The Key Beauty Trend from the Oscars

Red carpet makeup is typically of the tried-and-tested glamourous variety that shows off a hyper-groomed and polished version of actresses and celebrities. Gorgeous yes, but dare we say it, a little safe? 

At this year's 88th Academy Awards, we were pleased to notice a beauty look that was more playful and slightly more daring. We're talking about a new take on the statement eye using standout colours like emerald, silver and shimmery taupe. Paired with a matte lip, up-and-coming actresses Rachel McAdams, Sophie Turner and Saoirse Ronan showed off the best examples of this beauty trend.

1. Start with an eye primer and apply on clean skin to create a perfect long lasting base. We like Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Wheat, which is a great nude base primer that sets itself. Apply with applicator directly onto eyelid and pat in with your finger all the way up to your brow bone.
2. To achieve the smokey, Oscars-inspired look, start with sweeping the light nude shadow from Laura Mercier's Paris After the Rain Eye Shadow Palette all the way up to the brow bone. Then use a medium toned shadow all over the lid, slightly blending in the crease with a blending brush. 
3. Line the lash line with a kohl pencil; we recommend Guerlain's Eye Pencil in Black Jack. Smudge the pencil along the lash line of your top and bottom lashes.
4. To set the kohl pencil, choose any of the dark shimmery tones. The deep blue will make any eye colour pop by smudging it with a pointy smokey eye brush along the lashes. Build it up slowly until your eyes are smouldering but well blended.
5. A true smokey eye needs liner in the water line; apply evenly on both the top and bottom water lines.
6. Finish with a false lash-effect mascara, like Estee Lauder's new Sumptuous Knockout Defining Lift and Fan Mascara, for a feathery lash to enhance the smokey look, spending time zig-zagging the wand at the root of the lash for the ultimate full lash effect.