Far from second best, cool steely shots of pewter, platinum and space-aged silver trailblazed the spring summer 2012 catwalks. From the industrial-tough flashes of silver that swept over eyelids and temples at Giorgio Armani to the sheer wisps of luminous silver greys that shimmered at Prabal Grurung, take inspiration from Osman’s use of dark pewter shades or for the fearless, the dramatic smattering of silver foil at Fendi. But if you take anything from the catwalks, it should be this – wearing shots of silver requires a colourful balancing act – heavy lids at Armani were prettified by youthful rosebud lips, and at Prabal Gurung, the eerily pale silver eye was tempered by a strong fuchsia lip.
When wearing metallics, ensure they are suitably molten by keeping finishes high-shine, textures creamy and by setting colder shades against warm, tanned skin or pink-coral tones.
Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24hour in Eternal Silver, £4.99
Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer in Diamond Geezer, £10
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Shadow Pencil in Mercury, £14
Mac Glitter Pigment Pot in Silver £16.50
Becca Jewel Dust Eyeshadow in Titania, £17
Nails Inc Nail Polish in Electric Avenue, £8.80
As our first medal in the Olympics was a silver, we love it even more > go Lizzie Armitstead!