Ahh, summer. The season of sun-kissed skin that barely even needs makeup and salt-air tousled hair that hardly calls for all the texturizing products we rely on in the colder, beachless months. But there is one thing about the less-than-sunny season we miss: sparkles. To be more specific, by sparkles we mean glitter, metallics, you know, the serious shimmer. Luckily, we've found a way to get our summertime sparkle fix. The key is subtlety. We'll shelve the plum metallic smoky eye (for now) and sport just a sliver of shimmer instead. Professional makeup artist Tara Shakespeare for Contour Fossa helped us whip up this sophisticated and seasonally appropriate eye makeup look.

1. Eyelid primer is always important for keeping your eye makeup where you want it, but it's especially necessary in the summer. So prep the entire eyelid and create an even base with a light layer of a waterproof primer like Lancôme Aquatique Waterproof Eyecolour Base .

2. Let the primer soak in for a few moments before applying black eyeliner. To get the thin line and slight wing, use a small angled brush and the long-lasting eyeliner of your choice. Gel formulas like Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner are perfect for creating winged liner looks that stay put.

3. Be sure the black eyeliner has dried before moving on to the sparkle. With a clean angled brush, add a line of Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Metal in Silver Strike just above the black line. Start about a quarter of the way in from the inner corner and use short strokes to avoid mistakes. For a little extra twinkle, extend the metallic shade ever so slightly past the black wing.

Quick Tip: Eyelashes get sprinkled with silver? Pinch a bit of black mascara between your thumb and index finger and then pinch the silver lashes.

Do you swear of sparkles in summer months? Or would you try just a sliver of shimmer? Tell us below.

Hair and Makeup: Tara Shakespeare for Contour Fossa

Model: Melanie Thompson