Trendspotting: Matte is where it's at!

July 3, 10:19 AMHartford Women's Style ExaminerRebecca Giantonio

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When it comes to style, hair and makeup make as much of a statement as your clothes and accessories. And the new matte makeup trend does just that, with bold saturated color that stays put, no matter how high the mercury rises this summer. Matte formulas guarantee you remain fresh-faced this fourth of July weekend and into the rest of the season.

Photo: Sephora.com

Skin

Keep your skin smooth, luminous and flawless with Bare Escentuals bareMinerals’ new SPF 15 Matte Foundation ($28). This makeup does it all! It absorbs oil and eliminates shine while minimizing pores and promoting cell turnover while you sit pretty. Head to the Bare Escentuals store at Westfarms Mall to find your perfect shade.

For the bronzed goddess look without the shimmer, try Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess Soft Matte Bronzer ($30), which works with almost every skin tone. Tip: For a naturally tan look, start at the top of your forehead and sweep a large “3” on either side of your face, traveling down your temples and across your cheeks, then down the side of your cheeks to the middle of your chin.

Photo: Clinique

Eyes

Play up eyes with matte shadows exploding with color that doesn’t crease or melt. Launched late last year, Clinique’s Color Surge Eye Shadow Stay Matte line ($14) goes on smoothly. Pick from nine dramatic shades, from subtle French vanilla to the intense black Midnight, at Macy’s, Sephora or Nordstrom.

Photo: Giorgio Armani Beauty

Lips

Nars’ Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($24) already has a cult following, delivering rich pigment in a velvety finish for hours. Choose from 17 shades of pink, nude and red at Sephora. For a hint of shimmer, try Giorgio Armani’s Lip Wax ($26), available in bold summer shades. The compact lipstick goes on matte with a satin finish and can be purchased online.

Photo: OPI

Nails

Let your hands do the talking, with new matte polishes. Essie’s limited edition Neon 2009 collection ($8) offers four electric hues of yellow, pink and purple – all in matte or semi-matte finishes. Launched this month are OPI’s new Matte Nail Lacquers ($8.50), with colors ranging from pure white to navy, pink, wine – even green! Think paint on a wall – but much chicer! The trick is to avoid a base or top coat, as well as hand lotions, when sporting this look.

A few tips when going matte this summer:

• The key to matte success is to play up one feature, such as your eyes or lips, with bright color and stick with nudes and neutrals everywhere else.

• Dare to be bold! Summer mattes are all about color and subdued drama. Try red punch lips or ocean blue eyes.

• Create your own matte lips by applying a small amount of lipstick with your finger for a stained look, then dusting lips lightly with translucent powder.