Heavy Metal Makeup

Far be it from us to sound the death knell for the Irish summer, but let’s face facts: September is almost upon us, and with it, the dawn of a whole new makeup mood.

Bid farewell to your neon nails and leave that blue mascara in the drawer, because the new season is all smoke and mirrors? with a healthy dose of sparkle on the side. Inspired by a host of global fashion stories, from rebellious punk and grunge to the more opulent baroque, beauty’s most glittering trend takes on an edgy and lived-in aesthetic.?The new metallics are a fusion of goth-meets-glam, pairing deep, smouldering tones of charcoal, khaki and espresso with an exuberant, high-shine gleam. Whether it’s a moody sparkle on your eyelids, or a flash of blackened chrome on your nails, shine bright this autumn in the most precious metals of the season:

1. MAC Beluga Veluxe Single Eyeshadow
Part of MAC’s decadent Indulge collection, Beluga (?16) is the most hypnotically intense near-black eyeshadow, shot through with multi-dimensional golden pearl.?But prepare to queue: when it lands in September, this will be limited edition and exclusive to Brown Thomas and BT2.

2. Estee Lauder Pure Colour Vivid Shine Nail Lacquers, The Metallics
With Estee Lauder’s new nail lacquers, your fingertips will shine like they’re dipped in molten metal. And yes, that is a good thing.?Eight shades are available of these high-shine, reflective one-coat wonders – all limited, and all €20.? Smoked Chrome and Midnight Metallic are both darkly delicious.

3. Smashbox Black Gold Waterproof Shadow Liner
Another limited edition, this deliciously smudgy eye crayon is the quickest route to autumn’s sultry, lived-in smokey eye.?Ideal for applying on the go, the creamy waterproof formula glides on with ease, while the inbuilt smudger instantly softens the look. The rich blackened gold shade really does suit everyone – it’s €19 and lands on August 21st.

4. Catrice Liquid Metal Eyeshadow
These high-shine, chrome-effect shadows from everyone’s favourite budget brand, Catrice, are a surefire way to embrace the look for less.?Nine pigment packed shades are on offer for an affordable €4.49 a pop – each more quirkily titled than the last. Our favourites? The dirty taupe tones of Mauves Like Jagger, and burnished bronze shimmer of Nougats It Right.

5. Chanel Le Vernis in Alchimie
Murky and mysterious, the golden khaki tones of Chanel Le Vernis in Alchimie (?22.50) are set to make it a standout of the season.?Part of the brand’s Superstition collection, on counter from August 16th, the unique shade and intense metallic finish are sure to make this limited edition fly.

By Emma Henderson, who writes the rather fabulous?@fluffyblog