Precious Metals

Mix silver, gold, copper and other sparkly makeup colors for richness like no other

The holidays are here, and you're ready to mingle. Good news: so are your metallic makeup colors.

Used to be, silver and gold didn't mesh together, whether in jewelry or makeup. But now you can mix metals on your wrist, neck and especially eyes for shimmery, dramatic impact.

"It's a gorgeous look in eye shadow," says celebrity makeup artist Kimberley Bosso. "You don't need to stick to the usual gold, silver and gunmetal. You can find metallic varieties of white, blue and even beach-y tan. The essence of metallic makeup is that it contains the mineral mica, which reflects light and gives you shimmer, no matter the color."

Night and Day
Given their sparkly nature, metallic eye shadows are great for evening, when you can cast major allure with merely a wink. Look to deep colors—forest green, dark gray and intense silver and gold—to pair with that little black dress and night at the club. By day, metallics also have their place. "Just stick to more subtle hues—light gold, cream or white. A sparkly pastel also works," suggests Bosso.

For a professional event, such as a work party, Bosso swears by a relaxed-but-statement-making combination of rich gold and bronze shadows. Get four shimmering shades, plus primer, in the Lorac Little Black Palette.

Apply with Care
Make sure your hues are in harmony by starting with the lightest color and brushing it on the middle your eyelid.

Then apply the darkest color to the outer corner of your lid. Finally, in the crease, complete the look with a medium to medium-dark color.

If you're going with the adventuresome (yet completely holiday-appropriate) pairing of silver and gold, Bosso recommends putting silver on your eyelid and gold in the crease and outer corner, then applying black eyeliner.

A good starter filigree is Lancôme Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Smooth Hold.

Face (and Nail) Value
When flaunting metallic eye shadow, the rest of your makeup should take a subdued seat. Use nude-colored lip gloss and matte blush for a soft, dewy complexion.

For just the right amount of shine, dust a lighter metallic cream-based eye shadow on your high cheekbones or temples. "It adds highlights to your face, and you'll get that red-carpet glow from all angles," says Bosso.

In addition to eye shadow, look for gold-tinted lip glosses that ramp up holiday dazzle, such as Own Plump Hydration Lip Therapy in True Mint. When you do a sparkly lip, avoid overplay and skip metallic eyes. Nails are a different story; you can get away with metallic digits—decorated in great gunmetal, for example—and still do shimmery silver, metallic gray or gold eyes. Reach for Orly Nail Laquer in Shine for just the right finger glint. Then, get ready to shine on.