DC Makeup Artist KiKi L'Italien

Here are some things to consider:

• Metallic tones, especially the cool shades, are ideal for nighttime makeup. If you use them during the day, you should know that the makeup will be more obvious, since daylight reflects cool tones before warm ones. That?s why I always recommend brownish tones for daytime makeup.

• That doesn?t mean that you can?t use metallic shades during the day. Instead of using intense silver or purple shades for daytime, it's better to opt for the pinks and violets.

• Texture is very important. Some textures are excessively shiny. Shades that are pearlescent tend to be more flattering.

• When applying these colors, be especially careful to leave the area under your eye very clean, or you will create your own undereye circles.

• Choose quality eye shadows with high pigment concentration so they don?t smear or go on too lightly. MAC, Laura Mercier, and Bobbi Brown make good eye shadows.

Don?t use metallics if?

• If you have dark undereye circles avoid using shades like purple, silver, or even pink, which will bring out your circles.

• If you have very pink skin, warm tones will probably look much better on you than cool tones.

• If you have expression lines on your eyelids or drooping eyelids, choose darker tones and matte tones, for example, gray instead of silver.

Step by step
Once you?ve applied foundation and concealer, follow these steps:

• Apply blush before making up your eyes. That way you?ll quickly be able to see if you?re using too much color on your eyes or not.

• I?d recommend that you use a warm blush when using cool, metallic eyeshadows. For this combination, my favorites are bronzing powders. Use bronzing powder on the apples of your cheeks and lightly over your nose to add a touch of color to your face.

• Next, apply concealer (again) over your entire eyelid. This will give your eyeshadow staying power and make the result more intense. Make sure you don?t put on too much concealer or you?ll get creases. To get rid of excess product, simply open and shut your eyes and then use your fingertip to softly remove the excess from the creases.

• The next step is to apply a white pearlescent shade over the entire lid, including your browbone. This will give your eyes extra intensity.

• Next, apply the purple or silver shade to just your lid.

• Choose a pink or violet shade that?s lighter than the other shades you've used and blend it into the crease.

• Use a fine brush to draw a line with the white eyeshadow under your lower lashes. If you want to define your eyes even more, you can use a darker eyeshadow instead. But don?t forget that your goal with this look is to brighten up your eyes.

• It?s important to line your eyes with black liner. Make little dots in between your eyelashes and then blend so you can't see them. Your goal is to thicken your lash line, not to see the pencil.

• Curl your lashes and then apply a double coat of mascara.

• For lips, opt for a very shiny pink gloss (at least for this look). Lighter to go with your more dramatic eyes...

• Don?t forget highlighting. Use a silver-based highlighter. If you don?t have one, you can use your white pearlescent shadow.