This Summer, It’s a Return to the Bronze Age
Forget pink. This summer makeup is going bronze with shimmering colors to accent any tan--real or fake. The best thing about these products is they wash off with soap and water.
“We have been doing a tremendous business in bronzing [cosmetics], especially anything with shimmer. That includes both powders and liquid bronzers, which are big this year,” reports Cynthia Olson, manager of cosmetics superstore Sephorain Costa Mesa.
MAC’s bronz-ploitation line of sheer powders, lipsticks and nail polishes is a departure from the company’s usual colorful palette. “We wanted to have fun with our summer line. The bronze tone is extremely versatile on all skin tones and appeals to someone who wants a subtle change in texture. Look at fashion and fabric. There has been a big return to sheerness and transparency. The same goes for cosmetics. Makeup forms are much more lightweight and translucent than they have been in the past,” explained Ksenija Flajs, MAC’s director of conceptual marketing.
Yves Saint-Laurent has chosen bronze as the base color for its summer offerings, which include lipsticks in brown cocoa, liquid bronze, copper leaf and golden sand, with navy and slate eye shadows for contrast. YSL’s bronzing powder is slightly iridescent, and its caramel-colored mascara makes eyes sparkle.
Revlon’s Bronzed and Brassy collection has a liquid gold nail polish and a featherweight Face Shimmer gel, while L’Oreal’s Khaki Colour on the Edge line has exotic nail colors as cool as a pair of cargo pants: jungle khaki, burlap and desert linen.
La Prairie Switzerland introduces Creme Lumiere sticks this season, creamy sticks of all-over color for cheeks, eyes and lips. Available in four shades--Bali, a warm raisin; Belize, a golden bronze; Monaco, a rich copper; and St. Tropez, a brilliant rose.
We were a little worried about BeneFit’s Glamazon liquid bronzer for the face. (What if it spills, or you get more on one cheek than the other?) But we just couldn’t resist the fabulous leopard-print bottle and gave it a try. The verdict? It goes on smooth with an applicator brush that resembles a nail polish wand, and is light enough to blend. If you do goof, the tint washes off with soap and water.
Trendy Clip Joint: If you are looking for a quick clip on the Sunset Strip, you may want to check out Rudy’s Barber Shop at the trendy new Standard Hotel. The shop is a branch of the old-time barbershop chain by the same name in Seattle, where Eddie Vedder and Kurt Cobain went to get their long locks sheared. Cuts are $19 for men or $15 for a “buzz” (clippers only, no scissors). Longer men’s cuts and women’s cuts start at $24. Michael Stipe, Matt Dillon and Ben Affleck have all stopped in the West Hollywood location, which has a great selection of foreign magazines and goodies like Aromapharmacy candles, Bumble & Bumble hair products and Backyard cosmetics for sale.
E-mail Booth Moore at booth.moore@latimes.com.
