MAKEUP TRENDS AUTUMN/WINTER 09/10

Come September I always feel a sort of melancholic happiness.   Summer is over, but autumn always feels like a new beginning, a time full of promises and exciting new adventures. The arrival of the first chill also means two very exciting things are upon us: London Fashion Week and new makeup looks. So what is the key look for A/W 2009/2010 maquillage? This year the London Academy Of Freelance Makeup (AOFM), is the official backstage makeup artist sponsor of Vauxhall Talent Scout, so who better to guide me through the magical world of this winter's makeup wonderland than Rachel Wood, member of the pro-team at AOFM? With TV series True Blood and the Twilight Saga books and films being hugely popular, it's no wonder that the glamorous goth look is big this season. Here are some of my favourite buys and Rachel's tips for a flawless vamp look. BASE Creating a flawless complexion is key here. Make sure your skin is well moisturised (apply your face cream 10/15 minutes before applying makeup) then use a medium coverage foundation all over the face, not forgetting the neck. Giorgio Armani's Lasting Silk UV Foundation (£30) is makeup artists' current favourite and comes in a variety of fabulous shades. Finish off by dusting your face with a good translucent powder. Try proto-col Mineral Cosmetics Mineral Finishing Powder (£19.55) for a glowing, seamless look. If you have black or dark olive skin Rachel advises sticking to your natural shade "I would avoid trying to go pale as this can make you look chalky instead I would concentrate on keeping the foundation coverage looking buffed and polished - apply it with a buffing brush and buff it into the skin in circular motions to create fab coverage that doesn't look too heavy" LIPS "Vamp Lips are all the rage" continues Rachel "from blood reds to deep burgundy, for strong lips with sex appeal try adding a touch of lip balm and then pencilling them in with a burgundy lip liner (Benefit Lip Sketching Pencil in Sangria, £12, is this season "it" colour)". If burgundy is not your colour, deep reds and berries are another option. Barry M has an outstanding range of lipstick shades to suit everybody. I'm particularly enamoured with their Lip Paint in Cerise Pink and Royal Raspberry (£4.25 each) EYES The smoky eye is still big but feel adventurous and try a different base to the usual grey and black eyeshadows. A gold/brown combination is very flattering and suits all eye colours. Kohl plays a very important part here and I'm particularly impressed with Kitten Vixen Eye Put A Spell On You in Burgundy Eye Kits (£20). These cute boxes contain an eye pencil on one end with matching mascara on the other, plus a pencil sharpener. Barry M Retractable Eyeliner Pencils are also a fantastic buy on a budget at £3.95 each. CHEEKS  Although the overall look here is inspired by vampires, ignoring the cheeks will only make you look ghostly and pasty, so it's important to choose the right blusher. Go for powder blush as matt is very in this season. Barry M has just launched its new range of blushers (£4.50). If you are pale Barry M blusher in Rose 2 is an ideal shade, whilst Strawberry 3 will give you that sexy flushed look. Apricot 5 and Terracotta 6 are ideal for darker complexions. Apply with a brush and sweep the blusher from your cheekbones towards your ears. Blend to perfection for a flawless look. Remember we are looking for shades and sculpting here, not for milk maid's cheeks. NAILS Whilst red nails are always in season, be adventurous and try different colours. Plums and purples are huge right now, but cold colours will be seen everywhere too: try Barry M Nail Paint in Navy, Cobalt Blue, Racing Green and Emerald Green (£2.95). Keep nails short and matt for the ultimate autumn/winter look.