The month of December is bringing one of my favorite colors front and center in the make-up world.  Shades of gray are popping up everywhere, focusing specifically on the eyes and nails.  Ranging in shades from smoky charcoal to shimmery silver, this palette compliments almost everyone’s skin tone.  Celebrities like Eva Longoria and Nicole Richie have been seen rocking silver and gray eyes; Katy Perry is a huge fan of nail polish in the same shades.

For an update to your day look, apply a neutral shadow in the beige family all over lid.  Then use a gray eye pencil to line eyes.  Smudge slightly.  Clinique’s Quickliner for Eyes in Slate is not only a great gray, but has a built in smudger on the end of it to make application a breeze.

To achieve a sultry night look, swap out your regular eye shadow shades with a gray palette.  Stila’s Smoky Eye Talking Palette (Stila.com for locations) Not only has amazing shades, but includes a built in recording of how to apply a smoky eye correctly.  Dior’s 5-Colour Designer All-In-One Artistry Palette – Smoky Design (Sephora.com) also captures the trend perfectly. Keep blush toned down and finish with a light pink to dark pink lip gloss, depending on skin tone.

Gray nails are a fun change from your daily norm.  From matte to sparkles, this color is a guaranteed show stopper.  Dior, Sephora Brand, OPI, Sally Hanson and most of your favorite nail polish brands will have a gray that you like.  I’m currently obsessed with Sephora brand’s Money Maker, which is the exact color of wet cement.  Find a shade that best suits your skin tone and go for it!

-Jana Gersten