Celebrity Makeup Artist Catalina Su on Fall Makeup Trends

By Beth Whiffen
September 29, 2011

Catalina Su

Catalina Su with Ashlan Gorse of "E! News"; Catalina Su with Catt Sadler of "E! News"

Catalina Su wields the magic wand that, on a daily basis, transforms the personalities at E!—including "E! News" anchor Giuliana Rancic and correspondents Catt Sadler and Ashlan Gorse—from regular (albeit gorgeous) girls to glamazons. The makeup artist got her start behind the Clinique counter at Macy’s, then quickly worked her way up the ladder at Lancome, Prescriptives and MAC. She ultimately landed in Hollywood, where her work has graced the faces of Britney Spears, Khloe Kardashian, Amber Valetta and other celebs.

Of course, despite all the stars she’s finessed, there’s always that one person a makeup artist would die to get her hands on and makeover. For Su, it’s Jessica Simpson. "I'd like to modernize and step up her beauty," Su says. "She's doesn't need a whole lot, but minor touches can make the world of a difference." But until then, she’s lent her sage beauty advice to The Inside Source, sharing fall’s biggest beauty and makeup trends and how to get them.

Fall Beauty Trend 1: Bold Brows

Fall 2011: Derek Lam + eBay Presentation (photo by Dario Cantatore/Getty Images)

“Bold brows are huge this fall,” says Su. And they can be worn two ways. For an updated and sophisticated look, try pairing a bold brow with an intense muddy, smoky eye. Use a brown shadow like Chanel Illusion D’ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Illusiore to amp up this dramatic looks, suggests Su. “All you need to do to get this look is simply apply the shadow to your lid, first with a dense brush, then use your fingers to blend,” says Su. “Apply lots of mascara and add false lashes to really up the drama.”

Bold Brows

Chanel Illusion D'ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow creates the smoky eye to pair with bold brows.

“The other way to rock bold brows is with a bare lid and deep, vibrant lip,” says Su. To get this modern look, start by applying foundation on the mouth and then line your lips with a nude liner. Layer on a creamy, saturated lipstick hue such as Yves Saint Laurent’s 'Rouge Volupté Pearl' Lipstick from the Midnight Garden Fall 2011 Collection in Spellbinding Violet. “It’s always best to balance out a strong lip with a nude eye,” says Su. “This creates a nice balance between fall’s beauty trend toward a clean, fresh face and the jewel tones we are seeing on the fashion runways.”

Bold Brows

Yves Saint Laurent’s 'Rouge Volupté Pearl' Lipstick from the Midnight Garden Fall 2011 Collection in Spellbinding Violet creates the deep, vibrant lip to go with bold brows.

But perhaps most importantly, in order to accentuate your brows, you need the right beauty tool. So invest in a great brow pencil. Su suggests Dior’s 'Diorshow' Brow Styler in Universal Brown, which takes the color-matching guesswork away, since it’s only available in one shade. “It’s truly a universal color,” explains Su, “and it can be used gingerly and smeared for a lighter brow.” For a darker brow, use a heavier hand. “The precision is fantastic; it does anything you need it to do.”

Christian Dior 'Diorshow' Brow Styler in Universal Brown is, according to Su, the best brow pencil.

Fall Beauty Trend 2: Smoky Metallic Eyes

Smokey Metallic Eyes

Fall 2011: Just Cavalli (photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images)

This fall, we’re seeing the classic smoky eye move away from basic black and brown toward sparkly silver and gold shadows. To get a silvery look, use Dior '1 Couleur' Eyeshadow in Argentic all over the lid with liquid black eyeliner. If you want to intensify the look, mix the silver shadow with a second shadow in dark grey. “This is by far the hottest look for fall and my favorite,” says Su. “Just be careful to balance the look by keeping your lips simple and fresh with a swipe of clear, shiny gloss.” Su suggests Illamsqua Lipgloss in Brilliant, which is ultra-shiny without being sticky.

Smoky Metaliic Eyes

Balance smoky metallic eyes with clear lipgloss, like Illamsqua Lipgloss in Brilliant; Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Half Baked will help achieve the golden smoky eye look that's popular for fall; Beauty is Life Lipstick in Selection is a great nude to balance dramatic eyes.

If you have warm skin, golden smoky eyes are a chic option for fall as well. For a Midas touch, apply a brown eye shadow, such as MAC Eyeshadow in Bronze, from the lash line to the crease. Then, use a shimmery shade, like Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Half Baked, on the center of the eyelid. “It adds a zesty glow,” says Su.

Su recommends finishing off the dramatic look with a nude lip. Her picks: Beauty is Life Lipstick in Selection or MAC Lipstick in Peachstock, which is discontinued but can be found on eBay.

Fall Beauty Trend 3: Scrubbed-Clean Skin

Scrubbed-Clean Skin

Fall 2011: Stella McCartney (photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images)

“More than ever, an emphasis on clean skin has taken full effect for fall,” says Su. “Younger and fresher-looking skin without much visible makeup is a key trend.” To get your skin in tip-top shape, try washing your face with one of the tools of the pro-trade: the Clarisonic brush. “The Clarisonic brush cleans your skin like you would never believe,” says Su. The true test is to wash your face twice thoroughly with your regular cleanser, then use the Clarisonic brush as a follow-up. “I guaranteed that you will still see makeup come off on the brush.” After using the brush for a week, you will see a difference in the way your skin feels and the way it absorbs your skincare.”

Of course, the clean skin trend doesn’t mean you have to forego makeup. With fewer impurities and dead skin cells, your makeup will wear more beautifully. For a fresh, natural look, think tinted moisturizer or concealer layered beneath a stroke of peachy blush to highlight your cheekbones. A clear gloss, such as Palladio Lip Gloss in Pink Pearl or Pure Natural, and a sweep of mascara over curled lashes finish the look.

Catalina Su

Stephanie Pratt, Adriana Gallarzo, Catt Sadler, Lisa Zimmitti, JC Dupri, and Catalina Su at the at the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas for Catt Sadler's birthday celebration (far right)