While the ubiquitous eyeliner has been known to reign over statement eye makeup looks at the runway, we saw eyeshadow — and even lashes — take centre stage at the Paris Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2017 shows instead. From rainbow eyeshadows to lash masks, we highlight some of the key looks presented at the fashion capital this year.

Rainbow eyeshadow

Chanel Paris Haute Couture F/W17 © Patrick KOVARIK / AFP

As models walked down in sombre shades of navy, grey and black for Chanel’s Fall 2017 Couture show, their multicoloured eyeshadow considerably lifted the atmosphere in the Grand Palais. Using the models’ eyelids as her canvas, makeup artist Shelley Blaze swept a palette of vivid hues such as russet, cerulean, green and ochre in watercolour-style layers. Her palette of choice? Chanel’s very own ombré première eyeshadow collection, of course. To achieve the look off the runway without looking garish — or too much like a parrot, for that matter — trade the rainbow spectrum for the tones of no more than three analogous colours (such as blue, navy, and violet). This harmonious palette will add just the right amount of vibrancy to your day look, while a glitter shadow alternative can glam up your night just as effectively. For special occasions, keep it classy like the Chanel models, whose looks were completed with only a hint of makeup on the rest of their face and their hair pulled back into twisted ponytails, neatly tucked into bun nets.

Eye-popping hues

While Chanel had an indiscriminate palette that made use of a variety of colours, two other designers utilised the power of single hue to make a bold statement at their shows. The makeup looks on Xuan’s models was mainly characterised by the sunny orange shadow that was smudged in a halo around their eyes and went up to their brow bones. For a look where picking the right hue is essential, the sunshine shade was a good call. The models’ pale complexions were given a spark of radiance; any darker a shade would have made them look more grunge instead. Over at Galia Lahav, makeup artists made the case for eye-popping makeup with a daring electric blue winged eyeliner. Paired with an equally bold ruby red lipstick, models exuded more of a rockstar energy than the elegance demanded by their grand gowns. However, with makeup as flawlessly executed as theirs, that can easily be excused.

Spidery lashes

Although English model Twiggy is synonymous with the popularity of doll-like lashes in the swinging 60s, Paris had its fair share of icons from that era — such as Brigitte Bardot and Anna Karina — who were equally well-versed in the art of perfect eyelashes. This Paris Haute Couture season saw the fashion capital reclaim the trend at the Iris Van Herpen show. With little else on their faces, the models at the avant-garde master’s show donned spidery fake lashes that highlighted the windows to the soul. Of course, pretty never goes out of style, and the look can easily be recreated with multiple coats of volumizing mascara — especially along the lower lashes. Julien Fournié also offered its own interpretation of the babydoll lashes in the form of feline, spiky lash masks that framed the eyes — a look that reminded us that some things can only exist in the imaginative world of couture.