True story: A fellow beauty scribe not-so-secretly digs dressing up as an oiran (Google that at your own risk).
We’re no cosplayers ourselves, but anyone who knows anything about us will be aware of our abiding allegiance to the Unburnt, the Mother of Dragons, the Silver Lady and all-round abuser of epic epithets, Daenerys Targaryen (if we had a word quota on this story, we would list down all her known aliases and be done for the day).
For those with less patience for the protracted commitment that comes with following a far-reaching fantasy series like Game of Thrones, here’s a pithy précis of the lady whose look we’re stealing in this story:
All you need to know about Daenerys “Dany” Targaryen is that she’s the last woman standing from an ancient royal bloodline – and that she birthed three live dragons. Don’t ask; just roll with it.
Now, the lovely lass playing the dragon-wielding Dany in the HBO television series is far from reptilian in form, shall we say. Just look at Emilia Clarke! An English Rose if ever there was one, Emilia’s cherubic cheeks and beguilingly bare complexion make for a delicious juxtaposition to her character’s fearsome rep as a (literal) dragon lady.
Major props to the massively talented team of face painters on set: Beauty industry watchers will recognise marquee names like Daniel Lawson Johnston, Pamela Smyth and Paul Engelen, who we think have done a fantastic job in balancing “period” piece considerations with showcasing Emilia Clarke’s ridiculous hotness in a no-makeup makeup way … and we’re here to show you how to ace the look for yourself!
First, we’ll make like economists and advise you to get your fundamentals right – which, if you’re Dany, means acquiring your allegorical dragon eggs (some heavy-handed nuclear warhead subtext going on here, but we digress), and which in our case means getting your base on point.
Start by veiling your cleansed visage with a layer of NARS’ Narskin Aqua Gel Luminous Mask. A personal favourite, this divine rinse-off skin treat deeply quenches for an instant plumping effect; smother it on your face and neck in the mornings and wipe off the excess with a clean tissue.
NARS Narskin Aqua Gel Luminous Mask, $60, and Shiseido Future Solution LX Superior Radiance Serum, $365
Follow up with a generous pump-full of Shiseido’s ultra-luxe Future Solution LX Superior Radiance Serum, its mouthful of a moniker very much in keeping with Dany’s grandiose tendencies!
Packed with pearl extracts and redolent with the regal scent of rose petals, Japanese plum and sakura blossoms, this mineralised marvel also lends a really beautiful, almost painterly patina to your complexion. If you have really good skin, just a dollop of this under sunscreen will suffice.
Ettusais Pore Smooth Veil, $20, and Shu Uemura Lightbulb UV Compact Foundation, $95
Now, in a cosmetics sorting basket of gotta-haves and want-to-haves, we’ll plonk Ettusais’ Pore Smooth Veil firmly in the first category. We’re in love with the primer’s intriguing powder-in-gel formula, which smoothes over nasty stuff like spots and such for an opalescent finish that’s perfect for the soft-focus diffuse look we’re gunning for here.
Apply a thin layer of the primer under Shu Uemura’s new hero base product, the Lightbulb UV Compact Foundation, which we adore for its surpassingly sexy dewy finish.
Expect all of the Japanese prestige brand’s oil-centric tech: The powder compact comes with what Shu calls “buildable oil” coverage, with the stay-true micro-pigments encapsulated in a sumptuous suspension of pearl powders and nourishing oils. The compact comes with an extremely handy double-sided polishing sponge; ask Shu’s friendly cabin staff to demonstrate how to use the tool for yourself.
Cosme Decorte AQ MW Face Powder, $72, and Tory Burch Bronzer & Blush in Divine, $70
Dany spends much of her time traipsing about in the sun-drenched desert wastelands of Westeros, so a kiss of cheek colour is in order.
We like Tory Burch’s new Bronzer & Blush in Divine, which comes packaged in the American fashion designer’s trademark tangerine hue. Swirl all the sandy shades in the palette together for a multidimensional glimmer, and sweep it high on your temples and cheekbones.
