The runway has long been the theatre of the world’s greatest minds. Whilst it’s the fashion that often leaves an indelible mark on any one individual, sometimes, just sometimes, a ravishing beauty serve might come along with it. One lusted after and forever immortalised in the psyche—like the devastating delivery that was Maison Margiela’s haute couture runway earlier this year for spring/summer 2024. Pat McGrath’s now-legendary hyper-real, porcelain skin, with chromatic accents no one could look away from. And whilst it wasn’t one someone could ‘realistically’ take off the runway and into the streets, it seemed like the beauty cognoscenti were at once invigorated: to lean towards the dramatic and experimental once again.
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Likewise, it sparked a certain joy in me. It had me thinking: when was the last time I harboured this same desire? To have unbridled fun with a make-up look; to let my brushes do the painting (and the talking)? Whilst the Margiela doll-like skin was not on my personal agenda, it was the mesmerising colour wash of the couture show (so reminiscent of McGrath’s older work for Galliano at Dior) that enchanted me anew. At one point of time, that candy-coloured crush—think operatic blush smears and juxtaposing hues streaked all over lids—seemed like it could only belong on the runway or incorporated into stage costume.Yet if there’s one thing we’re learning from the zeitgeist of today, it’s the proclivity towards unrestrained self-expression and unabashed flamboyance. Instinctively, 2024’s pop girlie Chappell Roan might even come to mind; her sensual, kaleidoscopic captures consistently delivered in excess. Why wait for a special occasion to wear your colours, when there is no time like now?
So with the switch flicked and the eyeshadow enthusiast from within simply itching to burst through the surface, it was simply time to ensure the moodboard was in perfect disarray. With recent runway seasons proving to be the ultimate masterclass in neon-hued smears and seemingly unintentional specks of glitter, inspiration soon took over. It was bound to be a process of trial-and-error, but it was chock-filled with possibility. With liners and palettes at hand, glitters as liberal as they come, and the masterful guidance of local make-up artist Victoria Hwang, all that was left to do was let these eye candy make-up looks speak for themselves.
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Coordinating your colours
Right off the bat, Hwang’s advice was to let my outfits take the lead. With my own personal inclination to wear brights on the daily, this was easy enough—and I found that it did me favours to simply pile the colours on, whilst concentrating on the two shades in focus: pink and green. For a slight pop? I added some inner corner magic in a lime green shade courtesy of KVD Beauty’s Tattoo Pencil Liner Waterproof Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner.
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Lash up
When it comes to really transforming an eyeshadow look, your lashes are just as important, according to Hwang. To match my neon top, I opted for a glittery swash of pastel blue and soft greens—a killer combination of Byredo’s Mineralscapes palette and the Norvina Pro Pigment Palette from Anastasia Beverly Hills—accented further by lime green mascara created from combining my KVD Beauty liner with a liquid mix texture, like this one from Make Up For Ever.
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A simple pop of colour
Sometimes, all it takes is a simple contrast hue to make the look work. On a more casual day, I opted for a sunset-hued wash of pinks and oranges—applying orange on my waterline and inner corner with a wet, fine tip brush.
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Smudge it
To make the colours really pop, sometimes you’ll need to utilise a smokier base first. Against the lighter brick hue, I opted for a smudgy underline, achieved with Sephora Collection’s Intense Ink Waterproof Eyeliner. By way of adding contrast, I took liberties with the same liner—albeit in white—to draw a graphic liner under my brow line.
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Surprise yourself
But Hwang’s most important tip? To have fun with it. This cloudy abstraction—inspired by these smeared out hues on the Dior fall/winter 2024 runway—not only took the shortest amount of time but were also my favourite of the lot. All I needed was a tad of contrast, the use of negative space, and my favourite Anastasia Beverly Hills Palette.
