BEAUTY
FINISHING
Innovative new textures are changing
the way we apply makeup
SCHOOL
J
ust when you’ve got the hang of
colour-matching foundation and
selecting a brow product that
doesn’t make them look drawn on
with a Sharpie, the beauty world
throws another spanner in the works.
Innovative new textures and delivery methods
are turning traditional makeup forms on
their head, but are they a gimmick or good
thing? They may seem slightly daunting, but
if the payoff is ease of application and better
performance, they’re well worth considering.STICK
For the time-poor, stick makeup is a solution
that can’t be beat – just swipe on, blend with
your ngers and go. Brands have embraced
solid wind-up formulations, providing enough
options that you can easily do a full face (minus
mascara) in your rear-view mirror.
Pigment-rich, a little goes a long way, so start
with a little, reassessing as you go. With eye or
cheek products, the bene t is that application
need not be precise – a scribble of colour can
create a simple smoky eye, and a dot of blush
gives the cheeks a pretty ush. With foundation,
sticks are useful for adding just a little coverage
where you need it. Start with a couple of swipes
in the centre of your face and work outwards,
blending well. 1 Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour
in Cocoa, $50. 2 Lancôme Teint Idole
Ultra Wear Foundation Stick, $70. 3 Yves
Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Shimmer Stick
in Light Gold, $96.VELVET
Where once makeup nishes were limited to
different ends of the matte or shine spectrum,
there’s now a raft of options in between.
Velvet is the newest take on matte and is
mostly used for lip colours but face products
also bene t. Delivering a soft-focus but shine-
free nish, these products offer clever micro-
doses of hydration, so they last well, feel
weightless and comfortable, and don’t dry
out like traditional matte formulations that
ake and wear unevenly. And the best part?
The depth of colour is incredible.1 Clarins Ombre Velvet Eye Shadow in
Pink Paradise and Women in Black, $45
each. 2 MAC Powder Kiss Lipsticks in
Lasting Passion, Burning Love and Style
Shocked, $40 each. 3 Benefit Hello Happy
Velvet Powder Foundation, $56. 4 Dolce &
Gabbana Blush Touch Cushion Stick, $55.1
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