Shine On You Crazy Diamond.

The madness of metallics and how to make your eyes glitter!

 Who doesn’t love being complimented on their eyes!

The art of making your eyes pop comes down to playing a few tricks. No longer do we use safe, similar- toned shades, but instead bold, contrasting, colour-enhancing eye makeup, such as those wonderfully, crazy, metallic eye shadows that put a real ‘kapow’ in our eyes.

Metallic eye makeup comes in all intensities and colour pigments. Not all products are super frosty or a scary thought for women. Don’t freak out on metallics! Gone are the days of cheap glitter you once associated from art and crafts stores. Now you will find more refined, glamorous, products that are so user friendly, they last much longer and no mess to clean up afterwards.

Caution: Wearer beware!

Apply with precision and simplicity as metallic makeup has the ability to make or break your look. You could end up resembling a disco ball or worse, the headline act of Les Girls! OK Lets get physical as Olivia once sang in the 80’s age of glitter….

There are many ways to wear metallic eye makeup with confidence and style, for both day and night. The prettiest looks take little effort, they are easy to apply and give your makeup a little extra…. something special.

Here are my top tips – they are in no particular order but if you follow these you won’t go wrong.

1. The most popular, complimentary colours are silver and gold. Choose shades of sand, vanilla and peach to create a soft sheen. To brighten the eyes, combinations of silver and pinks will lead you in the right direction.
2. Shimmery golden moss green pairs well with slate brown and charcoal for a sophisticated, chic look on fair skin.
3. Darker skin tones look vibrant with guilt golds and coppery bronzers, layered with chocolate browns for definition.
4. Add a touch of pretty pink to any gold shade – the results give a brighter, youthful glow.
5. Transform your eyes from day to night by adding a delicate pearly white or a fairy dust pink to the inner corners of the eye. This is guaranteed to keep you looking awake all night long.
6. Avoid wearing a metallic shade that matches your eye colour as this will completely overtake and make your eyes look dull by comparison.
7. If dark circles are a weak point, avoid metallics with strong purple or silver tones as the last thing you need is to look like you’ve been hit with a baseball bat.
8. To prevent excess from falling under your eyes, tap colour on with your finger. This simple trick is by far one of the best and has saved me many times from a scattering mess during fashion show rush hours!
9. If you do end up with major strays of glitter under your eyes, clean with a cotton tip dipped in non-oily makeup remover or take major action and use the best trick ever invented - roll a small piece of sticky tape over the area, gently lifting flecks off the skin. Works miracles.
10. Try getting the most from your colour palette. Opt for a daytime look by applying a base shade on your eyes first, to soften the effect of the metallic. Lighter colours for day work best, such as champagne topped with gold copper or white topped with silver iridescent.Apply with a light hand so it’s not so flashy for day.
11. Evening makeup requires a little more glamour, vibrant colour and high shine. Start by intensifying any colour using a damp makeup brush. Another trick I’ve learned along the way is to spray a little water onto a small eye shadow brush, then dip into the metallic eye shadow pot before brushing on colour.
12. By applying the metallic colour right next to the iris, you will really transform any eye colour, making blue eyes more blue or green more green. The iris always picks up on the colour closest to it.
13. Younger women can always get away with more, but not so the case for the older ladies!Make note, too much shimmer and metallic shine is not always flattering. We only want to highlight the right areas, so avoid metallic and shimmers near crow’s feet and noticeable wrinkles.Sorry to say ladies, but true.
14. To check for a good quality metallic product, test with your finger. Taking a swipe of colour, rub slowly onto the back of your hand, motioning back and forth until the colour blends slightly and sheers out. If you are left with most of the colour and metallic sheen, then you have found a good one!If the top layer of glittery metallic has disappeared and underneath is dull flat tone, then toss it back. It is worth investing in true metallic shadow so it lasts and perfectly meshes well with your other cosmetics.
15. Metallic eye makeup livens up the face and accentuates the eyes with just enough sparkle, you can leave the rest of the face low-key. Wear understated cheek and lip colour, semi matte to compliment the overall look. Leave the party clown for the stage!
16. I recommend experimenting with your favourite colours whenever you can, so you feel less inhibited, more confident and glamorous before a big night out. Half the battle is won and once you play with metallic shadows, nothing else compares. You will never look back!