Desiree Navarro/WireImagIt was the makeup look that won NYFW.
As much as the fashion elite was enthralled by Diane von Furstenberg's spring 2016 collection, all eyes were on the two-tone shimmery shadow look created by veteran makeup artist Pat McGrath. At the Karen Walker show a day later, we were again mesmerized by similar albeit pared-down eye makeup. Our fashion week takeaway? Shimmery shadow will shine on many red carpets to come.
"Matte shadow is more pigmented and comes off as more editorial, but with shimmery colors, you can control the intensity," noted celeb makeup artist Suzie Kim.
But how exactly does a non-model wear this look off the runway? Let's begin with your color choices before we explain technique. You'll need two eye shadow colors: a strong base, like a metallic or neutral tone, and an accent hue, to provide that pop.
"The blue and green look we saw on Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner isn't necessarily edgy; it's dramatic but still pretty," explained Suzie. For a more subdued version, opt for a base like bronze, which will pair well with muted colors (like this dark berry-brown hue on the model). "If you want to use two shades of the same color, use the lighter hue as the base color," she added.
If you're going for an edgier look, opt for complementary colors that sit across from each other on the color wheel, like the purple and green combination seen above (both by Urban Decay). Suzie used the more neutral olive as the base and the bolder purple to accent. "If the contrast feels like it is too intense, then just blend shadow down with a neutral shade," recommended Suzie.
Winter is coming...and so is all the metallic-infused beauty looks you can think of. For a fun, holiday option, opt for a silver base and blue accent for an electric impact.
Once you've narrowed in on your two shades, apply an eye primer on the lids and just below your lower lash line. Just like in the above video, swipe your base color all over the lid and up to the brow bone. Blend it outward to the outer corners of your eye. For the accent color, use a stiff brush and "apply it just around your eye line for a pop of color that doesn't overwhelm," said Suzie. Repeat the same process under the lower lash line. It really is that easy.
To finish, Suzie suggested adding a black eyeliner to take this look into the evening. For day, however, the pro makeup artist advocated a tightlining technique to "give you a natural line without actually lining your eye," instructed the pro. To do it, apply mascara to a stiff brush and get really close to the roots of your lashes, dabbing as you go.
Once you're eyes are set and shaded, keep the rest of the face fresh with a nude lip and few dabs of highlighter (Suzie loves Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed) to the high points of the face. Ta-da!