Metallic lids are the biggest takeaway from the fall/winter 2023 runway

Most of us are likely familiar with the ample amount of sentiments out there centering bravery. Condensed into adages, proverbs, and more, we’ve been told time and time again that fortune favours the brave, and that it smiles upon those who are courageous enough to ask. In that vein, it makes sense that the multitude of designers presenting their fall/winter 2023 collections embodied this very notion through their creations. Amidst the spectrum of varying interpretations, however, emerges a single unifying aspect; a make-up trend that yields intriguing visual acuity whilst also skillfully complementing the garments on display. Enter: metallic accents.

“Metallic accents have been part of a larger beauty movement geared towards a raw, accessible, street-styled individuality,” states Kenneth Chia, professional make-up artist. “It’s a statement look that feels very much at home in the current zeitgeist of youth culture, and goes effortlessly with many looks when done correctly.” 

In this case, think a larger, significantly more vast canvas that is not just limited to lids—instead, designers are granting the metallic touch to the brows, down the nose bridge, and even across the forehead, as seen at Liberatore’s fall/winter 2023 show to create the illusion of warpaint that coalesces grit and glamour. Thom Browne, too, bucked convention with a gold, glimmering lip line paired with a nude pout. “Metallic looks are also visually appealing because of how it is able to reflect light with minimal product,” adds Cheryl Ow, professional hair and make-up artist. Its simplicity forms the basis of its allure, whereupon its popularity is further enhanced by elements of versatility when it comes to both placement and pigment.

 

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Prospective adopters of this trend have free reign with regard to the shade and degree of subtlety—bright, burnished gold was utilised at Shiatzy Chen, painted in a single, voluminous stroke along the lower lids. Off-White, on the other hand, preferred gunmetal silver, where they opted to limit the standout hue to the inner corners of peepers and at the tail-ends of bleached arches. Dion Lee elected for a reptilian twist, where scales were artfully painted onto metallic sheens of pink and green. Then there was the understated effect witnessed at Chanel, with models sent on the runway sporting a gleaming layer of frosted eyeshadow over lids that further enhanced glowing complexions. Celebrities such as Gigi Hadid and Halle Bailey were then quick to follow suit with luminous silvery-blue eyeshadow on the red carpet.  

Creating Metallic Accents

The trick to nailing this look is to, first, identify the areas which you’d like to draw attention to, and place the accents there.“I’d recommend starting off by applying a priming base of white or yellow respectively before laying down a silver or gold metallic pigment,” explains Kenneth. “It gives the metallic an extra pop of saturation, and prevents the colour from looking faded as the day goes on.”

 

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The standout nature of this look, however, means that longevity is key. Cheryl recommends a cream or gel/based product to prevent fallout.“Do remember to set the areas with generous amounts of powder to ensure make-up stays in place,” she says. “For example, you could use a spoolie that has been saturated with metallic cream, and brush it through the front part of your brows. Set it, and you’re good to go.” 

Precision, too, is crucial to ensure a head-turning statement. “Pigment control is really important to pull off this trend successfully,” reports Kenneth. “I would carefully match the size of my brush to the specific area I’m applying it to. For example, a fluffy eye-blending brush would diffuse a silver metallic brow highlight without getting the colour all over the other parts of my face.” 

And as for the finishing touch, be sure to supplement your completed aesthetic with simple yet impactful make-up for the rest of your visage. Both make-up artists have arrived at the consensus that eyeliner and generous coatings of mascara will help grant further definition as well as prevent a washed-out, one-dimensional appearance. 

The September ‘Feel the Heat’ issue of Vogue Singapore is available for sale online now and on newsstands from 31 August 2023.