With the heat of sales signs suddenly cropping up in every shop window, I was seriously wondering when Sephora would be loading up some clearance bins. I guess the sifting mitts can be put away until the next Bloomies super sale because it’s apparently not going to happen. According to this article posted today, 90% of women have not changed their makeup purchasing/using habits during this recession.

It appears that, like toilet paper and tampons, there are base cosmetic needs that cannot and will not be denied. Most women believe makeup essential to their self-image and confidence, and that it even improves their control and stature in the work place. For sure, I’ve never seen Hillary without a full face.

What women have been doing differently is looking for more subtle color schemes, which I find interesting since bright colors, especially for the lips, are so fashionable these days. Are women then caring less if they’re fashionable in a recession? Seems that, while makeup usage doesn’t go anywhere, it at least wants to look a little more appropriate for the economic climate. Yay, makeup shopping!

For a great recession makeup face that is natural, but still has a little kick, here are some tips:

-If keeping neutral eyes, try a brighter blush to bring out color in the eyes and liven the face.

-Mix some pearlized shadows with the matte. Not literally mixing them together. Rather, put a light color with a bit of shimmer on the lid, but keep the crease matte.  This Bobby Brown palette has a good mix.

-If wanting a little evening drama, choose a deep, matte lip color and keep the rest of the face neutral. Still classy and simple, but sexy and a great way to channel a little of that vintage look. I like MAC Underworld for this.

-Pink pink pink. Pinkish shadow, pink blush, pink lips. Easy, subtle, and cute. You can try an all-in-one like Philosophy’s Supernatural palette for eyes, lips, and cheeks.

-Try a lip stain for subtle color that doesn’t have weight or texture on the lips like Covergirl’s Outlast Lipstain.

Here’s a chart depicting the vintage-inspired look with simple face and dark lips