Some seasons, makeup worn on the runway is more wacky than wearable. But that isn’t the case this fall season. Over-the-top looks were set aside in favor of more classical looks that were revamped with a modern spin.

Cat-eye liner was flirty and colorful at the runways of designers like Michael Kors, Monique Lhullier and Jason Wu. Lips were high-impact and ultra-matte. On the eyes, makeup artists applied an array of surprising colors in classic ways: Grunge smoky eyes at Phillip Lim, sculpted orangey shadow at BCBC, and a diffuse wash of prune at Nanette Leopore.

So give your beauty regimen a haute upgrade. Here’s a first look at the runway makeup trends you are bound to fall for, and perfect for incorporating into your show arena look –

Bold Feliner

There is no wrong way to wear black liner this fall.

For the classic ‘60s version, look to Monique Lhullier, Kenzo and Anna Sui,where CoverGirl makeup artist Pat McGrath took the time-honored cat eye for a serious joyride. Using a black pencil, she lined the eyes along  the upper lashes, flicking the eyeliner up at the corners. She then dotted chunks of the same liner along the lower lashes for an avant-garde edge. Although this makeup is perhaps a bit too extreme for the show arena, it is still fun inspiration to pull from to create more reserved looks.

Another twist on the traditional cat eye was seen on models at Christian Dior and Jason Wu, where makeup artists applied splashes of color, turning to icy blue and violet, respectively.

If you are bold enough to take up the cat eye trend in the show arena, start by rimming your lash lines with a pencil or an angled liner brush/cream or gel liner formula (such as [my favorite] Stilla’s smudge pot gel eyeliner). Then add a dark shadow, blending it upward for a dramatic look, and apply mascara. For less intensity, use a pencil on your lower lash lines only. Finish off your look with a discreet rosy lip color and keep the rest of your complexion neutral.

Matte Mouth

For fall, if it was bright, it was matte.

At shows like Diane Von Furstenberg’s models were sent down the runway with matte lips in this pretty pink hue. To achieve this vibrant look, line your lips with a matte, magenta pencil – somewhat overdrawing the middle to highlight your mouths natural shape. Let your pretty lips be the focus by keeping eye makeup to a few swipes of mascara.

Wine-Stained Pouts

Want a lip look that is a little less sweet and a lot more edgy? Try out the fall season’s dark and romantic lips in wine-shades like black cherry, mulberry and plum.

The easiest way to pull it off? Apply the color straight from the tube, blot, reapply, and blot again. You want the color to look a bit diffused (look for the latest backstage pictures from Louis Vuitton, Anthony Vaccarello and Zac Posen [all pictured above] as a reference). As for the rest of your makeup, keep it to a minimum.

Smoky Eyes

Coffee- and indigo-colored shadows update the smoky eye, which takes its inspiration from gothic and grunge 90s makeup. Embraced in the collections of designers such as Donna Karan and Roberto Cavalli, the focus here is on a smudged, sophisticated look.

To create it yourself, trace your inner lash lines in a rich brown pencil, then use a fluffy, medium-sized brush to blend a brown shadow from your lashes up to your crease. If you are using a cream shadow, apply it to your lids and use what is left on your finger to blend it outwards.

Yet again, keep in mind that makeup is about balance. When the eyes make a statement, the lips should be more reserved. And it is the juxtaposition between the rough, edgy eye makeup and the polished, flawless skin that will make this trend look so gorgeous in the arena.

Orangey Shadow 

Earthy tones like pumpkin and brass colored eye shadow were a hit on the fall runways, giving a warming effect to model’s gazes.

This look was gorgeously done by both BCBG and Prabal Gurung, who used a reddish brown shadow as a neutral to sculpt and shade around models eyes, while at J. Mendel, makeup artist Gucci Westman blended a glossy coppery shadow just past the crease, creating a look that was both effortless and luxurious.

Prune Eyes

If spring was all about green and blue, fall is all about purple. A deep, brownish purple, to be precise.

On the runway the color was applied in simple and nearly translucent looks like at Nanette Lepore, more intensely as layers built at Giles and Gucci, and even nearly opaque at designers like Oscar de la Renta – a look which felt both urban and sophisticated.

Play around with the level of color to find what you think looks best on you and with your show suit.

Matte Skin

The fundamental foil to fall’s strong lips and eyes? Skin with minimal shine (which is perfect for the show arena, as when using foundations and powders with too much shimmer you are also risking looking oily or washed out in photos).

To pull off the matte skin effect, prep skin with a non-greasy gel moisturizer, then apply foundation using a flat makeup brush for perfect, streak-free coverage. Dab concealer on any blemishes or redness around the eyes, nose, and cheeks, dust a loose powder all over to set the look and get rid of shine and BAM! Gorgeous, flawless skin.

