The Prettiest Reasons to Sing the Blues This Spring

It doesn’t get more couture than Giorgio Armani, and this season, that fabulosity seeps into a colorful blue-based makeup palette, courtesy of international makeup artist Linda Cantello. After creating Armani’s runway looks (check out the beautiful behind-the-scenes shot below), she incorporated the energetic, 80s infused blues into the Armani Limited Edition Spring Summer Runway Palette. Then she kicked nude lips up a notch so the effect is less yawn more yowza!

“These colors work so well this season as they have a brightness that truly brings to mind spring,” explains celeb makeup artist Tim Quinn  “Love is in the air –it’s a somewhat carefree look with playful touches of color, and everything is transparent--not opaque--for a freshly modern feel.”

But even though the stars of this show are the gorgeous shades, the stage is set with luminous, fresh-looking skin without a hint of powdery dullness in sight. Here’s how to get that SnapChat skin without the filters, plus three hot haute looks using just one palette.

SKIN PREP

Take the time to properly clean your face. This season is all about seeing your skin—that means no heavy foundation or excess concealer. So you need to put maximum effort into making sure your skin slays. “Current makeups are meant to be long-lasting and often stick to the skin around the hair follicle and oil gland openings, leading to irritation and breakouts,” says DC dermatologist Tina Alster. That means that your cleanser might not be totally removing them, which is why she recommends using a gentle vibrating and rotating brush nightly. “A brush effectively loosens dirt and helps remove stubborn makeup. It even takes off sunscreen ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are made to cling to the skin.” Try Clarisonic Mia Fit.

Make humidity work in your favor. After all the dryness of winter, spring and summer humidity should be a welcome guest for your skin… especially since the look you’re going for is dewy and fresh. “Humidity acts as a moisturizer,” says Maryland dermatologist Valerie Callender. Lay off of the heavier lotions you’ve been using all winter long. Instead, choose multitasking BB creams-- 3-in-1 potions that contain lightweight moisture, tint and SPF in order to reduce the layers of cream applied--and therefore reduce oiliness. Added bonus: Applying just one product instead of moisturizer, sunscreen and foundation shaves precious minutes off of your morning prep routine. Try: La Roche Posay Effaclar BB Blur Instant Oil-Absorbing Coverage Cream Mousse. To cut back on shine and mid-day greasies, top it with a mattifying gel like L'Oreal® Paris Magic Perfecting Base.

Perfect your skin without foundation or powder. Instead, use small touches of concealer and highlighter and avoid all things matte. “Pat concealer only on the inner corners of the eye, making sure not to drag it out to the end of the eye where it could get into laugh lines, and make you look older,” says makeup artist Sandy Linter. Then use highlighter on any areas where shadows naturally occur (like under eyes, and under your lower lip) to diffuse and soften them.”  Try Giorgio Armani High Precision Retouch Illuminating Concealer and Sepia Highlighting Palette.

FOUR LOOKS TO TRY

1. Smokin’ haute

This season’s sexiest smoky eye swaps classic grays and blacks for electric blue. Start by applying a sheer wash of blue (from the palette) from lash to brow. Next apply a waterproof black pencil inside the waterline, top and bottom. Using a small eyeshadow brush, smudge the black liner and blue shadow together on the back of your hand and apply to the top and bottom lash lines to diffuse the color.

Pair with:Giorgio Armani Ecstasy Lacquer: Front Row Collection in 512 (below image far left), a pinky, juicy nude.

2. Making waves

Using a slightly fluffy eyeshadow brush, add a wash of blue into the crease, starting from the inner eye and blending out. In true Armani fashion, keep the color more elongated (instead of lifting up). Apply Black Ecstasy Mascara to top and bottom lashes. Sweep the highlighter shade across the temples, cheekbones and center of the face.

Pair with:Giorgio Armani Rouge D’Armani Sheer: Front Row Collection in 511 Milano Nude (below image, second from left), a warmer, muted nude.

3. Rosy outlook

Rim the upper lash line only with black powder liner (from the palette), then add a pop of electric blue on the inner corner only, smudging slightly along the lash line on the top.  Apply the rose tone shadow onto the upper eyelid. Then softly smudge rose and black together along the lower lash line.

Pair with:Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro: Front Row Collection in 514 Front Row (below image second in from right), an opaque neutral pink, with a half-matte, half-satin finish.

4. Washed away

Apply the electric blue as a wash from the lash line to the crease. Use the black shadow as a liner on the lower lashes and softly blend into the lashline. Sweep the rose tone into the crease, and finish using Fluid Sheer Ultra-Light Glowing Fluid 7 at the inner corners of the eyes and brow bone.

Pair with: Giorgio Armani Rouge D’Armani Sheer in 605 Plum Runway (below image far right), a soft, plum-tinged hue.