The color of money

MANILA, Philippines - Deep in the Mongolian Plateau, somewhere in Niuheliang, archeologists dug up a statue of a goddess, her head roughly the size of a human’s. Excavated in 1983, the 5,000-year-old cultural artifact proved curious for one particular reason: the goddess’s lips were limned in red, proof perhaps that even in ancient times, women found pleasure in the pursuit of color.

Even Chinese costumes, a riotous play of color and pattern, hark to the culture’s fondness for bright, uplifting hues that signify good luck, wealth and good health.

Garbed in Natori, a label that often looks to the East for inspiration, models were painted in vivid reds and pinks, its application inspired by the watercolor-like impressionist postcards of the ’30s and ’40s, featuring dainty-limbed women in cheongsams smiling demurely for the camera. Utilizing techniques inspired by the latest in A/W trends, MAC senior makeup artist Amber Dreadon, who worked on the shows of Peter Pilotto, Joseph Altuzzaraa and Carolina Herrera, daubed a bold red on Chelsea’s lips, then blurred the edges, as seen at Paul Smith. “Perfection is overrated,” she says, feathering color over the edges of the model’s lips, giving the impression of motion, like a Degas dancer in mid-pirouette. On Eriko, she created a pattern on the eye, both ancient Oriental and futuristic in style. A coat of gloss over the lid adds a sheen, an extra dimension, to the look.

“It’s everyday makeup,” she deadpanned.

“For going to the supermarket,” I responded, “or the ATM.” 

Though the checkout guy may give you a second look if you show up at the grocery in lids awash in salmon, we salute the reader brave enough to try.

It’s the verve, the celebration of color we admire.

Though the West may scoff at the Chinese for their beliefs — calling it ancient superstition — they only have to look at the rise of crazy, rich Asians to think there may be a point to all this affection for wealth-attracting pigments like red and gold.

Roll me in vermillion, Feng Sui Master, my bank account needs all the help it can get.

Blurred lines

Set the base with MAC Prep and Prime BB and spread over the face for a sheer finish.

Apply Strobe Cream over the planes of the face to manufacture a discreet shimmer, particularly over the cheekbones.

Brush Lingering Brow Pencil over the brows to thicken, if sparse.

Line the lips with Riri Woo Pencil and fill.

Paint over with Riri Woo lipstick and gently blur the lines over the lip, for an imperfect pout.

Lacquer nails in a diagonal pattern in Creme Shirelle and Creme In The Dark MAC nail polish.

Eye-con

Dot the skin with MAC Prep and Prime BB and spread over the face for a sheer finish.

Apply Studio Finish Concealer where needed.

Pat orange eyeshadow over the lid and under.

Trace out a pattern in Black Track Fluid Line over the lid.

Pat Silver Dusk over the planes of the face that reflect light: forehead, cheekbones and nose.

Daub Candy YumYum lipstick over lips.

Paint nails in a reverse French tip, with half moon pattern over the top half, in Frost Nightfall and Creme Quiet Time MAC nail lacquers.

   Fashion by NATORI

Photos by EVERYWHERE WE SHOOT

Styled by BEA J. LEDESMA

Makeup by AMBER DREADON for MAC

Hair by ALEE BENSON

Nails by SHIELA FAJARDO

for Beauty & Butter (tel. 654-7378)

Modeled by ERIKO MALABANAN

of Yeoh Models and

CHELSEA ROBATO of Mercator