Molten metal shades of gilded gold and glimmering bronze shimmered down the runways at Dries Van Noten and Robert Cavalli. The most statement making metal, however, was silver at Chanel and a futuristic slash across the lids at Derek Lam.
Metallics are best worn when you want to add radiance for a lit from within complexion. Glistening eyes with shiny, wet looking eye shadows are summers next big thing. Shimmer can draw attention to fine lines around the eyes so keep colour close along the lash line and inner corners.Metallics add a modern and glamorous twist to everyday make-up.
Gold, silver and metallic bronze needn’t be reserved exclusively for night.
Slick on these magic metallics for a summer glow. Shimmering taupe and glistening gold show off a bronzed skin. Rich gold tones bring out the best in blue or green eyes making them pop and turn brown eyes amber. Opt for true yellow shades or something more burnt and bronzed. Silver looks amazing with either blue or light eyes. Modern, face brightening and easy to apply. Save the glitter for night time only.
Less is more by day, you don’t want to look too glittery and disco in the daylight, so tone the look down by lining just the tops of your eyelids or add some subtle eye shine by sweeping a sheer wash of loose mineral shimmer eye shadow on your eyes in a glistening gold, russet or bronze. Apply shadow dry for a subtle wash of colour. Look like a bronzed goddess with sun kissed cheeks in shimmering cinnamon tones. Then sweep some shimmering highlighter across the top of your cheekbones to catch the light. The key is to emphasize just one feature during the day and then amp it up in the evening.
At night you can amp up the glitz with metallic, smoky edges for a more dramatic and smouldering look with silvery greys, gunmetal, aquamarine, steel blue and soot black. Use a wet brush for an intense metallic look. Colour lids in a wash of gold or silver, from lashes to the crease and then add a deeper, shade along the lash line and into the socket.
Focus shimmer on the inner corner if you want to make your eyes look Bambi–esque big or add some sparkle and highlight over the top of a darker hue in the middle of the lid. Blend the smoky shadow right up to the brow bone and then line the lower lashline inside and out. Finish with a slick of liner for extra impact and finish with a couple of coats of mascara and some false lashes on the outer corners for added drama. Highlight the inner rim of the eyes. Silver works with a smoky navy eye and gold against black and bronze. Add some super sparkling liquid liner in gold or silver to your top lids for shimmering flicks.
Statement eye makeup works best with hair that is pulled back away from the face with the eyes in full focus. Keep everything in balance, if the eyes have a sleek metallic shine team with a muted lip and luminous skin.
Take the traditional smoky eye to the next level with a pop of gold or silver for smoky, molten metallic eyes.
“It looks elegant,” says Pat McGrath of the smouldering black-and-copper lids she cooked up at Roberto Cavalli — a shade combo that flatters light eyes. If you’re brown eyed, try pairing gold with navy, turquoise, jade and petrol. Celebrities like Emma Watson and Gwen Stefani have been embracing this look for the red carpet with dark, bold shades. Smoulder with sapphire and midnight blue as seen on models at the Christian Dior 11/12 show and Chanel shimmered down the runway in silver.
Make up artist Peter Philips took the look to a new level by applying silver and gold leaf from the lash line all the way up to the brows at the Fendi Spring 2012 show at Milan Fashion Week.
Have you got the metal urge?
