"Taking inspiration from the overshadowing fog and storm clouds emulated in fall's fashion palette, Laura Mercier created the Stormy Collection. Eyes take center stage with shades of grey that are offset by inky ore-like metallic hues in the limited edition Eye Colour Quad and three new Kohl Eye Pencil shades. With intense shading on the eyes, lips are forced to surrender to minimal colour with the new Lip Colour - Creme shades. "

Jen Says: I have always been a huge fan of Laura Mercier and I love how their collections are always filled with items that work with trends from the current season but are colors that will work for seasons to come. The brights that are so popular this season come in the form of bright eyeshadow palettes and eyeliners. But all the coordinating shades, the charcoals, grays, and three fantastic lipstick shades in pink are the ones to stock up and keep for years to come.

Melissa Says: Have you noticed? Glamour is front and center stage this season, and everyone wants to get in on it! This collection from Clinique looks to be no exception. Now, you may be beginning to wonder if this trend toward all things smoky and alluring means you have to suddenly begin to put on more makeup than you're comfortable with in order to follow the fashion. But, of course, that's not necessary. This collection from Clinique offers moderate degrees of the shades of the season, in its new Colour Surge Eye Shadow Trios paired with some of their other already popular products, including the highly-acclaimed Almost Lipstick in Black Honey and limited edition Black Raspberry for a comfortable, glossy shine.

See the entire collection and find out how to create the look at Cinique.

Melissa Says: Seeing as I just covered the fall trend of using a touch of gold shadow in your everyday look, I like how this collection from Nars definitely has some pretty options that fit into that look. Not only do they have a single shadow shade that is a subtly pretty gold, but several of the shadow duos have a hint of gold-hued sheen for that extra touch of glamour. The two lipstick shades (Flamenco - a "sheer candy-apple red", and Promiscuous - a "shimmering honey beige") both look luxurious as does the pink-hued Chantaco lip gloss, but I already know I'm completely sold on that fabulously pretty Tempest gloss. In fact, when I sat down to write this entry, I realized that while I was in Sephora this afternoon with my sister-in-law (without thinking about the fact that I would be giving an overview of this collection tonight) I tested Tempest on my hand and fell IN LOVE with that perfect peachy-rose with a hint of gold. I literally had it in my little basket, but then at the last minute fought temptation citing guiltily that I probably have about 30 or more lip gloss shades at home already and maybe I should wait to purchase this one.

Check out the collection at NarsCosmetics.com or Sephora online, or go here to find a retail location near you.

Collection image courtesy of Sephora

According to September's issue of Glamour, glimmery shadow takes a surprising twist for fall - "One of the prettiest eye looks from the fall shows: a wash of gold for day. No worries, you won't seem discotesque; the shades are sheer."
Photo: Mark Leibowitz

Melissa Says: I'm pretty used to using shadow with a touch of shimmer during the day, but usually it's a wash of highlight over jewel-toned shadows, and the effect is more from silver than gold. This, however, is a really wearable daytime look, if you keep it toned down with subtly-lined eyes and a touch of peach-hued blush. I just happened to have what turned out to be a perfect subtle gold to use from the set of M•A•C Paint Pots I recently reviewed, Rubenesque, which, when applied with my fingertip, gave just a touch of pretty gold sheen.

This season, find an unexpected treat at your Origins store or counter: two color collections designed to keep fall flawless. From the site: "Carry the season's coolest shades with you wherever you go with Origins new Fall Color Kits. Inspired by the horizon where day meets night, these crisp light and dark colors blend together for a look that's subtle but still sexy."

Seduction is a game of mystery...with a collection of extraordinary, luxurious products that evoke the intrigue of a glamorous past and the allure of absolute femininity. Exuberant plums, stunning pinks and gorgeous nudes allow each woman to create her most alluring look. The dark burgundy color prevalent in the collection and its packaging "brings to mind this mysterious setting I wanted to capture," says Gucci Westman. "It's very romantic."

