Paint the town red (and pink, purple, etc) with festive maquillage

"Maquillage" is fancy for makeup – and a key trend for festive occasions like New Year’s Eve. As trends turned part-robotic, part-romantic, thanks to the statement-making pieces sent down the runways of Balenciaga (think armored leggings), Versace (golden fish-scaled minidresses), Fendi (space-age lurex in vintage cuts), Yves Saint Laurent (voluminous proportions sent down a flower-littered catwalk), and 3.1 Philip Lim (fragile cotton batiste frocks), makeup went in the same direction with bold smoky eyes, dramatic red lips and bold cheekbones.

Equal parts fin de siècle and austere, the latest must-have makeup can easily transition from dramatic (when used in bold, one-color strokes) to wearable (mixed with trendy metallic shades or used with a light hand).

For the holidays, turn from sweet to dangerously chic with these handy maquillage tools. It’ll make the coming year look that much better.

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E-mail me at oohbea@gmail.com. Happy new year!

Sunkissed

There’s nothing like flattering a holiday tan with complementary shades. A bright coral blush, like Nars blush in Exhibit A (P1,350), does the trick like no other. It highlights your tanning prowess and adds a dusky depth that no pale pink version can match.

Wear your colors on your lid with Nars Duo eyeshadow in Misfit (P1,750), a versatile pairing of yellow/green shades that work just as well on pale skin as well as brown.

Purple reign

Sugar Baby’s Eye Candy shimmer shadow (P645), called Pussy Galore, is rich in color pigments with a sheer satin texture that’ll glide effortlessly into your skin. Match it with Prince’s anthem and you’ve got a look straight out of my ‘80s album.

Five takes

Are you fearful of heading out to any of the 10 million New Year’s Eve parties because you’re worried someone’s rocking the same holiday look as you? If so, I feel sad for you.

Thankfully, Dior’s five-color eyeshadow (P3,000) is here to save the day. With two applicator tips available – one beveled tip defines and highlights while the rounded tip softens and blends – blending and mixing any of the five shades for a unique effect is as easy as apple pie.

Stir in some sky blue and lavender for an ethereal cast to light-rimmed eyes (a white or pale-colored eye pencil should do the trick) or shake it up with purple and a pale mint for something a little more disco. No matter the mix, you can now go out and party worry-free.

Urban warrior

If bubblegum shades don’t get you off, then indulge in camouflage-inspired shades that aren’t lacking in the drama department. Laura Mercier eye color in Twilight Gray (P895) and Laura Mercier eye color in Sherazade (P895) easily make up a great eyeshade duo for day or night. Sponge on some of the Sherazade, a rich wearable green, during the day and some layers of Twilight Gray for depth for a night out.

Star bright

There’s pink and then there’s Pepto-Bismol pink. Sugar Baby lip candy glitter gloss in Star Dust (P695) walks the fine line between the two with panache. Iridescent sparkles add glitter, while the bright pink has enough industrial pop to skip the girlish glow and go straight to party princess. Finish the look with Essie nail polish in Fruit Sangria, a tangy shot of color that’ll lift any drab ensemble.

Red alert

Wondering if vamp works for you? Test the waters with these equally glamorous lipsticks. The Chanel Rouge Allure in Excentric (P1,650) is a luminous satin lip color in a deep almost black-tinged red that’ll add drama to even the barest of makeup looks. Apply with kohl-lined eyes and a barely-there cheek tint for a look that’ll put most divine divas to shame.

For the more festively inclined, the Rouge Dior in Celebrity Red (P1,200) has enough bright red to make your harshest critic an ardent admirer. Made popular by Christina Aguilera and her ilk, this vivid red will turn you into a femme fatale in no time.