Indulge your inner disco diva with metallics, the modern way to shine without turning yourself into a glitterball. When warmer shades are chosen, metallics offer a sun-kissed burnish that works by day.
Come the evening, strike the mother lode, or merely skim the surface with a flattering sheen to lips, lashline or cheeks. Either way, metallic makeup makes for an ideal beauty transition to a happy glow for summer.
From rosy champagne shades through to reddish bronzes, there’s a gold-tinged metallic embellishment suitable for all skin tones. Copper is a choice that offers more oomph than nudes and makes for a sophisticated shift from brights.
We’ve had fun unearthing some of this season’s most precious metals, but you don’t have to dig deep to find them, ranging from designer makeup collections (check out the new Rouge Dior Liquid Metals and YSL’s liquid metals) and cult favourites (try Urban Decay and Nars for strong single shades), through to grab-and-go brands.
Locally, Karen Murrell's Crown Jewel is a great metallic choice for a natural lipstick.
Mineral brands are another good place for glow-getters to search, but fashion brands are taking formulas in new directions.
These include sleek foil finishes (at M.A.C and Victoria Beckham Estee Lauder) and the so-called matte metallic, where a liquid shadow or lipstick dries dense and deep (Revlon's Ultra HD Matte Lipcolour has a comfortable feel, with velvety metallics added to the range).
Even sensible natural brands are seeing the light this season. “Shimmer is more flattering for mature skin than very matte,” notes Dr Hauschka’s global makeup artist Karim Sattar.
This can be as simple as adding a little shimmer gloss to lips or some shimmer eye shadow on to your powder or cream base, he says. Always look for metallic textures that aren't too "bitty", for as Bobbi Brown advises you want reflective colour to glide on, not settle in creases or flake off.
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Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Midnight Blast $37
Micro-fine sparkle and crushed pearl give the cream-to-powder formula excellent iridescence. In 10 shades, including this bronze-gold combination.
Kevyn Aucoin The Molten Lip Colour Molten Metals in Bronze $47
Vinyl-like shine in a lasting densely pigmented liquid lipstick with a multi-dimensional finish. The range's other metallics include rose gold, titanium, gold and copper.
YSL La Laque Couture in Bronze Fever $49
From YSL's homage to Studio 54 makeup collection (on counter from October 16). This includes a holographic (violet-tinged) face powder and a collector edition palette.
Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson 2 Lipstick $40
This frosted lipstick is a deep coppery brown with gold pearl, from the Empire star's second appearance fronting M.A.C's Viva Glam campaign, which raises funds for Aids charities. The gloss is a lighter shade that can be worn alone or as a topcoat to enliven other lip shades.
Essie Nail Lacquer in Ready to Boa $23
Bronzed mahogany is a strong statement. It looks especially good on very dark or pale skins, but can be carried off by anyone on the nails.
Guerlain Baby Glow Touch Colour in Golden $69
New to the renowned Meteorites collection, this luminiser stick makes strobing easy. Swipe to add radiance, revive the complexion and reflect light.
Stila All Over Shimmer Duo in Kitten $34
Pink-gold Kitten has long been a favourite selection as a metallic liquid eyeliner, but now the shade duo is a way to gently illuminate the face, while its main features sparkle.
Wet n Wild Colour Icon Metallic Liquid Eyeshadow in Mysterious Nights $12.99
This new-to-New Zealand American brand loved by beauty YouTubers offers entry level experimentation. This eye liquid needs care to spread evenly, but the range's metallic lipstick is a find.
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Advertise with NZME.Lipstick Queen Time Warp Lip Gloss $35
This pale pink holographic gloss has myriad reflects. It's a sticky stayer.
STOCKISTS: M.A.C store list at maccosmetics.co.nz. Urban Decay, Kevyn Aucoin, Stila and Lipstick Queen, see meccabeauty.co.nz. Essie from Farmers and some pharmacies. YSL from selected department stores and pharmacies. Wet n Wild from selected Farmers. Guerlain from Smith & Caughey's Queen St.