Melissa Says: I have to be honest, both of these looks appeal to me, because of the emphasis on gorgeous glow-kissed skin and subtly-metallic, emphasized eyes combined with dewy lips that are lush and somewhat sheer. It's a hard choice, but I think if I had to pick a favorite, I'd go with Opulence for its everyday appeal. Then again...for any night out or special occasion I love the lined style of the eyes in Indulgence. Okay, so it's a toss up!

Smashbox Fall 2007 Decadence: Indulgence "This Fall, intensely defined eyes look ultra-glamorous with sheer berry lips. Our DECADENCE Fall 2007 Color Collection is all about indulging your senses with the most luxurious beauty products. Smashbox makeup artists have outlined the steps to achieve this of-the-moment, bold and beautiful look." Click here for step-by-step instructions from Smashbox on how to achieve this look.

Smashbox Fall 2007 Decadence: Opulence "Go glamour this Fall with dark and mysterious eyes, lightly bronzed cheeks and lusciously nude lips. Our DECADENCE Fall 2007 Color Collection is all about indulging your senses with the most luxurious beauty products. Smashbox makeup artists have outlined the steps to achieve this dramatic look that's perfect for the ultimate glamour girl!" Click here for step-by-step instructions from Smashbox on how to achieve this look.

"Pump up the volume and go for something a little fabulous - Bobbi's way. The Metallics Collection features four different shade combinations of velvety, shimmering shadows that pack major punch."

Melissa Says: The thing I love about the trios of shadows Bobbi Brown is featuring this season is that they are WEARABLE. Though they pack a shimmery punch, the shades are flattering and ladylike. This is a metallic trend I can get behind without being afraid to look garish in the process. For more information or to order the four sets of shadows featured below, go to bobbibrowncosmetics.com


Click the pics to enlarge.

• For Josh Goot's spring collection, makeup artist Phillip Chansel went for a nude look, even on the lips. The cheeks got a bit of contour and highlight, but the main highlights were on the nape of the neck.
• The nude look continued at the Grey Ant show with Make-up artists Tiffany Johnston. She went for a "plastic skin" look with a foundation that lies between matte and dewy. Then, in a turn from the natural look, she went for heavy false lashes with blacked out or blue eyes.
• At the Band of Outsiders show, artist Romy Soleimani broke out the navy eyeliner for their nautically-themed show. She continued the trend of full foundation with lightly contoured cheeks.

This past weekend, I visited some of the shows for the Fall 2007 Collections at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York to get an idea of what the trends is cosmetics and hair will be in the upcoming fall season. M.A.C. was on the scene as the make-up sponsor and Bumble and Bumble, although not an official sponsor, was connected to several of the runway shows. Fashion Week is still in full swing, but here's a summary of some of the things you can expect to see next fall.

Nicole Miller

Alice Roi

Diane von Furstenberg

Venexiana

Twinkle

Photos by imaxtree.com

Minimal make-up

Surprisingly, this season's make-up is...non-existent. I saw several shows with nearly no use of cosmetics and those that did featured flushed cheeks, natural mascara and nude or pink lips for day wear. The exception? Alice Roi, with a decidedly goth look. Spend your money on skin care products and perhaps a nice, natural foundation that will let your skin be the star of your make-up routine this fall. For evening wear, red lipstick was the focal point of the looks at the Diane Von Furstenberg and Marc Jacobs shows.

What I didn't see: glossy, shiny lips; bright eyeshadows; bronzers; shimmer

Stick-straight hair is so passe

Well, I'm in trouble this season. It seems my thin and stuboornly straight hair is just no longer fashion forward. This season is all about volume and drama in hairstyles. The look at the Venexiana show was big, fluffy hot-rolled curls that brought to mind glamorous pin-up girls from days past. I saw volume at the Twinkle show as well, but more of the teased, straight out of bed variety. Just as popular were updos, ponytails and braids seen in a variety of shows ranging from Lacoste to Caroline Herrera. Not that you'll be able to see your hair anyway; hats were the must-have accessory of the season and played a huge part of looks from Marc Jacobs and Nicole Miller.

