What better muses for makeup inspiration than the tools and techniques of the masters…
ROTHKO
“They are having the same religious experience I had when I painted them,” said Mark Rothko of the viewers who wept before his signature multiform paintings, such as Untitled (Violet, Black, Orange, Yellow on White and Red). We feel similarly in awe of modern makeup artistry and right now we’re worshipping at the altar of Jeremy Scott, whose power-packed eyes at his A/W 2015 show echoed Rothko’s work with its contrasting fields of bright, saturated colour. Scott’s team used MAC Acrylic paints to create the look – we love MAC Chromaline for an even more user-friendly experience. Simply mix white with your chosen pigment to create different hues of the same colour. If this look is too intense for your liking, go for contrasting nail colours or an ombre lip.
1. Maybelline New York Color Show Nail Polish in Pink Bikini, $8.49. 2. Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Moisturizing Lipstick in Red Door Red, $49. 3. L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Le Vernis nail colour in Banana Pop, $9.99. 4. MAC Chromaline in Genuine Orange, $40. 5. Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturising Lip Colour Balm in Plushest Punch, $40. 6. Essence Eyeshadow in I’m Blushing, $6.30. 7. Essie Nail Lacquer in Meet Me at Sunset, $22.99. 8. Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Moisturizing Lipstick in Mandarin, $49. 9. MAC #209 Eye Liner Brush, $51. 10. L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Le Vernis nail colour in Rouge Pin Up, $9.99. 11. MAC Chromaline in Pure White, $40. 12. MAC Eye Shadow in Chrome Yellow, $38.
PICASSO
In Cubist artworks such as Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, geometric forms are simplified and broken down into different facets using a palette of neutrals to create a sense of multi-dimensionality. The same basic principle underscores highlighting and contouring – that time-honoured technique where light and dark shades (your palette of neutrals) are applied to different facets of the face in order to make it appear more sculpted and defined, or multidimensional. At NYFW, Hood By Air gave us a paint-by-numbers demonstration of this technique with their unblended contouring look, and we’ve assembled the ultimate artist’s toolbox to help you on your way to achieving it at home. Let’s be clear, though, we strongly encourage blending! Take a leaf from Picasso’s sketchpad and offset your perfect contour with turquoise and cobalt accents and black eyeliner.
13. Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touché Éclat Foundation, $94. 14. Chantecaille Radiance Gel Bronzer, $90, from Mecca Cosmetica. 15. Maybelline New York Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer, $19.99. 16. ArtDeco Perfect Teint Illuminator, $28. 17. ArtDeco Duochrome Eyeshadow in Violet, $9. 18. Topshop The Concealer Palette, $28. 19. Estée Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Brightening Serum and Concealer, $60. 20. Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Eye Shadow in Sugar Cube, $49. 21. Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour in Curvy Contour, $57. 22. Estée Lauder Concealer Brush, $48. 23. Maybelline New York Color Show Eyeliner in Beauty Blue, $9.99. 24. Bobbi Brown Smoky Eye Liner Brush, $62. 25. Babor Sun Glow Bronzer, $89, from Forme Spa. 26. Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner, $52. 27. Clinique Beyond Perfecting 2-in-1 Foundation and Concealer, $64. 28. L’Oréal Paris Color Riche Le Crayon de Couleur in Ocean Blue, $19.99. 29. Bobbi Brown Powder Brush, $144. 30. Topshop Foundation Brush, $20. 31. Bobbi Brown Sharpener and Art Stick in Brown Berry (part of set), $110. 32. L’Oréal Paris True Match Crayon Concealer, $25.99. 33. Yves Saint Laurent Couture Kajal 3-in-1 Khol, Eyeliner and Eyeshadow in Noir Ardent, $63.
KLIMT
From gilded lips at Prada to gold-plated lids at Alice and Olivia, and even gold-flecked eyebrows and hairlines at our very own Andrea Moore, molten makeup was a staple on 2015’s fashion runways. So whether you’re looking to set off the metal detectors or just add a subtle gleam, make a grab for the glitter and get ready to channel your inner ‘Woman in Gold’. Our ore-inspiring selection of eyeshadows will have you sparkling just in time for party season, or go for gold – nail polish, that is – if that’s more your thing. Keep cheeks glowing with a peachy blush, add a pop of lapis to your lids and the masterpiece is complete.
1. MAC Eye Shadow in Gorgeous Gold, $38. 2. Topshop Glitter in Perfect Stranger, $11. 3. Maybelline New York Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24HR Eyeshadow in Bold Gold, $13.99. 4. MAC Reflects Glitter in Antique Gold, $48. 5. L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Nectarine, $27.99. 6. Nars Eye Shadow Brush #40, $52, from Mecca Cosmetica. 7. Bobbi Brown Metallic Eye Shadow in Lapis, $54. 8. L’Oréal Paris Color Riche Lumiere Mono Eyeshadow in Gold Mania, $19.99. 9. Kryolan Proliner in Gold, $45. 10. Topshop Nails in Heart of Gold, $15. 11. Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Eye Shadow Duo in Precious Metals, $69. 12. Topshop Eyes in Pyramid, $18.
HIRST
Looking like death is not normally desirable, but if death looks anything like Damien Hirst’s morbidly magnificent artwork, For the Love of God, well, it has been nice knowing you. In all seriousness, we’re not advising you to completely cover your face in crystals (although, Givenchy, #justsaying). But if you’re game, a few strategically placed sparkles along the brow bone or at the inner corners of the eye will make one hell of a statement. Not convinced? Jettison the jewels and go for metallic products with reflective particles. A smoked-out eye will up the death-stare factor, taking you from drop-dead-gorgeous to if-looks-could-kill before you can say R.I.P.
