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Master Colour (with this MAC Senior Artist)

Master Colour (with MAC) MAC Senior Artist Jane McKay is a master of colour. Working backstage in London, New York, Paris and Milan, she’s worked on some of the most famous faces for some of the biggest names in fashion. Each season, she works backstage during Fashion Week in one or two key cities. What’s great about Jane is her ability to explain and simplify sometimes complex looks and techniques. She takes high-style catwalk makeup and makes it accessible to everyone. I recently caught up with Jane and asked her to share her pro tips on how to wear spring’s bold colours.

Mac Cosmetics Senior Artist Jane McKay

MAC Senior Artist Jane McKay

Dave: How you would best describe the really bold, artistic eye makeup from the spring runway shows? We saw such dramatic eye looks at Almeida, Cividini, Von Furstenberg and Monique Lhuillier.

Jane McKay: The best way for me to describe Spring Summer 2016 eye make up is “an explosion of colour”. 
The color blue was one of the most seen eye shadow shade on the runway, followed by green, coral, pink and gold. Eye shadows were applied and worn in bold colours and shapes or smudged and muted for a less dramatic effect.

von fustenberg model

D: We know that runway makeup is often amplified to make it stand out in photographs and on social media. What is the best way to adapt this look for real life?

J.M.: The great thing about vibrant colours is that you may wear them alone as a strong statement, or you may soften/mute for a more wearable appearance. I would suggest starting with a blue or green colour like MAC Cosmetics eye shadow in Freshwater or Humid.
 Apply with a brush to appear graphic. Or smudge it to soften the edges. Or consider layering it on top of a darker eye pencil such as Coffee to “tone down the pop of colour”.
This season, we saw a 1970’s influenced “blown out” eye shadow trend. When wearing a bold color as a eye shadow on the eyelid, simply fade the eye shadow in a horizontal or diagonal line, to replicate this eye widening trend.

von fustenberg

D: Are there any pitfalls to avoid when creating this look at home?

J.M.: Don’t over do it. If wearing blue or green eye shadow (all over your eyelid) is new to you and not in your comfort zone, I suggest you wear it only as an eye liner. Start with lining the upper eyelid and add in the lower eyelid eyeliner if you feel comfortable with more.
To keep colourful eye liner or eye shadow in place, I like to sparingly apply MAC Prep + Prime 24 Hour Eye Base underneath.
When applying vibrant eye shadow colors in a bold, graphic or linear shape, I prefer to pair with a softer lipstick such as Honey Lust as it will not conflict with a bold eye make up.

von fustenberg

D: When working on darker skintones, what shades look best for creating this look?

J.M.: The wonderful thing about applying vibrant colors to a darker skin is you may select THE MOST vibrant shades such as Electric Eel eye shadow or Waveline Fluidline and they may not appear too heavy or dramatic. A vibrant blue or green colour adjacent to brown eyes really brightens the face.

von furstenberg

9 Comments

  • Reply
    Wendy Lam-Vechi
    April 18, 2023 at 7:29 am

    Oh I am never scared to be bold with my eye shadow. Usually I choose the colour to match what I am wearing so if my dress is bold then shall be my eyes

  • Reply
    gayle bellemare
    February 24, 2016 at 8:25 pm

    I love the fresh explosion of colours! So vibrant for spring!
    @Bellheff

  • Reply
    September Dee
    February 24, 2016 at 1:16 pm

    These colourful looks herald the arrival of spring. They are uplifting, fresh and clean. Love them!

  • Reply
    Donna Webber
    February 24, 2016 at 11:13 am

    It will be exciting to see how this palette of colours emphasizes eyes this spring.

  • Reply
    chucky1012
    February 24, 2016 at 10:51 am

    Great to see all the colours from the rainbow it is like colourfull flowers….. tulips with lots of greetings from The Netherlands @chucky1012

  • Reply
    denise
    February 24, 2016 at 10:01 am

    beautiful

    @momof3boysj

  • Reply
    evaggelia zachariadou
    February 24, 2016 at 8:50 am

    I love this summer ‘s explosion of colours!!!♥♥♥
    @litsazachariad1

  • Reply
    Cat Forsley
    February 24, 2016 at 8:43 am

    so fresh and so fun xxx
    love this Dave !

  • Reply
    Meenal Rathore
    February 24, 2016 at 7:51 am

    WOW, they all look amazingly beautiful .. @Meenal_Rathore

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