If the catwalks are anything to go by, metallic eyes are becoming as much of a classic as their smokey counterparts. No longer reserved for evening, a shimmery eye can look just as at home by day as it can after dark. There are just a few “golden” rules for daytime metallic. Here are my top make up tips for creating the look.
Start with a matte or semi-matte complexion. A tiny bit of luminosity is great with shimmer but don’t go overboard – you don’t want to shine everywhere.
Make sure that you use an under eye concealer or light reflector such as YSL Touche Eclat to keep eyes light and bright.
Give lips and cheeks a hint of tint with a neutral, knocked-back colour that won’t overtake the metallic, but will give just enough colour to look “polished”. Brush your brows and set with a clear gel or a tiny bit of hairspray applied with a brow comb or brush.
When applying metallic shadow, focus on the lid and don’t go above the crease line. To recreate the look at Jason Wu, start with a long-lasting cream to powder shadow as a base. Apply it with your fingertip, patting the colour onto the lid and taking it out just beyond the outer corner in a semi-circle, half moon shape rather than winging it out and up. Keep colour away from the upper lid as this is a daytime eye.
Emphasise the outer corner with a darker shade of shadow that tones with the base shade, the line the upper lid with the finest line of black.
Finish by patting on some shimmering metallic shadow to the centre of the eyelid. Keep your eye open as you do this, and press the colour on with your fingertip. This keeps the colour close to the lashes and on the lower lid. Apply one coat of mascara.
You don’t have to stick to bronzes and gold if you’re working a metallic eye. I love a shiny purple or smokey silver eye for day.
Purple Haze: Estee Lauder Pure Color Intense Eyeshadow Trio in Steel Lilacs. “A gorgeous smokey purple with a pop of sparkle”.
Just Peachy: Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eyeshadow in Baby Peach. “This gives a gorgeous peachy-toned glow to eyes.”
Chrome Work: Estee Lauder Pure Color Intense Eyeshadow Trio in Smokey Chrome. “A beautiful smokey silver with a glittery finish.”
Bronze Award: Sisley Phyto Ombre Glow, £30, in Amber. “Get a gorgeous amber bronze finish with Sisley’s super-metallic shadow.” Also available in Gold, Silver, Pearl and Amber.