Backstage beauty: Even eyebrows get the ombré treatment at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2013

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While bushy eyebrows may not yet be synonymous with beach babes, bronzed skin and smoky, dark features were a staple at Miami’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2013. At Brazilian label Poko Pano, the beauty was inspired by youthful beach goddesses. Make Up For Ever Alliance artist James Vincent served as key makeup artist for the show and created a look that pulled from the metallic trend that’s dominated traditional runways the last two seasons—but did so with the goal of making it beach-ready and “appropriate for everyday.” After applying smoky layers of Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in a selection of taupe and brown shades, he accented with a hit of gold and bronze.

However, the real artistry was in the eyebrows: Vincent used Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow (available August 2012) to create what he called an “ombré brow.” First, he filled in and defined the brow with a taupe shade. Then, to add dimension, Vincent used a small eyeliner brush and a darker shade of Aqua brow to paint on individual “hairs”–a tip that’s ideal for anyone who’s ever overplucked her brows! Finally, to achieve the full ombré effect, Vincent lightly brushed on Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in “13” (a shimmering champagne colour) with a clean mascara wand for an extra layer of dimension.

For New York–based designer Mara Hoffman, “woolly eyebrows” are considered a longstanding signature part of her beauty look. Make Up For Ever Alliance artist Lottie was the key makeup artist for Hoffman’s show and brought the big brows to life, first fluffing the hairs with a dry mascara wand and then filling in any gaps with a Make Up For Ever Brow Pencil. The rest of the look was inspired by “desert hippie chicks” and Lottie layered rich, earthy shades of Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow from eye to temple to create an intense smoky eye. A strong hit of gold at the inner eye brought the look to life and gave it a touch of “desert flair.”

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