Sophia Panych: extreme lashes
MAYBE IT’S THE FACT I’M A 1990S CHILD, BUT I’VE LONG BEEN fascinated by colourful lashes. Mascara may be a common part of the daily make-up routine, but there’s something striking and unexpected about dressing up your lashes in a way you’d normally use on your lids and lips, whether with colour, crystals, feathers or foil.
Embellished lashes pop up on the catwalk every few years, and SS24 saw the trend return at shows including David Koma and Simone Rocha. My favourite runway lash moment, however, will always be my first: backstage at Stella McCartney SS12, when make-up artist Pat McGrath painted models’ lashes a vivid shade of Yves Klein blue. Like Klein’s art, the make-up was as minimal as it was impactful – the blue lashes made even bluer when contrasted against a simple canvas of glowing skin.
In my opinion, that look at Stella remains the easiest style to experiment with. Keep the rest of your make-up pared down – groomed brows, luminous skin, blusher and tinted lip balm –and just curl your lashes and apply generous layers of a coloured mascara. I’m still partial to cobalt blue, my favourites being from Il Makiage, 3INA and (unsurprisingly) Pat McGrath Labs, but you can find options in vivid shades of purple, fuchsia and teal.
Colour may be the simplest way to have fun with your lashes, but it’s not the only one. You can apply Twiggy-like layers with your go-to black mascara, using the tip of the wand to coat each lash until they clump together. As for the more extreme runway looks involving items you might expect to find at a haberdashery, Face Lace’s foolproof make-up stickers mimic some of fashion’s most intricate and fantastical lash looks. Perfect for a night out or festival.
Keep the rest of your make-up pared down