BLOCK PARTY

The makeup message this season was a resounding “Brighter is better.” Backstage at Prabal Gurung, makeup artist Diane Kendal proved that the best accessory to a feminist-slogan tee is unapologetically bold architectural liner in vivid cyan, orange, green, purply blue or chartreuse. “The look was inspired by the climate of what’s happening right now: empowered and strong women who do it on their own,” she says. 

 

A fresh face keeps the focus on your eyes; buff M.A.C Cosmetics Next to Nothing Face Colour ($38), maccosmetics.ca into skin with your favourite foundation brush.

 

Maybelline New York ExpertWear Eyeshadow in Teal the Deal ($7), maybelline.ca was the product of choice at Versus. 

 

COME UNDONE

One of our favourite hair trends takes its cue from makeup’s “your skin but better” mentality. “We didn’t want to do a very sophisticated look, but we didn’t want to do a beach wave either,” says Antonio Corral Calero, global ambassador for Moroccanoil, about the “undone glam” hair at Cushnie et Ochs. “This season, it’s that ‘in between’: It’s not a curl, and it’s not a spiral. It has a bend to it, and the ends need to be a little bit straight.” A one-inch curling iron used downward from the mid-length of the hair followed by a pass with a brush will do the trick. 

 

A dollop of argan-oil-rich Moroccanoil Mending Infusion ($37), moroccanoil.com on the ends of hair fakes a fresh cut, elevating the look from beach-bound to boardroom.  

 

THE NEW NEUTRAL

These are not your traditional mannequin hands. “It’s not going to match anyone’s skin tone,” says Rita Remark, Essie global lead educator and lead nail artist, of the industrial-looking matte mani at Alexander Wang. “I didn’t want it to look hyper-feminine or hyper-masculine. It’s kind of like a blank foundation.” Remark layered a pink shade over a true-nude hue to achieve a warmer colour, but if you don’t have the patience (or the time) for that, try Essie Sugar Daddy Nail Polish on its own. “It kind of looks like lip gloss on your nails,” she says. “It’s really clean and jelly-like.”

 

 

Apply Essie Nail Polish in Sand Tropez, allow it to dry a bit and then layer on a coat of Sugar Daddy).  Essie Nail Polish in Sand Tropez & Sugar Daddy ($10 each), essie.ca.

 

This article originally appeared in the December 2017 issue of ELLE Canada.