Glamour Catwalk Make-Up Ideas

Become a fashionista with catwalk-inspired makeup trends.

Show off your glamorous side by recreating the chic look of runway makeup. Models walk the runway, or catwalk, in fashion-forward clothing and equally edgy makeup. The trends displayed for makeup, like fashion, will set the tone for the upcoming seasons. Recreate the scene-stealing looks, and incorporate your own taste, with makeup you already own.

Foundation

Foundation will set the stage for your makeup application. Most catwalk models have natural skin tones; the foundation is spread over the face to even out the model's natural skin tone. Recreate the look by applying a heavy concealer under the eyes and around the nostrils. Spread a foundation over your face and blend with the concealer so your face is flawless. There are exceptions to the natural skin tone such as Anna Sui, who typically has her models walk the runway with pale faces so other features are prominent such as eyes, lips or cheekbones. Recreate the pale look by using a lighter shade of foundation and white powder to dust your face lightly.

Cheeks

Models either have naturally rosy cheeks, highly defined cheekbones or no visible blush on their face. Creating a naturally flushed, rosy cheek is simple and should be used in conjunction with other makeup that is heavier such as eyes. Apply a cream-based blusher to the apple of your cheeks and smooth upwards to your ears. Highly-defined cheekbones are easy to create with a blusher and bronzer. Spread bronzer over your cheekbones and smooth upward towards your ears. Lightly dust cheekbones with a pink or peach blusher over the top of the bronzer and blend well.

Eyes

The eyes are always the most dramatic of catwalk models. Designers, such as Marc Jacobs and Donna Karan, accent their collections with bright, vivid colors that were trendy in the '80s. Other designers may use soft, subtle colors to add romance to light, airy collections. Recreate the look simply by choosing your favorite look -- you cannot go wrong. Brighter, vivid colors should be layered for a more noticeable effect. The look may include a yellow lid with bright orange to highlight just under the brow bone. Softer colors may include pale pinks and shimmery whites. Eye liner and mascara are important in the creation of catwalk glamour. Line lids with thick, heavy black eyeliner that resides just above the lash line and just below the lashes. Line the inner lids with a kohl pencil, both upper and lower, to create a dark, dramatic eye. Two coats of mascara will always lengthen and show off long, model-worthy lashes.

Lips

Lipstick, lip liner and lip gloss are a model's best friend. The lips, like eyes, are the center of the model's makeup look. Models' lips will always have a liner around the rims before lipstick or gloss. Line lips using a bright, bold liner or a nude, skin-color shade to define a full lip and set the base for lipstick and gloss. Brighter shades, such as fuchsia or bright pink, typically have matching liners and lipsticks so the lip is plump and full of the same shade. Create nude lips by dabbing the lips with foundation and lining the lips with a nude color liner. Fill the lips in with a nude color lipstick, or skip the lipstick and reach for a clear or whitish color lip gloss to apply to the lips.

References

• "Marie Claire"; Fall Runway Makeup for the Real Way; Charlotte Day; Sept. 10, 2010
• "Glamour"; How to Make Runway Makeup Work in the Real World; Sept. 15, 2008
• "InStyle": Spring Beauty Trends 2009
• "Allure"; The 5 Best Makeup Looks from the New York Runways; Alyssa Kolsky Hertzig; Sept. 18, 2009