7:00am Saturday 25th October 2008
Turn to the dark side with your make-up bag for Halloween.
By Lisa Haynes
Forget trips to the fancy dress shop this Halloween - you don't need any fake blood or green face paint to recreate this season's spooky beauty looks.
The Wicked Witch of the West proved to be inspiration for many a look on the autumn/winter catwalks. From candyfloss wired locks through to blackened eyes and dark gothic pouts, follow the fashion world's lead and turn to the dark side.
In reality, head-to-toe gothic regalia isn't going to work for a 9-5 office shift. But there are elements of this high-fashion look we can all steal for a spot of dramatic licence at the dressing table, whether you choose to focus on eyes, lips or hair.
Wave your magic mascara wand over your cosmetics bag and go gothic. Halloween night is the perfect opportunity to dabble in dark experimentation.
Our beauty experts show you how.
:: BLACK CAT EYES Black isn't only back in your wardrobe this season, it's big on eyes too.
Gucci, Balenciaga and Lanvin engaged in the goth trend with strong monochromatic eye make-up. Think sultry and smouldering in dark smoky shades of graphite grey and shiny black.
GET THE LOOK: "To achieve this season's more graphic shape, apply shadow by using a brush right across the lids and up beyond the socket in a strong graphic 'arch' shape," says No7 creative director Lisa Eldridge.
"Soften the edges with a cotton bud for a more flattering effect. Extend the shape up at the outer corners to lift the eyes and create a more feline, sexy look."
TRY: Boots No7 Amazing Eyes Pencil, £7.50 in black or chrome; bareMinerals Soft Black Liner Shadow, £12 (Debenhams nationwide); Givenchy Prisme Again! Shimmer Eyes in Smoky Shimmer, £27.50 (01932 233 824).
:: VAMPIRE LIPS From blood-bitten red to glossy black, lips are in full-on vamp mode for winter.
Jaeger London and Luella made an impact on the A/W catwalks with dark berry pouts and MAC's Pep Gay put a new spin on the black lip at Vivienne Westwood's Gold Label S/S09 show with a matte finish. Proof that devilish dark lips are here to stay.
GET THE LOOK: "For everyday wear go for bad girl red instead of jet black," advises Charlotte Matheson, B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful's head make-up artist.
"You will get the sexy vamp vibe without looking too scary. Always use a barrier around the lips. This will prevent all strong colours from bleeding or smudging, especially black."
TRY: B Black 'n' Rouge Lipstick, £10 (01202 493 789/www.bnevertoobusytobebeautiful.com); Revlon Super Lustrous Black Cherry lipstick, £7.29 (0800 085 2716); MAC Fluidline Blacktrack, £11 (www.maccosmetics.co.uk).
:: HALLOWEEN HAIR Ditch the straighteners and grab your crimpers - and broomsticks. Hair was wild and witch-like on the catwalks at Julien Macdonald, Luella and Vivienne Westwood Red Label.
The look is afro-fluffy, whispy and voluminous, using candyfloss crimps. To cast a trend-setting spell over your hair, tresses should look weightless.
GET THE LOOK: "Section hair and crimp, then spray with a firm hold hairspray to hold the crimped pattern in place and add shine," says stylist Cyril Laloue for L'Oreal Paris, who created the look at Julien Macdonald.
"Use a texturising paste sparingly on the ends to secure the crimp, then use a hairbrush to brush the hair and create a theatrical, high voltage look."
:: GET THE LOOK: BaByliss Pro Crimper 200, £15 (08705 133 191); Fudge Fat Hed texture paste, £10.95 (01282 683 100); L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray in Supreme Hold, £4.19 (nationwide).
:: TRIED & TESTED Colder climes are setting in so make sure you protect your pout with a moisturising lip treatment. We test three winter wonder contenders.
:: Blistex Hydrate Intensive Moisturiser Lip Cream, £2.25 (chemists nationwide) There's more of a medicinal feel to this lip treatment but it somehow smells like winter. It's richly moisturising with a tingle, but the effects aren't long-lasting so you need to keep applying it.
3/5 :: Face Boutique Moi Moi Lip Remedy, £8 (www.asos.com) Packed with gorgeous-sounding ingredients and with a heavenly scent, this would make a perfect present. It has the feel of a facial moisturiser though, so sadly it doesn't have a lasting impact on dry lips.
3/5 :: Clarins Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm, £15 (www.clarins.co.uk) With its glossy finish this lip moisturiser is a great all-in-one product with a gorgeous rich texture. A great handbag staple offering hydration and shine.
5/5 :: BUY IT NOW With subtle shimmers and tantalising tints, The Body Shop's Winter Trend make-up won't be around for long. Priced from £7, the limited edition range is available from October to December only (www.thebodyshop.co.uk).
BEAUTY BULLETIN :: VEGGIE DELIGHT The Vegetarian Society has hunted high and low to find the best in beauty. Fitting the criteria for products not tested on animals or containing animal by-products, Halo Light Moisturising Cream, £6.99, has been crowned the must-have beauty buy. Other veggie-friendly shortlisted products included Lush Dream Cream and Saaf Organic Ultimate Moisture Face Serum. Find out more about Halo at www.haloskincare.co.uk.
:: EYES HAVE IT Pay particular attention to your peepers during beauty routines - eyes are the most prominent giveaway sign of ageing, according to new research.
The majority of both males and females valued the role of eyes for overall facial attractiveness as "extremely important", according to the poll by Olay Definity.
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