There you have them! The fall seasons hottest makeup trends, perfect to incorporate into your show ring look. At last, runway makeup for the rest of us.

For me, the end of Youth Nationals signifies the realization and excited anticipation that U.S. Nationals is just around the corner.

This means to get out to the barn for practice, practice and more practice so that I am at my best and ready for Nationals.

And while it’s important not to wait until the last minute to polish up on your riding, it is just as important to not wait until the last minute to make sure your show clothes are just as polished and ready as you and your horse.

With Nationals only a couple months away NOW is that time! Ask yourself, is your outfit clean and in good condition? Does it fit properly? Do the colors compliment you and your horse? Is the style and are the colors current with fashion and with what’s being worn in the show arena?

If your outfit passes all these tests, then you have a good one, but garments that are too big, small or just fit poorly, can make you appear careless, messy and/or inexperienced. By obscuring the lines of your body, these garments can also make you look like you have poor riding posture. This is why you should be trying on your show outfits now to make sure they still fit how they should.

Bottom line: You always want to make your clothing work for you. An outfit that is the right fit, style and colors is able to highlight your best qualities and work to conceal those that are weaker.

Outside of making sure your current outfit(s) fits how it should, if it doesn’t look as sharp or distinctive as you would like, try to determine why that is. Minor issues such as a baggy shirt or a pair of jods are able to be resolved with a simple visit to Show Season.

Issues such as a show outfit that combines too many colors, or colors that don’t really look great together (which can cause an outfit to take on a tacky quality) can also be resolved. By removing or replacing a color you can significantly improve the outfit and even give it a whole new look and feel. On the other hand, if you are not able to determine the issue, the entire outfit might need replacing.

Even if there is nothing “wrong” with your outfit, sometimes it is fun to change the color of your shirt or vest to give it a fresh new vibe. Or you could even pick out a different color pair of jods and go for a day coat look!

When picking out new colors for a fresh look it’s always important to do so with lots of care and consideration, as the color can have a large impact on the overall look and impression of you and your horse. (Your horse can’t look sleek and well turned out if you don’t!)

The colors you chose can also enhance or dull the colors in your horse’s coat, as well as reinforce a harmonious look between the two of you. On the contrary, poorly chosen colors make it look like you are just sitting there on top of your horse, rather than being in tune with them. And depending on your color choices, they can make you appear more pale or tan, fat or slim, and bold or conservative.

If you are planning on getting a new vest, shirt, tie, chaps, or totally new suit for Nationals, then it’s a great idea to look ahead to fall fashion color report from authorities on color like Pantone.

According to Pantone, as the colder months set in, the in-trend greens from spring evolve and develop. Versatile Emerald continues to shine and captivate, adding richness and sophistication to the fall color spectrum, while yellow-tined Linden Green adds a lightness and brightness to darker colors of the season. Try wearing both these hues with Mykonos Blue – a bold, radiant blue – for a timeless fall look.

Mysterious Acai adds luxuriousness and exoticism to the palette, and is able to be paired with the other fall shades to create a multitude of strong looks. Wear this chic hue of purple with Emerald for a very regal look, or with energetic Samba Red for a dramatic and striking show outfit.

Koi – a decorative orange – and Vivacious – an energetic deep fuchsia – are fabulous statement colors that serve as perfect pick-me-ups for your show suit. I especially like Vivacious. Consider pairing it with lush Deep Lichen Green for a dynamic juxtaposition that encapsulates both ends of the seasonal palette.

Rounding out fall’s pillar colors, Turbulence – a dark, mercurial gray – and Carafe – a warm, glamorous brown – offer more interesting and posh options to the black basics typically worn in the colder months (and in the show arena). Both staple neutrals pair elegantly with the more statement colors of the season, like Samba, Koi and Vivacious.

In this way, just as the leaves change in autumn, we can enjoy the ability to change our ‘look.’ What’s important is to be tasteful and tidy. Don’t wait until the last minute when it is already too late. This is the time to check on the fit, update, and make sure your show outfit is the right color combinations for you and your horse!

Last week, as I watched the live video feed of the Lexington Junior League Horse Show, I enjoyed seeing the rainbow of colorful day coats that were worn by all of the riders. Peach, poppy, lilac, mint… each class presented riders on their elegant Saddlebreds wearing lighter (or brighter) coat colors than the last.

When I started showing as a youth I can remember my first show outfits all consisting of day coats and jods. Nevertheless, they were monochromatic and lacked the flamboyancy of the contrasting ones worn by the women in the Saddlehorse arena. But after their popularity in the 80s-90s in the Arabian fashion industry they went “out of style,” and the majority of riders began to solely to wear suits.

