Between the ages of eight and 14 I was obsessed with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. I wasn’t the only one, all my friends loved them to, in fact we’d often have sleepovers where we’d watch as many of their films as we could before falling asleep. My personal favourite was Passport To Paris. Why couldn’t my parents punish me for misbehaving by sending me to Paris?? Beats being grounded!
As time went on my love for the Olsen twins went from obsession to respect as they unveilled their fashion prowess through their label The Row. But there’s a new Olsen in town and she’s on her way to becoming the next big thing. Her name is Elizabeth Olsen. Occupation: actress.
Elizabeth Olsen looking absolutely amazing at the Gotham Film Awards.
Elizabeth was photographed on the red carpet of the Gotham Film Awards the other night looking absolutely flawless. I love unpretentious, classic makeup. Luckily for us this is an easy look to create. This look will work beautifully this summer when we want to forgo a glamorous look, and instead be low-key and romantic.
So without further ado, how do we get the look?
Step 1: Lay the foundations of the look.
By now you should know what comes first with any makeup look. Smarty pants, but I’ll say it again: primer is your best friend. Apply your primer to clean skin and leave it to settle for 5 minutes. Brush your teeth or paint your toenails in the meantime.
Next up, pick your (foundation) poison. For this look I recommend an illuminating foundation with light coverage, perhaps even a tinted moisturiser if you like. See how you can see Elizabeth’s adorable freckles? We don’t want to mask our skin, just show it to it’s best advantage. I recommend: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser SPF20 Oil Free $78, Stila Illuminating Liquid Foundation $25.95, Rimmel Recover Illuminating Anti-Fatigue Foundation $18.95 at Priceline.
Tip: if you want to use your everyday foundation, you can easily get the look by mixing in some illuminator – this will make you look incredibly radiant.
Cover up any blemishes that are bothering you with the concealer of your choice. I like: Covergirl and Olay Simply Ageless Concealer $17.95 at Priceline.
Finally, if you feel your skin needs a bit of a lift, apply some highlighter. I like to apply it on my cheek and brow bones. I like: Benefit Watts Up $30 from Benefit US.
Step 2: It’s all about the eyes.
This look calls for champagne and an earthy bronze shadow. Using a soft eyeshadow brush, sweep champagne shadow across your entire eyelid stopping at the crease. Bring some of the shadow into the inner-v of your eyes to make them pop, and half way along the lower lash line. Then, take some bronze shadow and smudge it into the outer half of your eyelid, being careful to not go above the crease. Drag the shadow slightly outside of your outer eyes to give a slightly smokey look. Then bring the shadow under the lash line and smudge it in. I like: Revlon Colour Stay 12 Hour Single Eyeshadow in ‘Champagne’ $19.95 at Priceline, Rimmel Glam’Eyes Quad Shadow in ‘Smokey Brun’ $14.95 at Priceline.
Finish with a coat of a natural look black mascara. I like: Covergirl Lash Blast Length $17.95 at Priceline, Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara $34 at Clinique Counters at Myer, David Jones and selected chemists.
Step 3: Easy, peasy, sexy lips.
When your eyes are the hero of your look, as is the case here, you need to embrace a nude lip. Elizabeth has chosen well, selecting a rosy-nude lipstick with a hint of shine. To ensure you get a true nude lip I suggest you dot some concealer on your lips as this will ensure that your natural lip colour doesn’t interfere with the lipstick, giving a true nude colour. It will also act to make your lipstick last the distance. I like: Revlon Colour Burst lip colour in ‘Blush’ $19.95 at Priceline, Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in ‘Birthday Suit’ $9.95 at Priceline, Tom Ford lipstick in ‘Sable Smoke’ $65 at David Jones.
Tip: apply your lipstick with a lip brush. This will allow you to get a perfect pout and will improve the life of your lippy. Blot your lips with a tissue and reapply. Do this one more time, and voila! Perfect lips that won’t fade away before your entree.
Step 4: Colour in those cheeks!
Elizabeth’s rosy-nude blush is very subtle, so don’t be to heavy handed in your application. To get the look I recommend you use a cream blush as it gives a fresh look. Apply on the apples of your cheeks and drag the colour upwards towards your temple, but end it when you are in line with the edge of your eye. Ensure you blend it well so there isn’t any streakiness. I like: Clinique BLushwear Cream Stick in ‘Shy Blush’ and ‘Rosy Blush’ $43 at Clinique Online, Bloom Sheer Colour Cream in ‘Shy’ $24 at Bloom Online.
Step 5: Seal it.
Dust on some translucent powder to minimise shine, focussing particularly around your T-zone. We’re also doing this to mattify the look a little.
And there you have it! You’re looking elegant and low-key, perfect for summer!
Love Elizabeth’s hair?
Elizabeth has shoulder length hair so this look can easily be copied (score!) Simply curl your hair and wait until the curls are absolutely stone cold before tousling them with your fingers. Spray with a little hairspray so the curls hold. Leave a large section at the front free, and arrange the rest of your hair in a tousled chignon in the back. Finish with a little more hairspray and you’re done, to easy!
