Welcome to Skin Deep with Louise McSharry, my opportunity to put years of obsessing over beauty products and techniques to good use. I won’t tell you something is good if it’s not. I won’t recommend products I haven’t actually tried. As the magical sitar in Moulin Rouge said, I only speak the truth.

As I’ve written about here previously, the summer is a great time to lighten up your product. It’s hard to get pumped about layering on makeup when you’re sweating when you get into the shower and somehow when you get out. Fortunately I’ve found a new way to maintain my sense of glam with ease. Sparkly ease.

At the moment I’m all about a glowy face and a fresh, pretty sparkly eye. It’s quick and easy to achieve thanks to the excellent range of product available, and won’t break the bank if you’re smart about what you buy.

Obviously you can achieve a sparkly, sheen-y eye with lots of different products, but for this quick and easy look I’m all about liquids. Stila started the trend for sparkly liquid eyeshadows with their Magnificent Metals range.  Their Foil Finish Eyeshadows are a cream to powder shadow which comes in a little round pot. At first glance, they look like regular eyeshadows, but the secret is that they come with a little vial of liquid which, when mixed with the shadow creates a sparkly, high impact liquid. The bad news is they’ll set you back €44. The good news is that there’s an excellent dupe available.

Makeup Revolution is a British brand I’ve frequently mentioned in this column, because it’s incredible value for money. Their Flawless Foils range is very, very similar to Stila’s Magnificent Metals. Some might say they’re a direct rip-off. I’m not saying that, but some might.

The primary difference is that Makeup Revolution’s version is €5.99. It too, comes in a little pot with a vial of liquid, and while the packaging isn’t as nice, the finished product is very similar indeed (I’m wearing Rose Gold in this article’s accompanying image).

If the idea of mixing up a liquid shadow seems like too much faff, the good news is that there are simpler options. Stila continued the trend with their Shimmer & Glow and Glitter & Glow liquid eyeshadows. They come in a tube with a lipgloss-esque applicator and are much simpler to apply. These guys will set you back €29, however there are other options which are much less expensive. Glossier’s Lidstar is a lighter formula with less impact, but still a lovely option if you’re not into ‘BLAM!’ style shadow. It lasts well and doesn’t crease, drying quickly on application. It’s €18 and comes in six colours.

My favourite budget product for this look, however, is Wet n’ Wild’s Liquid Catsuit eyeshadow range (stockists here). These come in a great colour range and give buildable sparkle. I love the dark sparkly shades for a wet-look black eye and the light shades for some pretty sparkle. They dry quickly, don’t crease and last brilliantly. And they will only set you back FIVE FIFTY. Where. Would. You. Get. It?

The key to using this kind of product in my experience is to lash it over the lid right into the inner corner of your eye, one eye at a time, and then very quickly blend the edges with a fluffy eyeshadow brush.

You have to get in before it sets, otherwise you end up with harsh edges. Then, if you want to, you can buff another shade in the crease. I generally use a little of whatever bronzer I’m wearing to add a little depth. That’s it, though. If you want to you can add a little flick of liquid eyeliner or lashes or whatever you’re having yourself, but if you don’t have time or feel like it, it’ll look glamourous and complete as is.

I like to pair this kind of eye with glossy, highlighted skin, a touch of blush and a matte lipstick. I find anything glossy or shimmery on the lips is too much with a glossy, shimmery eye. In my opinion, a matte lip balances the glossy eye perfectly and keeps it looking grown-up and sophisticated.

New Product

I’m scared of fake tan. Like, terrified. I hate the biscuit smell, and the potential for streaks and scaly, dirty skin as it wears off puts me off entirely. However, I have been convinced to give it a go again by a new product on the market, Isle of Paradise tanning water. People are raving about this vegan, organic, cruelty-free brand, and their promise to give a real-looking, streak free tan. It also claims to colour correct, balancing any orange tones and leaving you with your ‘best glow ever’. I’m going to give it a lash and report back – watch this space!

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