New season beauty buys

‘Makeup is a great accessory - that is the message.' So said legendary makeup artist Francois Nars on completion of the 65 individual looks he created for the Marc Jacobs autumn / winter 2009-10 show. Whether or not you will be brave enough to try the explosions of 80s eye makeup he championed at the show, his message rang true across the board. This autumn makeup is very much back in the spotlight, and here are our pick of the best new products to help you create the trends that have everyone talking.

The nude lip

As seen at - Thakoon and 3.1 Philip Lim

Product - Lip Balm Treatment in Rain, £17, Nars

Working in perfect harmony with a pristine face, keep nude lips matte this season. To achieve the look, pat on a small amount of concealor over the top of the balm and voila - you will have the desired matte finish. As well as creating the perfect neutral shade, the lip treatment will leave lips moisturised and kissable. Nude lips look incredibly modern and work wonders with striking eye makeup.

Red lips

As seen at - Bottega Veneta and Erdem

Product - Chinatown Glossy Pencil, £18, Lipstick Queen or Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect in Draped Burgondy, £17.50, Dior.

Classic red lips never go out of style and for autumn 2009 every shade imaginable was on display. Use Lipstick Queen's pencil to apply a pop of expertly applied true red for a sophisticated 1940's look. Equally striking were the burgundy shades, nonchalantly applied - wine stained lips with a decidedly glossier finish.

Porcelain skin

As seen at - Missoni and Stella McCartney

Product - Classic Flawless Foundation, £45, Le Metier de Beaute available from Liberty and Prisme Libre in Poetique Orchid, £30.82, Givenchy 01932 233 824

Craved by everyone, flawless skin starts with a great base and this is definitely achievable with this incredible foundation from cult New York beauty brand Le Metier de Beaute. Available in 12 shades, this weightless, oil-free foundation is our newest beauty best friend and works wonders on skin of all ages. For a flawless finish that lasts all day, look no further. 

A good finishing powder is an essential this season to seal in that super-skin complexion. The pink and taupe shades of Givenchy's Prisme Libre reflect the light and give a subtle youthful glow.

Velvety cheeks

As seen at - Anna Sui and DKNY

Product - Shimmer Brick in Pretty Pink, £28, Estee Lauder

Inspired by the nip of an autumn breeze or the chill of a winter morning, velvety pink blush applied to the apples of the cheeks is a perennial favourite. Undeniably pretty, this look is all about fresh faced, natural beauty and the added shimmer in Estee Lauder's new shimmer brick bounces the light beautifully.

Contoured chic

As seen at - Rodarte and Chloe

Product - Sculpting powder, £16, MAC

If you prefer a stronger look, a contoured face could be the choice for you, creating the illusion of cheekbones. Practice make perfect here: choose a powder a couple of shades darker than you would normally use and, with an angled brush, blend from the temples right under the dent of your cheekbone. For that striking coffee and cream look add a highlighting powder around the eyes.

For more new season beauty buys click here

Expert fashion and beauty advice and offers

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