Nevertheless, since then, Arabian Saddleseat attire has progressively become more glamorous and fun. Riders began accenting their suits with brighter ties and shirts, as well as incorporating more and more sparkle, and day coats have begun to pop up here and there.

Personally, I think day coats – when styled in the right way – are fashion forward, and I hope we see a resurgence of them in the Arabian industry. How fun would it be to see a new expression of fashion in our show arenas?

Not only do they provide riders another outfit option in addition to their traditional suit, but they open up new doors for riding apparel – offering a multitude of new color and fabric selections and combinations – and they are great for setting yourself apart from the crowd. They can even be combined with formal attire in the Park classes.

Nevertheless, although your horse might look stunning in a showy coat, he has to be ready for the attention before you wear that coat in the arena. Basically, you don’t want to be a bright spot in the ring unless you and your horse are prepared for it, as you want that attention to be favorable.

If you and your horse are both ready, then I say go for it!

Pictured here, Lara Ames has established herself as one of the most daring fashionistas and biggest embracers of this day coat trend. “A few years ago I started wearing day coats again as I felt there was so many solid suits and just wanted to wear something that stood out,” asserts Lara. With that in mind and with the help of Show Season she created a look that stood out while complimenting the color of her horse, A Noble Cause.

Show Season has also fashioned many other amazing day coats using soft paisleys, brocades and plaids, which add color and panache to one’s look.

Or, if you want to embrace the day coat trend but are still a bit skeptical, go for something more conservative. Kara Larson did this beautifully with her shiny cocoa day coat, paired with jods in a complementary color that are minus the shine of the coat.

“I love my day coat,” Kara explained. “It is definitely a fun alternative to a single fabric suit and I feel like it gives a strong impression in the ring without being too loud for a conservative class like country pleasure. As an amateur, I want my suit to add an air of polish to the picture, not distract from the beauty and talent of my horse, so for me, the day coat is a perfect option! And it truly offers endless opportunities to make it your own and find what suits you and your horse best!”

As always, the most important thing is the overall picture. You want to enhance your and your horse’s strong points, as well as the image of you two together. It is the combination of fine appearance, confidence, skill and quality that creates a winning look, and after spending hours of grooming and months of training and practice, it doesn’t make sense to not put just as much thought into your own appearance.

Mastering the art of photos is helpful for all of us equestrian girls who not only want their horses to look picture perfect, but want to also look good themselves.

Although many of us have a tried and true make-up routine for everyday – one that is generally a simpler look – putting on make-up for the show arena is often a little different. “Everyday make-up” wont always photograph well, might not even show up at all, and can often make faces look plain and pale.

As such, Show Season and I are here with a crash course in photo flattery. You will be picture-perfect in no time.

Apply In Natural Light

We have all looked at pictures of ourselves where we thought our make-up looked good prior to heading up to the warm up arena, and yet, we are left questioning what went wrong and how we can look better. The reason is because a lot of indoor lighting can change the look of your make-up. As such, you should always apply your make up in natural light.

Blend in eye concealer

Women often work to hide under-eye dark circles with concealer. This typically is ok for everyday wear, but in photos under-eye concealer can appear a little severe. This is because, although your concealer may seem all right under normal light, it looks lighter under the bright light of a camera flash. To avoid this be sure to blend your concealer thoroughly. If it is not well blended it will have the opposite of its desired effect, and cause the appearance of reverse raccoon eyes, as well as expose fine wrinkles.

Brighten your Eyes

Make your eyes look bigger and clearer by applying a shadow/highlighter (such as white, silver or peach) on the inner corners of your eyes. This will instantly make you look more wakeful and give you the appearance of bigger eyes. You can also put in eye drops to give your eyes a whiter look (obvious, but we forget).

Use Black Mascara & Liner

If you usually apply brown mascara or eyeliner, go for black. The darker shade will add more definition, making your eyes stand out, and your lighter features pop when the flash does. Tip: try a set of false lashes. They look breathtaking on camera!

Wear Blush

Without blush your face can look washed-out and plain in a photo. To avoid this, lightly apply a warm rose, pink, peach or coral shade to the apples of your cheeks, starting from the point below your irises and working out to your temples. (Don’t go any closer to your nose, as this can make your eyes look close-set.)

By wearing the blush high on the apples of your cheeks, your face will appear more striking and youthful – the higher the blush, the younger you look – as well as add definition to your face. Try using a cream bush (it looks more natural than powder), blending it with your fingertips.

Sculpt your features

Create further contouring effects by using a bronzer that has zero shimmer, fewer orange tones, and is one or two shades darker than your natural color. Then hit the hollows of your face by starting at a point parallel to the center of your ear and stroking the color downward with a face brush (I like MAC’s 188 Small Duo Fibre face brush) toward the outer corner of your mouth. Next,blend upward to soften the line. You can also add some of this countering powder under your chin, along the sides of your nose, and on the outer parts of your forehead.

