This season, backstage beauty looks in New York and Paris took a turn for the bold. It’s all about maximizing eyes, lash lines, cheeks or lips in a less structured and more modern way. Here, your fall makeup strategy is all about rock ’n’ roll eyes, morning-after liner, berry-stained lips or rose-red cheeks. Just not all at once, please.
Brush Stroke Eyes
The Look:
Liken your lids to a canvas
How To Get It:
This daring look (not for the faint of heart!) works best by contrasting a vibrant swoop of pigment with a natural hue on the rest of the lid. (move over or light shadow) After prepping the crease in a neutral tone, choose a stand-out shadow in your favorite hue—anything from futuristic white to retro indigo or vivacious violet (try the shades in the Pure Color Envy Sculpting Eyeshadow Palette in Envious Orchid). Apply with your fingers, a brush or the corner of a sponge in a strong swipe. Keep lashes fresh and clean.
Berry Noir Lips
The Look:
Decadently dramatic
How To Get It:
Nineties brick-red to film-noir burgundy to gothic black: How dark you dare is your decision. The berry stain is a sheer alternative to a classic red lip. Start by moisturizing your lips with balm, pat it off with tissue, then dab Pure Color Envy Liquid Lip Potion in Fragile Ego onto your lips with your finger. Put perfectionism aside for the moment—this look isn’t about sharp lines. For a moodier effect, layer a matte lipstick like Pure Color Envy Matte in Shameless Violet or Extrovert over a lip pencil in a similar shade to intensify the color and extend its wear. Keep the rest of your makeup minimal and let your lips do the talking.
Liner Notes
The Look:
Too rock ’n’ roll to take it all off
How To Get It:
The bad news is that your perfectly architected cat-eye flick is a bit too structured for this season's freer flair. The good news is that this look requires minimal precision and upkeep. For fall, the look is less “I’m with the band” than “I’m in the band.” For an intense, yet lived-in liner look, apply a slick liquid liner, like the Little Black Liner along the waterline. If eye pencil is more your speed, apply it to your lash line, then dab a balm like Aerin’s Rose Balm on a cotton swab to melt your liner into the lashes. Top off your gaze with two coats of mascara or add Kendall Jenner’s favorite, the Little Black Primer, to your lashes for a hard-hitting hard-rock effect.
English Rose Cheeks
The Look:
Healthy glowing skin and lit-from-within cheeks
How To Get It:
Smooth, even skin is paramount for this makeup effect, so skin preparation is key. Ensure luminosity by applying a serum like Nutritious Rosy Prism Radiant Essence before priming with Illuminating Perfecting Primer. Setting powder will counteract the glowy, fresh moment you’re cultivating—same for your bronzer which should stay stashed for now. Instead, use a highlighter like Double Wear Brush-On Glow BB on cheeks, followed by a healthy swipe of Pure Color Blush in Electric Pink on the apples of your cheeks, the bridge of the nose and around the hairline.
