Be Savvy About Color

PMM Beauty Editor, Artemis

How does a woman who is not a teenager wear color, and not look like she is trying to be a teenager? She chooses one feature and makes it pop!

I see many women walking around who misuse color trends. The makeup is unblended and there are tons of sharp lines. There is too much focus on too many features at the same time. And although, I love to see a woman who is not afraid of color, I desire (and most makeup artists do) to teach her how to wear it and look both chic, modern and youthful. Your makeup “dates” you and if I can really tell you your age, it’s because you are stuck in a rut and doing it all wrong!

Your makeup should not be “seen” as much as it should quietly make you stand out! It is not a mask for your to hide behind. It is an accessory. So how does a savvy woman wear any color trend?

Choose a feature.

Do you feel like fuschia lips? Blue eyeliner? Flushed pink cheeks? Bold green nail polish? Decide what are you focusing on today.

Nails:

I consider nail polish to be like jewelry. It is a finishing touch. It can make or break and outfit. If you are choosing a wilder color for your fingernails, then the most chic way to wear it, is with an outfit whose colors are more understated. This keeps the focus on you, and your green or purple nails a fabulous surprise.

Try: Lippmann Collection Nail Color in Happy Birthday

OPI Jade Is The New Black

Nars Tokaido Express

Now, how about your toes? If you have chosen bold colored fingernails, then try a soft, nude color on your toes instead. Your statement piece is still your fingertips.

Try: Essie Sold Out Show

OPI Chocolate Moose (great nude for darker skin)

So what about the face? Choose a feature!

Eyes:

If you just need to wear the hottest blue or purple eyeliner, then your eyeshadow colors should be softer, so that the colored liner stands out on it’s own. Stick to black mascara. If on the other hand, you want to accent your eyes with a colored eyeshadow like teal, orchid, emeral green , then keep your liner and mascara black or brown, and your highlighter color a soft fleshtone shimmery or matte shade.

Do not match your eyeshadow to your outfit. If your outfit is colorful, then soften your makeup, otherwise everything competes. If your outfit is not colorful, then play a little.

Try: Make Up Forever Purple 92

Loreal HiP Duo in Showy 224

Pop Beauty Lid Neon

Lips:

Do you desire bright bold lips of crimson, coral or fuschia? I suggest that you match your cheek color to your lip color, whether warm or cool, and apply it soft and sheer, so as to create both color harmony, but not boldly enough to draw attention away from your lips. I also suggest choosing to wear a warm or cool shade of lipstick and cheek color according to your dress or blouse. If your top is a warm brown, green, yellow, orange, then stick to warmer shades that seem to have more peach in them. If you are wearing turquoise, fuschia, purple, then choose shades that are cool with more blue in them. This creates color harmony around your face.

The right shade of lipstick, even if it is super bright will still bring attention to your eyes! So if you are going for strong lips, keep your eyes soft and pretty and focus on your lashes. Simply highlight your lid, inner corners and browbone. Add a matte midtone shade too your crease. You can very lightly tickle your lashes with either black or brown eyeliner. You don’t want to see the line. You are creating the illusion that your lashes are thicker at the base. Then go for the mascara.

Here are some examples both lip shade categories from sheer to full color!

Warm Corals?

Try: Mary Kay Liquid Lip Color in Sherbert, Chantecaille Lip Chic in Geranium, Givenchy Lip Lip Lip! Lipstick in Kiss Orange, Clarins Jolie Rouge 716 Red

Cool Brights?

Try: Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Pur in Pure Fuschia, Korres Lip Butter in Quince, Nars Lip Color in Funny Face

Awesome and cheek pallette that does not compete with your lips?

Try: Lorac Red Carpet Reveal Eye and Cheek Palette