By Napoleon Perdis
www.napoleonperdis.com

Spring has sprung which means party season is just around the corner. Once your search for the perfect outfit is over, you need to master your makeup look. Let’s take a look at planet celebrity: the Best-Dressed list at the recent Emmy Awards was a lesson in winning makeup choices. Best in show: Glee’s Lea Michele’s red Marchesa dress and her glamorous yet pared-back makeup. Here, some how-tos on working your makeup with your party wear:

BRIGHT ON THE NIGHT
Summer calls for bright, look-at-you hues like turquoise, coral, a rainbow of neon, and technicolour prints. As far as your makeup goes, keep your eyewear neutral with a hint of feature-flattering shimmer. Start with not one but three coats of mascara applied in a zig-zag motion to open up the eyes (remember my rule: mascara first!). Then blend a shimmering caramel shade of eye shadow from your lash line to your brow with a soft eye shadow brush.

Don’t go anywhere without a glow; use a matte bronzer applied with a large powder brush and sweep light strokes on the apples of the cheek, across the forehead, under the jaw line and down into the decolletage.  Balance a bright dress with a hint of colour on the lips. A sheer red lipstick gives a sensual stain of colour without the commitment of a matte texture.

THE LBD
You just can’t go wrong with a black dress. It’s a wardrobe essential. From A-line to maxi, a black dress can work wonders on any shape, for any occasion. Team it with a statement-making red, orange or fuschia lip, skin as flawless as you can get it, and keep the rest of your makeup basic. All you need to do is work a softly defined socket with a taupe eye shadow and carefully applied winged eyeliner. Use an angled brush when applying liner and end with a subtle, upward flick. Perfection.

MAKE IT METALLIC
We’ve seen it in the fashion capitals and peppered through Awards season; metallics are definitely shining on and off the runway. Whether you wear shimmer as a subtle accent or a knock-out focus, adding a little heavy or soft metal to your makeup will have you right on trend. Try a creamy eye shadow teamed with a smudge of copper liner. Smudge the liner onto the inner rim and lower lash line and apply two coats of mascara to the top lashes only. Go with a glossy pink lip as the finishing touch.

STAY NEUTRAL
Nude is totally now. It’s fresh, modern and utterly elegant. The neutral hue looks amazing when paired with gold, navy and pastels. Line your top and bottom lash line with a navy blue eye pencil and smudge with a cotton bud or brush for a smouldering effect. You can also add a couple of individual lashes to further define the eyes and add that special-occasion wow factor. On your lips opt for a creamy pastel pink lipstick. Finish with what I consider to be a party essential: some clever contouring on the cheeks. 

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