Glossy Eyes

Have you ever wondered how to get those shiny, glossy eyelids? The fresh, dewy style always looks current and, in my opinion, is underused. There’s more shine than a shimmery eye shadow, and it’s not as heavy as greasy, paint-like eye makeup. So what’s the secret? Here’s a hint: it’s probably already in your makeup bag. You can use Vaseline or lip gloss to achieve slick eyelids.

Petra Guglielmetti, a writer for Glamour, was wearing Vaseline when she met The Rockettes backstage after one of their pre-Christmas shows a few years ago. One of the high-kicking ladies was enamored with her shiny, Vaseline-covered eyelids. Guglielmetti was too embarrassed to admit that it was Vaseline, so instead said that it was a clear gloss (close enough). Sure, Vaseline is inexpensive and simple, but I think that’s even more reason to admit to what it is. Own your frugal style!

Gloss was used to create the messy “morning after” makeup seen at Marc by Marc Jacobs and the clean look at Narciso Rodriguez at New York Fashion Week’s spring shows. Dick Page, the makeup artist behind both shows, loves to use lip gloss on eyes. Not just any lip gloss though, it’s “a stupid-expensive lip balm from Shisheido,” as he describes it, with a slight pink tint to it. Fashion magazine reports that it is Shisheido Benefiance Full Correction Lip Treatment, a product that comes in a tube like a lip gloss than a balm like he refers to it. You don’t have to spend over $30 to get glossy eyes; any gloss will do. You can choose slightly tinted shades to add a little bit of color to your shine, or just stick with a natural clear. However, if you have sensitive eyes, I would recommend sticking to Vaseline or an unscented gloss. My very favorite lip gloss, C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine, would trigger a few tears and cause some eyelid tingling since it contains two percent peppermint oil, so be smart about the lip gloss you choose.

To turn gloss or Vaseline into the Marc by Marc Jacobs messy “morning after” look that brings to mind smudges and grease (in a good way, somehow), you have to build. Apply a beige cream shadow like Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow in Sandy Gold all over the lid and along the lower lash line, then follow the upper and lower lash line with a black cream eye shadow like Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eye Shadow. Then layer on your lip gloss to grease it up and give your eyes the demure punk look.

To keep it clean like at Narciso Rodriguez, just apply mascara and dab some lip gloss or Vaseline on top of the eyelids. If you are using Vaseline, keep it far from your mascara and the lash line to prevent black smudges all over your eyelid (remember that Vaseline is sort of a makeup remover, or as I like to put it, a “makeup mover,” since it still stays on your face, just smudges around). You can use a little bit on your lips as well, but Page kept the models’ lips matte and neutral. He reveals that there wasn’t much makeup involved, it was really just shading the cheekbones and filling in the eyebrows.

Not only will the shine and gloss attract attention to your eyes, but Vaseline will moisturize your eyelids. As the cool weather hits this fall and winter, your skin will be happy that you’ve chosen such a moisturizing makeup.