Mattes, Metallics, and Other Fall 2013 Makeup Trends (for Brown-Skinned Folk)
Red Matte Lip
Red lips are always in when fall comes around. So grab that fucking lipstick and swipe on a few layers of awesome.
Photo credit Ev Evnen
If you’re lighter skinned, blue-based reds may look good on you. If you’re more golden-skinned like me, you can go with brick reds or orangey reds. If you’re darker skinned, bright reds and dark reds work well. For the day, skip the blush. For night, go with bronzer or a brown-based blush instead.
To get the matte look, go with a semi-matte lipstick like I did (matte may be too drying), or blot your lipstick after you apply. For staying power, apply and blot a few coats.
I’m wearing Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Bourbon, UD Eyeshadow in Beware and Bewitched (from the Oz Theodora Palette), and NARS Lipstick in Jungle Red (for something more blue-based try Red Lizard or Shanghai Express, for something more brick red try Fire Down Below).
Metallic Green Smokey Eye
Browns, greens and metallics are in this fall. Smokey eyes are a great way to combine all three shades.
Photo credit Ev Evnen
The trick with smokey eyes is to apply the lightest shades higher and closer to the inner corner of the eyes, and the darker shades near the lash line and crease. A combo gold and green smokey eye is amazing on brown skin of any shade. My advice? For the most up-to-date look, your main metallic should be similar to your skin color. If you’re light-skinned, go with pale gold. If you’re darker, shades of bronze or copper will look amazing.
Tina is wearing Urban Decay Eyeshadows in Baked (if you’re lighter skinned try Chase or Half Baked), Smog (if you’re darker skinned try Darkhorse or Snakebite), Mildew and Cobra, NARS Blush in Taj Mahal (if you’re lighter skinned, try Gina), and MAC Lipstick in Lovin’ It.
Some Notes About My Makeup Choices
If your skin is super super dark and you can’t get blush to show up on your beautiful face, try NARS Exhibit A. It looks a bit scary in the pan, but it’s beautiful on dark skin.
If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll notice that my product choices lean heavily toward Urban Decay and NARS. The reason is two-fold. One, their products are extremely pigmented, and will show up on the darkest of skin tones. Two, they are both cruelty-free companies, though it should be noted that their parent companies are not. Still, both companies don’t do animal testing. Urban Decay also carries some vegan makeup. If anyone knows of any 100% vegan, cruelty-free makeup that shows up on darker skin tones, I’d love to know!
There are drug-store dupes for most of this makeup. Google it or check out Temptalia’s Dupe List. Or, if you don’t feel like shelling out money for new makeup and aren’t super picky, there’s always Makeupalley, a cosmetic swap site. I’ve gotten to try a lot of makeup that way, for very very cheap (you only pay for shipping). Plus, you can always disinfect the makeup when you get it.
This fall is all about bold choices and grungy metallic colors that are too good to pass up! Enjoy these looks and keep your eyes peeled for a holiday makeup post next season. Until then, keep being fabulous.
Note: our photos are not retouched or altered in any way.