What I didn't see: Flat-ironed and blown out hair; any middle ground in color -- go bottle blond or go brunette

Carmindy is a nationally-renowned makeup artist (also from TLC's What Not To Wear), and last week she gave us her tips for making those lush Fall shadow and liner colors stay PUT. Today, you get to find out what her favorite trend for the season is.

So what IS Carmindy's favorite look for the season?

Carmindy Says: "The new gold. It is a pale soft gold that works wonderfully with winter skin and should be used under the brow, on top of the cheekbone and on the inside corner of the eye to highlight the face in halo light. It should be paired with a bare face for a modern twist."

Thank you Carmindy, for giving us tips during Fall is Fabulous! Visit her site here.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Here are some product ideas if you'd like to try Carmindy's advice: Stila All-Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer in shade 3, $20.00; Benefit Gilded Highlighting Pencil, $18.00; Becca Bird of Paradise Gloss, $35.00; Pop Beauty Pop Up Glow in Sunny.

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Ultra-Dark Eyes

(Image credits l-r: Cannonieri & Fortis (Elle September 2006); Allure September 2006; David Slijper (Glamour September 2006).

Okay, it was inevitable that we had to cover this one. It's been all over the catwalks this season and featured in all of the magazines. Ultra-dark eyes - more specifically very bold and thicker than usual liner - is one of the most popular Fall trends in beauty this year. Melissa tried this look out in real life, to see if it was something she could actually wear and feel comfortable in.

"While this could potentially be too much for most of us in the daytime, it can be modified to be more subtle than what you'd wear for evening. I thought this was easy enough to pull off and still personalize to one's own tastes. Normally, I don't line the lower inner rims of my eyes, but for this I did. I also applied black liner below the lower lash line in the manner I normally would, and then retraced it to make it double the thickness than I applied before. On my lids, I decided to go with extra-dark shadow with some sheen on top for depth and a thinner line of eyeliner on the top lid."

What Melissa Used To Get This Look::

Bibo Shadow Box for Eyes from the Blackout Collection, the dark sparkle grey shade

THEN...
Revlon's Wet/Dry Shadow Quad in In the Garden, using the black shadow (no longer available in stores, sorry! but you can use another matte black shadow)

THEN...
Girlactik Beauty's Star Shadow in Satin (a favorite all-around shade to wear alone or to lay on top of color for a bit of sheen)

THEN...
Maybelline's Unstoppable Eyeliner in Onyx

AND FINALLY...
Top off with your favorite black mascara.

Lancôme's Fall color collection is called Luna Chic, which has three different variations: Twilight, Terra Light, and Red Carpet. Here's the rundown on the standout products for each look!

Twilight (Fall Chic)



Favorites:

Blush Subtil Mosaique in Stargazer

"This luxuriously silky powder blush uses a combination of distinctive colors for a perfectly natural finish. Multiple shades in one pan allow for definition, highlighting and contouring versatility. Oil free -- perfect for all skin types."

Artliner in Starshower

"This easy-to-handle, liquid pen features a uniquely shaped foam tip that lets you precision-line, shape and define your eyes.

Won't scratch, tug or skip. Also features a unique combination of two film-forming polymers that make every look last even longer. Rich, deep, luminous colour pigments offer the most intense- colour. The Result: A precise, professional look."

Terralight (Dramatic/Sultry)



Favorites:

Colour Focus Quad in Terralight (Designer)

"Go for the glamour with this palette of four colour-coordinated shadows to colour, contour, highlight and line your eyes. Patented Jetfine technology produces fine shadow for outstanding blendability and exceptional long wear. Use wet or dry to achieve various intensities. Custom applicators help create the perfect look."

