It's All in the Lips: Fall Makeup Colors and Trends

You know what they say, when the economy starts sinking, lipstick sails will rise. The "lipstick effect" rumor goes all the way back to the depression; even when women were cutting back on most un-essential cosmetics, they would still purchase red lipsticks to lift their appearances and their spirits. Well the rumor must be true! The economic forecast remains cloudy at best for this fall, which might have something to do with the makeup trends showcased at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City this past Feburary. Based on what I saw on the cat walks, this fall it's all about a neutral colors on your eyes, face, and cheeks, and dark, rich, dramatic colors on your lips.

Eyes
Yes, neutral is in ladies, but this is so not your momma's neutral. Take a closer look at the faces from this winter's cat walks, and you'll see that the new neutral is much harsher than the soft, feminine hues we are used to. It's more about a no-color than a neutral-color; the idea is to look like you aren't wearing anything on your eyes at all. Look for shadows in the beige, taupe or brown families, depending on your complexion.

When you reach for eyeliner or mascara, reach for dark browns or deep blacks-- no blues please! This is not 1989!

Face
The idea is to focus all the attention on your mouth, so either skip the blusher outright, or look for a light, neutral shade. You want to highlight and contour your cheeks, without drawing attention to the fact you are wearing blush. Look for hues only 1 to 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone.

Lips
"This sounds so boring seems boring" you might think, "where's the color? Where's the excitement?". Not to worry, when you hit the lipstick aisle, that's where you can go wild. It's all in the lips this fall, so you might as well splurge on your mouth. Choose dark, red hues, rich raspberries or deep purples. Don't be afraid to go a shade or two darker than your normally would. As long as you've kept a neutral eye you can wear a dramatic, exciting shade on your mouth and you won't come out looking like a street walker.

For more information about fall fashion trends, and for great photos from the runway, check out the official Fashion Week website at http://www.mbfashionweek.com/newyork/.

Sources:
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Website

"This Fall Your Lips will Look Like Raspberries"
by Sharon Clott
New York Magazine

"Economy Got You Down? Buy Lipstick!"
by Lauren Fritsky
Lemondrop.com