Makeup

New York Look Book-The Lovely

By Justin St. Clair

What makes New York City so special?  Let’s not even go there: I’ll exhaust myself before I even begin!

Since this month I can highlight anything about my beloved NYC, I’ve decided to share a few of the make-up looks that are all the rage in the city that never sleeps.

The Lovely: This is the look of that beautiful girl next door. And she could be your neighbor, or behind that lowered latte cup on the subway in this city of surprises. But no matter how often you see her, she still has the power to take your breath away. 

The skin is luminous, nothing is too heavy, and it almost (notice I said almost) looks like she’s not wearing anything. The archetype of this effulgent countenance is none other than the lovely Blake Lively.

Now, no one can look like Blake, but Blake. But that’s true for you too – only you can look like you. And you can find your lovely the way Lively, and many a New York woman has, with these tips:

1. If you need foundation, use something luminous and sheer. Check out Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse (add moisturize to sheer out) or Chanel Vitalumiere. Get in the palm of your hands and apply like moisturizer. If you’re lucky and have great skin (sigh) just generously moisturize.
2. Reach for your chunkiest, most lengthening mascara. This look is all about the lashes, without going fake. I recommend Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes or L’Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen. Make sure to curl your lashes first, then apply mascara for maximum effect.
3. A wash of apricot or mushroom cream eyeshadow on the lid, well blended, just adds a bit of dimension to the eye.
4. A touch of glimmer at the inner corner of your eyes gives them just the right pop. Try Smashbox Photo Op Eye Brightener.
5. Now here’s the trick, cream blush. Look for a color that closely matches the pink tones in your lips (just use bronzer if your lips aren’t pink) and lightly apply to the apples of your cheeks and blend out (not in). Follow with a light brush of bronzer like Nars Laguna Bronzer or e.l.f. Contour Blush & Bronzing Powder.
6. Lastly a nice dollop of lipgloss, clear or almost clear, on your lips, and don’t forget your inner glow to complete the look!

Voila, lovely!!