CREDIT: COCAMIA.BLOGSPOT.COM
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As the new school year is finally here, it's time to switch up your makeup routine, try new products and freshen up your everyday makeup looks. Over the summer, we all know our makeup looks start to diminish and we fall into a minimalist routine — it's time to try out some of the new fall trends for your fresh, back-to-school makeup.

Fall 2012 trends are all about using extreme dark and light colours in your look and contrasting them. This could mean having very neutral tones around the eye and then having an extreme deep rouge lip. Statement colours are very big with the fall makeup trends, whether they're on your lashes, lips, cheeks or eyelids.

The first trend for fall is mulberry lips; red is always a prominent colour in fall makeup, but this year it is very toned down and not so vibrant. Instead of having a true red lip, the lipsticks are much deeper with hints of chocolate undertones. When wearing this lip colour, it's best to have it fairly glossy and contrasted with a very simple eye colour. A simple rule to remember for this season's trends is "one out of three"; for example, if your eyes are very dramatic, then keep your cheeks and lips simple (neutraltoned).

The second makeup trend that has actually transferred over from last year's trends is defined brows. This part of the face is often skipped when quickly getting ready in the morning, but filling in the brows actually adds a lot of definition to the face. It is best to use eyebrow powders, as you can get a more natural look, but you can also feather on eyebrow pencils to really define the arch of the eyebrow. For a really bold evening look, you can also add some glitter and colour to the eyebrows.

The last and probably most wearable trend for back to school is smoky brown for eyes. Instead of using the harsh blacks and greys for a traditional smoky eye (which tend to wash out a lot of complexions), deep browns are now being used instead. These shades work beautifully with all complexions and can easily be transformed from a daytime look to an evening look just by layering on more pigment. Instead of using a black eyeliner, try using a mocha-coloured kohl liner and blending it out (with a smudge brush) to create an even smokier eye. Finish this look by adding a volumizing mascara and a nude lip (keeping the one-in-three rule in mind).

This season, try switching up your makeup routine by including one or all of these flawless makeup trends. Contrasting between extremes of lightness and darkness in colour will add life to your look; just remember to keep the one-inthree rule in mind.