Last Update on December 18, 2013 // Written by Hank No Comments

Beauty trends are like buses: an edict comes along — “It’s all about a statement lip” — but if it isn’t going your way, you only have to wait five minutes for the next one — “More is the new minimal: go bold on eyes and lips.” Amid this constant change, however, one look never seems to fade: the blonde bombshell. This make-up is eternally sexy. It has a come-hither look, and va-va-voom courses through its veins. It’s guaranteed to bring out the vixen in all of us and send the level of testosterone in the room soaring. No wonder it’s been the beauty staple of every sex kitten from Brigitte Bardot to Kate Moss. The essentials are simple: winged eyeliner that starts as a fine line at the inside corner of the eye, getting broader as it sweeps out, teamed with nothing more complicated than nude/pink eye shadow and black mascara, giving a smoky-eye effect without the hassle of blending. The lip must be kept neutral — nothing should distract from the eye. This is make-up with a saucy wink. “I love to do smoky eyes, and I think that works best without too much of a lip colour,” says our model, Doutzen Kroes, a L’Oréal Paris spokesmodel and one of the faces of its new Colour Riche Collection Privée lipstick range, a perfect selection of nudes. “There’s still a bit of a pinkish tone in there,” she says of her own shade. Top off the look with a head of backcombed hair in a Babycham shade of blonde, and then watch your own good times roll. Words: Edwina Ings-Chambers

The simple science of looking like a sex kitten

Lace slip dress, £635, and thong, £120, by Jenny Packham. Pigalle shoes, £395, by Christian Louboutin. Hold-up stockings, £23, by Wolford. Gold pineapple ring, £1,298, by Nikos Koulis; matchesfashion.com Cream bra, £49, and knickers, £29, by Chantelle. Cream net smock, £285, by Ryan Lo. Lace stockings, £15, by Jonathan Aston; mytights.com. Gold pineapple ring, £1,298, by Nikos Koulis; matchesfashion.com Black silk bra, £185, by Dolce & Gabbana. Tulle shirtdress, £2,850, by Ryan Lo   Left: Ruffle top, £1,145, by Alexander McQueen. Double-band ring with diamonds, £2,085, by Nikos Koulis; matchesfashion.com. Right: Ruffle top, £1,145, by Alexander McQueen. Shoes, £395, by Christian Louboutin. Tights, £20, by Falke. Gold ring with bead detail, £2,134, by Nikos Koulis; matchesfashion.com Coat, £5,675, by Loewe. Double-band rings, £2,085 each, and gold ring with bead detail, £2,134, by Nikos Koulis; matchesfashion.com L’Oréal Paris Collection Privée lipsticks are available nationwide; lorealparis.co.uk. Make-up: Eau de Teint Foundation, £10, Superliner Brow Artist pencil in Blonde, £5.49, Color Riche Quad in Eau de Rose, £8, Superliner Eye Liner in Black Buster, £7, False Lash Flutter Mascara Midnight Black, £11, Colour Riche Collection Privée lipstick in Doutzen Kroes: Barely Pink, £8.19, by L’Oréal Paris. Make-up: Charlotte Willer using L’Oréal Paris Cosmetics. Hair: Stéphane Lancien using L’Oréal Paris Elnett Hairspray. Nails: Tom Bachik using L’Oréal  Paris Color Riche Nail Polish. Model: Doutzen Kroes at Viva. Photographer’s assistant: Stan Rey-Grange. Fashion assistants: Nura Khan and Flo Pickard Price. Digital operator: Jérôme Vivet. Set design: Roman Yurkievich

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