Jason Branigan
Jason Branigan

Jason Branigan, National Face Designer for Armani Beauty, gives us the lowdown on the latest looks for eyes and cheeks this season.

What are the eye and cheek makeup trends we should know about?

I love that we live in a time when there are so many trends and techniques happening at the same time! We are seeing a resurgence of the 90s grungy smokey eye with a more modern twist. Defined with an eyeliner and elongated and blended out to make the eyes appear larger.

Another trend we are seeing is “natural” metallic lids. Use one or two shades to illuminate the eyes and add a touch of sparkle. This is a great technique for making the eyes appear bigger and brighter and is easy to apply.

For cheeks, blush is back in a big way and it looks like it is here to stay. A flush of colour on the cheek breathes life into the skin and makes the complexion look more natural when compared with strong bronzing, contouring and highlighting which we have seen in years past.

Blush is no longer centralised to the apple of the cheek. On the runway we are seeing blush swept from the apple of the cheek up and onto the cheekbone – blended with highlighting products to really capture the cheek glow.

There are also countless TikTok beauty trends featuring strong cheek colour – over summer we saw a sun-kissed effect trending by applying blush across the cheek as well as across the bridge of the nose.

The monochromatic makeup trend is amplifying the love of colour on the cheeks by pushing the cheek colour up into the temples and across the eyes. Everywhere we look people are embracing colour in their makeup looks – with the cheek central to creating a radiant, youthful makeup expression.

Should bold cheeks be matched with bold eyes?

I always say makeup is a great way to express yourself creatively, so if you love a bold eye and a bold cheek then why not – as long as you feel confident.

There are so many amazing products out there that sometimes it can be hard to decide where to start. When pairing your cheeks and eyes, I would start with the undertone; for example, if choosing a warmer blush colour for the cheek, pair with a warm-coloured eyeshadow for a harmonious makeup look. To create more contrast or if you want to emphasise your eyes, consider pulling back on the cheek colour so that the eyes really stand out.

Should we change our eye and cheek look seasonally?

I think everyone likes to change it up seasonally. Much like fashion, as the seasons change we feel inspired to create new looks and embrace new trends. In summer everyone likes to feel bright and fresh whereas in the cooler seasons we feel more empowered to go bold, in our fashion and makeup wardrobe selections.

The biggest factors when it comes to change of seasons here in Australia is usually the temperature and humidity. In summer months, everyone likes to wear a little less. We see more natural looks, soft bronze shades and lightweight textures dressing the face. The natural makeup look is timeless and here for all seasons, but we feel more confident embracing colour and intensity in the cooler seasons.

Cheek colour is easy to wear anytime of the year but we definitely see stronger eyes in winter. As we rug up, we want to draw that attention back to our eyes. Define the eyes with a soft smoked-out liner or build intensity by choosing a couple of different shades blended on the outer corner. Finish by taking inspiration from the metallic trend and add some luminosity to the inner corner and centre of the eyelid to really make the eyes pop.

What are your favourite Armani Beauty products to achieve the latest eyes and cheek look?

Recently, relaunched, Armani Beauty Eye Tints are perfect for creating a variety of eye makeup looks with ease. The collection of 16 eye tints in matte and shimmer finishes are inspired by the textiles used in Giorgio Armani creations. The diverse shade range will complement everyone – from natural finishes, to smokey eyes and metallic hues. They’re now backed with 24h wear, an easy-to-blend formula and a precise applicator that make dressing your eyes easier than ever before.

For cheek colour, my go-to is our Neo Nude A-blush. Lightweight and buildable, the colour stays all day and gives a lit-from-within flush of colour to the complexion. I love to use a small amount of lipstick on the cheek too – Armani Beauty Lip Power shade 202 is great for that monochromatic makeup look. For those who prefer more of a matte finish, Lip Maestro shade 405 blends beautifully for a velvet-like pop of cheek colour.

As we become older, should we soften our cheek and eye makeup?

I think as we get older it is still important to embrace colour and creativity but choose the right shades and finishes for you. For the eyes, I would use brighter colours and a mid-tone eye tint to get a smokey effect, rather than reaching for a black or dark brown. This will make the eyes appear bigger and brighter. For the cheek, a blush with a warm peach or orange undertone will help brighten the complexion. Pair with Armani Beauty Luminous Silk foundation for a radiant youthful complexion.

Visit our team of Armani Beauty face designers who will be able to assist you in selecting the perfect shades to dress your eyes and cheeks.

Eyeshadows and blushes we love

Armani Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow RRP $55
Armani Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow RRP $55
Revlon Color Stay Day to Night Eyeshadow Quad RRP $26.95
Revlon Color Stay Day to Night Eyeshadow Quad RRP $26.95
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Blush RRP $65
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Blush RRP $65
Fenty Beauty Cheeks Freestyle Cream Blush RRP $35
Fenty Beauty Cheeks Freestyle Cream Blush RRP $35
Benefit Cosmetic Benedict RRP $38
Benefit Cosmetic Benedict RRP $38