Paris Fashion Week Fall 2013 backstage beauty: Shimmering, glitter-covered eyes at Chanel

Chanel Fall 2013 backstage beauty sequin eyes
Photography by Peter Stigter
Chanel Fall 2013 backstage beauty sequin eyes
Photography by Peter Stigter

There was plenty to take in at the Chanel Fall 2013 show this morning at the Grand Palais, not to mention the giant globe centered in the middle of the runway. While everywhere you looked was an extravagant feast for the eye, our gaze was fixed upon the sequins adorning the models’ twinkling eyes.

Dramatic and artistic makeup is not new for Chanel (remember the leaf-like tulle appliqués on the eyes for the Spring 2013 Couture show?) and this spectacle stayed true to showing an innovative look. The focus on the models was a perfectly bedazzled eye, creating just enough glitter to balance the wearable with the over-the-top. What appeared to be tiny silver sequins adorned eyelids starting at the lash line and working out into a slight wing shape. Some were also glued onto the tops of the lashes for an added shimmering effect. A thin black line was penciled in under the lower lash line for definition and to give balance to the eye. The rest of the face was suitably bare, with sheer natural skin, a lightly defined brow and a light berry shade staining the lips.

Adding to the intrigue of this show was an announcement that shook the beauty world just last month: Peter Philips, Chanel’s creative director of makeup, was resigning. While he was responsible for the glittering eyes we saw today, it’s unclear how much further involvement Philips with have with the world of Chanel beauty. Reports have said he’ll stay on for runway shows, but if this was his swan song what a brilliant note to end on.

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