Singer Adele has nailed the art of a signature beauty look: winged eyeliner and a peek-a-boo fringe. And it appears TV powerhouse Sarah Lancashire has taken note. The actress, 62, brought a gorgeous dose of Adele-worthy glamour to the Black Doves season two launch, pairing statement eye makeup with face-framing pieces and an elegant updo.
It’s a combination that feels wonderfully timeless: defined eyes, a little height through the hair and just enough softness around the forehead. While the occasion called for red-carpet polish, there are plenty of ideas here to borrow for a dinner date or a special get-together.
If you’ve become wary of wearing black eyeliner in your 60s, Sarah’s look might just tempt you to revisit it. ‘I would never underestimate the power of winged eyes, as it can be beautifully flattering on women of every age,’ says makeup artist Mikey Phillips. ‘As Sarah shows, it gives the eyes instant definition and lift, and brings much more structure back to the eyes.’
For application on mature or hooded eyes, Mikey offers this advice: ‘Map out your wing with your eyes open, not closed. Looking straight ahead in the mirror, you’ll see where the skin naturally folds. Create the flick with your eyes open so it doesn’t disappear when your eyes relax.’
He recommends Diorshow Liquid Liner, a felt-tip pen that glides on and doesn’t bleed. He’s also a fan of using Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner, which is a little easier to apply than a pen formulation. ‘Keep the line finer through the inner eye and gradually lift it outwards rather than following the eye downwards. It’s not about making the eyes look younger but more about opening them up, enhancing their shape and making them look gorgeous.’
And then there’s that fringe – a tempting option if you fancy refreshing your hairstyle without committing to a dramatic cut. ‘I love this softer take on a curtain fringe,’ says hairdresser Carol Ritchie, OSMO Ambassador and owner of Carol Ritchie Hair. ‘It’s got that lovely little opening through the middle, with wispy pieces sweeping across the forehead rather than sitting in one heavy block.’
The style also leaves Sarah’s eye makeup firmly in the spotlight. ‘With the height and side-sweeping wispy pieces, it’s bringing attention to Sarah’s eyes and gives that softness around the forehead without hiding her features.’
Considering taking a picture to your next salon appointment? Carol has some helpful advice on what to ask for. ‘This is a fab fringe if your hair is on the finer side, as you don't need loads of hair to create the shape. I’d ask your hairdresser for a soft, wispy curtain fringe with a slightly off-centre parting and longer pieces around the sides to blend into the rest of your haircut.’
There’s flexibility when it comes to styling, too. ‘Keeping a little length also means you can sweep it to the side or wear it with your hair up as Sarah has here, which I love! You want that lovely bit of volume without it looking too big or overdone. A few wispy bits falling out actually make it look better, in my opinion.’
Could a softly swept fringe and a flick of black liner become our go-to pairing for an evening out? We’re taking our cue from Sarah via Adele.
