While I may talk beauty for a living, I also love me a bit of fashion. Which is why during the spring/summer ’13 international shows towards the end of last year, I kept an eye on more than the dominance of colourful matte lipsticks. That’s right, Primpers, one of the key fashion trends to emerge was black and white.
You can usually tell how well a trend is received by how quickly it trickles down to the red carpet, and over the weekend at the Cannes Film Festival, I couldn’t help but notice that it was the celebrity choice du jour. Not that I was surprised; as you would know, pairing the two tonal hues is a universally elegant combination. It’s classic and versatile, clean yet crisp, and most importantly, so. Chic.
But of course, on a makeup front, black and white will probably not appeal to most of us, which is why when a splash of red is thrown in for good measure, it amps up the glamour factor about ten-fold. The proof is in the peach melba, Primpers …
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer’s black and white gown, although relatively understated, sets off her golden bronzed skin beautifully, which when paired with a red lip makes for one fabulous makeup combination. I love this creamy, crimson-red lip colour on Jennifer – it’s statement-making enough while also the ideal partner for her smoky charcoal eye makeup. I feel a strong, fire-engine red would have taken it just a tad too OTT. I’m still also loving her shaggy crop, too, aren’t you Primpers? She wears it so well.
Doutzen Kroes
So her ensemble isn’t both black and white, but notice how Doutzen’s streamlined white gown pairs beautifully with a sexily smudged black kohl liner, lashings of black mascara and bold lip, courtesy of L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Made-For-Me Intense Lipstick in Cassis Passion, $25.95, from Priceline and department stores, a creamy almost berry-red hue.
Kirsten Dunst
Kirsten has been looking better and better lately, and this is possibly one of my favourite looks yet. Truly nothing works back to plumped up, creamy porcelain skin better than artfully defined matte red lipstick, especially with the stark contrast of her black and silvery white collar. I also love the curled, lengthened black lashes, with a sprinkling of shimmering silver shadow. As for the hair, I’m appreciative of the fact that, if she had gone too sleek with her updo it may have looked a little severe, so bonus points Kirsten for those tousled face-framing strands to soften the look.
And then you’ve got Rooney Mara, who I wish had played into my colour theory …
Rooney Mara
So it seems like Rooney and Jennifer’s stylist got the same memo, however Rooney falls short because (obviously) she’s missing the major mouth. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I mean, nobody works goth-glamour better than Rooney here. However, despite being someone who abides by the beauty rule of playing up only one feature on your face, I feel that if she’d added a slick of red, even a red lip stain, it would have taken this look to a whole new level. And wouldn’t have looked overdone, considering how her dove-grey shadow has been applied ever so softly.
I’m going to say the same about Carey Mulligan, as I feel she should have also painted the town red to jazz up her monochrome ensemble a little, too …
Tell me, Primpers, do you think there is something to my black, white and red theory?
Whose look do you love here?
Do you have a favourite look from Cannes so far?
Hayley x