It’s (almost) unanimous.
Intense, saturated hits of colour, particularly around the eyes, was the beauty statement a surprising number of designers ran with for their shows at New Zealand Fashion Week this year.
Internationally a bold, fresh approach to using colour in makeup in application (from ultra-blended and blown out to graphic and hard-edged), placement (not just a statement lip) and intensity (sheer pastel washes to graphic electric neon) has been making waves. Seen everywhere from fashion runways to concert stages to city streets, the deliberate, assertive approach mimics much about culture right now so it makes sense to see it adopted here.
It’s true that runway looks aren’t always the easiest to translate to everyday life, but there are ways to adapt the look to work with your style, particularly if, like us, you’re ready for an update after rocking a low key look all winter.
As usual, MAC Cosmetics artists were front and centre, so here are the powerful, colourful looks we loved, some tips on what they used and how to be inspired by them.
Zambesi
The look: Electric shock eye pops.
Key products: MAC Process Magenta Pigment and Chrome Yellow Eyeshadow, Goldlite Strobe Cream.
The takeaway: The inner corner is a cool, playful position for colour. Subtle, lit-from-within skin is the perfect counterbalance.
Katherine Victoria
The look: Pastel power play.
Key products: MAC Pro Paint Sticks in a custom mix, Blacktrack Fluidline.
The takeaway: Pastel can be punchy. A graphic or intense opaque application are your best bets.
Huffer
The look: High voltage waterliner.
Key products: MAC Chromagraphic pencil liners in High-Def Cyan and Process Magenta.
The takeaway: Pops of bright liner in the waterline are balanced by leaving lids clear and skin clean.
Hailwood
The look: Bold and blown out.
Key products: MAC Pigment in Landscape Green, Lipmix in Ochre and Lip Conditioner.
The takeaway: Blend, blend, blend, and extend colour slightly above the crease. Going big on the eyes? Leave lips low key with lip balm or clear gloss.
Kate Sylvester
The look: Retro super future.
Key products: MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Groundwork, Magenta Madness and Neo-Orange Pigments.
The takeaway: Washed on reds and pinks around the eye are everything, adopt immediately just extend a little less.
Ovna Ovich
The look: Sliced and slashed.
Key products: Custom mix of MAC Chromaline liner, Lipstick in Siss.
The takeaway: Unstructured and unexpected is the approach. Forget contouring or multi shade blending when it comes to bold colour.
World
The look: Hectic glitter.
Key products: MAC Reflects Glitter in Very Pink, Haute & Naughty Mascara.
The takeaway: Let the showstopper speak for itself, keep everything else monochromatic and load up lashes.
