FASHION Magazine

New bristle technology and ergonomically designed brushes are changing the way we put on makeup. Time to toss those sponge-tip applicators.

There’s a plastic skull at the offices of British makeup brand Illamasqua. It’s neither paperweight nor homage to Alexander McQueen: It belongs to David Horne, the director of product development, who studies the model cranium when he’s designing makeup brushes to help him determine what shapes fit best with the bone structure of the face. “That’s where I start,” he says. “I think, ‘Where is this brush going to go?’” Most recently, Horne used the anatomy class teaching aid while developing the Blush Up Brush ($50, thebay.com), focusing on the spot “where the mandible connects with the zygomatic.” The result: densely packed bristles arranged in an oval shape that deposit and blend pigment better than the traditional lollipop silhouette, he says, because they fit in the natural groove below the cheekbone. “If you change the tools, you change the application by default.”

See the full fall beauty trends gallery »

Jump to: TEXTURED LIPS | RED MAKEUP | CROPPED HAIR | MATTE SKIN | GLITTER AND JEWELS | SLICK HAIR AND SKIN | BIG HAIR | MUST-HAVE PRODUCTS

Spring’s bright lips, clean skin and dainty hair accessories were fun, but the Fall 2013 beauty trends give us much to be excited about. From ombré lips to decadent glitter, designers are embracing individuality with fall makeup, giving artists free reigns to experiment with the extremes. Lipgloss was layered on eyelids instead of lips, jewels adorned ears as well as eyes and sleek wigs were cropped into edgy bobs. Click through to see the best hair and makeup trends from the Fall 2013 runways as well as all the products you need to achieve the look.

Every week our Beauty Fix columnist takes on your questions about makeup, skincare, hair and more. Have a beauty question we haven’t answered? Email us at beautyfix@fashionmagazine.com.

What’s an easy summer eye makeup trend to incorporate into my routine?
Seasonal trends can introduce you to colours, textures and finishes you never even knew you’d love, which is a ridiculously fun aspect of makeup! Take on the pastel makeup trend and buff Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes in “53” ($28, sephora.com) onto your lids using a fluffy synthetic brush to really ensure the edges of the colour are thin and blended thoroughly. This formula is water-resistant and won’t crease, even in the most unbearably high temperatures. If you want to make a bit more of an impact, you can carry on to Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette in “Blue Lagoon” ($60, at Dior counters), which contains five iridescent eyeshadows that can be blended over the pastel base you’ve already applied—adding a whole new new dimension to your look. 

As a wedding photographer and makeup artist, Dallas Curow knows a thing or two about looking good in front of the camera—which is why we asked her to share her best beauty tips on how to photograph well. Be it a wedding you’re attending or other big event, you’ll want to use these tricks the next time you know you’ll be in the spotlight!

Wedding season is almost in full swing and even if you’re not heading down the aisle yourself, chances are high that many a camera will be pointed your way. Meaning: If there was ever a day want to know how to photograph well, someone’s wedding day is it. Aside from picking a flattering outfit and practicing your smile, the best way to ensure you’ll photograph well is through your makeup. But this doesn’t mean you need to turn to a professional makeup artist to get the job done. With just a few tricks and changes to your everyday beauty routine, you can ensure you look as spectacular in pictures as you do in-person. Follow the steps below and get ready to smile for the camera!

See the Make Up For Ever Aqua Summer 2013 collection »

The weather may be one way to tell that it’s finally summer, but the debut of bright new makeup colours is certainly our favourite sign! Make Up For Ever has announced a new range of summer colours for their popular waterproof Aqua line—just in time for sweaty temperatures or days spent by the pool. The new colours include five Aqua Rouge lip shades, two Aqua Lip pencils, three pastel Aqua Cream pigments and two new Aqua Eyes pencils. And because the season is all about bright, sunny shades, the Make Up For Ever Aqua summer collection is full of vibrant colours. (If you’re ready to bring out your inner seapunk, this collection is for you!)

See the full spring beauty trends gallery »

Jump to: 1990s BEAUTY | THIN HAIRSTYLES | STATEMENT LIP | NAIL TRENDS | BLUE EYESHADOW | SKINCARE | BRAIDS | HAIR ACCESSORIES | BEAUTY ADD-ONS

It’s time to say goodbye to fall’s dark lip colour, vivid eyeshadows and unforgiving hat-head. Spring is finally here, and we’re ready to freshen up with the latest spring beauty trends. Amidst the myriad of Spring 2013 beauty looks on the runway, nine key trends stood out. From minimalist 1990s beauty to vibrant blue eyeshadow, spring beauty has something for everyone. We’ve rounded up the top beauty trends for spring: Click through the best hair, makeup and nail trends from the Spring 2013 runway shows as well as the products you’ll need to get the looks. This fresh new beauty inspiration is sure to carry you through the season and right into fall.

