yellow eyeshadow

America's Next Top Model's Tyra Banks is on the latest cover of little-know German magazine I Love You sporting a bouffant up 'do and bright, graphic, eye makeup. Tyra's look is a combination of 1960s mod style à la Twiggy, with a thick black winged eye and chunky eyelashes painted along her lower lashline teamed with bold yellow eyeshadow, a trend seen all over the Spring '11 runways. While her cover girl combo may a little fierce for every day wear, try either trend on its own, ensuring you maintain a neutral makeup base and subtle lip.

The key to Bianca Spender's hair and makeup look was a statue, a picture of which she sent to makeup director Nicole Thompson, who then interpreted it into the makeup look for this afternoon's show. Inspired by the curves of the statue, she gave every model a unique curve across the eye area using Wedge and Sumptuous Olive eyeshadows. The eyes were then topped off with a blend of Naked and Vanilla pigments to create a subtle shimmer, before a pop of yellow on the inner eye was applied. Nicole said that the skin was a key element to the look so the MAC team massage essential oils into models' skin to create a subtle sheen before applying Hush Cream Colour Base all over. Lance Blanchette, working for Joico, again drew inspiration from the statue, recreating its different shades in the different textures of the hair — using Joigel Firm Styling Gel in the top section for hard hold and Gloss Wax on the ends for a wet-look feel.

• Makeup: Nicole Thompson for MAC
• Look: Strong, yet delicate
• Colours: Yellow, olive green
• Key products: Wedge and Chrome Yellow shadows, Hush Cream Colour base
• Hair: Lance Blanchett for Joico
• Nails: Not a Gold Bigger, which is part of Justin Bieber's new collection for Nicole by OPI

Because we were a little, ahem, uninspired by Rachel McAdams' Berlin beauty look for the premiere of her new movie Morning Glory, we didn't pay too close attention to her London look. Our bad. Because she looked gorgeous, choosing to rock one of our favourite makeup looks of the moment: canary yellow eyeshadow. Just check out them lids! Instant sunshine and happiness. Bravo, Troy Jensen (her makeup artist). Bravo. You don't need telling twice, you've already seen it on runways of Doo.Ri, Elie Saab, Peter Som, Z by Zac Posen, Argentina Group, L.A.M.B and Toni Francesc. So come on, kids. Let's all make like Rach and take this trend sunny side up. What do you think of Rachel's look? Would you wear yellow shadow?

OK so this trend isn't new new. Back in '08 it was all over the runways of Benjamin Cho, Behnaz Sarafpour and Derek Lam but this season it's been given a more wearable edge. We spoke to Leah Lagana, Kit Cosmetics' Training Manager, to workshop the trend and see if canary yellow will work for us or whether this look is just bananas . . .

Runway inspiration: Doo.Ri, Elie Saab, Peter Som, Z by Zac Posen, Argentina Group, L.A.M.B, Toni Francesc

Celeb spots: Jessica Alba at The Tribeca Film Launch in West Hollywood, Agyness Deyn at The Prince's Trust Spring Ball in London, Charlize Theron the American Cinematheque 24th Annual Award Presentation to Matt Damon

TIP #1: With such a bright, bold colour, the best way to get into the trend is to play it safe and go for a "less is best" approach. Leah says, "Just a hint of colour can have a great effect if placed softly on the eye lids."

TIP #2: "As a general rule, matte shades are more flattering on everyone," according to Leah. That said, those afraid of the bold, crayon-like liner action seen on the Spring runways can experiment with lighter, shimmery gold shades.

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A modern take on the jet-set glamour of the '70s was the vibe for Elie Saab's Spring '11 collection with Bianca Jagger and Lauren Hutton being referenced as inspiration. The hair and makeup fitted the theme to perfection with models walking the runway with luxe blow-dries, parted off-centre, that had sexy and expensive movement at the tips, with a slight flyaway finish. Check out Exhibit A: the gorgeous Karlie Kloss (above). The makeup palette managed to combine not one, but two key trends that we're seeing this season: bright eyeshadow and a statement inner V, both courtesy of the punchy jade yellow shadow that was applied on the inner brow bone downwards. I also loved what I'm calling the "Spring Smoky Eye" — a light dusting of brown shadow on the outer corners of the eye. Such a gorgeous look for Spring.

Looks like Doo.ri wasn't the only one singing "Turn around bright eyes" at NYFW. The models at the Peter Som Spring 2011 also got a dose of vibrant colour on the lids: in the shape of neon yellow. Tom Pecheux created the look using MAC Pro Acrylic Paint mixed with MAC Pro Chromaline in Super Yellow, which he then applied in a thick line across the lid. If the look is a little too out-there for you, Pecheux recommends wearing "your black eyeliner with a yellow shimmery shadow, or a yellow eyelid lined with some black." The yellow just serves to add a little fun, flirtiness and sunshine to your look. It was worn with beachy waves and khaki nail polish, confirming that it's the shade of the season. Cue Le Vernis Khaki Vert purchase.

I wanted to get the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards out the way before we get deep down and dirty in all the hottest makeup trends for Spring 2011. So 'scuse me while we do a few flashbacks to get you up to speed. Doo-Ri Chung's spring collection was a soft blend of whites, vanillas, and baby blues — and the makeup was subtle and perfectly pastel to match. "We decided the makeup would be colourful, but in a washed-out way," lead makeup artist Tom Pecheux explained. In going for a monochromatic look, Pecheux focused on sheer, transparent colour. Models wore only a very light application of MAC Skin & Body foundation, no mascara, and nothing on their eyebrows. But for the eye makeup, he applied five shades of shadow. Vanilla cream shadow was all over the lid, with concealer applied to the inside corners. MAC's Derailed and Ochre shadows were blended on the lid to mute their intensity and on the centre of the lids, a dab of mustard and orange shadows added a hint of colour. To "erase" lips, Pecheux applied the vanilla cream shadow, then put a bit of the mustard shade to the centre of the lips to make them come alive. Right before the show, he added clear gloss to eyelids.

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