Seal it all in with our go-to setting powder of the moment from Cosme Decorte. The quietly elegant, vexingly underrated Japanese beauty brand is well-deserving of a spot on your vanity chest. This new Face Powder in Glow Pink, for one, is amazingly airy in consistency, and for good reason, too: Cosme Decorte says it’s spun from micronised strands of organic silk, and steeped in skin-comforting amino acids for a delightfully delicate, lit-from-within glow.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-place Brow Lift Duo, $44, Chanel Le Volume de Chanel in 40 Khaki Bronze, $52, and M.A.C Eyeshadow in Warm Neutrals, $207
Flawless face aside, Dany’s most striking feature is her generously girthed eyebrows. Fake it with Estee Lauder’s nifty Double Wear Stay-in-place Brow Lift Duo, which works hard for its money by having a creamy chocolate brow pencil on one end and a universally flattering champagne highlighter on the other.
Fill in sparse spots with swift, feathery motions to simulate individual brow hairs, then switch sides to line the inner corners of your lower waterline with the glimmering accent hue.
The crease is a cinch to pull off. Just pick your favourite medium-intensity colour from M.A.C’s all-in-one, 15-shade palette in Warm Neutrals, then sweep it all the way to the brow bone, blending scrupulously for barely-there definition.
Always good to have around, this versatile M.A.C palette doubles up as a creamy liner; use a wet angled brush to apply a darker hue along the outer third of your upper and lower lash line and smudge it in well and good.
Keep everything soft and subtle with an espresso shot of coffee coloured mascara; try a coat or two of Chanel’s voluptuously volumising mascara in Khaki Bronze.
Lancôme Rouge in Love in 243M Belle Aurore, $40, and Shiseido Maquillage Essence Glamorous Rouge Neo, $43
Phew. This is the cosmetic equivalent of plowing through the entire multi-volume tome of Game of Thrones – nearly there, ladies! We’re down to the lips.
Notice how Dany’s pillowy puckers are are perfectly pouty but pretty natural; lock down the look with Lancome’s exquisitely refined Rouge in Love in 243M Belle Aurore. You have to head down to your nearest cabin to fully appreciate the meltingly soft rosy stain for yourself.
For the final flourish, dab on Shiseido’s sensationally shiny Essence Glamorous Rouge in a complementary hue; try the iridescent pink in PK205, which will add a jaunty jolt of juiciness to your lips.
Viola, you’re done. A face fit for a dragon-birthing goddess in Westeros – or a contemporary chick in the realm of reality!
The new season premiere of Game of Thrones airs on April 13 at 10pm on HBO / HBO HD (StarHub TV Ch 601).
Chanel Le Volume de Chanel in 40 Khaki Bronze, $52, is available at all Chanel counters. For more information, visit www.chanel.com/en_SG and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Cosme Decorte AQ MW Face Powder, $72, is available at all Cosme Decorte counters. For more information, visit www.kose.com.sg and follow Cosme Decorte Singapore on Facebook.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-place Brow Lift Duo, $44, is available at all Estee Lauder counters. For more information, visit www.esteelauder.com.sg and follow Estee Lauder Singapore on Facebook.
Ettusais Pore Smooth Veil, $20, is available from May 2014 at all Ettusais counters. For more information, visit www.ettusais.com.sg and follow Ettusais Singapore on Facebook.
Lancôme Rouge in Love in 243M Belle Aurore, $40, is available at all Lancôme counters. For more information, visit lancome.com.sg and follow Lancôme Singapore on Facebook.
M.A.C Eyeshadow in Warm Neutrals, $207, is available at all M.A.C Cosmetics counters. For more information, visit www.maccosmetics.com.sg and follow M.A.C Cosmetics on Facebook.
NARS Narskin Aqua Gel Luminous Mask, $60, is available at all NARS counters. For more information, visit www.narscosmetics.com and follow the brand on Facebook.
Shiseido Maquillage Essence Glamorous Rouge Neo, $43, is available at all Shiseido counters. For more information, visit www.shiseido.com.sg and follow Shiseido Singapore on Facebook.
Tory Burch Bronzer & Blush in Divine, $70, is available at all Tory Burch Beauty counters. For more information, visit www.toryburch.com and www.robinsons.com.sg, and follow the brand on Facebook and Twitter.