Bright colored lips, structured up do’s, and smoky eyes graced model’s faces as they swaggered down the runways during Fashion Week. It might be a bit early for statistical calculations - we’re still lacquering our nails in varying vampy shades - but for those of us who plan ahead, we need to know which beauty trends will stay and will likely fade away.

Designers have two main views on make-up during runway shows: A lot - use it to play up your collection or None - keep the model blank so the clothes are the main view. (See also: expressionless runway models.) After the Spring 2010 shows, bloggers were rushing out to tell everyone Marc Jacobs says natural save your pout! ADAM says sun-kissed! Tibi mixes color on eyes, cheeks and lips! When you read about runway shows baring the minimum in regards to make-up, it’s likely the designers attempt to draw your attention away from the face. Other shows, like L.A.M.B. and Versace, sported thick eye make-up - a nod to their edgier designs. Make-up for creative sake, likely won’t last. There is no point in wasting time and money on pounds of shadow for elaborate eye make-up.

But smoky eyes will stay. (They are pretty much a staple of evening sex appeal. Plus, Sephora has it’s own kit dedicated to achieving the perfect smoky eye.) Red lipstick will stay. Bright cheeks will go. And colored eyeshadow will remain for Manhattan’s 19 year olds who can pull it off. Fierce up do’s like the severe twists we saw might re emerge depending on Spring’s mood. While apparel requires designing, production and other time conscious practices, make-up can change with the wind. So you can like Spring 2010’s runway make-up, but wait a bit before you marry any one trend.

Emma Dinzebach

We worried all summer, pairing denim cut-off with Hanes t-shirts. But it’s almost fall (thank god), and while we still have one eye on our 401(k)s while other is ravishing the September Issue. Fall RTW runways offered a mix bag of Russian style blazers and trousers, 80’s inspired…um, everything, sexy mini dresses with over-the-knee-boots, pinstripes and camel hair. So what, you ask, is a girl to wear? TVC consulted two of fashions leading trend-reporters - Style.com and Elle - to bring you the very best this season has to offer.

Break out your leather bomber. The return of the biker brigade has us contemplating faux tattoos and squeezing ourselves into skinny liquid leggings, black jeans and leather pants again this fall. There was no discrepancy that the recurring coat is back and once again, paired with everything and anything in your closet. Our advice: save. Sure there are newer, shinier bombers with more zippers and varying sleeve lengths, but we needn’t spend where we can save. Recycle last year’s and treat it kindly as you’ll need it in autumns to come.

Fur. Both expert sources site fur as a RTW staple scene this fall. Great; if there is one thing we actually cannot afford, it’s fur. Faux fur is a good alternative, but unfortunately, much difficulty lies in finding a quality faux piece that matches the season’s trend.  Because fur is a committed investment, choose wisely. Wisely, does not however, mean it must be traditional. The pieces you will remember - your teenage daughters will someday drool over, you’ll leave in your will - have some spice to them. Whether you find a piece with detailed leather trim or a rich unusual color, choose something a bit different. And if it doesn’t drop in your lap the first time around, wait it out. The post-holiday sales will likely, though falsely, identify these furs as one time “trend” pieces and slap the sale sticker to them faster than you can say McQueen. Bottom line: worth the splurge.
Strong shoulders. We aren’t so convinced the super-strong shoulder will be the pillar of strength experts like Style.com suggest. Here we say: save. Elle offers some reasonably priced fall trend options in their Fall Fashion Steals piece, and yes, they even have some strong-shoulder options that won’t tip over your fall fashion budget.

Leopard leggings, lace bras and boyfriend blazers. For any given outfit, aim for about 40% visibly trendy and 60% investment or statement pieces. (Above.) When you are feeling unsure about purchasing a pricey trend, shop around and you can often get nearly the same thing for less. There is no need for DVF leopard leggings when Aqua makes a similar pair for $50. Invest in a cool, well made short biker bootie, but visit Top Shop shoes for the electric blue studded platform. Paired with quality investments, lower-priced trend items become posh. And that makes you smart.

“Mood-lifting war paint,” is what Elle’s April Long called women’s desire to sport bright lipsticks. In addition to making us feel sexy, firey and all around naughty, the bright red lips covering the mouths of women from Manhattan to Mobile are our reaction to a boring summer and a still drab economy. That splash of color may be the perfect remedy turning us from bored to cocksure in a matter of moments.  I may not have a job, but I have enough self-esteem, control and power to look myself in thine eyes and color my purty pout red.

In fact, Estee Lauder Chairman, Leonard Lauder noticed a spike in red lipsticks sales during the post-9/11 economic downturn and the same holds true today, proving once again, that fashion and beauty trends are rooted in psychological substratum. Some old urban myth falsely led us to believe that only certain skin tones could wear red lipstick. Bollocks!  But before you go running to Sephora, be sure the hue you choose is truly the hue for you. In searching for the perfect fall now pick-me-up, matching your skins undertone with that of the lipstick is key. Your skin’s undertone is either pink or yellow. (Traditionally called cool or warm, respectively.) If your skin is fair - especially if it’s rivaling Snow White - then your undertone is likely pink or cool. This includes violet, blue, green and blue-red undertones. Reds with a blue base best compliment pink undertones. Plum, purply reds will look smashing. If your skin’s undertone is yellow - this includes olive, tan and gold tones - choose reds with a golden base. Orangey-red lipsticks and the ubiquitous corals from the beginning of summer will compliment you best.

Because red lipstick tends to bleed, most make up artists recommend wearing lip liner. Just be sure to check on them or risk walking around with a candy-colored ring around your kissers. And yes, red can transition from day to evening as easily as your white pants and little black dress. Even typically light-lipped ladies are sporting the red pout. Even better - pair the red lipstick look with the menswear trend (the shoes, the military blazers, the still here boyfriend sweater). It adds a sexy somethin’ somethin’ to an adroygynous look. I mean, if the eternally bohemian Sienna Miller can rock it, so can you my friend. So can you.

We can’t outright recommend colors for every skin tone, but MAC has an overwhelming amount of reds to choose from and make up experts to assist. They have the lip lining thing, which can admittedly be frightening, down to a near science.  Chanel Rouge Allure looks like fire but feels like butter. For the budget conscious or those with commitment issues regarding reds, try Revlon Fire and Ice. Once you color your kissers, the world is your playground. Have fun.

Emma Dinzebach

Perusing my ex-aunts double doored apparel sanctuary, I cam across a vampy black Dolce and Gabana corset. Rather than hidden in the lingerie isle, this little number was oh so unassuming amongst her suit accessories. “What is this?” I asked holding it up to my chest, after all, we’re about the same size. By the time she came around the corner to see what “this” was, I was in deep admiration at the leather trim, thick satin and imported french lace overlay. She took it from my hand. “An investment piece,” she answered. Then she paired it with jeans and white, fitted blazer, then with an light navy suit and black leather heels. “See?” she asked as I wiped the drool from my mouth.

We aren’t talking classic brown trousers or the proverbial little black dress here people. Give us some credit, we are way more creative than that! While these investment pieces may not serve as a building block of every outfit for fall, like the black corset, you will have them forever. You should have them forever because these timeless pieces will circulate the trend wheel over and over again. And that, my friends, is why they are worth the price.

 
Feeling sexy is always in style. You can figure out various ways to tone it down sexy, edgy pieces later. For the Fall 2009 collection, Yves St. Laurent has leather bustiers and Versace has an entire collection of sexy something to spice up your attire portfolio.