Jason Wu’s cosmetics capture the eye
Fashion designer Jason Wu — perhaps best known for designing both of First Lady Michelle Obama’s inaugural gowns — has a new color cosmetics collection out, and it allows women to try at least one beauty look from his high-fashion runway.
The 15-piece limited-edition Jason Wu for Lancôme color cosmetics collection is his most extensive foray into the beauty realm to date. It’s available exclusively at Nordstrom stores, with prices ranging from $15 to $49. Included are three eye shadow palettes, three neutral single eye shadows, a navy blue mascara, a black liquid eyeliner pen, a dual-ended shadow and liner brush, three red-hued lipsticks and two nail lacquers in rose and red.
Wu’s design aesthetic is a deft juxtaposition of soft femininity and sharp tailoring. His beauty collection is also a lesson in contrasts, mixing pretty, shimmery neutrals with a shot of bold color.
“The inspiration for my makeup collection came from some of my favorite colors and combinations that I’ve used in my career,” says Wu. “I wanted the colors to be vibrant, feminine and wearable — not only by themselves but also combined together to create a butterfly-esque eye palette.” The pale, greige shade of the packaging is another Wu signature.
The inclusion of three eye palettes and three shades of lipstick is purposeful.
“One palette has lots of earthier tones that are great for darker complexions; another has bright shades that are good for pale and medium skin,” he says. “The lip colors feature three different shades of red to fit any skin tone, because I think a good red is essential in every woman’s makeup arsenal.”
One purplish-blue shadow in the “Violet Streak” eye palette was worn by models in Wu’s fall 2013 runway presentation to tie into the blue hue of the finale dress.
“The idea was that the makeup was part of the color story of the collection,” Wu says. “I just loved the idea of this intense blue eye. It is so dynamic and utterly feminine at the same time.”
