Duo-chrome makeup is the go-to glam for this holiday season. In general, chrome makeup offers a glistening, wet-looking, shine when it’s dry. Meanwhile, a duo-chrome changes color depending on how you turn your face under light. 

The eye-catching products are available in eyeshadows, highlighters, lip glosses, and all-over pigments. So, you can choose to go for a pop of the light-reflecting product on one part of the face. Or, apply chrome on your eye, cheeks, and lips to turn into the human version of the crystal New Year’s Eve Ball that drops in New York. 

How to Apply Duo-Chrome Makeup Like a Pro

Getting the duo-chrome glow is all about how you prepare for the powerful pigment. “If you’re not prepped with the right primer, then all of your hard work will be smudged before the night is over,” four-time Emmy-nominated makeup artist, Kerrin Jackson, told 21Ninety.

The right primer for a duo-chrome look should have some stickiness to it. So, you can go for an eye primer like the About-face Shadow Fix Eye Primer or the E.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer that will prep your whole face. “Make sure you let it soak into your skin for a few minutes for maximum staying power,” the four-time Emmy-nominated makeup artist explained. 

Once your skin is prepped, apply your duo-chrome makeup as you wish. Then, be prepared to be stopped everywhere you go because people will want to know where you got your chromatic look.  

Danessa Myricks Beauty Lightwork V: I Am Palette For Eyes And Face

Danessa Myricks Beauty’s Lightwork V: I Am Palette For Eyes And Face is the ultimate chrome makeup palette. It has a mix of 18 chrome and duo-chrome colors to play with. The shades span blues, reds, purples, and greens. This palette was designed to be used all over your face. So, feel free to use it on your eyes, cheeks, and lips. 

At the Sephora event Sephoria 2023, Myricks told an attentive crowd of press and influencers that each column is its own colorstory. That means, if you need inspiration on how to combine colors, go from top to bottom for a collection of four shades that coordinate with each other. Then, as you begin to play, you can dip your makeup brush all over the palette to create custom looks. 

SHEGLAM Lunar Glow Highlighter

$5
Photo Courtesy of Shein

SHEGLAM’;s Lunar Glow Highlighter is taking over the internet. You’ve probably seen your favorite influencers swiping this green spaceship on their cheeks – like TikToker @nowloadingbella who gave herself an immediate glistening glow. 

This chrome highlighter comes in one shade that reflects blue, purple, or pink depending on how you turn your cheek. There are two ways to apply it. One method is to open the product and apply it directly to your cheeks. Or, use a makeup brush to dip into the product and swipe it onto your cheeks. 

Pat McGrath Labs Lust: Gloss – Aliengelic

$29
Photo Courtesy of Pat McGrath Labs

Pat McGrath Labs’ Lust: Gloss in the shade Aliengelic is an easy way to incorporate duo-chrome makeup into your daily beauty routine. It’s a pink-infused duo-chrome lip gloss that coats the lips in a sheer glistening shimmer. But, another way to wear this gloss is over lipstick. That way, you get even more of the light-catching effect. 

Haus Labs By Lady Gaga Eye Library Talc-Free Eyeshadow Palette

Reach for the Haus Labs By Lady Gaga Eye Library Talc-Free Eyeshadow Palette when you want one product to help you prep and apply your chrome look. When you want your chrome to really stand out, dip your eyeshadow brush into one of the matte shades and put that over your eye primer. Then, pat the chrome on top for the most shimmering impact. There are two colorways to shop. 

Make Up For Ever Star Lit Diamond Powder

Make Up For Ever’s Star Lit Diamond Powder lets you add duo-chrome from head-to-toe. Tap this pigmented powder onto your eyes, lips, cheeks, and chest to exude radiance in your own way. There are three colorways to shop that range from a snowy white to a lustrous bronze.

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