Today we get a quick chat with MAC Executive Director of Makeup Artistry, Lyne Desnoyers (@lyne_desnoyers), a nomadic polymath for whom makeup is an act of storytelling. Memories – from her time living in Canada and more recently in Paris – inform the spellbinding and ethereal looks that she creates for shows and editorials. These days, an even wider array of experiences gathered while travelling for her global role add to her inspiration, but Lyne credits her time as a dancer with originally fuelling her lifelong love of makeup. Though a master of her craft, she doesn’t believe it has to be complicated. With a few key products, a healthy glow and enough energy, she explains us today the yellow beauty trend and that there is no need to be afraid of this vibrant colour which seems rather tricky to apply.

MAC Executive Director of Makeup Artistry Lyne Desnoyers 

Please explain us why yellow is  such a free-energized expressionist and why it is trending now?

I really loved how SS17 celebrated modern ways of making colour flattering! This was done through beauty details worn in classic placements but using free form techniques. Sometimes worn as an adornement, sometimes as a bold statement or as a simple gesture, these colour accents energize the face, they give freshness to a look in an unexpected way. Yellow is probably the most dynamic of all: solar and luminous, this colour brings almost a super highlight to eye makeup and has had many interpretations this season.

Haider Ackermann S/S 2017

How & where do you apply it best so that it will look elegant and is easy to do for consumers (a little artistry take on yellow)?

I personally find that the easiest way to wear yellow is to pair it with a neutral. For example as an eyeliner: first line your eyes as you would normally do with a dark brown or a black. Then you apply the yellow in a thin line right above it. It creates a very lovely 2 toned eyeliner with which you do not have to put any other eyeshadows since the yellow really brings out the lid.

Photo via @TicoXPassion

Another way I think works well also is to apply the yellow all over the mobile lid and then continue your makeup with warm browns in the crease, as eyeliner etc. What I like about this is that it is quite classic in the way it is executed, but the pop of yellow really makes it different and flattering. You can apply the yellow either as a transparent wash or in a more opaque “colour block” way. Both options work very well…it all depends how much impact you want! The secret in all cases, is to do a very transparent and soft focus skin…it is that contrast that makes the colour fresh looking and totally wearable.  

Products to have:

MAC PAINT STICK in Primary Yellow
MAC EYE SHADOW in Chrome Yellow
MAC CHROMALINE in Primary Yellow
MAC CHROMAGRAPHIC PENCIL in Primary Yellow
MAC LIPSTICK in Yellow You Dare

Have fun experimenting!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics and via Pinterest; Harper’s Bazaar Mexico