If the country’s new catchphrase is “living with Covid,” how does this translate to beauty? With the year-end festivities around the corner, masks and makeup will go hand-in-hand.
This year’s beta version of mask eye makeup evokes a dramatic mood – much like how 2021 has panned out. Here’s our cheat sheet to make your eyes stand out.
Take your eyeliner to the next level with wings that fly high. For a subtle look, follow South Korean makeup artist Pony’s lead and sport a sutble kitten liner – a classic with a little angled wing tip at the end of your eye. Dior and Chanel’s FW ’21 collections presented eye-catching looks that relied heavily on liner, accentuated by darker shades on the lower lid, and shaded to reflect the top liner.
There are other takes on this cat eyeliner look. At Givenchy, it got graphic with a nod to the ’60s – the top eyelid’s dark liner extended all the way to the nose, meeting a lighter hue outlining the eyelid. To change things up, Bobbie Ng, one half of the duo from The Makeup Room, says: “A bright eyeliner is a good way to add a pop of colour to your eyes.
Makeup artist Melissa Yeo’s tip to ace coloured eyeliner: “Line your eyes like usual, but add thickness on the outer corners of the eye for more drama.”
Add dimension and texture to your eye liner with creamy and smoothing pigments that have a tinge of shimmer. Use your fingers or use a sponge-tip applicator to blend and build, then smooth it out.
Available at Sephora.
The shimmery liquid eyeshadow offers strong colour pay-off and gives a rich dark hue with golden flecks.
Available at Chanel.
The liner features a 0.1mm brush tip to create sleek wing tips and fine lines. Its waterproof formula is also quick-dry and budge-proof, promising to resist sweat and sebum.
Available at Watsons, Welcia BHG, Shopee and Lazada.
Perfect for creating a smoky look around your eyes. Don’t worry about getting the lines drawn perfectly – the smudges add to that insouciance. For added drama, draw along the crease to further define the eyes.
Available at Chanel.
Remember these key words: big and bold. Think of it as colour blocking for the eyes. Melissa says: “With mask-wearing, more emphasis is on the eyes. The runways are trending with bolder, statement-making eye makeup – think pop and neon colours.”
Bobbie agrees: “People are less concerned with lips and cheeks. Instead, the eyes get the attention now.” Reference Dolce & Gabbana’s FW ’21 runway looks that featured highlighter-hued eyeshadow in true ’90s style. The message was simple: Go big or go home.
This look is big with Gen Z – it’s all in when they go all out. “Gen Z seems to be more adventurous and expressive with their makeup,” says Melissa. “Since mask-wearing is the norm, try a new colour to freshen up your look.”
Swipe it on to add luminosity to your eyeshadow, or apply to high planes of the face to get that dewy, super-fresh look.
Available at Sephora.
A shimmer stick that subtly highlights the key points of your face with a flattering golden beige.
Available at Chanel.
The limited edition palette has hues of pinks, taupe and browns accentuated by a shimmery silver.
Available at Dior.
This four-colour palette features complementary satin and shimmery golden, amber and white shades with a matte black eyeshadow.
Available at Chanel.
The 12 shades in two finishes – creamy matte and metallic– are grouped into the four different eye looks that you can achieve, so you’ll never feel overwhelmed about which eyeshadow to begin with.
Available at Sephora.
The runways may say natural brows and lashes rule, but makeup artists here say putting some effort into grooming will help.
With the multiple restrictions, women are staying groomed in creative ways. “Semi-permanent makeup like microblading, lash lifts, extensions and even eyeliner embroidery help to give that ‘I woke up like this’ look,” says Bobbie.
She adds: “A more natural approach to brows is lamination. It allows you to manoeuvre the direction of each strand of brow hair, giving you fuller, thicker brows without filling in much.”
With this technique, brows are “lifted” with a setting lotion that lasts up to six months. Alif Alwee, resident trainer at M.A.C Cosmetics, has the simplest tip to grooming brows: Use a brow gel to brush against the direction of your brow hair, then comb it back into place.
“Use the spoolie brush at the end of the brow pencil to help create and define your brows. Use feathered strokes in the front, then darken the ends of your brows to create the most realistic set of brows,” he adds.
In the end, all makeup artists agree on one thing: Change up your makeup to define your eyes. “Learn a new makeup technique and add it to your routine. Just keep learning,” says Bobbie.
Sound advice – because if 2021 has taught us anything, it’s that change is always happening.
Perfect for getting the effect of falsies without fussing around with glue, this mascara is designed to lift Asian lashes without any clumping or sticking.
Available at Dior.
This weightless all-in-one mascara plumps up sparse lashes as it lifts.
Available at Sephora.
An easy-to-use brow gel that keeps unruly brows in shape, this comes in eight shades.
Available at M.A.C Cosmetics.
The water-resistant brow pen features an angled tip that allows control and high precision. In six shades.
Available at Gucci and Sephora.
Text: Ruth Chew/HerWorld