By Aliana Moss
Aliana Moss here, and I’m excited to be writing about all things beauty for the She Talks community!
Have you noticed that there are constantly new products, treatments, and information coming out of the beauty industry?
As a makeup artist, I love geeking out and researching what’s new, what’s trending, and what’s behind all the hype. This column will bring a little fun and spice into your beauty routine by showcasing new skincare and makeup practices, explaining how to incorporate them, and inspiring you to try looks and products outside of your wheelhouse. You’ll feel confident and knowledgeable about your beauty-related decisions – and you’ll have fun!
Now that autumn has arrived, it’s time to change not only our wardrobes but also our beauty routines and products! I love the fall: cozy sweaters and boots, cinnamon and pumpkin spice everything. It’s the perfect time to treat yourself and your skin to repair and replenishment after perhaps a little too much fun in the sun. Plus… the chance to break out a glam look for holiday gatherings!
Let’s start with skin. Most of us are going to deal with drier skin conditions as cooler weather kicks in. There’s less moisture in the air itself, plus the use of heaters and fireplaces can leave your skin feeling drier than the Sahara. It’s time to take inventory of your moisturizers and change things up to make sure you’re prepared for the months ahead.
Here are a few important ingredients to look for that will level up your skincare in the cooler weather:
- Ceramides: A fatty or lipid molecule essential for water retention and barrier protection. (Try Caudalie Premier Cru Skin Barrier Rich Moisturizer with Bio-Ceramides)
- Glycerine: A humectant that helps draw water and moisture to the outer layer of skin, temporarily plumping skin and minimizing the appearance of fine lines. (Try Tata Harper Water-Lock Moisturizer)
- Shea Butter: A fat extracted from shea tree nuts that provides high concentrations of essential fatty acids and vitamins to soften skin, along with anti-inflammatory properties. (Try Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream)
- Squalane: A powerful emollient that provides serious skin-smoothing and softening benefits, helping to seal in moisture. (Try Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Mask)
Now that your skin is moisturized and glowing, let’s talk fall makeup trends and colors. The most important rule with trends is to make them work for you! Here are some tips that can help you customize these trends so you can put your own flair on them and wear them in a way only you can.
Bold lips almost always come back this time of year, and this fall is no exception. If a bold lip makes you cringe, have no fear because this is a look anyone can wear, I promise! There’s something instantly sexy and intriguing about wearing a darker lip. For this Thanksgiving, instead of your typical red, think plum, burgundy, raisin, or earthy reddish hues, all in a matte texture. (Try formulas like Lisa Eldridge True Velvet Lip Color, Violette_FR Bisou Balm, Dior Rouge Dior Forever) I know a dark lip can be intimidating, but there are ways to make it work, no matter your age or features. Here’s how:
First, always make sure your lips are moisturized and smooth. This can easily be achieved by using a lip scrub beforehand, which helps exfoliate away any dry skin and contains nourishing ingredients to leave lips soft and supple. (Try Fresh Sugar Lip Polish)
Once your lips are ready for action, one way I love to incorporate this trend is as a lip stain. This way, you get the same feeling with a softer look that’s still a statement. You can either find a product formula that is a tint or stain or take a traditional lipstick and apply it to the top lip only, then rub your lips together. If this still feels too dark, you can blot with a tissue until you reach your desired effect. Then, separate the tissue apart and apply one thin side to your lips and dust translucent powder over it. This is an old-school trick that helps make lipstick long-lasting and gives a velvet powder finish.
Whether you go full-on with the bold or softer with the stain, keep the rest of the face, especially the eyes, simple. I recommend skipping eyeliner and trying non-black mascara. Browns and burgundies are beautiful on all eye colors. (Try Le Volume de Chanel in Brun, DiorShow in Marron, or L’Oreal Paris Voluminous in Deep Burgundy.) You can leave it at that, but if you must, a swipe of a sandy or dusty golden shade across the eyelid will complete this beautiful autumn vamp look.
If you prefer the focus on your eyes, there’s another fall beauty trend that you could easily become obsessed with! Continuing with the brownish hues, espresso is the shade for the eyes this fall. More intense than a mocha, espresso brings beautiful depth and dimension to eyes of every color. Just like with the lips, a matte texture continues with the eyes. There are several techniques you can choose from to suit your mood. Swipe a light wash of color over the entire eyelid for a soft look, smoke it out into the crease or encircle the entire eye for some drama, or smudge along the lash line for an edgier feel. (Try Victoria Beckham Smokey Eye Brick in Tuxedo, Chanel Boy de Chanel 3-in-1 Eye Pencil in Brown.) Use your brown or burgundy mascara here as well and voila! Autumn never looked so good!
Did you enjoy this article? I’m taking requests and want to know what your biggest beauty blunders and questions are, so please send topics you’d like to know more about to me, and you might see them in an upcoming issue! You can find me on IG @alianamoss.
