Lip Gloss Meets Its Match: Now It’s Your Eyes Time To Shine

Gloss and lips have always seemed like the dream duo. But lately, gloss has been eyeing someone (er, something) else: your lids. And while it sounds kind of scandalous, we fully support this unlikely union. Shiny eyeshadow was everywhere at the spring/summer 2017 runway shows. We saw it all -- from high-shine, black smoky eyes to almost bare lids with a fresh, dewy finish. Fortunately, unlike many made-for-the-runway trends, this is one that can hold its own in the real world and can actually look quite pretty. “The sheen of gloss brightens the eye and draws attention without screaming eyeshadow,” says makeup artist Ashleigh Ciucci. “It's quick and impactful without being showy.” And it’s surprisingly easy to do. “Anyone who owns a lip gloss can experiment with the swipe of a fingertip,” she says.

At Jason Wu (image above), Maybelline New York makeup artist Yadim used eye gloss to put a modern spin on classic glamour. He paired bold, statement-making red lips with slick lids. To get the look, Yadim used the Brow Pomade Crayon in Blonde all around the eyes as an eyeshadow. Then he dabbed Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm in Quenched, a clear balm, over the top of lids and into the corners of the eyes for soft sheen.

At Etienne Dereoux (model above left), Maybelline New York makeup artist Carole Colombani gave the no-makeup-makeup look a fresh update with high-shine eyelids (model image above). Colombani topped otherwise bare lids with Lip Studio Shine Shot Lip Topcoat. She applied the gloss all over the lid and into the crease to attract light to the lids, she says. Well-defined and brushed up brows also got glossy.

Grace Lee for Maybelline New York wanted the overall makeup vibe at Sandy Liang (model above middle) to be effortless, but not overdone. She also gave lids with some serious sheen with Lip Studio Shine Shot Lip Topcoat and paired them with contoured skin and a pale pink lip.

At Ottolinger, Lee grabbed the gloss once again for this edgy-glam look (model above right). To create the bold, gleaming red lids, she mixed Color Jolt Lip Paint in Red-dy Or Not with Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lipstick in Coffee Addiction and tapped it onto the lid. Then she topped it with Lip Studio Shine Shot Lip Topcoat. But it wasn’t just lids that got the shine treatment. Whatever was left on her fingers, Lee applied to cheekbones, creating a subtle glow. She finished the look with a red glossy lip.

Need even more ways to shine? We asked Ciucci to give us some ideas on how to go glossy.

Eye Gloss + Eye Liner

This is a tricky one because gloss and eyeliner can turn out to be a smudgy mess, but Ciucci says it can be done. “I recommend using a budge-proof liner and keeping the gloss up under the brow (almost as highlight under the brow bone area) and in the inner corner of eyes, so the liner won’t move,” she says. Try L’Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner in Black with a clear lip gloss. Or, an actual eye gloss (it’s a thing now) like NYX Cosmetics Lid Lacquer in Clear.

Eye Gloss + Colored Mascara

Luster plus color equals major statement eyes. Ciucci says you can play around with different color combos here. Pair clear gloss on your lids with just about any brightly colored mascara. Or, go monochromatic with your lashes and the glossy shade on your lids. For example, purple mascara paired with shiny lavender lids. Or, you can really go wild and create some contrast based on the good ’ol color wheel. Think turquoise lids and magenta lashes, orange lids and electric blue lashes, or yellow lids and purple lashes. “The key here is to keep the mascara focused to the tips of your lashes so the gloss doesn't break down the mascara at the root,” Ciucci says. Try it with NYX Cosmetics Color Mascara, which comes in 8 vibrant shades. 

Eye Gloss + Cheek Gloss

Rocking this combo requires a bit of a balancing act. “You don't want this shiny, shiny cheekbone and a bunch of shine all over the lid,” says Ciucci. In that case, your glossy makeup can easily look greasy. Instead, apply the gloss to the cheekbones first. “Then be specific with eye placement: just the center of the lid, under the brow bone, or in the corners of the eyes,” Ciucci suggests. Because you’re dotting it on the high points of your features, it creates a spotlight effect that gives skin a luminous finish.

Eye Gloss + Eyeshadow

You’ve got endless possibilities here, says Ciucci. If you’re using a clear gloss, you can mix it with just about any shade of shadow you want. Here’s how: First apply an eye primer so the gloss has something to adhere to. Then, sweep your shadow onto your lids with a soft, fluffy brush (for a more sheer application), or a flat brush (for more saturated color). Then tap on the gloss. A more advanced technique? Mix gloss with loose pigments. On a paper plate, add a dollop of clear gloss and a dash of pigment, Ciucci says. Use a butter knife to blend. Add less pigment for a more sheer effect; more if you want for more opacity. Then apply to your lids.

How Do I Keep My Gloss From Creasing?

Here’s the thing: You can’t. It’s nearly impossible to stop your gloss from settling into creases. “It’s simply in its nature,” says Ciucci. “It’s the difference between never having to reapply a matte lipstick and always having to reapply a gloss; it just naturally moves and transfers.” Your best bet: Stash cotton swabs in your handbag to smooth out creases throughout the day. “Or, just use your fingertip totap, tap, tap the creasing away,” she says.

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Which eye gloss combo will you wear? Tell us in the comments below!