MAJOR METALLICS
You might think you’re either a million-shade palette person or you’re not, and if not, I can empathise: I was more than a little intimidated when Morphe’s enormous A5-sized, 35 shade palette, ’35C Everyday Chic’, thudded across my desk. However, it may just end up leading me over to the dark (‘more creative’) side. This palette features taupey, mushroomy neutrals before heading into the moodier territory of deep lilac, emerald, charcoal, and chocolate. There are a blend of highly pigmented mattes and many a frosty shimmer, and you can even go for broke with unapologetic pink glitter, aptly named ‘Talk of the Town’. Two little hints if you’re not used to these sorts of shades: you can quickly get comfortable with metallics by using them to highlight and accent, and, when using proper, chunky glitter, it’s best applied over eyelid primer or at least on top of other shadows, to minimise any fall down onto your cheeks.
ByTerry’s Ombre Blackstar could be the Morphe palette’s older sister. Taking the form of a small, neat crayon in elegant packaging, the shadow itself is creamy but doesn’t slide around. Frozen Quartz is an easy shade in that, on any skin tone, though particularly if you’re very pale, it’s forgiving to apply if you’re not practiced at blending, and brings glamour to your look even if you’re not comfortable with high octane glitter. For the most subtle option, draw it along lash line then gently up and over the lid, blending it out at the crease with your finger, or just continue drawing on directly into the crease if you want maximum impact.
The Diorshow Iconic Overcurl mascara is a reformulated, repackaged update of a much-beloved product, and best used when the occasion calls for fake lashes but one just can’t be bothered to apply them. It leaves your lashes deeply black, thickened, elongated and properly, lastingly curled. It’s iconic by name and reputation for a reason, it’s completely OTT, and it guarantee you A Look, one that is not to be shied away from.