of relying solely on stylists. Way to go!

BARE MARKET

This is no time to take cover! The shows proved that barely-there dressing will take us clear into holiday with a plethora of "cold shoulders" and otherwise sexy silhouettes that take the game of expose to a new level.