Glitter eye makeup at Chanel Fall 2011 fashion show.
In fear of looking like a disco ball, I tend to swirl my makeup brush in the opposite direction when I come across glitter-filled palettes. But once the holiday season approaches, it's almost impossible to avoid shimmering shades.
Thankfully, The Body Shop has perfected glitter for grown-ups with their new 4-Step Smokey Eyes Palette in Black and Gold. The sleek wooden kit includes four eyeshadows in matte, satin, pearlescent and deep; a mini eye pencil; brush and idiot-proof step-by-step instructions on the back. Yet, the beauty lies in how finely milled the shades are, allowing you to create a dramatic, yet wearable smokey eye.
"With most glitter, it tends to have this childish, teenage look," said The Body Shop celebrity makeup artist Chase Aston. "But with The Body Shop's [eyeshadows], it's more of a thin veil as opposed to a plunk of glitter."
He adds, "They enable a mature makeup wearer to not worry about the product settling into creases. The material is so sheer, it actually deflects the light to make fine lines [around the eyes] appear softer."
The Body Shop 4-Step Smokey Eyes Palette, $28, thebodyshop-usa.com.
Need to update your holiday party look? Read on for Aston's tips on how to wear glitter eye makeup using the 4-Step Smokey Eyes Palette in Black:
1. Sweep on the pearlescent ice white shadow across lids for a nice wash of color.
2. Then apply the satin gray shade on top and smudge along the lash line.
3. Line top lids with pencil, working towards the outer corners into a winged-out eye. To add a bit of edge and get instant color payout, swirl the eye pencil around in the satin gray eye color and smooth underneath the eyes for a slightly lived-in effect.
4. Mix the deep black and satin gray shadows and brush from top lash line into crease to achieve a glossy, smokey eye.
To complete the look, Aston recommends wearing a winter nude lipstick like Colourglide Lip Color in Soft Heather and spritzing on The Sparkler in Enchanting Gold on the outer corner of eyes, cheeks and hairline for a lovely glow. Be sure to avoid adding shimmer anywhere else on face as it's all about the eyes.
Meanwhile, watch the video below as Jemma Kidd, founder of Jemma Kidd Cosmetics, reveals her tricks for stunning nighttime makeup. Click through the slideshow for more dramatic eyes inspiration.
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