Fashion Month has begun its bi-annual roll-out – starting off with the runways of New York (stay tuned for the must-try trends of spring/summer 2015). But here’s the funny thing about Manhattan’s most fashionable women: while their city’s catwalks might propose all sorts of colourful, crazy hair and makeup looks, on the sidewalks you tend to see one key beauty trend: polished perfection. Just look to Sarah Jessica Parker, the queen bee of everything that’s stylish in the city.
If you’re inspired to get yourself in a New York frame of (beauty) mind, here’s where you should start …
Ace your Base. It’s all about perfect skin for the chicest Manhattanites, who basically have a facialist and dermatologist on speed-dial. From here: a custom-fit foundation. SJP is besties with makeup artist and empire Laura Mercier – so doubtless is stocked up on her genius Secret Camouflage, $49, department stores – a palette of two tones of creamy base, which allows you to mix-and-match your perfect colour of coverage depending on the day (and skin dramas). Bobbi Brown is also another foundation favourite in this town – with a wide range of shade options, it’s worth making the trip to one of her counters to get expertly matched. Make sure to at least buy her cult Foundation Stick, $65, department stores – a fixture in New York handbags, along with a Tiffany & Co key ring, Kate Spade wallet and sneaky bagel to snack on.
Line Up Your Eyes. Off the catwalk – and outside of the East Village – your rarely see brightly coloured eyeshadows and mascaras. Neat-freak New Yorkers mostly love the sleek minimalism of black liner and defining mascara – their beauty equivalent of an LBD. For the tidiest take, learn to ‘tightline’ your eyes, by using a slanted brush and gel or cake liner, and etching colour sleekly along the very base of lashes. Again, Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown offer eye buys perfect for achieving this look. As for mascara, you can’t go past the iconic city’s most iconic lash buy: Maybelline New York Great Lash, $12.95, pharmacies.
Lighten those Lips. New Yorkers love the chic simplicity of Calvin Klein – so it’s no surprise that the ckone range of makeup is popular, with Pure Color Lipstick in Fancy (a pitch-perfect nude), $35, from Myer, being a top buy. A staple as a nude shift dress.
Salon-Style Your Hair. Going out for a blow-out is as much as New York ritual as nibbling cupcakes at Magnolia. That’s why so many Big Apple babes have such shiny, swingy hair. It sounds indulgent but it’s actually good cost-per-wear – as a great salon blow-dry should last a good five days, give or take a sprinkle of dry shampoo or two, before you pop it all in a ponytail for the weekend. However, if you can’t afford the splurge, DIY the look with the excellent new blow-dry aids from Redken New York: Pillow Proof Express Primer and Two Day Extender, $30.95 each, from salons, call 1300 650 170.
The Finishing Touch. Fragrance, of course. One much-loved Manhattan beauty brand is Kiehl’s – and its Musk Oil, from $37, Kiehl’s, is a sleek, slightly sexy affair – being both floral and woody. And coming in a rollerball option, it’ll fit perfectly in your latest Alexander Wang bag.
Tell us, Primpers, what Big Apple beauty buys do you love?