When it comes to trying new cosmetic trends and fads, I’ve never really been shy. I guess I just recognize the fact that life is fleeting and it doesn’t make sense to worry about whether or not someone else is going to judge you for painting your nails navy or rocking false lashes during the day (*gasp!* Calm down.) This ain’t no dress rehearsal, folks – might as well do what you will while you can.

It’s easy to get so set in your make-up ways that the gently hued glosses and smoky eyes of the previous seasons can become a ‘uniform’ planting your look firmly in 2006. But in this, the mother-of-all party seasons – don’t you think it might be fun to boldly go where your cosmetics bag hasn’t gone in the past four-years?

Come on! Live a little. It’s not like we’re asking you to go all-Lady-Gaga-meat-dress bold. Just some subtle and ultimately wearable variations on the routine.



Runway hair and make-up can often times be particularly difficult to rock in real-life. Since an over-the-top up-do can be hard to simulate (and - let’s be honest - balance) and a dark purple over-extended lip can be a touch… a… distracting (not to mention incredibly difficult to apply), let’s take a look at some of the more reasonable make-up trends that have ventured from recent runway to red-carpet to (hopefully) your very own face.



One of the most popular canvases on which to spice up your look this season is the lip. As in painting your pout in striking dramatic shades of bright red, stark nude and even variations of purple. The idea is to go bold – and paired with a subtly lined eye or even less embellishment than that, a slash of color on the lip (or erasing it completely - try M.A.C's Lip Erase concealer) is an easy way to bring the drama without going to over-the-top.



While the eyeshadow is typically subtle with a bolder lip (think soft browns and pinks), there are probably those of you unwilling to completely commit to the look. If you insist on staying true to the smoky eye look, try extending it a touch further – as in all the way up to the brow like Chanel Makeup’s Global Creative Director, Peter Phillips did for the company’s Spring 2011 season. Paired with matte-soft pink lip and severely parted and pulled back hair – this look is both elegant and daring and perfect for those gals unwilling to break-up with their traditional holiday look.



'til Next Time!