The couture shows in Paris this week were stunning. Most of the drama was in the design, while the makeup was for the most part pretty understated. For me it was all about Versace. Fierce ponytails, bronze smoky eyes, and pale pouts. Head to toe glamour like only Donatella can do.

Images from fashionising.com & style.com

Love the dramatic eyes at Roberto Cavalli. The matte black with the metallic shadow is gorgeous. The trick to recreating the look is to encase the metallic colour with the black. The inner and outer corners need to be dark and well blended and the centre of the lid should be shimmery. Smudge a metallic shade under the eyes also, along with black eyeliner.

When working with very dark and frosty shadows I recommend doing your eye makeup before your base. That way any fall out can be easily cleaned up without removing your foundation. Finish the look with a few coats of mascara, and dab on a matte nude lip.

1. MAC Kohl Power in feline 2. Gosh lipstick in 134 darling 3. Lorac little black palette 4. Laura Mercier matte eyeshadow in noir 5. Giorgio Armani eyes to kill stretch mascara

The makeup looks at the Milan shows were smouldering as usual. From pitch black smoked out eyes, to pouty nude lips, and skin that glowed for days, the Italian designers gave us everything we expect for spring and summer. Fendi surprised with thick black liner and extreme gold leaf eyes. All in all it’s shaping up to be a great spring season.

Images from style.com & vogue.co.uk

Beyonce brought down the house last night at the VMA’s. Not even her pregnancy could get in the way, of what was by far the most spectacular performance of the night. She looked stunning during the arrivals also. As usual Beyonce gets my vote!

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Beyoncé’s spread in the new issue of W magazine, and the promo images for the album are fantastic. I’m especially loving the bleached brows and smouldering eyes. Today June 28, is the official release date of Beyoncé’s latest album ’4′.

These Victoria’s Secret models ditched their wings for gowns, at the Council of Fashion Designers of America awards last night. Alessandra’s red dress and matching red lip looked very glam. Doutzen, also in red worked the smoky eye and nude lip. I was not a huge fan of Karolina’s emerald green, hooded sequin dress. Fortunately her makeup and hair was subtle enough so the entire look was not a complete disaster. I think Miranda Kerr wearing black Michael Kors, and simple hair and makeup was the best dressed of the four.

What do you think?

4 of the best looks from last nights MTV Movie awards were Leighton in Balmain with two-tone wavy hair. Blake in her blue body-con Michael Kors dress and sleek ponytail. Hailee Steinfeld looked more on trend than I’ve ever seen her at an awards show before. Her centre part and red lip looked so good on her. Rosie always looks beautiful with her signature pouty lips, and Dolce and Gabbana you really can’t go wrong.

Images from justjared.com

A very Bridget Bardot looking Blake Lively graces the pages of Glamour mag for July. Blake wears the timeless look of smouldering eyes, and pale matte lips with 60′s inspired hair–love it!

Images from glamour.com

Sunday’s Billboard awards were pretty entertaining. I am very happy to see Beyonce back at it and looking amazing doing it. The blonde hair, naturally full brows and chocolate brown smoky eyes were flawless. I loved Rihanna’s watermelon glossy lip colour, it looked very fresh and pretty. Fergie went with very strong black eyes, which I feel like I haven’t seen her wear in a while. A very well put together Britney Spears was nice to see. Glossy hair, smoky eyes with lots of lashes, and a soft pink lip was the perfect look for her.

Images from justjared.com

Eyeliner is the one product I generally don’t leave the house without. I’m not big into eyeshadow on a day to day basis. The quickest way for my eyes to look done is to line them. These 5 are some of the best for creating a variety of looks.

1. MAC eye kohl is super rich in colour, and creamy in texture. Smolder, which is the black is a very dark black. The only other black that I’ve found that is better would be Feline. Also a MAC kohl, but annoyingly it’s only available as a limited edition. Kohl is the best for smudging around the eyes to get a fast smoky look. I also love this for lining the water line.

2. If you need something that does not move, smudge, or fade then I like Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes eyeliner, it’s a great water proof pencil.

3. Nars Soft Touch shadow pencils are a nice alternative to an eyeshadow. Larger than a pencil you can quickly cover your eyelid, and the texture is smooth so you can blend it out with a brush. Shadow pencil is less creamy than a kohl so it will wear longer.

4. The only liquid eyeliner I even bother with on myself, or in my kit is the felt tip applicator type. Liquid liner pens are far more convenient. I particularly like Armani Maestro liner. The felt tip applicator is firm enough that you get excellent control, and the end is pointy enough for the details of your liner. The liner flows through the tip quite well, and if it feels like it’s drying out as you work just give it a shake, and the liquid starts to flow again.

5. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel liner is really easy to use, and the best alternative to liquid eyeliner. Gel is always more forgiving in that you can correct any little mistakes before it dries, without ruining the entire line. You also have your choice of tool. Anything from a super skinny liner brush, to a flat edge brush or an angle. Use whichever works best for you. Gel eyeliner can start to dry out over time so keep the lid on tight after use. While using flip the jar upside down.

Award season continues on with the Grammys last night. Lea Michele and Rihanna both wore berry coloured lips which stood out nicely in a sea of nude mouths. Almost everyone else went for the standard smoky eyes and lots of eyelashes. Which looked fabulous on all the ladies above. Christina Aguilera however, should have left her spiky bottom lashes at home!

