A Party-Ready Bronze Lid

Photo: Robin Black

In the early 1940’s, American women were on strict rations to support the war effort but rather than give up their beloved makeup regimens, they came up with DIY methods to achieving their look. One of my favorites from that time period is the glossy eyelid. Ladies would rub a tiny bit of charcoal on their eyelids and then pat petroleum jelly over it to create a beautiful sheen. Luckily for us, there are now numerous cream, gel and liquid eyeshadows that offer finishes that range from 1940’s glossy to creamy mattes. The new formulas have great staying power, don’t settle into creases and are super easy to apply. Read on to find your perfect eyeshadow…

Oily-Combination Skin

If your eyelids always have a slight sheen and you find even powder eyeshadow creases after an hour, then you will have the best results with a gel, cream to powder or liquid formula. These products have serious staying power (even more so when used over an eyelid primer) and once they are set, don’t settle into creases.

Normal Skin

Lucky you, pretty much all the formula types will work so pick your favorite cream, gel or liquid shade!

Dry Skin

If your eyelids often feel dry, the skin looks a bit textured or you find that eyeshadows tend to get “powdery” and settle into fine lines, then cream eyeshadow is the way to go. It’s sheen will make your eyelids look more youthful and the moisturizing formulas wear beautifully.

How to Apply:

1) Start with clean, dry eyelids. Don’t apply foundation, concealer or moisturizer on your eyelids prior to the shadow as this will cause it to crease.

2) Apply a thin layer of eyelid primer (try NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base), pressing it in lightly with your finger and then allow it a minute to set.

3) You can use your finger or a brush to apply the cream/gel/liquid eyeshadow (for this look I used Armani Eye & Brow Maestro in Ambre). I generally like to use a flat concealer brush to pat the eyeshadow onto the lid and then I use a rolling/patting motion with my finger to blend the edges upward past the crease. You can go back once you have it blended and pat on a bit more to any areas you would like to have more intense color. For the under eye, a small smudge brush is perfect to swipe across the lower lash line, concentrating the color on the outer corners and fading toward the center.

Products for this Look:

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base ($25)

Armani Eye & Brow Maestro in Ambre (on eyes) ($34)

Clarins 3-Dot Liner in Black ($26)

Armani Black Ecstasy Mascara ($32)

Armani Eye & Brow Maestro in Dark Brown (on brows) ($34)

Chantecaille Liquid Lumiere in Luster (on cheeks) ($39)

Chantecaille Lip Chic in Camellia ($35)

Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer in Natural Radiance ($43)

Clarins Double Serum (tapped over the foundation for extra sheen!) ($85)