Metallics are everywhere this spring, in fashion, shoes, accessories and even on eyes. Adding a little metallic shine can be as easy as adding a belt, silver or gold shoes, a handbag. Why not add a little electrifying metallic glow to your face as well with the shimmer and shine of a metallic eyeshadow?

Revlon’s Molten Metal Liquid Eyeshadow comes in some great subtle metallic shades as well as the expected gold and silver. I love the names they have given the color choices: Gold Digger, Bronze Bomber, Copper Crush, Platinum Pinup, Scene Steeler and Tarnished. These luminous colors give metallic shine without being glitzy or obvious but definitely draw attention.

The liquid formula is easy to blend and more than one shade can be worn at once to create depth. The pigments mix in a crytal clear liquid when you shake the tube. Application is simple and because it’s a liquid, easier to control than powder shadow.

My favorite right now is Tarnished, a light gold-brown that has the appearance of buffed brass, not too shiny but with a definited metallic look.

Molten Metal Liquid Eyeshadow is one of the products in Revlon’s Limited Edition Collection.

I was anxious to try my new Physicians Formula Baked Collection wet/dry eyeshadow. There’s something about mineral makeup, a certain shimmer and shine that naturally attracts the eye. I had looked at this item a few times in the store before I finally plunked down my $7 for a trio of shimmering colors in a collection called Baked Sugar. This selection features a pinkish color, one that is a darker pinkish brown and a whitish highlight shimmer.

First let me say that either dry or wet, the product applies nicely, feels smooth and soft on and does produce a lot of shimmer. When applied dry, I thought it wore off too easily and had less staying power than when applied wet.

Perhaps I bought the wrong shade collection but I was disappointed that the color didn’t stay true from container to application, looking much lighter and less rich after it was on my eyelids. Also - wet or dry - the two darker colors really didn’t look any different after application. I even tried applying both colors next to each other on the back of my hand and was unable to distinguish one from the other. So much for a darker color to create shadow in the crease. The lightest shade, white, was distinct from the other two but the least likely to be used on a daily basis.

There are darker shade trios in the Baked Collection line that might perform better but I am loath to try them after this experience. I gave the Baked Sugar trio to my daughter. The light pinkish shimmer will suit her young face much better and because of the natural and hypoallergenic formula, I won’t have to worry about it irritating her eyes or skin.

The temptation to use too much brown or beige with brown eyes should be avoided. Earth tones can be fine if they are vibrant and rich and not overused. If you’ve been using browns because you want a natural look, you may find that using beige or true browns will only help your eyes disappear into your face and give you a naturally tired look.

If you have brown eyes don’t think you are limited to brown shades. Purple is wonderful on brown eyes, as well as plums, mauves and even some pinks. But if you want to make a statement, wear blue.

Blue can make brown eyes “pop” if you know what you are doing. What you don’t want to do is match your eyeshadow to your eye color. Eyeshadow is about enhancing your eyes, not hiding them.

Getting the Blues:

L’Oreal Colour Fresco in Blue Splash and Snowflake. Use both to create dimensioned look. The colour glides on for all day shimmer.

Max Factor’s MAXeye trio in Gypsy Moon.

Maybelline’s Expert Wear Eye Shadow Trio in Blue Slate.

Color for eyes has never been more popular. Dramatic blues, greens, purples and pinks are back in style. Eyeshadow is no longer trying to hide and blend.

L’oreal has just introduced a loose powder, luminous eye shadow that creates a shimmering, glimmering look. The powder can be applied lightly in some areas and layered in others to create dramatic color and highlights. Use more than one shade to enhance the look. Some of the shades employ a metallic shimmer. Beam is an earth shade with a hint of silver and my favorite, Limelight, combines green with gold. The colors are iridescent and all about being noticed.