Fall’s colorful crop of makeup may seem a little loud, but these shades are shockingly gorgeous on the skin. One swipe of these smoky shadows, sparkling blushes, or bright lipsticks and you’ll be ditching your typical taupes and browns.
Sparkly Pink Cheeks
Bright pink blush gives skin the most youthful-looking flush. But pay attention to the details: "Matte pink is chalky, and hard to wear," says makeup artist Linda Cantello. "Gold shimmer softens the look." Dust some onto the apples of you cheeks and blend outward so there are no hard lines.
1. NARS Angelika Blush, $26
2. Chanel Pink Explosion Blush, $42
Matte Fuchsia Lips
This loudmouth purple-pink shade looks modern (and becomes easier to wear) when dabbed on with a finger to create a stained effect.
1. Victoria's Secret VS Makeup Perfect Lipstick in Hot Spot, $12
2. L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Nurturing & Protective Lipcolour in Wild Plum, $8.95
Tangerine Lipstick
This color isn't reserved for traffic cones and prison jumpsuits anymore. When it comes to lipstick, "a saturated orange is sexy, elegant, and strong," says makeup artist Dick Page. Plus, it warms up both fair and dark skin. Just keep the rest of your makeup tame when wearing it: Stick to a soft, peach blush and a swipe of black eyeliner.
1. Topshop Make Up Lips in Rio Rio, $16
2. Milani Lipstick in 42 Mandarina, $4.99
Pink and Chocolate
This color combination strikes the same cord as salted caramel: It seems untraditional, but the end result packs a real punch. Page says a chocolate brown eye shadow shade that's warmed up by wearing it with a hint of pale pink is a livelier way to wear the typical neutral. Sweep the brown color over the eyelids, then blend a sparkly pink shade around the edges of the brown and under the lashes. Pull the color combination together with a pink lip gloss that has a hint of brown.
1. Maybelline New York Eye Studio Color Gleam Cream Eyeshadow in Rose Revolution, 6.49
2. Pur Minerals Pout Plumping Lip Gloss in Enchanted, $16
Burgundy Lipstick
We spotted this color all over the runways this season—including Donna Karan and Proenza Schouler—and for good reason: The rich berry shade has a certain ladylike sophistication that's perfect for fall. "If you already wear deep pinks or reds, this shade is the next logical step," says Page. Exfoliate lips with a cleansing wipe to get rid of any flakes before applying (dark lipsticks emphasize dry, chapped lips). Keep your mouth from appearing too bright by warming up your cheeks with a subtle blush from the same color family.
1. Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Grape, $8.99
2. Dior Addict Lipcolor Pinstripe Plum, $26
Lavender Shadow
If your daytime color palette is usually confined to beige, brown, and taupe, consider this new neutral: lavender with gray undertones. "It's a fresh variation on smoky eyes that's wearable for day," Page says. (Women with dark skin tones should stay away from lavenders that are too pale—it will look frosty on the skin.)
1. Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Stay Matte in Night Plum, $14
2. Black Opal Mineral Brilliance Eye Shadow Mosaic in Zanzibar, $8.95
Forest Green Shadow
Splashing green on your eyelids can be tricky, but this deeper shade of forest green is "chic and sophisticated on everyone," says Page. Apply a golden moss-colored shadow over the lids, diffusing it as you get up toward the brow bones. Finish with a few coats of black mascara, and you're good to go.
1. Tarte EmphasEYES Waterproof Clay Shadow/Liner in Green, $22
2. Sonia Kashuk Eye Shadow Quad in Brown Eyed Girl, $12.99
Don’t forget the sunscreen.
No matter what your complexion, don’t forget the sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology advises to load up with an SPF broad-spectrum lotion or spray that’s 30 or above, and remember to reapply. (We like Aveeno’s Sun Continuous Protection with SPF 55). Want to get Cintia Dicker’s sun-kissed glow the safe way? Try a sheer orange cream blush (like Nars The Multiple in Turks & Caicos) for a pop of sun-kissed color on your cheeks.
Slim your calves (without hitting the gym).
