Top 10 Things I Learned at Fashion Week, Part 4

7.) TIME TO GET OVER MY BRONZE OBSESSION AND EMBRACE THE PINK: You ladies know how much I love the whole beachy, golden-bronze lip and cheek look, right? Well, clearly I'm due for an update. At shows like Derek Lam, Max Azria, Ralph Lauren and Anna Sui (left, the glorious Jourdan Dunn), models swanned down the catwalk rocking super-rosy cheeks and lips--and they looked fabulous. Somehow, that little burst of just-in-from-the-cold flush made the girls look fresh without being prim, and sexy without being gauche. Great combo, in my opinion. And it's incredibly easy to pull off, too. I'm a huge fan of Tarte's new Berry Couture All Natural Stain Set ($35), a limited edition, cute-as-pie kit that comes with a raspberry-hued cheek stain and matching gloss; and LORAC Travel Size Sheer Wash in Sheer Raspberry ($19), a roll-on lip and cheek stain in a universally gorge berry tint.


8.) FOUNDATION IS OVER: I kept noticing backstage that most makeup artists were totally ignoring their foundation in lieu of cleverly placed cover-up, like at Marc Jacobs (left). When I asked the legendary, flame-haired makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury for her take on the whole thing, she said that unless you have major skin issues (ie, serious scarring or hyperpigmentation), you really don't need foundation to look polished! All you need is a great concealer blended over your trouble areas (like under the eyes, around the mouth, or over zits). Her secret weapon during the shows was Estee Lauder Smoothing Cream Concealer ($20), a super-creamy formula chock full of vitamin E to fight puffiness (great for bags). When I expressed my skepticism re: the range of shades--I mean, I never heard of a brown girl wearing Lauder concealer--she whipped out my exact color and swiped it on my chin (so humiliating because clearly that meant she noticed my pre-natal breakout). You wouldn't believe the coverage. And it looked totally natural! Moral of the story is, stop covering up your beautiful skin with foundation. More than likely, you don't need it...and why clog your pores for no reason?