Maybelline New York have sent us their Autumn Winter 2010 make-up trends which should help keep us up to date without breaking the bank…

After a month-long merry-go-round of catwalk shows, the Autumn/Winter 2010 collections are over!  Autumn’s brand new beauty trends are blissfully straight-forward and universally flattering.  Not everyone can afford fashions newest It items but a slick of lipstick in the right shade offers an instantly wearable way for women to get a so-this-season style update.  Add a nude eyeshadow, a luscious flick of liquid liner and a pretty pastel manicure and you’re ready for your close-up.  Here, Maybelline New York’s Celebrity Make-Up Artist Fiona Jolly, explains the key looks for Autumn/Winter 2010.

Go Nudist

Product must-have: Maybelline New York EyeStudio Mono in Silken Taupe (rrp €5.97)

We’re not recommending you throw away your clothes – just strip back your make-up!  At the shows, chic shades of caramel, camel and beige were accentuated with rose lips for a look reminiscent of Calvin Klein’s early Nineties minimalism.  But for 2010, Fiona Jolly notes that “This time around the nude trend has a 21st century twist, using modern shimmer and shine, as seen at Balmain and Preen.”

There was also beautifully bare make-up at Carlos Miele where nude skin and NEW Lash Stiletto Voluptuous mascara [rrp €11.94] created an innocent look.  Maybelline New York’s Spanish Make-up Artist, Gato, was inspired by “sophisticated women” and blended nude and sand shades on the cheeks, using Pure.Cover Liquid Mineral concealer [rrp €8.99] as a highlighter.  That’s multitasking!  Just dot it over your cheekbones and then blend. Although Gato warns that, “this is not a look for little girls,” going nude is one of the most wearable trends this season.  Fiona Jolly advises that, “concentrating on your makeup’s texture – and eradicating colour – will create the ultimate elegant finish for the Go Nudist look.”

According to Fiona, “the chicest way to go nude is by smoothing on Dream Creamy moisturizing foundation [rrp €12.34].  Groom your brows!  The easiest way is to use a clean mascara wand and brush them upwards to give your face an athletic edge.”  Sweep dark grey or chocolate shadow into the outer sockets of your eyes and smudge a neutral taupe across the whole eyelid.  If you’re doing night-time nude, smear soft shimmer over the lid (Fiona swears by EyeStudio Mono in Taupe and Chocolate Chic [rrp €5.97].)  “Using a creamy pencil inside your inner eyelid will make the whites of your eyes appear brighter,” says Fiona, who also suggests a slick of natural gloss on the lips citing that, “neutral lip gloss is a girl’s best friend!  Just make sure you choose a shade that works with your natural skin tone.” To finish off this look, use the NEW Colour Sensational Pearls in Cashmere Rose [rrp €10.45] over the lips.

All very affordable prices and a great way to buy in to the seasons trends if budgets don’t allow new wardrobes!

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As someone who is ALWAYS allergic to mascaras (other than Clinique), I approached this product with caution and some cold wet soothing cotton discs!  I needn’t have bothered with the discs as this is one of the rare times that mascara other than my old reliable didn’t irritate my eyes.  At first the theory was ‘it’s only been a couple of hours… days… ‘ but no bleeding of the eyes occurred.

As for the actual mascara it went on easily with no clumping or excess product on the brush.   The brush is slightly curved in the shape of the lash line and the holder itself is boxed widening at the brush end.  The consistency is nice and thin so there’s no wastage wiping it on a tissue and it doesn’t clump on the lashes.  It definitely did accentuate the lashes making them longer and thinner which was great leaving a very natural finish.  By the end of the day it didn’t look as fab as at the start but because it’s so thin and light weight you can top it up without looking like Aunt Sally.

Over all this mascara gets the thumbs up and would be recommended to those looking for a natural finish minus any clumping. Value for money on this one with a RRP of €11.99.

Flutter power: 8/10

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Well, for me personally I’d have to say nay I’m afraid.  But, only because I like to wear my eyeliner pretty heavy and quite thick and the nib on this particular liner is pretty tiny.  Don’t get me wrong, I do think it’s a great product; it goes on well, it lasts smudge free for the day and it does not irritate the eyes.  I think it is really only suitable for a fresh day time look as above, or for someone who likes to keep it very natural.

It also took me ages to figure out how to actually get the nib to come out, but eventually I realised it’s a twist up nib.  It comes up a tiny bit at each click, but for someone like me who wears heavy eye make up every day, stay clear.  I don’t think it would be a good investment for heavy users, I myself would probabbly go through one a week!  Imagine how the goths would feel!  I would probably bring it on holiday to the sun.  You know when you are walking around soaking up the rays and you just want that fresh, sunkissed look?  Well, this product would be ideal with a dab of clear lip gloss and a sweep of some bronzer on the cheeks, perfecto!

The recommended retail price for this liner is €7.59 which is good value for money for anyone looking for a thin finish liner.

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