For catwalkworthy legs like Selita Ebanks’, keep them smooth and stubble-free. Ditch your old razor blade after five uses and prevent in-shower slippage, say the Gillette shaving pros, by putting a washcloth on the edge of the tub and placing your foot on top. For gams that shine, says makeup artist Colleen Runne, apply a luminizing product (our pick:Victoria’s Secret Beach Sexy Shimmer Body Powder) to the front and back of your legs, not the sides, for a slimming effect.
Get sexy beach hair, minus the sand.
Even more coveted than Gisele Bündchen’s quarterback husband is…her hair. Want that beachy look minus the sand and surf? Try wrapping hair around a large curling iron from root to ends, says hair pro Gavin. Then divide curled hair into three sections and pin into Princess Leia-like knots for 15 minutes, let down and tousle for texture. No time to style? Spritz in a wave-maker spray (like Sachajuan Ocean Mist) for instant supermodel sexiness.
Opt for sheer makeup with subtle sparkles.
Follow Miranda Kerr’s pretty-in-pink lead and keep your makeup minimal when headed out into the sunshine. Makeup artist Brigitte Reiss-Andersen, who made up our three gorgeous cover gals for the June 2010 issue, suggests using sheer products to avoid a heavy look. “Besides waterproof mascara, a gold lip gloss with SPF is very pretty on everyone’s skin tone,” she says. We likeClinique’s Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Goldspun. For extra glimmer, use a liquid bronzer (likeEstée Lauder Bronze Goddess Luminous Liquid Bronzer), but avoid chunky glitter. “Look for products that are finely milled—don’t go down the disco road,” she says.
Give your hair a pre- and post-sea treat.
Model Jessica White may look like she has perfectly windblown hair, but for the rest of us, a day at the beach leaves our hair looking anything but! Besides the sand in your swimsuit, salt water takes a toll on your hair. To avoid a color fade-out, spritz in a hair product with UV filters to protect a new dye job (we like Phyto Plage Protective Beach Spray), and don’t forget to coat your part with sunscreen to prevent burning your scalp. To pamper post-sea tresses, Gavin suggests using a deep conditioner (like Infusium 23 Repairology Leave-In Treatment) after a day of fun in the sun.
Look sexy all over.
Want a beach bum like Marisa Miller’s? To tighten up your tush, try a lotion with caffeine (we likeSt. Ives Cellulite Shield Advanced Body Moisturizer) and add a few squats to your daily routine. Don’t forget those hard-to-reach places, too! Make your back a zit-free zone come summer with a long-handled bath brush and a body wash with salicylic acid (like Neutrogena’s Body Clear Body Wash Pink Grapefruit).
Go for the bronze—not the orange.
Bar Refaeli looks sexy in orange, but trust us, turning this shade all over is definitely not sexy. For streak-free self-tanning, always exfoliate and start with your legs first, says Runne, then work your way up. Try a lotion that gradually gives you a glow so that you have more control over your hue. For an instant sexy sheen that washes off at the end of the night, tryVictoria’s Secret Beach Sexy Flawless Airbrush Instant Bronze Body Spray—the same product used on all the models at the VS fashion show.
Treat your sensitive body parts with care.
Don’t forget to pamper all your curves—including your underarms and bikini line. Rehab bumps and redness with an antiperspirant that doesn’t just battle BO but is gentle on those sensitive spots too (we likeSecret Soothing Effects Deodorant). No time for a wax? Get bare down there fast with an at-home system, like theVenus and Olay Bikini Kit, and you’re ready to hit the beach without picking up the phone to make an “emergency” appointment.
Prevent a makeup meltdown.
Get gorgeous like Brazilian beauty Alessandra Ambrosio without spending some serious QT under the South American sun. Skip the self-tanner on your face and opt for a bronzing powder instead (like Victoria’s Secret Pink Pretty Glow Pink Face & Body Bronzer). To avoid streaking, Runne suggests applying bronzer to matte skin by dusting on a translucent powder first. Fake bake and still look natural by using a bronzer that is only one shade up from your existing skin tone on your temples, cheekbones and down the bridge of your nose, and blend into your neckline with a damp sponge.