Foolproof Ways to Pull Off Bright Makeup

Beauty

Spring is here and it’s time to add a pop of colour to your makeup routine! Here’s how to do it without going overboard.

Pick one feature to highlight

There’s a simple secret to not going overboard with colourful makeup: Be strategic with placement and balance the colour on your face. For instance, if you dust on a bright pink blush, or wear deep green eyeliner, then go understated on your lips. If you want to work a power lip, then play down brightness everywhere else — just a sweep of bronzer and coat of mascara will make your bold mouth stand out, without looking over the top.

Tips to a foolproof bold lip

The quickest way to take your daytime look to nighttime “wow!” is with a swipe of bright lipstick. But wearing one can be a little like putting on high heels: You need to be in the mood, and you must commit to it 100%. To make sure an intense matte shade stays put (and won’t look or feel dry), apply lip balm first to create a supple, moisturized canvas. Dab off any excess before layering on a coat of lipstick, blot, then put on one more. We love mark. Lipclick Matte Full Color Lipstick in Vixen for deeper complexions and mark. Lipclick Full Color Lipstick in Salsa for olive/medium skin tones.

Lipstick hack: If hot pink or ruby red lipstick seems too intimidating, then simply apply that intense shade with your fingertip, like a tinted balm. This gives you a softer — but just as eye-catching — lip stain effect.

Blend pink or peach on your cheeks

A fresh, healthy-looking flush instantly enlivens your complexion—and who couldn’t use a little of that? Which hue is for you? If your skin has yellow/olive undertones, then try a cool pink (like mark. Cheek Magnet Hook Up Blush in Pink Fast). For skin with pink tones in it, go for a warmer rose or peach (such as Rose Without Saying or One In Melon) to offset any redness. To apply, smile big, and swirl the colour over the apples of your cheeks with a fluffy brush, and voila! It’s an instant waker upper.

Get your glow on

Say buh-bye to a dull winter complexion. Bronzer is your shortcut to healthy-looking, radiant skin—no vacation needed. Remember, the goal is to look sun-kissed, not fake tanned. Here’s how to do it right: Use a fluffy brush to sweep powder bronzer on the high points of your face, where the sun hits your skin: cheekbones, temples, forehead, brow bones, and also graze the bridge of your nose and your chin. For an added layer of brightness, use the mark. Touch & Glow Shimmer Cream Cubes as a highlight on those key spots.

Define and brighten your eyes with jewel tones

Emerald green, cobalt blue, or aubergine eyeliner may sound a little out there at first. But it’s actually a subtle way to wear richly pigmented eye makeup with no danger of looking like a Vegas showgirl. The trick is to keep the line fine and really close to your lashes (this is not a dramatic cat eye). Use a tiny brush or pencil and start at the outer corner of your upper lash line, and work your way in toward the iris in short strokes. This gives you just a trace of twinkly brightness. Keep the rest of the lid nude.

Eyeliner hack: If liquid liner seems too intense, or you don’t feel you have a steady enough hand, or you just mess the line up a little bit, don’t fret! Simply smudge the liner (with mark. Dual Ended Eyeliner and Smudger Brush) slightly to create a soft-focus effect.

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