There was gold in them there Jardins des Tuileries, at least for one day. Just ask renowned international makeup artist Pat McGrath who launched her first product known as “Gold 001” during Paris Fashion Week on Wednesday. The gilded cosmetic which made a “sneak tease” appearance on the models of the Prada runway appears to be a highly pigmented sparkling powder which can be used anywhere on the face.
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| Prada SS2016 gold lips on the runway |
McGrath, who was also responsible for the Givenchy “face masks” and the more natural look seen at Dolce & Gabbana’s SS2016 show in Milan, introduced the gilt en plein air at the Tuileries in a Vogue InstaMeet by applying it to some famous models, celebs and lucky bystanders faces. One look at Pat’s IG confirms that this is a very versatile formula and can be used on brows, on lids, on lips, indeed anywhere on the face that you want to look “precious.”
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| CoverGirl Droid Gold Star Wars Makeup by Pat McGrath |
Interestingly I had previously seen an article in Allure about a beauty researcher trying to achieve pretty much this same effect by using several already on the market gold eyeshadows/liners. (See article) Her inspo was also from Pat McGrath’s Droid makeup look featured in the CoverGirl x Star Wars collection which hadn’t yet debuted when she took up the pre-September 4th (may the “4th” be with you!) challenge. There is evidence that McGrath has been playing with the idea of gold makeup since for over a decade now. (See article)
It seems likely that the CG gold lipstick still left something to be desired hence the debut of Pat’s signature product on Oct. 21. I’m guessing Cover Girl may have asked her to keep her gold fairy dust on the shelf (or at least in the lab) until after their product launched. You can bet your pinkie ring that the price point will skew a lot higher than the $6.99 drugstore version. See: patmcgrath.com/
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| Kim K as Elizabeth Arden Cleopatra |
“Gold 001 is a one-off, revolutionary, highly malleable formula. There is something magnificent about its pure form that leaves me breathless,” McGrath said in a press release. She also used it along with some 3D effects on a photo shoot with Kim K. as a modern-day Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra for Violet Gray
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| Edible Gold Flakes |
Curious about the toxicity of gold ingestion, I Googled and found that, 1) Amazon sells edible gold leaf (and silver, for that matter) available to purchase by the sheet and 2) non-edible gold leaf could contain copper which can be toxic in high doses. No word on what is used in this product but I’m assuming it’s been subjected to testing in order to comply. I actually own a few lipsticks of a brand that recently had some bad press over safety of ingredients (Lime Crime); confoundingly one of them is yellow (I know, WWIT!). It also ends up looking more like a white zinc oxide than a gold on the lips which is definitely not what I was going for.
After seeing Pat’s product I think I may have to go for the golden ticket, even though I’m a card-carrying cool metal lover and have tried the occasional blue, green and gray/silver lippie. I’m totally loving the idea of a two-tone effect and would continue to rock my silver jewelry for contrast although I’d be game to try it with some of my less blindingly bright gold as well.
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| Lupita Nyong’o is a Golden Girl on Vogue Cover |
Since I mentioned the upcoming Star Wars flick, how about the stunning photo of its star Lupita Nyong’o on this month’s Vogue in a warm metallic-hued Valentino Couture dress. She sports a berry lip which is ideal–as I just stated, you definitely don’t want to wear a predominately gold look with the gold makeup.
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| Gianvito-Rossi-Spring-2016 |
These Gianvito Rossi SS2016 shoes seem to have caught fire with the fashion cognoscenti–they are straight off of Linda Fargo’s Instagram and come in a black suede as well as the metallic leather.
Speaking of the Dolce & Gabbana runway: try these gold baroque sunnies on for size. Maybe for weight too as they certainly look heavy.
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| Greg Lauren Scarf |
Greg Lauren’s first womenswear collection is for Spring/Summer 2016 and features this amazing coated scarf. He showed a silver leaf version in his fall/winter menswear line.
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| Jada Pinkett Smith Photo: Getty Images |
Jada Pinkett Smith at Paris Fashion Week attended the Guy Laroche show and seemed to be living by the golden rule as she posed in a black and gold frock.
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| Guo-Pei MAC |
In terms of other makeup, MAC has a Guo-Pei line (the designer of Rihanna’s “omelette” memed cape at the Met Gala) which I would have assumed would include golden hues however they seem more like jewel tones and neutrals. We’re definitely talking more Marie Antoinette than C-3PO for this one.
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| Bella Hadid on Balmain Runway Photo: Vogue.com |
And of course, you can’t leave out Balmain at PFW when you’re talking about a gold rush. Models Gigi and Bella Hadid both graced the runway in metallic collar necklaces while Bella sported a black dress featuring an oversized gold belt buckle; a Balmain Army signature “shield” necessary to do battle on the catwalk.
As for Pat’s little pot of gold magic stardust, it will only be available for a limited time. Here’s hoping all who want one find it at the end of their rainbow; leprechaun makeup artist to apply it not included.
– Laurel Marcus
