By Cherie Herrmann
Is your makeup bag lacking in the colour department? If so, now is the time to change that because there are a handful of glorious new colourful makeup collections hitting the beauty counter this month, and each and everyone one of them will leave you looking wonderfully sun-kissed (even if the summer sun isn’t exactly shining right now).
“Bright colours are surprisingly versatile because they can go from intense to sheer—it’s all in the formula you choose and how you apply it,” says makeup master Bobbi Brown, so don’t be afraid to embrace colour. “The trick is to highlight just one feature at a time,” she adds. See, there’s nothing to be worried about…
The collection: Chanel Spring Harmony 2012 Spring Makeup Collection
Possibly one of the most wearable colour collections we’ve seen in years, these new Chanel shades were inspired by the brilliance of the sky at both sunrise and sunset. With hues of pink, peach, coral and cranberry red, this range will leave your eyes, cheeks and lips will looking distinctively soft yet fresh, and sun-kissed and luminous.
The product you’ll love most and why: The limited edition Blush Horizon de Chanel, $90, because the graphic lines of romantic sunset shades mixed in with a touch of illuminator will leave your cheekbones simply radiating with health.
The collection: Christian Dior Garden Party Spring Look 2012
One can only dream about actually visiting Christian Dior’s magical garden in Granville in real life, but with the birth of this magnificent spring collection you’ll happily trade that experience for one of these divine floral green or pastel bouquet-inspired pieces.
The product you’ll love most and why: The limited edition Dior Garden Clutch, $120, simply because of its exquisitely delicate rose clasp case. However, the three eye shadow hues and two lip glosses in each of the two colour families are extremely wearable.
The collection: Innoxa Eye Shadow Compacts
OK, so these aren’t a part of an entirely new collection, but they still meet the colourful brief. Easy on the hip pocket at $14.95 each, these palettes are actually smarter than they look. The matte eye shadow formula has been formulated with anti-ageing properties that not only help moisturise the skin, but minimise the appearance of eye lid wrinkles, too.
The colour you’ll love most and why: Blushing Blossom, because plums and lilacs make a stunning variation on the classic smoky eye.
The collection: Bobbi Brown Marrakesh Chic Collection
A couple years ago, Ms Bobbi Brown travelled to a marketplace in Marrakesh, Morocco, and fell in love with the abundance of colours. Yes, this new makeup collection and its hues are the result of the inspiring saturated pigments in the fabrics, spices and rugs that surrounded her while on holidays. But to keep the intensely pigmented colour wearable, Bobbi suggests these products should be smudged, swiped or blotted onto the face to keep the finish fresh.
The product you’ll love most and why: The Rich Color Eye Shadows, $48 each, because of their ability to go on smooth like a cream, but dry like a powder with a long-wearing finish.