So, you’re ready to go full glam with a metallic eye makeup look? Excellent choice! Metallics are like the Beyoncé of eyeshadows—bold, glamorous, and always stealing the show. Whether you're aiming to dazzle on date night or shine at that evening event, shimmery shadows are the ultimate power move.But before you dive into the glittering world of metallics, here’s a simple step-by-step guide (with a pinch of humor to keep things sparkling).
Imagine your eyelids as a tiny red carpet. They need a flawless base to ensure your eyeshadow doesn’t crease, fade, or slide off by the end of the night. Start with an eye primer. (No primer? A dab of concealer works just fine.)Pro tip: Tap it in with your ring finger because it’s the gentlest. Also, it’s the perfect excuse to use your ring finger for something fancy. You're welcome.
Now, grab a matte shade that’s just a little darker than your natural skin tone. It’s like eyeshadow underwear—nobody really sees it, but it holds everything together. Blend this color into your crease for that “my eyes just wake up looking contoured” effect. A soft beige, taupe, or even a light brown will do the trick.
If you’re thinking, “Why matte? I thought we were here for sparkle!”—trust the process. Your metallic magic will need this subtle contrast to really pop.
Here's where the magic happens! Choose your main metallic shadow. You can go for a classic gold, bronze, or silver, or try a more daring color like emerald green, deep violet, or rose gold. These shimmery shades are made for the spotlight, and tonight, so are you.
Now, here’s where it gets serious (seriously sparkly, that is): Pack that color onto the center of your lid with a flat, dense brush or your finger (because sometimes your finger just knows what to do). The metallic pigments love warmth, so patting with your finger really brings out their brilliance. And remember, when it comes to metallic shadows, more is more.
No one’s eye look is complete without a little drama in the outer corner! Dip into a deeper shade—maybe a chocolatey brown, a charcoal, or even a black if you’re feeling extra fierce. Blend this shade into your outer crease and along the outer edge of your lid, using windshield wiper motions.
Blend until you can’t tell where one color ends and the other begins. In the makeup world, there are few things worse than “harsh lines,” so give those edges some TLC.
A metallic look without an inner corner highlight is like a party without snacks—just plain wrong. Dab a lighter metallic or shimmery shade into the inner corner of your eye. Think champagne, light gold, or even a bright silver. This tiny bit of sparkle will make your eyes look bigger, brighter, and ready to drop jaws.
Warning: You may need to reintroduce yourself to friends and family after this level of sparkle.
The eyeliner you choose depends on how dramatic you want to go. For a classic, defined look, a black or brown liner along the upper lash line is all you need. But if you’re feeling wild, grab a metallic liner in a color that complements your shadow (hello, metallic teal or gold). Line those eyes with a steady hand and a little attitude—nothing says "boss" quite like a sleek cat-eye flick.
Feeling extra bold? Take a smudgy liner brush and sweep some of your metallic shadow along the lower lash line too. This little trick amps up the glam and gives your look a well-rounded finish.
Coat those lashes like they’re going on a red carpet of their own! A good mascara will add volume, length, and just the right amount of drama to complete your look. Feel free to layer on a few coats—because if ever there was a time to go full volume, this is it.
Fun fact: Mascara is scientifically proven (okay, maybe not scientifically) to prevent you from blinking too much and smudging your gorgeous new look.
A quick spritz of setting spray is like insurance for your face. It locks everything in place so that your look stays fresh and fabulous all night. Not to mention, it adds a little hydration for that dewy glow.
And there you have it! With these steps, you’re ready to step out and shine brighter than a disco ball. Just don’t be surprised if you catch people squinting because of the sparkle radiating from your eyelids. You’re bringing the glam, the glitz, and just a hint of mischief. Now go own the night, one glittering blink at a time!