Le Rouge Absolu in Nova

"Smoother. Fuller. Absolutely replenished lips. This advanced lip color provides 6-hour care with continuous moisture and protective Vitamin E. Features plumping polymer and non-feathering color to define and reshape lips. Choose from an array of absolutely luxurious shades with a lustrous pearl or satin cream finish."

Red Carpet (Glam)



Favorites:

Potion of Love in Vin Celeste

"Like a tattoo for lips, this felt-tip liner with a delicious "mango" flavor lines lip contours and leaves like a stain on lips. It can be used alone, or under lipstick or gloss for a longer-lasting lip look."

Juicy Tubes Smoothie in Vanished

"Add power to your pout with brilliant shine. Dial up the glamour with shimmering color. Discover a favorite shade and flavor for every mood. Lancôme now offers a fun way to choose Juicy Tubes based on coverage and finish, giving your lips the high impact shine and color you desire.

Juicy Tubes Smoothie shades offer medium coverage with a burst of color. Lips glisten with an ultra-glossy formula that glides on easily with its tube-tip applicator."

See the entire lineup for Luna Chic here.)

It's all about achieving a glamorous glowy look with this season's touches of shimmer and sheen. The benefit of utilizing these products is that you can add some dimension and a healthy radiance to your skin with some very strategically-placed application. You can use an incredibly light hand and still achieve a pretty result that is so subtle that most people won't know quite why you're glowing. On the other hand, you can apply a bit more for extra emphasis (especially on the eye area, near the inner corners and just under the eyebrows), if you're looking to create all-out glamour.

There's no shortage of products out there right now made just for this purpose, so here are some of the hot ways to harness the power of illumination:

Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer
Only at Sephora, $28.00, sephora.com

Bobbi Brown's Gold Shimmer Brick
Limited Edition, $38.00, bobbibrowncosmetics.com

LORAC Oil-Free Luminizer
Available at Sephora in Pearl and Gold, $28.00, sephora.com

Nars Highlighting Blush Powder
From the NEW Holiday Collection, $25.00, narscosmetics.com

Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener
Especially for the eye area, $18.00, smashbox.com

(Melissa will be publishing her review of this new serum in October after her 21-day trial.)

Read more about Advanced Night Repair Concentrate by clicking the link below:

Carmindy is a nationally-renowned makeup artist (also from TLC's What Not To Wear), and last week she told us about her favorite new Fall products. Today, she answers another question!

DeLush Asks: Fall is a great time to enjoy lush eye colors. Many of our readers talk about having great difficulty making shadow and liner stay true and not smudge off during the day. Do you find that primers really can fix this? Any other suggestions?

Carmindy Says: I swear by Paula Dorf Transformer liquid to keep shadow liner in place. As far as eye shadow on the lids staying put you just need to apply a bit of foundation then powder to the lids and there is your primer. In the case of really oily skin adding a bit of mattifying gel on the lid before applying foundation will help control the greasies.

Thank you, Carmindy! Visit her site here.

technorati tags: Carmindy, makeup tips

Lips are a VERY strong focus on this season's faces, as seen on runways, in magazines, and more. More specifically, it's all about lipstick again. So we want to know: If you've already started using one of the new lipstick shades (or an old favorite that fits with this season's color trends), which is your absolute favorite? If not, which one are you DYING to try? Share your fantasy Fall lipstick color with other DeLush readers!

M.A.C.'s always got a wide array of new products at any given moment. They're constantly innovating, and adding new shades and packaging as well. This season it's no different! As a fan of M.A.C. personally, I'm pleased to share with you some of the new products that stand out to me from M.A.C.'s new lines.
-Melissa

The Line: UNTAMED

"This fall, the feather in your cap: the soft pinks, restless plums, downy beiges and wild-spirited plumage of this unique colour collection. In life, love, style and spirit: Untameable."

Standout Products:

Take Wing and Well-Plumed Eyes shadow quads, $35.00 each

The Line: The Long-Anticipated VIVA GLAM VI

"Rockin' out with support from its four new spokespeople, M·A·C VIVA GLAM VI Lipstick and Lipglass! As always, every cent of VIVA GLAM VI goes to the M·A·C AIDS Fund to support people living with HIV/AIDS."

