Spring racing guide: What look to wear

The major Spring Racing season is upon us. You have your dress freshly steamed, you’ve got your designer headpiece, now all that’s left is your makeup.

Unsurprisingly, a day out on the trackside and spring racing fashion isn’t just about rocking up in your on-trend midi dress and fascinator. It’s also about keeping your makeup in check! Whether you’re attending the Victoria Derby (Derby Day), the Melbourne Cup, Kennedy Oaks Day (Ladies Day) or all three, matching your makeup look to your racing outfit is of the upmost importance!

Unsure to pair cat eyes with vivid red lips? Opting for dewy cheeks instead of full-on strobing?  

Not to worry. We’ve compiled three trending makeup looks of this year’s spring racing season to keep you style appropriate.

Photo: Lana Wilkinson, Karon Photography

AAMI Derby Day – 3rd November 2018

One of the longest running Racecourse events to date, Derby Day fashion is classified by its ALL white and black attire and overall dignified style. Think of clean classic lines, tailored suits and vintage designs.

What’s the look?

Since there’s a strong emphasis on showcasing black and white (or both together), the theme of elegance is key. Warm-toned or natural looking makeup with a pop of colour is the way to go. Apply your trusty foundation, contour and concealer as per usual.

Then, we suggest the following:

Bring out your eyes using a soft matte palette. Nudes, pale pinks, beiges and browns are a great way to go. Try to create a subtle smoky eye that naturally enhances the shape of your eyes.

We recommend:BYS Eyeshadow On The Go Palette in Matte

Run your lashes through with a few coats of a defining and volumising mascara to make your eyes stand out. If you’re thinking of using falsies, keep them natural looking!

We recommend:Maybelline Great Lash Mascara 100 in Blackest Black

Fill-in and arch the eyebrows with a brow pencil or gel as close to your natural hair colour as you can.

We recommend:L’Oreal Brow Stylist Duet Natural Brows in Black and Brown

To set off that headpiece, line the lid of your eyes in a perfect ‘black’ wing for a polished look.

We recommend:BYS Liquid Eyeliner Fine Precision Pen

Fun fact: The traditional flower of Derby Day is the red rose. If you’re unsure about pairing red accessories and shoes with your all black or all white attire, coat your lips in a vivid red lipstick instead. Keep your lips velvety or matte. We suggest skipping the lip gloss on this occasion.

We recommend:Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick 10 Red and Chic

Simplicity and elegance go hand in hand! Photo: Elle Australia

Melbourne Cup Day - 5th November 2018

Australia’s most prestigious annual horserace event, the Melbourne cup is the day where you get to see and be seen. Go and pair bright block colours with statement prints, play with texture when choosing your sculptural headpieces and fascinators, opt for laser cut details, statement jewellery and the lot.

What’s the look?

With such an eclectic range of styles and vivid colours, you’re free to be more liberal in your makeup, as long as it complements the Melbourne Cup dress code and your dress! As its spring, keep your makeup warm and glowing. Be the bronzed goddess you always wanted to be!

We suggest the following:

As always, keep the brows perfectly groomed and arched. Stick to your natural hair tone as a guideline

We recommend:BYS Brow Definition Kit 3 Coloured Powder with Wax

As we’re coming into the warmer weather, illuminate your face, neck and shoulders with a warm and shimmery bronze to light up your gorgeous skin. Remember not to go overboard. We want you to possess a healthy, natural-looking glow, not a streaked fake tan!

We recommend:Barry M AfterGlow Bronzer

Shine as bright as your glittery headpiece and light up your cheekbone bones with your favourite strobing highlighter.

We recommend:e.l.f Baked Highlighter in Blush Gems

Make your eyes pop by adding some serious volume to your lashes. Use an intense volumising mascara with a wider wand to add a generous coat of formula to your natural lashes.

We recommend:Maybelline Volume Express The Mega Plush Mascara in Blackest Black

Pair your dress by adding some bright colour to your eyelids, cheeks or lips. Go for a rosy-toned blush or add some metallic finishes for some eye definition. For your lips, go for a bright red, coral shade or a vivid pink.

We recommend:

Lips:Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Color 910 Shocking Coral

Blush:e.l.f Blush with Brush in Blushing

Eyes:J.Cat Beauty 24 Eyeshadow Palette Beverly Hills

Dress to impress! Photo: Hills Lodge Hotel

Kennedy Oaks Day (Crown Oaks Day or Ladies Day) – 8th November 2018

Move along gents, this is a girls’ day out! Kennedy Oaks Day, otherwise known as Ladies Day, allows you to showcase your personal style and to release your inner femininity, style and grace. On this day, you’re bound to see a lot of floral prints, soft pink tones, pastels, chic accessories and anything related to making you feel your very best.

What’s the look?

This is all about showing off the best of you and coordinating makeup that makes you feel confident, chic and feminine. Ladies Day is often characterised with warm-tones, dewy looks with girly pinks, natural beiges and bronzes and other softened colours.

We suggest the following:

Give the highest points of your face a dewy finish using a highlighter close your skin tone and colour. Ladies day is all about highlighting the best of you without the use of dramatic looking makeup.

We recommend:Barry M Radiant Rod Highlighter

Keep your eyebrows tidy and filled-in but not too dark (there is such a thing as too perfected brows!) You don’t want to draw attention away from your entire floral ensemble with too dark brows. 

We recommend:L’Oreal’s Brow Stylist Duet Natural Brows in Black and Brown

Keep your face clear and flawless with a matte or semi-matte foundation. If you’re prone to combination or oily skin, find a long-wear foundation that controls sebum production.

We recommned:LA Girls Pro Matte Foundation

Keep your cheeks gorgeously rosy with a warm-toned pink or plum pink for colour.

We recommend:NYX Ombre Blush 06 Nude to Me

For the eyes, add a dusting of neutral-toned metallic shimmers. Warm beiges, light pinks and champagnes are an ideal choice. Find colours that define the natural curves and contours of your eye shape

We recommend:Rimmel Magnif’ Eyes Eye Contouring Palette 1 Keep Calm & Wear Gold

Opt for a nude-toned gloss or a soft pink, light brown or coral lipstick. A bold colour may clash with your floral printed ensemble. If you are going for a vivid lip colour, find one similar to a hue on your dress or head-piece. 

We recommend:

Lip Gloss: L’Oreal Colour Riche Lip Gloss 152 Nude Touch

Lipstick:Rimmel Moisture Renew Full Colour Lipstick 210 Fancy

Keep your lashes long and defined rather than volumised. We’re going for a fresh, feminine and polished vibe here!

We recommend:e.l.f Mineral Infused Mascara Black

Ladies Day is your day to unleash your inner femininity! Photo: Victoria Racing Club, Visit Victoria

Say goodbye to trackside first-timer and say hello to spring racing veteran!