As much as I love Christmas’ cocktail-hour red lips and gold eyes, I thought I’d change it up a bit for today and try something a little more daring. It’s not something I’d wear to a holiday party, but it’s a little more fun! There’s something particularly bitchy about this look (there really isn’t any way to put it!) but I can’t quite put my finger on what it is.

How-to:

Start by applying a nude base to your lids. Then, foil a dark burgundy on the outer 2/3 of your eye, creating with it a large “wing”. Do NOT blend out the edges (this keeps the “geometrical” aspect of the look). Clean off your brush or switch brushes, then foil a gold shadow onto the inner 1/3 and along the entire lower lashline. Where the two shades meet on your upper lid, use the gold shadow (dry) to blend them.


Follow the shape of the wing and line just above your upper lash line. Coat lashes with mascara. To emphasise the shape even further, clean around the edges with a q-tip and sweep a shadow the same shade as your natural skintone around the burgundy/gold shadow.


Finish with pink or apricot cheeks, then your choice of a nude or red lip.

I wanted to try this both with a nude lip (the traditional “wear a light lip if you have a heavier eye” thing) and a darker red one. For the former I used a clear gloss with a touch of shimmer, and for the latter I used a burgundy lip liner and topped it with a glossy lip conditioner. They’re both… interesting.

The light lip:

The dark lip:
(Caution; scary lip swatches ahead!)

MAC Burgundy lip liner

MAC Burgundy lip liner, topped with MAC Plum Perfect TLC

What I used:
Lips

CoverGirl AmazeMint in Happy Hour
MAC Burgundy lip liner
MAC Plum Perfect TLC

Eyes

Senna Intrigue and Smolder eyeshadows
MAC Naked and Mauvement pigments
MAC Fresco CCB
Fyrinnae Polar Bear pigment
Lancome Positive eyeshadow
Rimmel Lycra Lash Extender mascara
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Annabelle liquid liner

Cheeks

MAC Harmony
Lancome Rose Fresque