Further emphasize your bone structure by applying a highlighter on the parts of your face that the light hits. But you MUST highlight strategically. The camera’s flash can make objects visually recede, and this will leave your features looking flat. So only highlight with a touch of shimmer, as this will make the light to bounce off in a way that creates depth. If you don’t keep it light you will also risk an oily or washed out look. I suggest using a cream or a fine, shimmery powder and blend well.

The places to target: below your brows, along your cheekbones, right above your Cupid’s bow, and on the bridge of your nose – starting between the eyes and brushing color about halfway down your nose.

Other than that you want to use mattes (flat colors with no added glitter or shimmer) on your face, which do not have any glitter or shimmer. Opt for powders with a yellow hue, which will work to make skin appear soft and silky.

Apply Lipstick

Always wear lipstick in photos. Not wearing it will make your mouth blend in with the rest of your face because there isn’t enough contrast, so you need to make your smile stand out! (Bottom line – always contrast your features for best results.)

Matte or slightly shimmery lips are best. A super-glossy finish can make your lips look drippy or waxy. And avoid taupe and brown lipsticks. I really like a bold pink lip.

Foundation + lip liner + lipstick + powder = perfect matte lips

First blot lips with foundation, then define them by outlining the outermost part with a lip pencil to emphasize the shape of your mouth (this will make your lips look larger and fuller), add a layer of your lipstick, and finally pat a translucent powder for a cool matte finish.

Strong Brows

Strong brows that are full and dark were once again seen all over the fashion runways this season. This fuller shape is great because it draws attention to your eyes.

If you’ve been a little tweezers-happy or have naturally lighter brows fill them in by (1) combing your brow hairs down to find your natural shape, (2) making short feathery strokes with a pencil that is one shade darker than your natural color, and (3) brushing a brown or taupe shadow over them for a smooth, shadowy finish. Then set them with a brow gel. Or, another good grooming device is hairspray misted onto a toothbrush. It’s not sticky, it gives pretty shine, and its east to comb through.

Tame flyaways

Finally, natural light or a camera flash picks up flyways. They are distracting in a photo. Use your hairspray!

Chaps, the seatless pants coverings most frequently associated with cowboys, originated from the Spanish. These sturdy leather coverings were called armas – which meant “shield” – and used as protection against cactus, brush and thorns when herding cattle.

Basically they were two large pieces of cowhide that attaches to the horn of a rider’s saddle and were spread across both the horse’s chest, as well as the rider’s legs. They served their function well, but were bulky and hard to work with. As such, this early and rather cumbersome design was modified, becoming more portable by placing the cowhide garment entirely on the rider.

Viola! From this Chaperajos were born!

The Spanish brought chaperajos – a word meaning leather breeches or “leg of iron” – to the Americans when colonists from that country started establishing large ranches in Mexico, Central America, and the southwestern areas of North America that eventually became California, New Mexico and Arizona.

Abbreviated to “chaps,” and pronounced with a “sh,” rather than “ch” sound (“shaps”), the Spanish-style leather leggings were tailored to fit local climates, terrains and hazards as the cowboy population expanded throughout the west.

The first version was “shotgun chaps.” This is the plainest style of chaps and the simplest design. The seamless leather pants came to bear this name due to their shape that reminded people of a double-barreled shotgun. Popular from the 1870’s thru the 1890’s, they were generally held together by a belt that fit straight across the waist, but because of their closed legs and skin-tight design, they were difficult to put on or take off while wearing a pair of boots and spurs. (Later on, however, shotgun chaps began incorporating full-length zippers along the leg.)

Angora (or Wooly) chaps also became popular in the late 1800’s, but these were designed to protect northern cowboys in colder and wetter regions such as Montana and North Dakota. Made from hides with the hair left on from a variety of animals – including bear, buffalo and Angora goat – these chaps were warmer, and the natural oils in the fur repelled the rain and snow.

A third adaptation appeared in the early 1900’s, called batwing chaps. These chaps fit the body like shotgun chaps from the waist to the knees, but were modified to flare out in a winged shape at the bottom to provide greater freedom of movement and ventilation in warmer climates. Today, they are very popular among rodeo cowboys for the fact that they accentuate the ride of the cowboy on bucking horses and bulls.

Although chaps are no example of a cowboy’s good fashion sense, in the show arena they can be for you! As time has passed designs have been re-modified for purely stylistic and decorative purposes. No longer just boring brown, Show Season can make chaps in any number of flashy colors to complement your and your horse’s coloring, as well as embellish your chaps with fringe, studs and crystals – combining the time-honored function chaps were created to serve, with wildly decorative fun.