Award season is right around the corner, and the fashion police are already on call waiting to convict all of this year’s red carpet offenders. How can you avoid a citation, even if you’re not heading to Hollywood? We asked Make Up For Ever’s Lijha Stewart what experts are predicting will be this year’s go-to tricks for getting gorgeous, and she was happy to let us in on the secret.
Big, bold lips
“This year, strong lips will create drama on the red carpet by demanding attention with shades of vintage ruby, tangerine orange, electric berry, and everything in between,” says Stewart of the shades currently trending with celebrities. She suggests emphasizing your pout with liner, and choosing products with extremely shiny gloss or a “velvety matte” texture.
Heavy metal
Metallic makeup is projected to add a major dose of extra sparkle to the red carpet this year. Stewart says we’ll be seeing lots of “metallic gunmetal, golds, and bronzes” on eyelids, skin, and lips. (It appears “understated” is so 2011.)
Flawless skin
Though nothing new, porcelain-looking skin is destined to be a fixture with the fabulous people this season. Says Stewart, “Skin is so important for creating a look of health and vitality—choose a foundation that makes your skin look amazing and take the time to apply it properly.”
Effortlessly chic hair
According to Harper’s Bazaar, the looks at the Spring 2012 fashion shows included “polished ponytails, graceful braids, and bouncy blowouts.” Sounds like Reese Witherspoon’s perfectly coiffed pony from last year could possibly make another appearance!
Though these looks may sound like a lot of effort, Stewart says taking just a bit more time for primping can pay off in a big way: “If we took only 15 extra minutes in the morning, and focused on one of the features listed above, we would feel so glamorous throughout the whole day.”
