After what feels like years living our lives in a perpetual state of perfect matte-ness, metallic makeup is finally making a full-blown comeback. If the launch of Kylie Cosmetic's metal matte lip kits and metallic eyeliners don't seem like proof enough of the trend, you can look to the Fall 2016 runways or recent red carpets (cheers to you, Laverne Cox's gold eyeshadow). There's no denying it: Sparkle is in.
If the idea of glitter eyelids has you experiencing slightly traumatizing flashbacks to borrowing your BFFs eyeshadow before a middle school dance, fear not. The new metallic isn't so much big chunks of glitter as a solid wash of allover shine. Yes, it's still great for your eyes, but cheeks and lips can get in on the fun too this time around.
Perhaps the very best part of all this new shiny stuff is how easy it is to pull it off. Not only do metallics mesh well with every single skin tone, but the hippest ways to wear the trend don't require any extra brushes or tools. In fact, most of them only take a single step to execute.
If you're ready to fly face first in the world of metallic makeup, take a peek at these five crazy simple tutorials for inspiration.
1. Silver Inner Eye Corners
Let's start with the easiest metallic look of all: silver shimmer on just the corner of your eyes. For this one, you just need a super pigmented shadow or two — we layered NARS Hardwired Eyeshadows in Parallax and Pygar. Press your ring finger into the shadow, then gently tap it into the inner corners of your eyes. Finish with black mascara on just the upper lashes.
2. Red Metal Lips
For an update to the classic red pout, choose a liquid lipstick with a hint of shine, like Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Black Metal Dahlia. Rock the deep burgundy on it's own or pair with a killer smoky eye.
3. Gunmetal Liquid Liner
Though classic black liner will probably never go out of style, shades of gray are quickly closing the popularity gap. A deep, gunmetal shade is the perfect way to add the subtlest hint of shine to your makeup look — and you can get dramatic as you want with that wing. Urban Decay's Razor Sharp Long Wear Liquid Eyeliner in Revolver has a super thin brush for tons of control.
4. Shimmery Cheeks
Kick up your contour game with some metallic bronzer and highlighter! Blend a shimmery shade one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone (Sarah's wearing RMS Beauty Contour Bronze) into the hollows of your cheeks. Then, tap some highlighter — like OFRA Highlighter in Rodeo Drive — onto your cheekbones and under your brows.
5. Gold-Washed Lids
A smoky eye is the traditional pick for a dramatic look, which makes a wash of one single, metallic color so much more impactful. For a perfectly imperfect effect, use a brush to smudge a sparkly pigment like Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow in Metallic Gilded Gold onto your lids and into your crease. Wing the color out past the edge of your eyes, then clean things up with a Q-tip to get a more defined shape.
Shine on, girl.
On Models: Mignonne Gavigan Alice Necklace, $375, mignonnegavigan.com; Experimental Jewellery Club Double Pearl Earring in Onyx, $34, experimentaljewelleryclub.com; Mignonne Gavigan LE Charlot Necklace, similar styles at mignonnegavigan.com; Experimental Jewellery Club Crystal Wing Ear Cuff Set, $34, experimentaljewelleryclub.com
Images: Hannah Burton/Bustle; Design: Bry Crasch/Bustle
