Mar 20, 2007

'Natural look' favored for season's makeup

Associated Press

Makeup is getting a make-under for spring.

Whether your seasonal wardrobe will be made up mostly of cool neutral clothes or pop-art brights, makeup artists advise not to go overboard with rainbow colors.

They'll create too much of a contrast with the understated pieces, and you risk appearing cartoonish with the whole mod look.

Robin Tamura, director of strategy and creative development for Clinque's global education program, says if white is the base of your outfit, the first beauty step to take is to smooth out the skin's texture and color. Then brighten the eye with concealer - which will draw attention to the eyes - and work on defining the lashline, eyelashes and brows.

"It doesn't have to be about bold colors, it's more about technique," she says.

Joe Costa, national makeup artist for Yves Saint Laurent, suggests a palette that is natural in the spirit of the great outdoors, which has countless shades of rich browns and sandy tans.

"We have a tendency with a natural look to think everything has to be neutral, but if you look at nature that's not how it is. ... Think of when grandma used to pinch your cheeks. That's 'natural looking' but you have color."

If you have browns and beiges on the eye, Costa says to wear a rosier shade on either the lips or cheeks - not both. To dress up the face for evening, use black around the eyes.

"Eyeliner is huge for spring," Costa said. (YSL has just introduced an eyeliner that uses the brush-application technique of its popular Touche Eclat concealer that will create an even, thick line.)

"It's about the 'natural nude face' - that's what I call it," says Bobbi Brown. "It's not all beiges, it's about finding the colors that are right for you.

"If you're very pale, nude is the color of your lips, probably a pale pink. But if you have darker skin, what is 'nude'? It could be bronze. I'm sure Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Gwyneth Paltrow all have different nude colors."

Adds Brown, whose newest book "Bobbi Brown Living Beauty" (Springboard, 2007) targets women 40 and older: "Natural is what blends and enhances what you have. You don't want 'nude' to wash you out. If you put it on and it disappears, what's the point?"

For drama, Tamura of Clinique suggests a smoky eye - still with those earth tones. You can go with darker colors or gold, she says, but make sure to keep them warm. "The most important tip for daytime is to make sure everything is soft and blended."

Also, Tamura adds, lots of mascara punches up a look and helps define the face without looking like you have a lot of makeup on.

As for lip color, it depends where you want the focus to be. There are a lot of neutral colors out there, but if you prefer a red, wine or brownish-red lipstick, it can be toned down with a layer of concealer underneath.