This head-turning look’s been branded “sultry sophistication”, and we don’t disagree. Now, you might think that a red lip and smoky lid combo would be much too much, but as amply demonstrated by our fab face DJ Rozz, this is full-on drama without veering into tawdry territory – perfect for party season.
The trick to re-creating this updated version of “evening” makeup is the artful placement of colour, paired with plenty of blending. Here's how:
Primer is of the essence here. You want a clean canvas that’s perfectly plump and pearlescent with finely milled light-reflective optics. Try a bit of La Base Pro Hydra Glow on patches prone to peeling and dryness, such as the cheeks and laugh lines.
Because the the rest of your face is going to be so intense, you don’t really need blanket coverage for your skin. Grab a firmly bristled foundation brush and stipple on a liquid formula like Teint Miracle, blending well to even out any unwanted ruddiness and prevent any discernible demarcation along your jawline.
On to the eyes. Using the widest paddle-shaped brush in your arsenal, give the entire socket a light wash of glinting gold by way of the hypnotic Hypnôse Dazzling Or Vendôme shadow. Beauty bonus: This layer of creamy champagne blurs out discolourations or stray brow hairs on your upper lid.
For a really pleasing graduation of colour, pick up your hero hue in a gunmetal grey – try Soirée Parisienne – and press it onto the outer third of your socket, using a brisk window-wiping motion to buff it in for depth and dimension.
Now for the killer touch. Balance out all the sootiness with a sweep of shimmery burgundy; this coppery sheen elevates the eye from your standard smoky. Deftly press a smidgen of Hypnôse Dazzling Rouge Cabaret into the centre of your lids, blending out right up to the brow.
Use the pointed end of a soft brush to apply an accent gold from the Hypnôse Drama Palette DR8 in Parisian Lights on the inner eye corners. This will catch the light for a gorgeous glimmer.
Finish with lashings of Hypnôse Doll Lashes mascara in the blackest of black. If you really want to dial up the drama, layer on more of the reddish copper in the middle of the crease, then blend, blend, blend.
Complete the look by lining your lips with a cool crimson like L’Absolu Rouge 160 in Rouge Amour – incidentally the very same shade Lancôme’s lovely face Lupita Nyong’o is sporting in the new rouge ads for the brand. You can use a lip brush if like, but straight from the bullet is good as well: Start from the centre of your pout and blot off excess for a sexy stain.
And there you have it, the new metallic smoky and red lips for end-2014. Try it on for size for your next big beauty bash, and have fun experimenting with your own personal tweaks in colour intensity and palette choice. You can thank me later!
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