We are psyched over Shu Uemura’s latest Metallic Bouquet Metal:ink collection for Spring-Summer 2015, specifically the long-lasting liquid eyeliner that comes in 10 vibrant metallic shades: black, brown, navy, purple, red, blue, pink, green, silver and gold.

The new line is inspired by the Japanese fireworks festival Hanabi. The collection promises the right amount of sparkle and shine 24/7.

At the launch, we caught up with internationally accredited Shu Uemura makeup artist Patrick Alcober and senior makeup associates Omar Ermita and Claire Diokno. We asked them how the Metal:ink liquid eyeliner could dramatically change a woman’s everyday look.

Ermita suggested ditching one’s usual flat liner for Metal:ink’s metallic black liner to create the classic smoky eyes. The flick of silver from the liner instantly adds bold eye definition and new dimension to one’s look. It was elegant and classic, but allowed more playfulness, creating a finish that changed with the light.

No need for eye shadows

For a pop of color, Ermita recommended Metal:ink gold eyeliner, especially perfect for the warm summer days.

“It’s versatile and the color is not at all intimidating for our olive skin,” he said of the precious metallic color flattering for warmer skin tones.

Application is easy. One should just follow the lash line and apply the metallic gold liner to the lid, approximately ¾ of the eye area; it instantly brightens one’s eyes with its iridescent finish.

“The Metal:ink gold gives that added twinkle in your eyes, as an almost dewy effect, without having to use eye shadow,” said Ermita. And that’s big news for most women, who are lazy to use eye shadows.

“It can even transition from day to night; by simply changing your lipstick, if you don’t have time to work on your makeup,” he added.

Metal:ink is quite long-wearing, stands up to tears, blinks and sweat from morning to evening, he said.

Application is easy, with its flexible brush tip that gracefully glides on your eyelids with precision.

Ermita said that one could easily use the brush tip to flick on the outer corner of the eyes for that glitzy cat-eye effect. No more recurring cat-eye nightmare with this fab tool.

Ermita suggested applying a single swoosh; no need to layer, because of the high-intensity pigments. Multiple strokes would have the tendency to crack up, he warned.

Colored liners are ‘in’

For something a little daring, Diokno recommended creating a sexy cat eye by sweeping metallic red liquid eyeliner on the top lids, and applying a contrasting metallic colored liner, like a sparkling blue, on the bottom lash line. The look could be finished with soft cheeks and red matte lipstick.

“Colored liner is ‘in’ these days,” she said. “Red is actually great for daytime. For a hint of glimmer, or a demure shine, create a thinner line, anchored with a black eyeliner for a more

subtle look; and a thicker line for a sexy, dramatic effect for the evening.”

Diokno encouraged women to experiment with different eyeliner colors to find what would work and to play with contrasting colors on the top and bottom lid to make the eyes really pop and for added oomph.

Fully retro-glam

To completely rock the retro-glam cat-eyes effect, Alcober recommends playing with Metal:ink’s range of colored eyeliners. Cat eyes are universally flattering and an instant eye-lifter.

For added intensity, one could use the metallic red liner to draw a winged cat eye on the socket. Then, one could mirror this with a bright metallic blue liner, emphasizing the wing tip.

One could invert the cat-eye look with metallic green and gold eyeliners on the lower eyes; the full cat-eye effect could be completed by dusting white-gold eye shadow on the inner corner of the eyes and adding Shu Uemura Flare Eyelashes on the lower lashes.

Creating cat eyes requires a bit of practice. Alcober offered a tip:

“The easiest way to create a cat eye, lightly stretch the outer corner of your eye, then use the liquid eyeliner to neatly draw on the lash line, following the outline it creates. Extend just past the corner of your eyes, creating the cat-eyes effect.”

Now, we heard it from the ShuMasters. Clearly, colored metallic Metal:ink liquid eyeliners make up the beauty arsenal you need for this season to refresh your look and shine bright with your eyes.

Metal:ink by Shu Uemura is available at all Shu Uemura branches and boutiques nationwide: Power Plant Mall, Rockwell; Trinoma, Alabang Town Center; Shangri-La Mall; SM Makati; Rustan’s Makati.