Bright bursts of neon yellow eyeshadow, oversized lashes, pale brows… the list of enviable runway makeup looks this season is endless, really. And while many of us may be lauding Bella Hadid’s ability to pull off rounded liner (what?!), the thought of us trying out these looks for ourselves seems impossible. Not unless we want to attract stares all day, that is!
Or will we? Are runway makeup looks really that far out of the realm of possibility for us normal folk? And is it possible to make them more wearable for a modern, day-to-day look?
With this in mind, we approached chief makeup artist of Estee Lauder Singapore’s Pro-Artist team, Jerome Chan, to answer our pressing questions.
- 1. Do you think it’s possible for runway looks to be adapted to be a little more wearable for the modern Singaporean woman?
- 2. Are there any specific key looks or trends you think are a lot easier to adapt to appear more wearable in our day to day lives?
- 3. Are there any makeup steps or essentials that the modern Singaporean women should be doing to obtain a trendy, runway-ready makeup look?
- 4. If you’re on a desert island and HAD to create a runway ready look with only three Estee Lauder products, which of them would you pick and why?
- The expert we spoke to:
1. Do you think it’s possible for runway looks to be adapted to be a little more wearable for the modern Singaporean woman?
I would have to say that it really depends on what kind of runway look you’re trying to emulate. If you’re going for extreme eyeshadow, I would say that’s quite hard to make it wearable for street wear. But if, let’s say, you’re opting for very pale looking brows, or smoky eyes with glitter topped on it, then we can definitely tweak it to make it work for everyday wear.
There’s a recent runway look that I think is very wearable, for instance, and that’s the ‘rounded eyeliner’ look. It’s quite similar to a normal winged liner, just thicker, and accentuated, and I think it’s definitely very suitable for your day to day life. It’s bold, but not too out there, you know?
2. Are there any specific key looks or trends you think are a lot easier to adapt to appear more wearable in our day to day lives?
I would have to say eye makeup. It’s all about the eyes, really. Some of them may be a little harder to pull off, or to try and adapt to make it more wearable for day-to-day, but it’s the most exciting. There’s only so much you can do for, lips, for instance. Pale lips, bold lips… been there, done that. It’s hard to strike that perfect balance, but eye makeup is where you can get really inventive without going too OTT.
3. Are there any makeup steps or essentials that the modern Singaporean women should be doing to obtain a trendy, runway-ready makeup look?
I would definitely say focus on eye makeup, like your liner and mascara, in particular. A lot of ladies now go for lash extensions. I’m not saying that it’s not good, but in the long run— for example 10, 20 years down the line, your lashes will be gone with the wind — so always, always invest in a good liner or mascara.
For example, at Estee Lauder, we have the Little Black Primer. This is by far the best mascara primer, out there. Reason being: it gives you this voluminous—not 360 degrees— natural curl. It basically amplifies your natural lashes, without going overboard.
4. If you’re on a desert island and HAD to create a runway ready look with only three Estee Lauder products, which of them would you pick and why?
I would definitely go for lipstick, a mascara, and a base.
For lipstick, I would go for an Estee Lauder liquid lip in the shade Controversial. Not only can you use it for a pop of colour on the lips, it can also double as a cheek colour. I’ll suggest applying it on the back of your hand, diffusing it, then using your fingers to apply it onto your cheeks for a nice, natural flush.
The little black primer— it’s not a normal mascara, but more of a primer, so hear me out: I’m assuming you’re going to be stuck on the island for a couple of days, right? So, you’ll still want to remove your makeup on those days. Now, if you pick a normal mascara, it’ll be water-resistant and water-proof… so it’ll be IMPOSSIBLE to remove. The Little Black Primer, on the other hand, you should able to tap it off with a light rub. It comes off a little easier, but will also help you look good whenever you have it on. Problem solved!
And as for the Estee Lauder Double Wear Cushion BB Compact, well, it gives a natural, glowing finish, making your skin look healthy and radiant all day, so it’s definitely an essential when you’re stranded on a desert island!
The expert we spoke to:
With more than 12 years in the beauty industry, Jerome Chan is more than qualified to impart timeless makeup tips and techniques, helping women embrace their individual styles and unique qualities. Being the chief makeup artist of Estee Lauder Singapore’s Pro Artist Team, he also has a long list of accolades, often collaborating with Singapore’s leading magazines and TV shows.
