Fall Makeup Shades

Fall is one of my favourite seasons - I love how the leaves change colour to incredible warm, rustic colours.  I love everything about the autumn colour palette - rich olive shades, spicy orange, mustard yellows, chili reds, aubergine/eggplant purples and deep, luxurious teal tones.  I've been going to different makeup counters trying to get a sneak peak at their new fall makeup collections.  My favourite so far has to be NARS - their new fall 2010 lipgloss shade is fantastic - a great berry shade (it won't be out on shelves until late August, but it helps to be a makeup fanatic - you get to know the makeup sales associates quite well and having that relationship with the makeup artists at the store counters, gets you 'sneak peaks').  I'm also a big fan of NARS blushes - my favourite being 'Lovejoy'.  Now, I know its still July and I'm getting ahead of myself, but my colour season is Autumn, 'deep autumn' to be specific, so I often get excited when fall approaches because I know 'my' colours will be coming out of the woodwork!  Here are some of my favourite fall/autumn 'tried-tested and true' shades (by 'moi' of course) -

1) MAC lipstick in 'Chili' - I usually use MAC"s 'Auburn' lipliner with this lipstick - usually reds look best when your eyemakup is toned down.  However, I love wearing this lipstick with a rich bronze/gold smokey eye - its what autumn is all about!

2) MAC blush in 'Peach Twist' - This is hands down my favourite blush (next to Lovejoy of course) - it is a blend of warm peach and bronze and works well when paired with 'Stength' Lipstick by MAC

3) MAC eyeshadow in Sumptous Olive and/or Laura Mercier eyeshadow in Sherazade - both of these shades are in the rich golden-olive family!  I wear these shades all year round because they really make my green eyes pop - I usually line my eyes with MAC's Teddy Liner and then add some more olive-toned shadow to an angled brush and blend it into the liner (on the upper eye lid) - this really creates that defined, smokey eye that screams 'bombshell bedroom eyes'

Below is Laura Mercier's eyeshadow in 'Sherazade':

One of the key things about fall makeup is to not throw out your summer 'Bronzer' products just yet - in fact. if anything, they enhance the entire 'autumn' palette!  Secondly, if your colours are in the  'Autumn' and warm toned family - play up those spicy makeup shades even more, by wearing similar clothing colours.  Chili lipstick looks extra sexy when you wear a warm chocolate brown sweater or tomato red top.  If you have a rich-toned chocolate brown trench or jacket, take it out of the woodwork and create those bronze, sultry eyes!  For evening, play up the gold and amber shades - try 'Woodwined' and 'Amber Lights' by MAC - Both of these eyeshadows are great Autumn colours!!!

Know Your Colours

In the 80's, 'Color Me Beautiful' was all the rage, people were running to get their colors 'done' - Colour Analysis has taken on a whole new meaning since then - its no longer only limited to four seasons - Summer, Winter, Spring, Autumn. Currently, colour analysis takes into account if you are Light, Deep, Soft, Clear, Warm or Cool and within those catagories, there are even more options. For example, If you are a Deep - you can be either a deep winter or a deep autumn - the whole cool/warm idea is still involved in the process of discovering your colours. I've come across an amazing website that helps you do an on-line self analysis of your colours ( http://www.prettyyourworld.com/ ). One of the great things about this particular website, is that the creator uses plently of Celebrity examples to help you determine your colours. Make sure to really study the 'power colours' she provides you once you determine your best colours. There are some people who think that you can wear whatever you want and this whole 'colour analysis' thing is a waste of time. I disagree - I think colour analysis is one of the best things you can do for yourself and it should not be limited to females - men should know their colours too! Knowing your colours ensures that you ALWAYS step out into the world looking your best and feeling your best. You will shine and will always make a fantastic first impression - the most important thing is that people will notice 'YOU' - because wearing your colours enhances all the fantastic things about you! All the fine lines on your face disappear and all people will see is the radiance that is 'you'! There is a great book I picked up at Chapters called 'Color Me Confident' by Veronique Henderson and Pat Henshaw - Its an excellent resource for anyone interested in Color Analysis or simply curious about knowing their colours!!! I'm being completely honest when I say that finding my true colours has changed my life - when I walk into a store, my eye now goes directly to my power colours and shopping is hassel-free and more often than not, I save money because I don't overspend on clothes I don't need! I often get compliments from people (even on days where I feel 'blah') because wearing my colours always ensures I have a healthy glow! Its also made choosing a new hair colour, super easy - I've always liked the deep, rich brunette tones and now I know why - my deep autumn colouring screams for added warmth and richness!!! And lets not forget about makeup and all the money you'll save in that department - knowing your colours, will take the indecision right out of the picture - you will know your best shades because you will instantly glow when you put them on - more importantly, (and I've mentioned this before) - people will not notice your makeup when you're wearing the right colours, they will notice 'YOU'!!!


Good luck with the 'Pretty Your World' Website - let me know how it goes!

Here is a picture of me wearing one of my power colours - I'm a Deep Autumn - notice, that even with the orange being instense and spicy, it does not overpower me - I wear the spicy orange, it doesn't wear me!!!