Striking Gold.(cosmetics)

Byline: Danielle Pergament PHOTOGRAPHED BY CARTER SMITH

This winter, put your stock in goldmakeup, that is. The most brilliant shade around is now also the most versatile.

When poet Robert Frost wrote that "nothing gold can stay," he might as well have been referring to the gold-makeup trend that breezes through runway shows and makeup counters every few yearsthen fades from sight as quickly as lip gloss. But this season, as makeup artists again painted 24-karat shades along lash lines and dusted silky golden powder on cheekbones, we sensed something with staying power. "Gold isn't a passing trend anymore," says makeup artist Diane Kendal. "Since there's nothing heavy about it, the new shades blend into the skin easily and just cast a glow."

The big, sparkly flecks from the past are long gone, replaced by shiny, metallic shades that are still festive enough for a holiday partybut subtle enough even for day. "With gold makeup now, you can deepen it for more drama or wear it in the most natural way," says makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury. "It's more versatile than ever."

MIDAS WAS HERE

From the richest metallics to the faintest shimmers, eye colors, highlighters, and lip shades all hail the 79th element.

Eyes