10 tips for wearing bright makeup

Don’t freak out about wearing color on your face – the bright beauty trend is all yours!

Tip 1:

Take some time applying your base; any blemishes or redness in the skin will seem exaggerated next to shocking shades. Invest in an anti-redness primer (we love Clinique redness Solutions Daily Protective Base), as well as a good under-eye concealer to neutralize those pesky purple-tinged shadows.

Tip 2:

If you want your bright eyes to last, you’ll have to put some prep in.

The skin on your eyelids is naturally very oily, meaning eye shadow is likely to slide off throughout the day. Dabbing concealer over the lids first will help, or you could try an eye shadow primer to really grab hold of the color. Urban Decay Eye shadow Primer Potion is a firm favorite.

Tip 3:

Avoid dropped eye shadow by wetting your brush before application.

The pigment will cling to the brush, and then to your eyelid, avoiding a bright-under-eye fallout. The moisture will also intensify the pigment – It’s a win-win.

Tip 4: 

So what’s the safest way to go bright if you’re still clinging to your comfort zone?

Fuchsia lips work on most people, as long as you neutralize any redness in the skin (as mentioned in tip 1). Ease yourself in with a glossy balm; we’re really excited about Revlon Color Burst Crayon Lacquer Balm in Vivacious (available now).

Tip 5:

There are some great affordable beauty brands out there but, sometimes, investing in a quality product does pay off. High-pigment products mean you won’t have to layer on as much to get wow-inducing color. Illamasqua offer an exciting portfolio of colors in various textures.

Tip 6:

If you’re feeling brave enough for neon eyes, go all out rather than trying to soften and blend. We’re in love with the new MAC Pigments in True Chartreuse (a bright yellow / green), Neo Orange and Magenta Madness. A solid, liquid line will also make for an intentional and confident statement.

Tip 7:

Don’t try to coordinate too much with your outfit. It’s always good to team colors that complement each other (Google an image of a color wheel and take note of which shades sit opposite one another; this means they go well together). Matching your eyes to your outfit is a nice idea, but might be a bit matchy-matchy.

Tip 8:

Your cheeks might not seem like the obvious place to experiment with color, but it’s amazing what a switch of shades can do. If you tend to go for pinks, try a peach-toned blusher instead. The warmer shade will get you good-skin compliments left, right and center.

Tip 9:

If bright eye shadow is off your Christmas list, why not try colored mascara instead? And before you start picturing spidery, blue, 80s-esque lashes, hear me out! Luxe beauty brands such as Estee Lauder and YSL have been busy launching seriously wearable subtly-tinted mascaras. Try a blue to bring out the whites of your eyes (and hide your hangover).

Tip 10:

OK, so it’s easier said than done but, HAVE SOME BLIMMIN CONFIDENCE!

If you try something new and then shuffle around with your eyes to the floor, you’re never going to encourage a positive reaction from the people around you, are you? Exactly.