How to create an effortless-looking spring racing makeup look

Want to look fresh, flawless and utterly glamorous when you head to the races? Silly question - of course you do.

So what’s the trick to nailing your race day look? Keeping your make-up simple and subtle while still incorporating colour to ensure you stand out from the crowd. I know, it sounds like a tricky thing to accomplish, which is why we turned to make-up artist and guru Rae Morris – and her book Express Makeup – to show you exactly how easily it can be done.

Step #1:

Apply a deep aubergine kohl pencil ( bh says: if you don’t have a kohl pencil in that shade, use an eyeshadow stick) to your entire eyelid, keep all the intensity at your lash line. Do the same on your other eye.

Apply the same pencil along your inner lower rims. Make sure you blend each eyelid evenly before using a matching eyeshadow to blend the edges smoothly.

beautyheaven recommends: Revlon Colorstay Shadow Stick in Flare and Revlon PhotoReady Primer, Shadow + Sparkle in Renaissance.

Step #2:

Curl your lashes and apply heavy mascara to your top lashes only. Then, line your top lash lines with a deep violet liquid eyeliner (bh says: if you don’t have a violet liquid liner, wet an angled brush and use a violet eyeshadow).

beautyheaven recommends: Revlon Cushion Grip Lash Curler, Revlon PhotoReady 3D Volume Mascara and Revlon CustomEyes Shadow & Liner in Rich Temptations.

Step #3:

Clean up any fall-out, and then apply your foundation.

beautyheaven recommends: Revlon Nearly Naked Make-up. It’ll give your skin a beautiful, flawless-looking base that helps you look made up, but in a completely natural and effortless-looking way. You’ll also find that the coverage, combined with natural finish, makes the foundation perfect for any make-up look.

Step #4:

Define your brows and apply a little deep berry or plum-coloured lipstain on your cheeks and lips. If your lips are slightly dry, add a hint of clear lip gloss.

beautyheaven recommends: Revlon ColorStay Eyebrow Liner and Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain in Smitten.

For more amazing how-tos from Rae Morris (and some seriously useful info on all things beauty), check out her book Express Makeup. Regular copies are available in bookstores, but if you order online at www.raemorris.com, your copy will be signed by Rae herself.

Images: Stephen Chee

What’s your must-have product for a flawless and fresh make-up look? Would you try this look with purple eyeshadow or would you choose a different shade?