Wear A Barely There Makeup Look Right

Many makeup looks emerged from this year’s New York Fashion Week Spring 2010. Some wearable. Some not so much. 

A star among stars was the Diane Von Furstenberg show. At first glance, it seemed as if Chanel Iman was wearing no makeup at all on the catwalk. As I looked closer, I could see that renowned makeup artist James Kaliardos designed a beautiful ethereal look that packed a punch. Actual products used on her face: mineral powder; on her eyes: pink & copper crushed metal pigment; and on her bee-stung lips: lip gloss. I’ve found that it takes more effort to create a barely there makeup look then to restrain ourselves from applying every color in our makeup bag.

As evidenced on the models in the DVF show, a little really does go a long way. Great news! You don’t have to wait until spring to wear this look. Now, you can achieve this barely-there face with a little help from me. And to make this look more interesting, I’ve thrown in a few more products including some of my favorite eco-friendly products. Believe it or not, not every black woman is blessed with full lips like Chanel. For all you pout-challenged ladies, skip the plastic surgeon’s office altogether and pick up a temporary and fashionable alternative like  ($49, beauty.com). At $49, this is hardly a drop in the bucket, but it’s worth the splurge because it does an excellent job of enhancing the appearance of your lips instantly. You apply it like any other gloss. Downside: you may feel a little tingling, which means that the product’s working. But, if you don’t need “plumping,” then keep it real with natural makeup line, Korres Cherry Oil Lip Gloss in Light Pink ($16, korresusa.com). The active ingredient is Jojoba Oil, which smoothes fine lines and hydrates your lips. Here are some additional tricks for achieving this runway look:

Tip 1: Full coverage isn’t always necessary. If your skin’s in a pretty healthy condition (free of blemishes), a mineral foundation (like what was used on the models in this show) is all you’ll need. I suggest Pure Mineral Makeup Foundation by Bloom ($28, ulta.com) which comes in three shades – light, medium and dark. This product is good for three reasons: it lets your skin breathe while giving it that luminous, youthful glow. It contains no preservatives or additives so it’s perfect for sensitive skin types and it’s “earth-friendly.”

Tip 2: Highlight your eyes. The shimmery-effect of glittery eyeshadow is best used at night to reflect light. To get Chanel’s eyes, use Mattesse Elite Stardust Powder in Gold ($13, rickysnyc.com). It’s a good choice because it flatters all skin tones. Just ever-so-lightly apply the shadow over your entire eyelid (but not on the brow bone), below your bottom lash line and on the outer corners of your eye. And now, you’re a supermodel!

Tip 3: Fake it: Glowing isn’t reserved for the summer months. Although no cheek color was used in this show, I think a peachy-colored cheek stain like green siren limited-edition natural cheek stain in golden apricot from Tarte Cosmetics ($30, tartecosmetics.com) would’ve been a nice “natural” addition. It gives you a natural flush and doesn’t clog pores, so it’s good for all skin types. The fact that it’s an eco-friendly product is just icing on the cake.

Tip 4: Wash it off. Never go to bed with a face full of makeup. You’ll only reget it in the morning. I can imagine many a model and even makeup artists during Fashion Week having a bottle of Healthy Cleanse ($30, sephora.com) nearby because it does so much more than just wash your face. It’s a cleanser, toner, and makeup remover all-in-one. When products claim to do more than one thing, it makes you wonder – does it really work? I’m happy to say that this one does. It took off my waterproof makeup without stinging my eyes and removed my lipstick without residual color being left on my lips. Healthy Cleanse – you had me at hello! This is the real deal.

Hue Knew It? I did. Check in next week for another runway-to-real way how-to.