THE FACE OF fall

Mirroring the seasonal shift toward pared-down-to-essentials, polished dressing, modern methods for making up are quick, less contrived, classic. All the good looks start with a sheer, neutral base, a matte finish. The key to color: natural light and a good mirror. Warm, clear, earthy colors are the favored palette this fall, but as always, the most flattering faces focus on individual skin tone, hair color, lifestyle.

Hair and makeup stylist Cindy Gregg used L’Oreal’s Visuelle Fluide in Sand Beige as base on Elite model Anne Bezamat’s pretty, classic-French face (above). For day, the eye area stays subtle, smoky, with a careful blend of Sepia Tint shadows from Estée Lauder’s Pressed Satin Trio; lashes get a light brush of Precision Lash Mascara in Carnelian.

Honest blushing is in this fall, a heavy-handed application of cosmetic color most definitely outré. Cheeks get a soft hint of Rose Salon powder blush from Chanel. Think: blend.

Lips finish the uncomplicated regimen. Boundary lines are brushed on, not penciled, in. To color, Lancome’s Praline, a rich brown/beige with a touch of mauve, is applied once, blotted, applied once more, pulling gloss down to a matte minimum, adding staying power. Emanuel Ungaro’s hooded jacket and turtleneck, from Ungaro at Loretta Blum.

CAT’S MEOW

When sleek cat-prints, brave new reds, and pushy pastels demand daytime drama, or to add dazzle after dark, the eyes have it. Basic black gently smudged, at lash lines with Prescriptives’ Night shadow pencil. On lids, Prescriptives’ shadow trio, Composition in Jet and Copper. Lashes get fat fast with a single coat of Clinique’s tenacious Superbrown mascara.

The finish? Classic red lips: Chanel’s Rouge à Lèvres lipstick in Runway Red with Supor Hydrabase to moisturize, a quick blot, the line then brushed on, filled in, with Rouge Extrême in Finale Red. Other rich reds: Lancome’s Rouge Beret, Prescriptives’ Red. Red. Carolyne Roehm’s furry, spotted-cat beret and turtleneck (left) at Loretta Blum, Neiman-Marcus. Hair/ makeup: Cindy Gregg, Artist Bookings.