Color Coverage: Metallics

• Print this article

You don’t want to wear a metallic dress and a metallic shoe and a metallic handbag. You start to look like a disco ball because it’s too much.

— Keylee Sanders, style expert and founder of Style Studio

Too Much of a Good Thing

While a metallic skirt or accessory can give a style boost to even the simplest of outfits, add too much glimmer and you risk looking like you're channeling the Tin Man.

“You have to choose between metallic accessories or a metallic dress,” says Keylee Sanders, style expert and founder of Style Studio. “You don’t want to wear a metallic dress and a metallic shoe and a metallic handbag. You start to look like a disco ball because it’s too much.”

There are seven days in a week -- more than enough time to spread the shimmery love around. Monday, opt for your pewter ballet flat, Wednesday go for the gold with classic gold accessories and keep Friday night available for your new sequined dress.

“Don’t overdo metallic and wear head to toe including accessories,” agrees Caley Lawson, celebrity stylist whose clients include Jessica Lowndes and Camila Alves. “Pick one component of your look and make that the focus.”

Getting the Most Shimmer From Your Metallic

Lawson loves to dress her clients in metallics that are loud, fun and playful. Just take a look at Camila Alves, who’s been a stunner on multiple red carpets, aglow in metallic and shimmery dresses and accessories.

Finding the right balance of metallic for an outfit is key. Choose just a hint of shimmer for a great daytime look.

“What I love for the day is tweed with metallic threads incorporated in them,” says Sanders. “J.Crew is actually doing something like this in a cigarette pant that’s a fun paisley with a metallic thread. That's a great way to wear it during the day and even to the office.”

Shoes can incorporate a hint of sheen during the day. Sanders loves a metallic kitten heel paired with a cigarette pant and blazer for a really chic office look.

If you want to have more shine during the day, Lawson looks to Vince’s collection.

“Vince is great for daywear,” she said. “They have tops you can wear with jeans, skirts you can wear with tees. Both are great daytime looks.”

For nighttime, don’t be coy. Go for bolder, shinier looks. Sanders suggests a silver leather skirt or full metallic dress. Her favorite classic look is a white tank paired with a black blazer and a gold sequined skirt. Or try the reverse -- add glimmer up on top. Lawson loves metallic tops, jackets and blazers with a skinny cigarette pant or mini skirt.

If you want to just accent your nighttime look with metallics, nothing says chic like gold strappy sandals paired with a deep purple dress or an amazing silver clutch with your favorite little black dress. Metallic jewelry is another way to incorporate this trend into your look, giving you that metal edge without overdoing it.

Glimmer in Metallic Makeup

A way to add sparkle without actually wearing a sequined, bronzed blazer is by incorporating it into your makeup.

“The word 'metallic' can be a little scary because people often think of it as really strong makeup,” says Kristie Streicher, celebrity makeup artist and eyebrow guru of the Kristie Streicher Beauty Bar, “but it can be really subtle and pretty.”

During the day, you should keep the sheen minimal. A shadow with just a metallic hint can keep you looking young, fresh and clean.

“Metallics are great because it can actually brighten the eye,” said Streicher, whose clients include Emily Blunt, Rachel Weisz and Molly Sims. “A lot of people think you have to put dark colors on for makeup to bring out the eye, but that is not necessarily the case. Metallics are nice because they can brighten since they catch light.”

Streicher recommends also keeping the color subtle, like a metallic pastel pink or cream, for daytime. Also, whether it's lunch with the girls or a day at the office, don’t use the metallic shadow all over the lid. Keep it understated by using only a liner or brushing the shadow close to the lashes, not all over the lid.

At night, forget subtlety and go for drama. Choose metallic shades that are darker, with higher pigmentation. Streicher also suggests metallic coppers for blue eyes and metallic greys and blues for brown eyes. A color everyone can wear? Neutral tones like a metallic taupe.

“Whenever you use metallic shadows, and especially for evening looks, it’s good to wet the shadow,” sys Streicher. “Metallic shadows tend to crumble because of the mica that adds the glimmer. When it flakes, it can land under your eye and make you look tired. If you wet it and create a paint, it has more shine and it wears better.”

Finish your evening look with black liner and mascara, and you're ready to go.

Read Next:

• Print this article