Lucky us, we snagged a celebrity makeup artist to help us out with makeup for metallic dresses. We didn’t want you to overdo it and celebrity artist in demand, Jeffrey Paul happily took on the task– despite having to juggle flights back to LA .
We gave Jeff the images of the dresses Jill Kirsh (jillkirshcolor.com) and I talked about in a previous post. Jeff has provided you a breakdown on how to find the right color group for your skintone plus he also gives you a breakdown of low-key, medium and “diva” level makeup tips and techniques.
Let’s face it, it’s New Years Eve and we all want to express ourselves in a new style. We all will make a New Years resolution to be better and more improved. This night will be the night when you will try new things: be daring, bold and courageous—all in an effort to break your old style and habits.
Designers purposely make clothes that have more bling, cleavage and sex appeal for this night. All of the major cosmetic lines promise new makeup that reinforces rejuvenation and a look that transcends the past. Colors are brighter and bolder than before; shine comes in glitter and metallics. The buzz words are “radiance”, “moist,” and “metallic”. The choices in metallic tones range from cool shades of silver to warmer tones of gold and copper. The easiest way to show off metallic makeup is on the eyes. However don’t forget that we see glimmering bodies, chests and legs on celebrities, runways and in magazines.
Being bold and daring means you have to determine a few things first:
1) What your wardrobe will be?
2) Which do color family do you fit into: cool metals like silver whites and pewter or warm metals like bronze, copper and gold?
3) What are the undertones in your skin: pinks, peaches or gold/olive?
Metallic Theme:
Pale skin tones and those with fair complexions seem to have a pinker undertone and can wear silver/blue-based metals. Warmer toned skin and olive complexions can wear gold, copper and bronze.
Note: All skin tones have a balance of pink or golden undertones. You just have to figure out which one is the dominant tone.
For example, Freida Pinto, Rosario Dawson, Zoe Saldana have golden warm undertones and look great with any warm metallic tones.
Grace Jones, and super model Alex Wek, are dark but have more blue to their skin.
Obviously Gwyneth Paltrow and Julianne Margolies are pink-toned and pale.
Rule-breaker
Wear the opposite tones on your skin to stand out. However, let this be an accent– otherwise the overkill will shock and scare people away.
Exception Redheads. why. their skin tone falls in-between and can wear both families of shades.
Quick Tip to Find Out Your Color: Everyone looks good in black but but hold up a silver or gold fabric (or earrings) and see which one makes your skin and face pop or radiant with color.
Best Feature to Accentuate with Metallics: Look to the eyes and cheekbones. When the lips have a silver bounce or a golden hue, I’m reminded of “The Tin Man” either as seen in the Wizard of Oz or if he went to Miami for a winter break– toooo much of a good thing.
Metallic Dresses
MOSTLY BLACK WITH SILVER 
Alice + Olivia “Charlie” Ombre Sequined Dress $346.50
Makeup Notes:
Mild:
For this dress, if you are too mild, it will look like you didn’t try. Be bold! @ear eyeliner and smudge it. Accent your eyes with metallic silver, pewter or silver with some blue tones in the corner. Perhaps add a cool tone metallic glitter to your eyeline.
Medium:
Highlight the inner corner of your eyelid with a bold metallic, plus contour the eye to give shape and definition. Additional faux lashes, lash extensions or lots of mascara will round out the polished and rich look.
Diva:
Metallic lids (in colors described above), etched outer corner and lashes.
OVERKILL:
This would be to too much metallic– either the wrong colors, or glitter + metallic + rhinestones + more metallic on your face. It will overpower your face and the dress– remember in some cases, particularly with metallics, less is more. Better to go medium than “OD” on the diva-esque unless you are positive you can pull it off. Some events allow it (think perhaps Adam Lambert ) Most other events– not so much.
My suggestions with this dress would be a fair complexion or someone with more of a pink undertone. Don’t be too simple with this dress: all the rich black tones against your skin will enable you to wear makeup and be sexy without… BEING OVERDONE!
Dark lined eyes in blacks, navy and grays will rock the look. Keep lips fairly neutral– some color but no metallic shine- think high-shine gloss.
METALLIC SOPHISTICATE
DKNY Sequined Cotton Shift Dress in silver. $221.25
Makeup Notes:
This simpler frock is best adorned with a lighter makeup hand. A dramatic lip is a nice juxtaposition, with eyes washed with a metallic shade or glitter. Off-set the eyes with dramatic mascara and maybe some lashes (individual or strip).
Medium to Diva: add a dark liner to the inner of the eyes and slightly smudge into lash line, above and below.
OVERKILL:
This would be to wear a heavy eye and lip. The dress sparkles and shines so you want to replicate that in your makeup.
My suggestions for this dress is to have look that evokes sophistication, charm and sex appeal that takes you by surprise. A more mature woman or with silver hair would also look great in this style. It works on a many body types.
Velvet by Graham & Spencer Ikat Sequins Dress
Makeup Notes:
Be a daring Diva or show off subtle but strong elegance. The dress has metallic accents in pewter, grey and silver. You can wear dramatic strong makeup and set the stage ablaze or have a elegant, tailored makeup look. Defined eyes and lashes to off set the subtle grey finish and pick up some of the metallic accents by lining your eyes above with a black liner and then layer on metallic liner for pop and shine.
