Paris A/W ‘10: Holy flaming eyeballs, Givenchy does red runway makeup

• Category:
• A/W '10
• Backstage Beauty Bandits
• Stylebyting

Maybe it’s a coincidence that my eyes feel like they look at the Givenchy show, or maybe it’s just that red eye shadow is becoming a hit. Either way, I think this is a splendid time to prove to you Primpers, that red eye shadow is in fact wearable and doesn’t always look like you’ve been hitting the wacky tobacky.

Here’s the look from the Givenchy show...

And here’s why I think this take on red eye shadow could be a hit...

1) Firstly, our favourite makeup artist Pat McGrath created this look so clearly, anything she does is exemplary and not to be messed with.

2) Secondly, there is one clear focal point here, the lips, that were made to look all 3 dimensional with that flaming red lipstick and ultra glossy gloss. There is no competition for the lips, which is an ideal situation if you want to wear bright colours. If the eyes were darker or bolder, it wouldn’t work.

3) Speaking of the eyes, there’s only a WASH of colour on them. Despite the colour being red, it works so well because it’s a lighter, complementary shade to what’s on the lips and it’s been highlighted with white shimmer to create depth rather than having one block colour over the entire eye area (which wouldn’t be a winner, Primpers).

4) Patty also left eye liner out and applied only a tiny amount of mascara to the upper lashes. What this does is keeps the eye area light, subtle and not at all scary. Brilliant!

5) The skin is also working in sync with the lips and eyes here. It’s flawless. McGrath has used an illuminating powder down the ridge of the nose, across the cheekbones and on the tip of the chin but apart from that, it looks like it’s been left alone. No blush or bronzer to compete with the colour. This is very much a good thing, Primpers.

6) And finally, the eyebrows were kept very, very subtle. Not too much thickness or colour to them, just natural and understated.

The point...

Red eye shadow and lipstick can, as this look proves, be absolutely amazing. The key is to not put too much on at once. If you want your lips to be the focal point, make them bright and glossy like this, but keep every other area of your face understated. A wash of colour (in the same or similar shade) on your eyes, naked skin and only a simple coat of mascara on your lashes. Nothing else.

The moment your features start to compete, you risk looking more like this chick from Vivienne Westwood’s show. Eeek!

What are your thoughts on red makeup?
Do you think this looks nice?
Would you try it, Primpers?

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