Makeup Artists Sound Off the Most Flattering Ways to Wear Rose Gold Makeup

Start With Foundation

As counterintuitive at it may sound, celebrity makeup artist Michael Patterson says creating the perfect summer glow starts by infusing a copper or rose gold pigment into your foundation. “I love MAC Cosmetics’ Tan Pigment ($22) for a universal shade that fits most skin tones. Start by buffing a sheer veil of foundation onto the face. Next, add a small amount of pigment (less is more!) into the foundation and mix together thoroughly. Buff this mixture onto the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, forehead, Cupid’s bow and chin. This will give a subtle ‘glow from within’ that’s perfect for the summer months.” 

Layer It On

Stiles suggests using a creamy formula in place of a traditional powder shadow for her favorite way to wear the hue. “I like it softly smudged all over the lids, top and bottom, and paired with lots of inky black mascara.” This way, the focus is on the shimmer of the shade. 

Blend It Out

If you’re still experimenting with the pretty golden hue, celebrity makeup artist Molly R. Stern suggests using the color as a blending shade instead of the focal shade. “This way, it can be a finishing tone over whatever eye shadow contouring you’re doing,” she says. “It’s a perfect way to soften the edges.”

Gild Your Pout

“Metallic lips are trending, and a rose gold shadow is the perfect way to punch up that pout,” says Patterson. “Apply your favorite nude lipstick and blot with a tissue. Grab a rose gold eye shadow and use a fluffy brush to buff the color onto your lips, starting in the center and gently working outward to create a long-lasting and edgy metallic lip.” His favorite: ColourPop’s Super Shock Shadow ($5) in Weenie. “The creamy consistency works perfectly on top of traditional or liquid lipsticks.” 

Don’t Overlook Your Blush

According to Patterson, the perfect combination for your rose gold or copper eye shadow might already be right in your makeup bag. “Use a matte, warm-toned blush to incorporate into your rose gold eye look. Buff and blend the blush through the crease and brow bone, apply a rose gold eye shadow to the lid and finish with liner and mascara. This combo will give you a chic, gilded and blushed eye.” 

Less Is More

“One of my favorite ways to wear copper eye shadow is simply swiping the color across the lid,” says Stern. “Keep the rest of the eye bare except for mascara—it’s a crisp, fresh way to doll up the eye.”

Get Glowing

Instead of using your go-to highlighter on the inner corner of your eye, take a cue from Stern and opt for a copper shadow instead for a delicate way to incorporate the shade into your look. “Use it as a spot highlighter under the eye and on the inside corner. This pops open the eye and by using the rose or copper tone, delivers a great twist on a classic look.” 

Create Depth

“The shade is really pretty when popped onto the center of the lid and has a richer, slightly darker color on either side,” Stiles explains, adding that this technique is called “halo-shadow” and brings light to the eyes while creating soft depth and definition, giving the eyes more shape.