Smoke in the Shimmer & Tint
LET’S DISCUSS THE LIT-FROM-WITHIN CANVAS:
THE SURGE OF SHIMMER IN TINTED MOISTURIZERS IS THE FOUNDATIONAL TREND FOR LATE FALL AND WINTER IS MOVING TOWARDS A LUMINOUS, "MOONLIT SKIN" OR "BUTTER SKIN" FINISH—A SOFT, HEALTHY GLOW THAT ISN'T OVERLY DEWY OR GREASY.
THIS SEASON, WE WILL FOCUS ON THE POPULARITY OF SHIMMER PIGMENTS & HIGHLIGHTING
AND SKIN TINTS THAT OFFER SHEER, BUILDABLE COVERAGE WITH AN EMPHASIS ON A LIGHT-REFLECTING, SHIMMER CATEGORY. PRODUCTS CONTAINING FINELY MILLED PEARLESCENT PIGMENTS OR A SUBTLE 'GILDED GLOW' CREATE THIS LOOK, MAKING THE SKIN APPEAR PLUMP, HYDRATED, AND SUBTLY ILLUMINATED FROM WITHIN, RATHER THAN HEAVILY MADE UP.
This season is all about making a statement with your eyes - like every other season.
We're moving away from bare lids and embracing a more artistic, dramatic, and at times, grungy vibe.
As usual though, all the techniques are pretty much in-style, always.
To give you some context, here’s a few trendy looks & combos:
Majority having originated and been recycled from generations well beyond today.
The Modern Smoky Eye: The classic black smoky eye has been upgraded. This season, it's about a softer, diffused look. Think "a cloud of shadow" in cool-toned shades like gray, silver, and muted blues.
Gilded Accents: Metallics are having a moment. A swipe of gold or silver shimmer on the inner corner of your eye or across the center of your lid can add a futuristic, eye-catching element to any look.
Grunge is Glam: Smudged eyeliner and "lived-in" looks are a major trend. Use a kohl pencil to create a deliberately messy, rock-and-roll vibe, wrapping the liner around your entire eye for a full-on grunge aesthetic.
Denim Eyes: A surprisingly wearable trend, blue eyeshadow is back in a big way. Look for deep, cool-toned denim blues that add a pop of color without feeling overpowering.
The Return of Mascara: After a season of "no mascara" looks, lush, voluminous lashes are making a comeback. Load up on mascara, focusing on the outer corners for a fluttery, wide-eyed look. Glitter mascara is also an emerging holiday go-to.
How-To:
Execute The Smoky, Lived-In Eye
Base: Start with an eyeshadow primer.
Shadow: Apply a matte, cool-toned gray or brown eyeshadow all over your lid, blending it softly into your crease.
Liner: Use a soft black or deep brown kohl eyeliner pencil to line your upper and lower lash lines. Don't worry about being precise.
Smudge: Using a small, dense brush, smudge out the liner to create a smoky, lived-in effect.
Gild: For an extra touch of glam, dab a metallic silver or gold eyeshadow on your inner corner and the center of your eyelid with your fingertip.
Lashes: Finish with a generous coat of lengthening mascara.
Soft, Understated Eye Looks:
While bold colors might appear, the trend leans towards enhancing the eyes with a more sot and subtle approach.
Smudged eyeliner (using either brown or fun colors), a wash of a single cool-toned eyeshadow (taupes, grays, beiges), or warm, shimmery metallic shades for a sunkissed effect are in right now.
Focus on well-curled lashes and defined but not overly strong brows.
Consider using more cream or potted eyeshadows in matte or shimmer finishes, soft-focus brow products (powders over pencils for a feathery look), and mascaras that lift and define (if you’re not into lash extensions or strips).
a general
3 step routine
for any eye-look ever.
Achieving a beautiful eyeshadow look can be simplified into three core steps,
no matter the style you're aiming for:
Base: Apply a neutral shade close to your skin tone all over your lid, from lash line to brow bone, to create an even canvas.
Define: Use a deeper shade to add dimension, focusing on the crease and outer corner of your eye to create depth.
Highlight: Apply a shimmer or light shade to the inner corner and center of the lid to brighten and open up the eyes.
METALLICS, LINES, AND SHIMMER
Multidimensional Eyeshadow: Expect to see holographic, duo-chrome, and even trichrome shadows that play with light and create complex, shifting colors.
Smoky Cat Eye: This classic look is getting a modern update with new techniques that add flair while maintaining its timeless appeal.
Cool-Toned Shadow: Blues, violets, and grays are becoming popular for eyeshadow, often applied as a soft, matte cloud of color on the lid.
Pastel Grunge: This trend combines soft, pastel shades with an edgy, grunge aesthetic.
Barely There Eye Makeup / All Liner, No Mascara: Some trends are moving towards minimal eye makeup, focusing on subtle eyeshadow or just liner, sometimes skipping mascara entirely for a fresh-faced look.
To elevate your glow,
Strategically apply eyeshadows and shimmer tone highlighters to key areas.
On the eyes, use eyeshadows to add depth and dimension, then dab a shimmer highlighter on the inner corners and beneath the brow bone for an instant brightening effect that opens up the eye.
Extend this radiance by sweeping highlighter along the tops of your cheekbones, blending up towards the temples, and lightly dusting it along the jawline to define and catch the light for a sculpted, illuminated look.
For an extra boost of luminosity, mix a drop of liquid shimmer with your foundation or moisturizer before application, or gently tap it onto the high points of your face after your base, creating a seamless, all-over glow that enhances your natural radiance without looking overdone.
THE RETURN OF SOFT FOCUS:
TARGETED MATTIFYING AND CLOUD SKIN WHILE THE BASE IS LUMINOUS, THE TECHNIQUE OF TARGETED MATTIFYING—ACHIEVING A "CLOUD SKIN" OR SATIN FINISH—IS CRITICAL.
THE USE OF BLURRING OR SOFT-FOCUS SETTING POWDERS APPLIED ONLY TO AREAS THAT TYPICALLY EXPERIENCE SHINE (like the T-ZONE, UNDER-EYES). THE TECHNIQUE AVOIDS THE FLAT, CHALKY MATTE OF THE PAST BY LEAVING THE HIGH POINTS OF THE FACE (CHEEKBONES, BRIDGE OF THE NOSE) UNTOUCHED OR ENHANCED WITH A SUBTLE HIGHLIGHTER, CREATING A VELVETY YET DIMENSIONALLY "LIT" COMPLEXION.