Products:

VIVA GLAM VI Lipstick, $14.00
"VIVA GLAM VI, the newest member of the VIVA GLAM family, is a warm terracotta-plum with pearl finish. Wear it alone or finish it off with a coordinating coat of VIVA GLAM VI Lipglass."

VIVA GLAM VI Tinted Lipglass, $14.00
"A soft neutral pink, in Lipglass's hi-shine gloss finish. The first VG shade to be translated into a Lipglass! VIVA GLAM VI, the second Lipglass in the VIVA GLAM family, is a subtle warm terracotta-peach with white pearl and ultra high-shine finish. Wear it alone or over its namesake Lipstick."

The Line: ROCKOCCO

"Gloriously gilded: a modern rock baroque-cracy. A glorious display of reds and fuchsias embellished by delicate gold and pink pigments. Imperial in its mood, rocking in its majesty: a masterpiece of pigments, attitude and art."

Standout Products:

Lipstick in three new shades (Gel, Overdone and Rockocco), $14.00

Fluidline in sumptuous Fall shades (Brassy, Rich Ground, Macroviolet and Ostentationus), $14.00
"Ultra-smooth, Fluidline’s gel formula provides the precision of a liquid liner with a silkier, softer finish. Goes on “foolproof” with a brush in an easy dip-and-stroke action. Long-wearing. Smudge-proof."

The Line: TECHNACOLOUR

"Eyes go vibrantly "technacolour," as new long-wear propelling liner, Technakohl, and Velvet Eye Shadow's vibrant gem-tone colours match or contrast to line and shade your eyes! Limited edition."

Standout Products:

Technakohl Liner in nine standout shades, $14.50
"A new mechanical pencil-style liner. In formula, soft and creamy, with an intense, rich, colour deposit. Blends on application: dries quickly to a long-wear, non-smudge finish. Versatile. An easy way to line the top and lower lash line of the eye. When applied at a 90 degree angle, provides a thin precision line. For thicker application, apply at a flat angle."

Technacolour Eye Shadow, $13.50
"Highly-pigmented powder. Applies evenly, blends well."

A lot of the beauty and fashion trends we've been seeing for this Fall season are borrowed from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, but this particular trend has root that go much further back. You've all seen paintings from the 1700s with the well-to-do wearing powdered hair or wigs. At that time, the white powder may have just been a fashion statement, or maybe it was just a way to keep their hair fresh after days of wear. At any rate, the hair powders they used then and the powders available today have predictably come a long way.

What is hair powder?
Hair powder is a gritty powder used to help absorb oils in the hair and provide texture for the hair. Some hair powder products, like the Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder product, are based on cornstarch as the main ingredient. The hair has increased volume and holds style more evenly due to the added texture, and the oil absorption allows the wearer of hair powder to decrease the frequency of shampoos.

How do I use it?
Apply hair powder at the roots and work into the hair until the powder is completely dissolved. Allow the powder to dry completely, and then brush through the hair to help spread the powder to the ends of the hair and remove any excess. At that point, style the hair or tease roots for lasting body and style.

Who should add this to their beauty routine?
Those who live in high humidity or have naturally oily hair, those with thin or fine hair who want to add body and style.

Carmindy is a nationally-renowned makeup artist (also from TLC's What Not To Wear), and last week she told us how to very easily change our makeup look for Fall. Today, she answers another question!

DeLush Asks: Do you have any newly-discovered favorites from the new Fall lines?

Carmindy Says: I love the new Stila "Fall in Love" collections. They come in great packaging and have different shadow and cheek/lip combinations in great fall colors. Also I have rediscovered a very old line that was forgotten but LaFemme Sparkle Dust are the best loose shimmer eye shadows.

Thank you, Carmindy! You can visit Carmindy's site here

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