Get to grips with the make-up must-haves for autumn/winter 2011. Here, Jo Caruana chats to celebrated international make-up artist Gianluca Oddi for tips on new-season cosmetic perfection.
Every lady knows that the words ‘summer’ and ‘make-up’ rarely go hand-in-hand. Sure you can work that dewy look, with a light covering of foundation, lashings of lip-gloss and a swish of waterproof mascara, but as the weather gets cooler we can look forward to putting our best face forward and really making the most of the full range of cosmetics available.
So, as the seasons change, so too can your make-up bag, with subtle additions that will make your look more striking and glamorous in an instant. This is the perfect time to replace that fresh-faced summer palette with something a little more elegant and smouldering.
But, first things first, how can we help our skin to best make the transition?
“The most important thing to do is pack your skin full of hydration,” explains renowned international make-up artist Gianluca Oddi, who is also a trainer for the popular cosmetics brand Diego Dalla Palma.
“Sun exposure can really damage your skin, so it is vital to try and correct this to ensure your new make-up look appears perfect and lasts.”
So, if it is clearer, fresher and blemish-free skin that you crave, be sure to exfoliate and moisturise to clean the surface of residue and build-up from a summer spent on the beach or under an air-conditioner.
“Naturally, all women are tempted to keep their skin tanned for as long as possible,” continues Oddi.
“The colour of your skin will change over the next few weeks, getting lighter as sun exposure lessens, so adjust and modulate as you go.
“After all, every woman should renew her make-up bag every season, taking inspiration from fashion trends. But go beyond that too. New make-up lines promise very ‘technological’ products, with innovative formulas that will revolutionise the world of make-up.”
With this in mind, tanned tones really don’t match winter colours, so use this time to bring new colours into your palette. By the time winter rolls around, you should aim to work light colours onto flawless pale skin; this leaves you with a look that is very elegant and feminine, and bang on-trend for this season.
So it seems that from autumn onwards it is all about creating sophistication and intrigue.
“This is the season to really bring out the diva in you,” he says.
“This is your chance to learn how to apply a professional make-up look that really transforms you.”
Other than correct application, your new winter look is all about precise colour choices. For eyes, opt for a shade within the range of dove grey to brown, as well as sage green and orange.
“Combined, they give a really deep and intense look to the eyes that is also very intriguing and seductive,” he says.
Meanwhile, keep cheeks and lips nude. “Simply caress your cheeks with light tones of pink or ash apricot, and illuminate your lips with clear tones of taupe, honey and pink. It will all come together to look extremely striking and very modern – the perfect concoction for the new season.”
■ The must-haves
Getting ready to refresh your make-up bag with new products from the autumn/winter 2011 collection? These are the ones you simply cannot be without:
• A universal make-up base that offers great coverage and melts on contact with the skin. This will reduce micro wrinkles for an immediate lifting effect, and unify your skin into one more manageable shade.
• A duo eye colour eye pencil and kohl that will make light work of your eye make-up. It offers two shades, the darker of which should be applied inside the eye to create intrigue or on the exterior to emphasise eye contour, while the lighter shade makes eyes look larger and more languid.
• A corrective mono eye shadow in dove grey, which promises a natural look that will still appear bang on-trend.
• An automatic retractable eyebrow pencil, with a micro-mat tip that can design your brows in a matter of seconds, correcting their shape precisely and naturally, and which is formulated for long wear.
• Finally, a gloss lacquerel that delicately colours the lips in a shiny finish that perfects this season’s coveted look of glamour.
■ All in the brow
As Oddi explains, eyebrows are very much a focus of the autumn/winter 2011 look. “We’re talking about design here, not just make-up,” he says.
“This season a new brow is coming of age, and it must be an aggressive, modern protagonist that takes centrestage. Gone are the days of gull-wing shapes that have been considered perfect since the 1950s. Now it is all about high design and impact, so be sure to strengthen your brows when creating your new winter look.”