neutral makeup

Thoroughly Modern Makeup

When you wear a bright color, keep makeup subdued—but not washed out. On dark complexions, a mix of orange- and pink-toned blushes highlights and defines cheekbones. The best way to add polish to any look: perfectly groomed brows. Have them shaped professionally, then tweeze to maintain. Choose a brow pencil one shade lighter than your haircolor. Never use black, says makeup artist Maria Verel; dark brown or charcoal work best. With short strokes, follow the outline of the brows.

To look effortlessly gorgeous, these seven essentials are all you need:
  1. Black/brown lengthening mascara: Clinique High Lengths Mascara ($14; Clinique.com)
  2. Peachy blush: NARS Blush in Sex Appeal ($26; NarsCosmetics.com)
  3. Tinted moisturizer: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 ($42; LauraMercier.com)
  4. Bright red lipstick: L'Oréal Paris Infallible Le Rouge in Ravishing Red ($10; drugstores)
  5. Sheer pink gloss: Maybelline New York ShineSensational Lip Gloss in Cherry Bloom ($6; drugstores)
  6. Brow pencil: Trish McEvoy Precision Brow Shaper ($26; NeimanMarcus.com)
  7. Lash curler: Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler ($19; ShuUemura-usa.com)

Shirt, Diane von Furstenberg. Necklace, Robert Lee Morris.

bold lipstick

Statement Maker

A lipcolor that speaks loud and clear necessitates that you keep the rest of your makeup minimal. For an even-toned complexion, use a concealer that matches your skin exactly, says makeup artist Maria Verel. (Origins Quick, Hide! Long-Wearing Concealer offers a multitude of shades.) A tinted moisturizer with SPF gives you radiance, hydration, and sun protection. Curl your lashes—to look polished but not overdone—before you apply two coats of black/brown mascara. Finally, for a bold mouth with definition, outline the perimeter of your lip with a pencil in the same shade as your natural lipcolor. Then apply one or two coats of a bright, opaque lipstick, like YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Rouge Roxane. Choose a moisturizing formula with rich pigment rather than deep shine.

Swimsuit, Crystal Jin.

chic ponytail

Pony Express

How to make a ponytail impossibly chic? With an add-on, like the Hairdo Wrap-Around Pony by Ken Paves. Pull your hair back (if your hair is curly, blow-dry it straight before this step) and secure it with an elastic midway between crown and nape. Spray the crown and sides for extra hold and shine. Choose an extension that's longer than your hair and, using the attached clip, hook it above your own ponytail. Then wrap the half-inch sidepiece of the add-on around the elastic. Secure it under the ponytail with bobby pins. After you've attached the extension, enlist a friend (with very sharp scissors) to cut it straight across, using as few cuts as possible so it's not choppy-looking, says Paves. You can use a gloss or a shine spray on the extension to keep it smooth.

Dress, Zero + Maria Cornejo.

modern makeup

High Definition

One of the niftiest features of modernism: defining and emphasizing the beauty of natural shapes. To play up your bone structure with a pop of blush, use a fluffy blush brush to swirl a peachy pink powder on the apples of your cheeks, then follow the line of your cheekbones toward your temples, says makeup artist Mally Roncal. For a new take on the smoky eye, try a navy palette rather than black. Line upper and lower lashes with a navy pencil, smudging with your finger or a Q-tip to soften. Curl lashes before adding two coats of navy mascara. A pale pink lip gloss finishes the look.

Tank top, Reed Krakoff.


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