OVERKILL:
The wrong shades and too much of everything will kill the look. The best choice with this dress is to pick one idea and “work it”. A vibrant lip can work with this great dress particularly because it’s a dressed-up occasion. Stick with blue toned colors in deeper shades (a stain would dazzle) but skip corals or browns.
My suggestion is to wear a definitive look: the dress can evoke a dramatic diva or a well defined temptress.
GOLD TONES
SHINE AND DRAMA
LaROK LUXE “Wave” Two-Toned Sequined Dress $159.20
Makeup Notes:
Medium: This dress definitely calls for lined eyes on the top with some lashes. Define and enhance the eye with metallic golds, bronze or copper underneath and atbthe outer corner.
Diva: A lined eye, a highlighted lid with defined and etched crease and corner will rock this dress.
OVERKILL: Eyes, cheeks and lips competing for attention. Choose one and work that look– then keep the others subtle.
My suggestion with this outfit is that you can wear a bit more to balance out the shine and sparkle.
ABS by Allen Schwartz One-Shoulder Sequined Dress $267.52
Makeup Notes
I love this dress! This can be dressed up like a sex bomb or be the flirty ingenue.
Mild: This dress calls for simple chic All areas are highlighted with shimmer (collar bone, shoulders, breasts and legs). Lashes should be accentuated and eyes defined with a bit of liner.
Medium: Tkae it up a notch with rich copper or gold highlighting the lids with a softly defined crease.
Diva: You can go for it! Stay with the shine on skin (liquid or powder in gold, copper or bronze). Dramatic smudged eyes would work best. Let the metallic accents be all over the body with chosen facial feature for a dramatic but simple in makeup application.
OVERKILL: Being in competition with the dress– meaning too much shine on eyes and skin. Bold colors with this dress would stand out like a sore thumb.
My suggestion is to accentuate with shine and keep makeup defined with little coordinating– not clashing– color.
THE BRONZE SHEATH SHAPER
Tadashi Shoji Gold Woven Dress $328.00
Makeup Notes
For this dress, use rich warm tones to accentuate your beauty and this dress. ess (bling) is more when making a statement.
Medium: Add dark rimmed eyes and lashes. Use bronze and golds to etch your eye and give shape and richness.
Diva: Think sophia loren: line, highlight, contour and lots of mascara.
OVERKILL: Too much shine will compete with this silky matte shine of this dress.
Products Selection:
Girlactik
Gold: Satin (champagne), Butter Shine (white gold), Penny (copper), Golda (shimmering gold)
Silver: Smokey (charcoal), VIP (matte black) Sultry (pewter)
NARS
Silver: Okinawa (palette), Melusine (duo– use silver lilac)
Gold:Etrusque
Lip Gloss: Downtown (peachy), Bougainville (berry)
Shadow Base for eye lids…awesome!!
CHRISTIAN DIOR
AirFlash Foundation
Kiss Lip Gloss: Berry Smoothie, Iced Latte, Eyes: Gris Eye Palette Pink Design Eye Palette
Yves Saint Laurent:
Teint Radiance Foundation
Golden Gloss (pale tones with gold shimmer)
JEMMA KIDD
pH Balance Lip GlossDewy Glow All Over Radiance Creme
JURLIQUE
Skin Balancing Oil
Rose Hydrating Mist
MAC
Dazzle Gloss: Like Venus, Going Casual, Smile, Irridescent Loose Body Powder in
Silver Dusk
Golden Bronze
Venomous Villains Powder Dust– Cajun
WARMER TONESNOTE:
any of the bronze, copper metals highlight and enhance the richer skin tones. You are able to wear a bit more without being overstated or too bold– but don’t be too garish with your choices! (in other words, add a touch more– don’t go overboard)
Thank you to Jeffrey Paul for all the great tips, tricks and ideas.
Follow him on facebook.com
Bio:
LA-based hair and make-up artist Jeffrey Paul travels all over the world on location. He is one of the most in-demand hair and makeup artists in the business today, working with many of today’s most well known stars.
Jeff started out learning his craft as a makeup designer for the Boston Opera before expanding and eventually moving to New York City and later to Los Angeles. On landing in Hollywood, he was quickly approached by MAC Cosmetics where he trained a staff of over 200 people for the cosmetics giant. During this time, he started into doing celebrity hair and make-up. Photographers started requesting his creative genius for photo shoots. Celebrities were requesting him by name as their artist on tour or set. Jeffrey Paul is undoubtedly at the forefront of his career and is requested all over the globe from LA to London for photo shoots and TV shows.
Now go get glam and gorgeous for New Year’s Eve: here are the dresses and the makeup. Even if you don’t do the dresses, the Jeffrey Paul’s makeup will make you smokin’ haute!
Stevie Wilson, LA-Story.com
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Hello Jeffrey, Iam so excited to finally reach you. Ireally admire your work and your tenacity. I would love to connect with you. I am a hair care manufacturer of Diva by Cindy hair products and we use proceeds of the sales from our products to help homeless women in shelters via our healing and beautification project. I would love to send you some products fro you to try.
I know you receive alot of emails from people requesting so much from you. But I am a former RN who has overcome many adversities to move into my passion and purpose I am to help change the world “One Diva at a time!!! Love and Light, Cindy.