Makeup

New York Look Book – The Allure

By Justin St. Clair

This one is by far the most popular look for women in NYC, maybe because it’s a celeb favourite and a version of it is often on the cover or Allure Magazine. But the best reason to go Allure is that the look is flattering on almost any woman: A bit of smokiness to the eye, though not too dark or heavy (which makes the eyes look smaller), is always a hit – it defines and adds a mysterious seductive touch. Skin is flawless, cheeks look glowing and healthy, and lips look sumptuous and kissable; need I say more?

A lady I feel who has always worn this look with great sophistication is Kelly Hu.

Here’s what you do.

1. Start with a your appropriate foundation. Follow with concealer to perfect the skin. Try Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation or Revlon PhotoReady Foundation.
2. Next use eyeliner pencil like e.l.f. Brightening Eye Liner in black and/or coffee to define the top lash line. My trick for this is to lift the top lid slightly and apply the pencil directly into the lash line (in between the hairs). I like to mix black and brown pencils to get an almost-black delineation (use black alone if your skin tone is darker) for sexy sophistication. Smudge upwards and towards the outer corner of the eyes any liner that comes above the lash line, leaving a little shadowy residue for definition.
3. Now a wash of mushroom brown shimmery eye shadow applied with a dome-shaped, medium sized eye shadow brush. MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush is ideal. Apply to the lid and blend upwards into the crease/socket of the eye. Not all of us have a crease/socket or sometimes the shape of the eye creates the illusion that this part of the eye (the socket) is below the top of the upper eyelid. If this is you then blend up to the place the top eyelid rests when the eye is open. The objective is to create a bit of depth and smokiness to the eye. Next use a smaller brush to apply a light wash of shadow on the lower lid as close to the lash line as possible. Less is more on this area of the eye. I recommend Shu Uemura Pressed Eyeshadow ME 850 or Sonia Kashuk Eye Shadow Quad – Smoke in Your Eyes. If your eyelids aren’t as smooth as they once were, avoid shimmer and go with a matte or near matte texture, which will give the same effect and flatter.
4. Curl lashes and follow with you favorite mascara.
5. Apply a natural toned cream blush or shimmery powder to the cheeks. Add a light dusting of bronzer if you need warmth.
6. For the lips: if you don’t have an Angelina pout, you can amp them up: choose a lip liner as close to the natural color of your lips as possible. Use the pencil to enhance your lip shape, then follow with a lip gloss or lipstick that is clear or very close to your natural lip tones.

The end result will be alluring. Go figure!