When designers send models down the runway in their new togs each season, the latest make-up inspirations are also on show.

In recent years, modern simplicity has been the key to these looks.

As celebrity make-up artist Andy Lee, 45, notes: 'Previously, the catwalk make-up was more dramatic for effect and showmanship. You couldn't wear these 'wayang' beauty looks every day, so you'd have to reinterpret them, either by adopting the colour palette or picking accents of the original look.'

In the past two years, however, runway beauty looks have become wearable as they are more reflective of the modern woman and her lifestyle.

For example, when it comes to the face, the ideal now is 'true skin' - neither too painted nor too perfect.

'The complexion looks real and healthy, not airbrushed and artificially pristine. If you have freckles, you don't have to cover them,' says Lee.

In short, it's easy to be trendy now. After all, which modern woman can afford to spend hours getting her make-up right?

With his tips, we show you how to look runway perfect the real way with Shiseido's latest colours.

COMMON PITFALLS

Sticking to the same make-up routine can date your looks.

The latest looks for spring have only one focal point - either bright lips or eye make-up with lots of lid definition.

Highlighting too many features results in a 1980s look, says Lee.

Choosing the right cosmetic products is also very important, especially when it comes to foundation.

The wrong colour or texture can muck it up.

Go easy on the colours. It's better to layer if you want a more intense show of colour than stamping it on.

'Today's runway beauty is more pared down and more about natural glow rather than covering up the skin. Don't try to change what you have. Instead, enhance it,' says make-up artist Andy Lee.

REAL SKIN

Glow and translucence are what you want, not cementing your skin with foundation. If your complexion is already good, Lee says you can get away with wearing tinted moisturiser with an SPF 15 (at least).

Go for foundation formulas that are light.

'They have to be easy to apply and 'disappear' into skin and make it appear smoother, he says.

It's very important to pick a foundation colour that is closest to your natural skin tone as this forms the base of your make-up.

Lee's tip: He does a colour match by dabbing some foundation on the side of the mouth, right under the cheek.

This is where the face is not as exposed to the sun as the rest of the face is, so it is closest to your original skin tone.

To keep coverage light, he prefers to apply foundation only to the areas that need it, like around the mouth, the nose and the eyes, since these places are prone to redness or small blemishes.

He likes using a foundation brush to paint on the base then finger-blending away any streaks.

The look of 'true skin' as he calls it, is neither completely matt nor too dewy. But if you're prone to oily skin, you can dust a bit of loose powder on to set the base.

Dip a powder puff into loose powder and shake off the excess before patting gently on your T-zone.

One way to achieve glowing skin is by using a skin enhancing product, like Shiseido The Makeup's Multi-Shade Enhancer ($39).

These enhancers typically come in cake form with a few complementary tones, usually in earth, peachy or rosy shades. Swirl a brush over them and dust over the face to warm up the complexion.

Lee says you can also use the darker shades for cheek contouring and the lighter ones to give dewy highlights on top of cheekbones or at the temples.

GET LIPPY

What's in vogue are strong vibrant colours like orange, fuchsia, even reds. But overall, the look is still soft with no visible, hard lip contour lines.

The right lip product is important to achieve this season's desired lip.

'You want a lipstick that's not too glossy but creamy and sheer enough so your natural lip colour peeks through,' says Lee.

Try Shiseido The Makeup Shimmering Lipstick ($39), which goes on moist, has enough pigments to colour lips and still retains a pretty transparency.

Do use a lip brush, he advises, as this will give you a more even finish. He recommends keeping eye make-up simple when wearing a strong vibrant lip shade.

'Pair bright lips with a nude or earthy tone on the lid, like taupe or chestnut, and top with liner and mascara.'

EYE DEFINITION

Lazy girls are going to get a kick from this. Eye make-up is so pared down that even the once-complicated sexy smoky eye look now requires only two eye colours to do it.

In the past, you needed at least three shades: the darkest on the lid, a neutral tone to enhance the socket and a lighter highlight shade.

'Now the same shade you use on the lid is blended with a brush to mute its intensity so it becomes a contour shade,' Lee says.

Spring's eye look is no longer fussy or elaborate. Shadows are used as single washes of colour to pretty up lids or to accent the eyeline, over black liner, to make eyes pop.

This technique works for all Asian eyes, big or small, for single or double lids.

What helps are versatile eye make-up products like Shiseido The Makeup Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow ($39).

The cream shadow creates a soft wash of colour on lids, or you can use it as a base to help fix eye shadow. You can also use it as a cream eyeliner to define lids. All you need are two coats of mascara to finish.

When you're playing up eyes, go for natural or nude colours on your lips.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Mar 6, 2008.