SISLEY FOR EMILIA WICKSTEAD A/W'15
At first glance, delicate pink hues seem like unusual choices for autumn, but paired with the bright, retro colour palette of Emilia Wickstead's A/W'15 collection, Sisley's muted pinks and pastel hues offered a surprisingly complementary vibe of sophisticated romance that modernised a classic look.
Inspired by the quietly quirky beauty of Margot from The Royal Tenenbaums, makeup artist Emma O'Byrne describes the look as 'geek chic undone'; deliberately elegant, with a retro twist and a melancholic but contemporary edge. The look draws upon the fresh focus of clean, flawless skin, with minimal enhancements - softly smudged eyeliner and muted pink lips, which tie in with the pastel shades that run throughout the collection.
In line with Sisley's French roots, skincare was key and each models's face was cleansed and prepped thoroughly with the brand's Cleansing Milk, Floral Toner, and Youth Serum in order to create a smooth, fresh, and naturally radiant canvas. Base makeup was kept to a minimum, with the Instant Perfect Primer* used to erase imperfections, calm redness, and prevent shine before a targeted application of the Phyto-Teint Expert Foundation, only where necessary. For a very natural sculpted effect, L'Orchidee Highlighting Blush* was used to emphasise a healthy natural colouring - combining a natural warming flush with a subtle, healthy glow.
An intense but sophisticated smokey eye was created using Phyto-Kohl Perfect in Ebony. The highly pigmented and ultra creamy formula was smudged lightly around eyes for a subtle definition that gave the impression of a thicker lash line. Lashes themselves were kept to a minimum, Phyto-Mascara Ultra-Stretch in Dark Brown* was used only to lift and shape the lashes, in order for the strongly lined eye to lead the look. The effect was deepened with the warm, chocolate brown shades from the Phyto 4 Ombres Eyeshadow in Dream*, creating the appearance of a wider, contoured eye, with the pink pigment dabbed onto the centre of the lid as a finishing touch.
The look was demonstrative of a universal trend for an overwhelming natural brow - each was filled, using short light strokes of a perfectly sharpened Phyto-Sourcils Perfect Eyebrow Pencil, and then brushed upwards to make them look just a little undone.
Each face was unified with a matte pink lip using the Hydrating Long-Lasting Lipstick in Rose Baby Doll - an eerily delicate muted pastel that was blotted on after precision application of the Phyto-Levres Perfect Lip Liner in Nude*.
I : PREP & PRIME
One of my favourite primers [especially ahead of a long day], this silicone-based gel formula creates a fine layer that adheres to the skin like mattified silk and makes makeup application smoother. Aside from being packed with skincare benefits, the formula is also infused with a soft-focus powder that prevents shine and diffuses light from the skin in order to blur imperfections and recreate the effect of a natural luminous radiance. There's nothing else quite like it.
INSTANT PERFECT
£43.50
II : CONTOUR THE EYE
Ranging from a natural pearly beige through to an intense chocolate brown, a warm copper, and a vivid baby pink, this palette encompasses matte, metallic, and satin finishes, which, when used together, have a light-capturing 'prismatic' effect. Offering a spectrum of intensities, colour combinations, and effects that will easily take any look from day to night, its versatility renders this quad a travel essential for me. The loose texture and intense colour pigments are surprisingly easy to blend, and adhere well to the lid without the need to prep skin beforehand.
III : LUXE LASH LIFT
Whilst most mascaras aim to either lengthen or volumise, the aim of the game here is lift and curl. I've previously never considered wearing a brown mascara, but the effect is surprisingly flattering, and is well suited to a daytime look that already utilises the intensity of eyeliner or shadow. Here, the unique brush shape and long-wearing formula enhance [and indeed almost negate] the effect of eyelash curlers, resulting in long and perfectly curled lashes, and not a clump in sight.
PHYTO-MASCARA ULTRA-STRETCH IN BROWN
£39
IV : BRIGHT & ROSY
Aside from being a thing of beauty in itself, this exquisitely finely milled powder encompasses the effects of bronzer blusher, and highlighter in one; resulting in a natural radiance that subtly contours and enhances the complexion. Above all, the sheer tint imparts a fresh and luminous glow that can easily be amped up to suit a more bronzed complexion. Ideal for those who prefer to maintain a streamlined and linear makeup routine, application provides an instant injection of life and warmth to a wan complexion.
L'ORCHIDEE HIGHLIGHTING BLUSH
£64
V : PRECISION PERFECT
A nude lip liner is an imperative part of any makeup collection, a daily essential that can be paired with lip colours and glosses of any hue. The smooth and creamy texture means this glides on effortlessly, without pulling or creating a noticeably lined effect. Thanks to a spot-on and universally flattering 'nude' shade, the finial effect is a natural-looking definition and subtle fullness. The non-drying formula is also surprisingly hydrating, so even when used to fill the lips, is every bit as nourishing and hydrating as a cream lipstick, resulting in smooth, supple lips with impeccable colour adhesion.
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*PRESS SAMPLE