Every week we take on your questions about makeup, skincare, hair and more and provide all the answers. This week Beauty Fix helps you decide if a highlighter is a necessary addition to your morning makeup routine—considering that it’s a great way to hide a lack of sleep, we’re onboard! We also share a trick for avoiding the cakey look of powder foundation and a new mascara that really, truly provides all the volume you’d ever want with just one coat. Have a question we haven’t answered? Email us at beautyfix@fashionmagazine.com.

Read on for the full fix! »

It looks like the new lip colour for spring may not even involve lipstick at all. At today’s Dior Couture Spring 2013 show, makeup artist Pat McGrath adorned models’ lips with red or pink gemstones for a look that was very reminiscent of ruby red slippers. This sparkling take on lipstick might look complicated, but in terms of a DIY, it’s easier to test out at home than the newest nail art trend.

To get this look, you’ll want to adhere tiny gemstones overtop of a tinted lip. Traditional lipstick will be too slippery—instead go for something without a sticky texture or added shine, like Tarte LipSugent Matte lip tint ($31, sephora.com). Let the lip tint dry for a few minutes before you start adding the sparkle.

See our all-black makeup picks! »

It is always darkest before the dawn, so the proverb goes. By our calculations, the sun should be rising on planet fashion any day now: the Fall 2012 runways plunged us into a cavernous black hole of clothes worthy of Louise Brooks and Siouxsie Sioux, and haunting beauty looks that referenced Tim Burton’s films. That mood also infected the making of Lady Gaga’s fragrance, Fame. “I like black, especially what it has to do with fame, because it is a veil,” she says, tapping her knife-like ebony talons on the table at a hotel in New York. “It’s sort of like saying, ‘I don’t want you to see something.’” The R&D department struggled to create the noir-hued perfume that turns clear once airborne—an industry first. (Rumour has it one staff member was inspired when he spotted a bottle of black vodka behind the bar while out for a drink.) The request for an ominously coloured juice was music to the ears of its perfumer, Richard Herpin. It meant he didn’t have to exclude ingredients that can be visually unappealing when mixed together. “I could use anything I wanted,” he says. As fashion has taught us, black hides a multitude of sins.

See all our New Year’s Eve beauty essentials! »

Three, two, one, Happy New Year! 2013 is almost here and we’re asking: What are you doing on New Year’s Eve? Whether you consider it a night to go all out or prefer to keep celebrations more low key, it’s a holiday that deserves a little extra prep and primping. In order to help you look your best while counting down the final minutes of 2012 we’ve rounded up ten hair and makeup products that are essentials for New Year’s Eve—a roadmap for looking your best, if you will.

We have the best new glitter nail polish, a last-all-night lipstick and a curling iron that will keep your hair styled well into the beginning of 2013. Our beauty picks also include the best products to keep tucked in your purse, from a pocket-sized concealer to a makeup artist-approved method for refreshing your look between parties. (And if you’re looking for further inspiration for New Year’s Eve, may we suggest our holiday hair and makeup tutorials?) Even better, our beauty essentials are also helpful once the party has ended: from the absolute best way to remove your makeup while you’re crawling into bed to a next-day face mask you’ll love, we have you covered. The countdown to midnight is on: read on and get ready to start primping for 2013!

With the year’s end on the horizon, social calendars are filled to the brim with holiday parties of all sorts—and you’re suddenly tasked with finding new and creative ways to primp. Taking a nod from beauty trends on the runways and red carpets, we’ve created three scene-stealing holiday makeup looks that will be the perfect accompaniment to both your sky-high heels and cozy cashmere knits. In fact, you can wear all of these looks to any type of festive event, so whether you’re heading to an intimate house party or a glittering gala, our tutorials will have you covered—and make sure you stand out in a sea of cocktail dresses.

HOLIDAY MAKEUP
‘Tis the season to swap pale-pink lipstick for oxblood-red »

PARTY MAKEUP
Electric brights bring your eyes to life with this metallic look »

NEW YEAR’S EVE MAKEUP
Sparkling gemstone add-ons make this glittery look countdown-ready »

See all the Christmas gifts
for best friends »

Buying a Christmas gift for your best friend should come as one easy task. You know your best friend inside and out, and chances are that you have similar tastes and shopping habits. But for those out there that don’t have a clue where to start, we have many ideas for Christmas gifts for best friends (and sisters and girlfriends too!) included here in our 2012 gift guide.

Christmas is a season of giving, and why not choose a Christmas gift idea for your best friend who you’ll likely be spending some of the holidays with? The affordable gift ideas for best friends featured here are all under $100, so even if the Christmas season is draining your wallet there are still cute, but cheap options out there for your best friend.