The key fashion trends of the past few seasons - bohemian abandon, pretty naturalism and glamrock glitz - collided on catwalks for autumn/winter, resulting in runway beauty that was both modern and unmistakeably romantic. Pump up the volume with soft, touchable hair: wild manes and cascading curls have superceded slick, straight tresses. Make-up is also glamorous and romantic - the eye being the focal point - with a dramatic edge. Here's how to get the look.
Picture-perfect beauty requires a well-prepared canvas: start with a great base, like Shu Uemura's foundation 430 ($275 from Shu Uemura locations, including Pacific Place, Admiralty and Ocean Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui). Apply Bobbi Brown's yellow-based pressed powder, Soft Sand 5 ($210 from Bobbi Brown counters in Joyce, Queen's Road Central and Sogo, Causeway Bay), then a semicirle of colour above the lids without blending: the end effect is more modern and graphic than grading, particularly in an unexpected colour like Shiseido's Coral lipstick ($180, from Shiseido counters in Sogo and Seibu, Pacific Place).
For iridescence, smooth on a thin layer of Vaseline. On the lashes: Maybelline's classic Great Lash Mascara ($39.90 from Watson's). Frame the face by filling in eyebrows with a shadow like Bobbi Brown's Rich Brown 11 ($150). For natural-not-nude lips fill in with MAC's nutmeg lip pencil ($100 from MAC counters and 42-48 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay), fixing with the brand's vanilla pigment ($180).
Lanky Cher hair is no longer au courant, a number of designers are still going straight: good news for Asian hair. Keep hair light, bouncy and blow-dried. Prep hair with a heat-activated, protective hair treatment such as Neutrogena's Heat Safe ($69.90 from Watson's) or Phytotherathrie's Heat Protective Spray ($140 from city'super, Times Square, Causeway Bay). If necessary, apply a hair straightening gel: Bloom's Antifrizz serum works well on flyaway hair ($150 from The New Face by Sogo and Couple, Style House, Causeway Bay). Blow the hair smooth and flatten with pressing irons, making sure not to over-dry. Finally, fix the style, flattening only at the roots, with a light finishing mist such as L'Oreal Studio's Invisi Hairspray ($34.90) which contains vitamins that help repair heat damage.
Organza top with grommet and plastic bead applique ($10,800) from Prada, tel: 2526-2831.
Satin-smooth skin starts with Bobbi Brown's Natural 4 foundation ($315), followed by Shu Uemura's Pink 3 face powder ($275). For sexy, smoky eyes a la Gucci, smudge Chanel's Coquin 14 eyeshadow ($140 from Chanel counters in Seibu and Sogo) above and below the lid, placing extra emphasis on the inner edges. Eyeliner: Origin's Smoke 9 ($100 from Origin counters, such as The New Face by Sogo, Causeway Bay). Offset dramatic eyes with a pale mouth: Bobbi Brown's Bone 2 shadow ($150) does double duty on lips.
