6 ways to wear the metallic eye makeup trend

Make a statement with autumn’s hottest eye makeup look

Beauty Crew Contributor / May 22 2016

A traditional smoky eye is the go-to look when you want to create a statement eye. But what if we told you this season’s eye makeup trend will make your eyes pop just as much without the need for the entire contents of an eyeshadow palette?

Mastering this autumn’s top trend - the metallic eye - requires only one or two hues, and it can be as bold or as subtle as you like. Go high-impact with a pigmented glitter metallic eyeshadow swept across the entire lid and below the lower lash line, or keep it natural with an eye-opening dash of soft metal-coloured shimmer on the inner corners - it really is a versatile trend.

For inspiration on how to use vivid pops of metallic eye makeup, look no further than Hollywood’s glam squad.

1

Flecks of gold

As seen on: Gigi Hadid at her 21st birthday party

The look: Think of this look as strobing for the eyes. By concentrating the gold metallic eyeshadow on the inner corners of the eye only, you highlight the area and open up the eyes. It’s great for those who want to ease into this metallic trend or those wanting to brighten up tired, dull eyes.

Product pick: MAC Cosmetics Foiled Shadow in Enchanted Forest

2

Lustrous silver

As seen on: Jessica Chastain the 2016 Cannes Film Festival

The look: Silver is a cool colour, so it works wonders against Jessica’s fair complexion and bright blue eyes. If you’re a similar colouring, mimic Jess’s somewhat subtle take on the metallic eye makeup trend by taking a glittery silver eyeshadow across the inner half of your eye lid only, and blending a charcoal hue from the centre to the outer edges of the lid. Then, finish with a coat of mascara on both the top and bottom lashes to balance out the intensity.

Product pick: Maybelline New York EyeStudio® Color Tattoo® 24HR Metal Cream Gel Shadow in Silver Strike

3

Polished peach

As seen on: Lady Gaga at the 2016 Academy Awards

The look: Although Lady Gaga’s metallic eyeshadow application technique is bold, the softer peachy pink hue and lack of eyeliner keeps the look fresh and feminine. See how she’s taken the colour across her eyelids, all the way up to the brow bone and along the lower lash line, too? This lifts the eye area and shows off the glittery finish of the eye makeup perfectly, while also enhancing her matchy-matchy pout.

Product pick: L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Les Ombres Eyeshadow in E6 Rose Memories

4

Brilliant bronze

As seen on: Chrissy Teigen at the Special Pre-Billboard Music Award Celebration

The look: When you can’t choose between gold or silver - go bronze! This universally flattering hue works on all skin tones, allowing it to frame the eyes without looking harsh. To further intensify the bronze metallic eyeshadow on her eyelids, Chrissy has smartly taken then shadow to her lower lash line, too, creating a soft smoky finish. 

Product pick: DIOR Diorshow Fusion Mono Long-Wear Eyeshadow in Millennium

5

Romantic rose gold

As seen on: Emily Blunt at the 2016 Academy Awards

The look: Not unlike Lady Gaga, Emily has chosen to keep the tones on her eyes, lips and cheeks within the same colour family to create a soft, feminine finish that works for day or night. This shimmery rose gold hue works on all skin tones, too. Oh, and it’s sure to make your eyes sparkle, just like Ms Blunt’s. 

Product pick: Estée Lauder Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio in Sterling Plums

6

Commanding copper

As seen on: Eva Longoria at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival

The look: The boldest look of the bunch, Eva has utilised the heavy pigment of metallic eyeshadow and applied it wet to create the crisp, sharp line of a winged eye. Perfectly suited to those with brown eyes and medium-to-dark skin tones, copper metallic eye makeup will also create a striking finish when partnered with lashings of mascara, black liquid eyeliner, terracotta coloured blush and a nude gloss.

Product pick: Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Golden Mink

Cherie is somewhat of a digital dinosaur, having kick-started her beauty writing career back in 2009 at PRIMPED alongside industry expert Zoë Foster Blake. Since then, her words have appeared online and on paper for BEAUTYcrew, POPSUGAR, beautyheaven, New Idea, and Fitness First, while her marketing know-how has helped brands such as L'Oréal Paris, The Body Shop, A’kin, and Dr. LeWinn’s add a journalistic flair to their digital content. She is a vocal advocate for (physical) sunscreen, is rather fond of a bold lip, and is utterly terrible at styling hair.