Make-up lovers rejoice! Say goodbye to the effortless California-look of seasons past – it’s now being overshadowed by a bold, high pigment eye. Shades of blue, orange, pink, green, and black (as well as metallic hues) are gracing runways and magazine covers en masse, and these eye colors are not being applied demurely.
Some make-up artists choose to apply a creamy shadow to the lids and almost up to the lash line, as was the case at the Christian Dior and Chanel Spring 2011 shows. Others are applying color in one popping swoop across the lid, or somewhere between the lid and the brow, as we saw at Peter Som and Yigal Azrouel this season.
When going for a high-pigment eye, it’s important to keep the face bare. Always begin by applying a nourishing cream suited for your skin type. For those living in climates transitioning into cool weather, it’s best to opt for a cream suited for dry skin. Apply primer followed by liquid foundation.
Set the foundation with powder. Achieve a healthy glow with a highlighter pen, and use concealer around the nose and the under-eye areas. Go nude with your lips, and fill in your brows to help shape your face and draw attention to your eyes.
The key to making this look work is to blend away imperfections and under-eye shadows so your face serves as a blank canvas upon which you can create artful eyes.
If you’re going for the full-lid look, paint the entire lid with the creamy high pigment shade of your choice, and sweep the color till it almost touches your brow bone. Then, lightly apply color underneath the lower lash line before adding black mascara to the top and bottom lashes. A thin line of liquid liner can be applied to help define your eyes.
For a high pigment look achieved via one clean swoop, apply cream shadow in a thick, banana-like line across the lids, and use little or no mascara, so as to not distract from the eye color.