27 year old Cheryl Cole is the on the cover of February’s Elle UK. Looking beautifully sculpted and wearing smoky cat eyes. Here are our tips for getting this look:

Even out your complexion with a natural matte foundation. Shade and highlight your cheekbones, and highlight under your eyes to create ultimate dimension. Then wrap the blackest pencil you have around the entire eye but don’t connect the inner corner. Smudge the line out with black eyeshadow, and blend out towards the temples and up towards the crease. Load on tons of mascara to top and bottom lashes. Finish by dabbing a creamy texture, beige lipstick on. Skip the lip liner.

1. Bobbi Brown creamy eye pencil jet 2. Face Atelier ultra foundation 3. Armani eyes to kill mascara excess 4. Make Up Forever sculpting kit 5. Dior smoky mania eyeshadow 6. Givenchy rouge interdit only beige

These 4 looks are perfect for any party this winter. Dark lips make a statement when paired with an otherwise low key look. Flawless skin, groomed brows, and black mascara is really all you need.

Metallics in gold, copper and bronze look stunning. Pick two features that will shimmer to avoid looking like a disco ball. Wear with natural matte foundation.

Make your eyes stand out with thick dark lashes. Strip lashes are an easy way to get this look. If you have the patience though, lots of individual lashes placed close together along the lashline look amazing.

Of course the faithful stand by for any occasion is the dark eye. What I love about this particular smoky liner on Zoe Saldana, is the texture, and worn in look. Try using an eyekohl and smudge it out. Tap a very small amount of Vaseline or Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream on top. This will give your liner a sheen. It will move the makeup too, creating an imperfect more worn in look.

These ladies represent our top picks from last nights AMA’s. I loved Jessica Alba’s over all look. Sleek hair, perfect brows, structured eye make up, and fitted black dress, it all worked seamlessly. As I’ve mentioned before Taylor Swift looks 100% better without the curls. Straight hair with long bangs is a super sexy look. I’m becoming quite a Katy Perry fan these days. Her great big eyes, and glowy cheeks were a winning combination last night. Keri Hilson’s hair and makeup was flawless. Miley’s neutral make up and polished hair was a softer look than usual. As much as I liked Rihanna’s makeup and dress, I’m over the red hair, especially this new curly version!

Who was your favourite at the AMA’s?

Years away from her “Jenny from the Block” days, and 40 something with twins, J-Lo still looks pretty fantastic! Rarely deviating from her signature style of bronze glowy skin, warm smoky eyes, and peachy nude lips. Jennifer is always red carpet, and performance ready no matter what.

One of our best-loved shows for FW10 has to be Lanvin. From the jet black wigs with super strong fringe, to the blinged out smoky eye, and the clothes are amazing too! Here are a few tips to get the look:

1. Start with a semi matte foundation to even out skin tone. I like Shu Uemura’s Nobara Stick it has excellent coverage.

2. For intense smoky eyes use the blackest black eye kohl and shadow to set. Make sure to pull the shape out towards the temple.

3. Use a small flat brush with a little vaseline on it to adhere the glitter to the eyelids.

4. Lips should be nude and matte with a peach beige undertone.

1. MAC smolder eye kohl 2. Shu Uemura Nobara Stick Foundation 3. MAC reflects gold glitter 4. Nars honolulu honey lipstick 5. Illamasqua gimp eyesahdow 6. Kevyn Aucoin medium flesh tone lip pencil

Toronto International Film Festival while not as full on glam as Cannes, still has it’s fair share of red carpet moments. All the girls look red carpet ready but my favourite’s are  Megan Fox with her scarlet lip, Natalie Portman’s smoky eyes, and Emma Stone’s peach cheeks.

Images from justjared.com

Last night at the VMA’s these ladies each had a variation on the red carpet staple: smoky eye neutral lip. Ciara’s gold and bronze version on her eyes was perfectly suited with her skin tone and pinky beige lip colour. Ashley Greene wore a mauve grey eye and super neutral lip colour. While Emma Stone’s eyes were a cool steel grey, paired with a light rose pink lip. Combined with super groomed eyebrows, flawless skin and subtle shading under the cheekbones these 3 looked beautiful on the red carpet.

Images from justjared.com

Lots of looks from the Fall 2010 collections showed eyeshadow that was wrapped around the eye. This is a really easy look and can be done with any colour that is medium to dark. Here’s a few tips to create this diffused, soft smoky look:

1. Use a flat shader brush to apply the eye shadow to the eyelids from lash line to crease.

2. Use the same colour and blend along the lower lash line.

3. Blend out the edges to keep the look soft.

4. For extra definition take a slightly darker colour and blend through the socket line, or add dark pencil to the water line.

The Chanel Fall make up collection is the perfect antidote to Summer’s neons and pastels. Though not available in Canada for another couple of weeks, I was able to test the samples that were on display at The Bay. The shadows in the Enigma palette all have a cool grey undertone. At least 3 of them will be perfect for creating the ever so important smoky eye of the season. There are also two single eyeshadows launching with this collection one of which is called Vert Khaki-a dark khaki green with a frost texture, it is gorgeous. Another notable addition to the line is the Intense Eye pencil in clair, a pale nude beige colour that will work as a brightener in the water line. Of course Chanel never disappoints in the nail polish department. Paradoxal nail polish is a dark grey, purple with a slight iridescence. I put my name on the already long waiting list for this one, I’m not holding my breath though.

Peter Philips is the master mind behind the Chanel make up collections as well as the make up direction for their runway shows inParis. The Fall show was all about these really messy undone looking eyes, that looked like a a child had got hold of her mother’s liquid eyeliner and dotted it all over her lids. The eyes were complemented with flawless skin and bare lips. Take this look from runway to real way for Fall, by being not totally precise with your eye make up but keeping up your skin perfect and lips nude.

Images from style.com & chanel.com