The advent of a new year always brings with it a tide of change, in our vanities as much as in the rest of our lives. When the models are strutting down the runway, we’re looking at their faces just as much as their clothes. Is contouring on its way out? How dark will this season’s smoky eye be? Will red lipstick ever go out of style? (The answer to that last question remains a firm no.)

Thankfully, we don’t have to figure it all out ourselves. MAC Cosmetics’ director of makeup artistry Gregory Alt flew in to Shangri-la Mactan Resort & Spa to school us on beauty. The MAC SS17 Pro Tour introduced the four looks that will dominate beauty this season, as created by the brand for fashion week. Gregory takes us through the concept of each face, and the products that’ll help you recreate them.

The looks at Alberta Ferretti, Prabal Gurung and Veronique Leroy

THE REAL LIFE

Unpretentious and nonchalant are some of the key words that dictate the Real look, with emphasis on how women look in real life. “Everything feels very easy, unforced,” says artist Val Garland in the MAC trends book.

The look Val created for Alberta Ferretti featured slightly smudged eyeliner, a natural lip and only the slightest hint of contouring and blush. “Carine Roitfeld meets Kate Moss,” she calls it. The smudged liner is given as much attention at Chloe, where Aaron de Mey made it look like last night’s makeup. At Desigual and Lanvin, models looked practically bare-faced, with colors that blended into their natural skin tones.

To get the look, cover up imperfections with the MAC Studio Fix Perfecting Stick, then give your brows an imperfect but groomed look with the Brow Sculpt. Complete it with the Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in High Drama or Feels So Good.

The looks at Giamba, Haider Ackerman and Salvatore Ferragamo

FREE SPIRIT

Color and creativity are the highlights of the Free face, with makeup taking on a more fun and spontaneous look. “It’s the opposite of taking yourself seriously and filtering your selfies,” Val says. It’s artisanal, optimistic and eclectic—in other words, you’re encouraged to let your freak flag fly.

Bright eyes were seen throughout the runways. Geometric cateyes are done in yellow at Haider Ackerman and Ports 1961, while all sorts of colorful eye shadow were on display at Emilio Pucci, Kenzo and Ryan Lo, among others. If you’re more experimental, you can go the extra mile—there’s silver-painted eyebrows at Giamba and drawn-on circles trailing the cheekbones at Issey Miyake.

There’s a number of products on MAC’s arsenal that’d be great for the look, but what we’re really excited about are the colored mascaras. In shades of yellow, blue and purple, the In Dimension Lash is something we’re definitely adding to our vanities.

The looks at Altuzarra, Hood by Air and Simone Rocha

GET WET

Looking sweaty might have not seemed appealing during the days of the hyper matte finish, but times have changed. The Wet look is all about mimicking the way light reflects on the skin for a dewy finish. 

Slicked back hair and strategic highlights gave models a bright finish at Moncler and Altuzarra. At Gareth Pugh, super glossy lips are done in dark colors, while foreheads are literally glossed in Hood by Air. In fact, it’s clear we’ll soon be putting gloss on features besides our lips. At Baja East and Blugirl, eyes are slick for an ultra-shine finish.

MAC Prep + Prime is essential for getting the dewy base for this look, and the Strobe Creams are now available in different colors for different effects. 

The looks at Alexis Mabille, Paul Smith and Preen

WARM BODIES

It’s the new romantic, with soft washes and tints creating a very natural effect on the skin for the Warm look. “These colors are designed to enhance and mimic really great skin condition,” says artist Terry Barber.

He creates a very natural look at Marco De Vincenzo, where peach and pinks are given more depth with highlighter. “It’s that woman who looks chic just wearing lipstick,” he adds. The pastel palette continues at Roksanda, Paul Smith and Missoni carry on the floral theme, although at Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, where petals were actually pasted on the face.

Bronzers and peach lipsticks are all you need for your Warm beauty kit. But it’s the Extra Dimension Skinfinish highlighters that really make a difference—a quick swipe leaves the most gorgeous sheen.