Nicole Kidman's makeup artist says this 'soft' eyeshadow shade is the most flattering for blue eyes
Designed to 'bring back that fresh radiance', makeup artist Gucci Westman's formula for grown-up makeup is so flattering
Finding the right eyeshadow shade to enhance your eyes is one of the oldest tricks in the makeup artist handbook – and it all comes down to colour theory.
In short, the shades that sit opposite your eye colour on the colour wheel are the ones most likely to make them stand out. For example, those with blue eyes would ideally lean towards orange-toned hues like warm bronze, soft rust, and peach.
Putting this theory into practice, legendary artist Gucci Westman pulled from a palette of warm tones to create Nicole Kidman’s makeup at the Met Gala earlier this year. The goal was to make the actress’s blue eyes even more vivid, while maintaining a soft look.
Westman used warm peachy-bronze tones from the Clé de Peau Beauté Eye Color Quad in Warm Ocean Sunset, keeping the shades “slightly rusty” to intensify Kidman’s blue eyes. This luxurious brand makes very finely milled shadows that apply smoothly, even on less-firm lids, and have a hint of iridescence.
This budget-friendly quad from No7's makeup artist inspired collection would also work a treat on blue or grey eyes. The peachy and warm-toned shades are highly pigmented, so deliver plenty of colour in just one sweep, and blend beautifully for a polished look.
If you prefer earthy tones, these all-matte eyeshadows from makeup artist-founded brand Vieve give a modern look and last extremely well, even on creased eyelids. The warm tones will create a perfect nude eyeshadow look on blue or grey eyes.
Texture also played a key role in keeping the makeup looking fresh and luminous under the bright lights of the red carpet. “I love layering, mixing creams and powders, then pressing a bit of cream back on top to bring back that fresh radiance,” Westman explains.
Using cream textures is absolutely the way to go on skin that is in need of some extra hydration and nourishment. Westman's clever combination of cream and powder is another makeup artist technique - known as sandwiching - which creates makeup that is both long-lasting and dewy-looking.
This cream blush is so easy to apply thanks to it's solid stick format, and creates a dewy, fresh-looking flush. We recommend applying it high on the cheekbone to give the face a visual 'lift' that's so flattering.
Westman revealed that she added two coats of this mascara to finish of Nicole's soft eye look, and we can see why she's a fan. This formula is designed to create lash seperation and natural looking flutter but also contains conditioning ingredients to nourish lashes.
Soft brown eyeliner along Kidman's lower lashes and a subtle flick close to the lash line created definition without the harshness that black liner can sometimes bring to mature lids. “Everything is softly blended,” says Westman, who describes the overall look as having a subtle “70s feeling inspired by Jane Birkin’s effortless femininity”.
A pretty flushed cheek complemented Kidman’s nude-pink lip combination of Lipstick Matte in Exuberant and Pink Petunia. “I also added a few soft freckles for a sense of youthfulness,” adds Westman. Together, the warm tones and diffused finishes created what Westman describes as a “natural fluidity” between the skin, cheeks, lips and eyes.
