Runaway Runways

Gen Xers looking to recapture your disaffected youth, this is your year. A recent grunge trend has inspired bare faces, greasy eyes, and deconstructed bed heads that haven't been seen since the early nineties.

This could have something to do with the recent release of the Runaways film, which premiered on March 11th. The film is based on and shares a name with the American all-girl teenage rock band that performed in the 1970s. The Runaways boasts A-list actresses like the Twilight Saga's Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning.


Make this trend your own by shopping the Runaway trend at UrbanMinx!

Ask Elyse: Bright Eyes

Dear Elyse,

I really love the colorful eye cosmetics that have been so popular lately, but every time I try them I look way overdone. How can I wear these shades without looking too painted?

Thanks,
Abigail

Dear Abigail,

When it comes to bright colors my motto is 'everything in moderation.' Not only will it save you from looking like you've just crossed over from the red light district, but setting an eye-popping shade against more modest hues will make the effect all the more dramatic.

If you're used to a medium- to heavy-coverage foundation, opt instead for a tinted moisturizer that will lighten your look immediately. Blush should be understated and lips doubly so. Pinkish nudes are the current mode.

As far as your actual eyes go, make sure that the lines of color are clean and crisp to avoid the night-after look. Otherwise, go nuts. This trend is all about showing your colors.

Hope this helps,
Elyse

Our Favorite Face in Fashion

Chanel certainly outdid itself at their Paris spring Ready to Wear, but what we noticed (and loved) was the tender-toned make up worn by the Chanel models.

It was a sort of fragile woodland look, made up of sleepy shades and soft touches. We're pretty sure it will set the pace for spring cosmetic trends and it's surprisingly simple, so we're showing how to recreate it just for you.

It doesn't matter a bit what skin tone you lean toward - Chanel had models of every hue sporting this look. What's important is that you start out with a porcelain smooth texture. That's where Napoleon Perdis' China Doll foundation comes in. A light application will have you looking as flawless as a woodland fae.

Last spring's ever-present pink cheek has been discarded in favour of an earthier pigment - basically it's bronzer without such a heavy hand. Place a light dusting of ModelCo's Colorbox Bronzing Trio just below your cheekbone. Chanel has it stoping about an inch from the edge of the face, but feel free to experiment with the boundaries until you're comfortable.

Your eyes should be soft but certainly not understated. Choose three shadows with a luminescent quality to them - one highlight (see NP's Ultra Pearl Eyeshadow in Candlelight), one medium (Golden Bronze) and one dark (Walnut). The highlight will go at the base corner of your lid (closest to the tear duct) and under the arch of your brow. Next, lightly dust the medium shade across the whole of your lid, going fainter as you extend up to your brow. The dark shade will be blended with the medium, but should only go on the outside half of your eye. Blending is key. You should see no definitive lines of colour on your eyelid.

Lips are last and have a bit of a bruised quality. Gently dab your upper and lower lip in the center with a berry coloured lip pencil - enough to get a shadow of the colour. Then apply a similar coloured gloss like ModelCo's Cheeky Tints to the whole.