This portrait was taken for Givenchy‘s upcoming Autumn Winter make-up campaign. It’s by (will get back to you) and was taken in a Paris studio, probably (again, will get back to you, the beauty of the instant blog edit tho’ I know, I know, once it’s out it’s out…). Anyway, it caught my eye for its classic pose, with the kind of bright white light you might see in an early portrait of Elizabeth 1st. One of which I was taken through with gripping insight last night at the opening night for Masterpiece at The Royal Hospital.
Said portrait was of a young Elizabeth newly crowned and she apparently didn’t like it. Had her face been painted more akin to this, I think she would have felt differently – in other words with soft, yet oddly dramatic contouring thrown up by a single light source. The painting I saw was of a deathly pale, if prettily translucent face, without gentle, flattering shading. It was stark, with dark brown background, similar in feel to this deep, saturated midnight blue. As it turned out, Elizabeth I redirected portrait painters from then on to represent her in a more flattering light – early celebrity public image control.
Back to Givenchy. The inky, blue black eye shadow highlights the bright white and piercing blue green of the model’s eyes. Too severe for most of us, but you can achieve the same intensity by outlining and smudging your eyes with blue black liner. Givenchy Magic Khol in Marine Blue (£13.50, stockists: 01932 233824) is ideal. Note to self: dark blue – key colour for Fall.
Lips, deep and saturated look stunning against pale skin, also dark skin – skin with a cool undertone. For those with fine lips (like Elizabeth 1st) and the other side of 40 concentrate on fabulously rich eyes and go for a gentle nude pink lippie.
Skin. I’ve always been a fan of Givenchy’s face powders. New for Autumn is Les Ombres de Lune (£36 – available in two shades). I haven’t yet got my hands on it but am confident it’ll be a goodie. It contains a translucent powder, which you can use either on its own for a bit of polish, under foundation as a primer, or on top, to add a little light. It has a soft pearl finish – so check that it doesn’t look too pearly for day. And then, in one corner, they’ve packed a dark smokey eye shadow. A great little double act. The collection Je Veux La Lune is available in August.
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