from the Torono Fashion MOnitor

This winter, Midas touched every makeup product he could possibly reach. Soft golden liners and shadows are the latest evening accessory to any outfit. In fact, gold is a very easy color to play with: it looks lovely with all skin tones and complements day or party look if used wisely. A touch of gold gives your face a warm glow that enlivens the paler winter skin.

“Everybody can wear gold,” says Julie Redfern, Beauty Editor at Sephora. “It’s all about how you apply it. Take just one feature and apply gold on it. If you choose to apply gold on the eye, you can add some golden shimmer to your lips, but you don’t want a golden cheek. I would mix it up a little bit.” Sexy and sparkling gold-dusted eye shadows look great worn by itself or with black eyeliner, and with nude lipgloss or a berry-painted mouth.

Eye is the best place to play with golden hues. “Your eye captures the most attention, because when you talk to someone, they are looking at your eye,” says Julie Redfern. “And you don’t have to reapply eye shadow!”

It is a nearly foolproof trend to apply—just use a light hand and avoid shades that are too yellow. Go for warm gold tones or even gold shades mixed with bronze hues, they work extremely well for all colors of eye irises. Never do an entire eyelid from lash to brow in gold. Keep the color concentrated near the lash line or work the inner corner of the eye with a lighter hue. To intensify the look, blend the shadow up toward the brow. Blending different shades of gold from brassy to almost silver we let the shade fade naturally toward the crease.

If you choose adding a bit of golden touch to your face (we used Guerlain Let Meteorites Dorees to highlight Aliona’s cheekbones), make sure your skin is in prime condition, because shimmer will accentuate every little flaw. Exfoliate and moisturise your skin properly before applying a shimmery highlighter or a powder. “When your face is clear and glowing, the makeup will look better”, adds Julie Redfern.

And the best part is that you don't have to resemble an Oscar statue to complement the bold eye: Julie Redfern suggests applying a lighter pink wash as a blush. “Pink is already beige-y type of color. It will add you a pop of color, which is essential when you go for gold”, recommends Julie. Liner is truly optional, but not mascara! Finish your look with black mascara, and for the maximum impact, attach a set of gorgeous golden eyelashes. Add a touch of muted golden loose powder to the center of your forehead and on the apples of your cheeks. Keep the rest of the face neutral – apply a shiny pink sheer gloss, and you look like a million bucks!

All products are available in Sephora store in Eaton Centre (Toronto) and online at www.sephora.com

Model: Aliona Karenina.
Makeup: Julie Gabriel.
Eye Shadow in Mojave (Cargo) blends easily, without hard edges leaving a staying intense golden glow. Eye Shadow in Mojave (Cargo) blends easily, without hard edges leaving a staying intense golden glow.
24 Karat Lashes (Sephora) add dramatic length and volume to your lashes, plus a subtle hint of golden shimmer. Each lash is sprinkled with the tiniest micro-glitter that catches the light as you bat the night away. 24 Karat Lashes (Sephora) add dramatic length and volume to your lashes, plus a subtle hint of golden shimmer. Each lash is sprinkled with the tiniest micro-glitter that catches the light as you bat the night away.
Eye Color Glimmer in Gold Digger (Paula Dorf) muted, high-pigment tones has been tested on sets, under hot lights, and over long hours, to bring you professional makeup that lasts and looks fresh, with minimal touch-up. All Paula Dorf colors are fragrance-free and hypo-allergenic. Eye Color Glimmer in Gold Digger (Paula Dorf) muted, high-pigment tones has been tested on sets, under hot lights, and over long hours, to bring you professional makeup that lasts and looks fresh, with minimal touch-up. All Paula Dorf colors are fragrance-free and hypo-allergenic.
Full Color Stick in Smashing Gower (Smashbox) is a dark golden duo of shades for eyes and lips. Full Color Stick in Smashing Gower (Smashbox) is a dark golden duo of shades for eyes and lips.