This season it is possible for everybody to keep up to the minute. The latest trends  can be achieved with only slight changes to your make-up routine, and a small investment for your make-up bag. 

Mix and Match

 You don’t have to decide on one style as the four key looks: The Smoky Eye, Forties Glamour, Metallics & Eyeliner can be combined.

Eyeliner

 Eyeliner à la Amy Winehouse is fun for somebody younger and daring but can be subtly applied for an up to the minute change to any make-up routine. It is important when using eyeliner (in a thick or thinner line) to create a slight upwards curve at the outer corner of the eye to avoid the appearance of sagging. For a clean sweep of eye liner, rest your elbow on a table for a steadier arm. There are a few ‘clean up’ pens on the market to correct mistakes but the harder pointed cotton buds dipped in a little remover are also very good or use a YSL Touche Eclat pen as a corrector. Most brands have a version of this now.

The Smoky Eye

The most versatile of the looks, The Smoky Eye can be flattering and soft for the day by using a brown or a grey eye shadow or sultry and strong using a black or blending with purple (the colour this autumn/winter). It can be given a metallic shimmer for evening.

Metallics

Metallics are big this season in make-up and can be introduced in to almost any routine.  Most companies have a shimmer of some sort in their eye shadows and even eye-liners, as with the Clinique liner in limited edition graphite (RRP £12.00).

This season metallic's are warmer than the harsh and stark golds of the summer. A bronze or pale gold swept over the eyes is simple to do and can look sophisticated and brighten eyes of any age. If you don’t want to use a metallic shadow all over the lid, Ruth Funnell make up artist, who has worked with Anna Friel and Cate Blanchett suggests trying a little gold or pinkish metallic just in the little hollows inside the corners of the eyes. This immediately opens up the eyes and is a great way of combing metallic's with a purple, navy or grey smudgy eye shadow. Try Chanel’s new range. It is important to keep the base as flawless and subtle as possible as it will be accentuated by a strong colour on the lip or eye make up. Chanel’s Mat Lumière Compact has the added benefit of being a gorgeous addition to you handbag.

Forties Glamour

The Forties look can be achieved with a simple dash of red lipstick. For a modern version the look for 2007 is more of a stain than a solid colour. Clinique’s ‘Almost Lipstick’ (RRP £12.00) is perfect for this as it gives a sheer but certain colour.

For the eyes, the ‘Eyeliner’ or ‘Smoky Eye’ look can be updated with a metallic sheen. Take care if combining the eyes and the lips as it can seem too heavy. Keep it subtle giving the impression of well kept glamour rather than heavy dark eyes and red lipstick.

One product can work for more than one look. For example, eyeliner can be smudged to create a smoky eye. The Sisley Phyto-Khol Perfect, which they quite rightly describe as the ultimate eye shadow pencil, is a perfect investment this season. Not only does it contain oils and waxes for precise application and a smooth line, there is an applicator to smudge the line. The pencils even contain metallic highlights to achieve the metallic sheen too.

When shopping this autumn, whether it be for clothes or make-up think ‘deep and rich’ and you won’t go far wrong.

Emma @ Emma Davies

Agent for Hair Stylists, Make-up Artists and Stylists

www.emmadavies.co.uk