Makeup goes dark

To stand out this season, turn to smouldering, deep and rich shades on your eyes, lips and nails. After all, black goes with everything!

The dark lip

Makeup pro James Kaliardos describes why this makeup trick is so impactful: “We’re trying to create a don’t-mess-with-me look. People are intimidated by makeup; there’s something about the woman with the perfect lip liner that makes you go, ‘Whoa!’” We love the deep intensity of [1] Smashbox Be Legendary Matte Lipstick in Plum Role (R260). Or, for a deep burgundy finish as seen at Edun, go for [2] M·A·C Lipstick in Lingering Kiss (R220) or a plum, like [3] Inglot Lipstick in 435 (R229). TIP! Create your own deep lip shade by filling your lips with black eyeliner. Follow with burgundy. Blot, then reapply.

The dark mani

Make black your go-to nail colour in matte or gloss. On its own, the inky tips are striking on short to medium-length square-shaped nails as seen at Daks and Rag & Bone. We love [4] Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer in Pumps Or Cowboy Boots? (R138). Or, get creative the way they did at Rodarte, where manicurist Alicia Torello painted the entire nail with black nail polish, then outlined the edge with [5] O·P·I Infinite Shine 2 Lacquer in Raisin’ The Bar (R280). For a midnight shimmer, we adore [6] Essie Nail Lacquer Cashmere Matte in Spun in Luxe (R124.95). TIP! Dark polish is very pigmented, so it can peel easily. Apply two thin coats and allow it to dry well in between. Finish with a top coat.

The dark eye

A smoky eye is always sexy, but this season, the cat-eye shape is exaggerated with dusky shadows. Models were sporting the dramatic lines at Julien Macdonald and Elie Saab, where makeup pro Tom Pecheux created a “rock-chic moody feeling” by softly blending taupe blush across the entire lid to the end of the brow and under the lower lashes in a large oval shape. We love [7] Urban Decay Naked Smoky Eyeshadow Palette (R850). He then added a graphic oval arch on the upper lids using a high-sheen gel liner, like [9] Inglot Eyeliner Gel in 77 (R229). TIP! Go for a pointed kajal eyeliner to draw the shape easily on each lid. Make sure the curves on each eye match, then fill in with a shimmery charcoal cream shadow, like [8] Rimmel Magnif’eyes in Back To Blacks (R99.95).