Colorful makeup is on a trend right now—whether it’s blue lipstick or neon eyeshadows, people are having a bit more fun with their face paints and moving away from traditional neutral looks—though those are still great, don’t get me wrong.
But cracking the key to wearing colored eyeshadow and bolder shades of lipstick can be tricky, as you don’t want to bring back the blue eyeshadow of the 80s or appear too matchy-matchy. The easiest way to choose color that will look good is to follow the color of your outfit—after all, if the color of your shirt looks good on you, why can’t it work for your makeup? So, here are some tips to help you pull off matching your makeup to your clothes:
- You don’t need to match shades exactly. If you did that, you’d need an endless supply of eyeshadows, eyeliners, and lipsticks. It’s easier to pick a shade that is in the same color family as the color you want to match. I tend to use shades of similar colors to create a blended smoky eye. For most of the eye, use an eyeshadow that is paler than your outfit, with darker or bolder shades used either on the outer edge and crease, or a brighter color on the lash line.
- You don’t have to match the main color in your outfit. Accent colors are also important, and the right makeup look can help bring them out. Try picking out a more subtle color woven into a pattern of a fabric and see if you can incorporate that into your lip or eyes. It will make that specific color pop, and can be a great way of pulling an entire look together.
- You can also choose to match accessories, not just clothes. Metallics are great choices for makeup, as they’re neutral, fun, and go with almost any outfit. They’re also easy to transition for a day-to-night look. Adding a gold eye can draw attention not only to your pretty face, but also highlight the matching jewelry you’re dying to show off. Silver works great too, as it can easily be incorporated into a dramatic smoky eye for an edgier look.
- For an everyday look, don’t overdo it. Wearing matching lipstick and eyes along with a colorful outfit can be a bit much for daily wear, though it’s fine for going out. Pinks, reds, and neutral colors on both eyes ad lips at the same time will give the impression of a flushed, heathy look. These will work perfectly neutral but colorful look that will work for work and play. Otherwise, choosing a dramatic eye and dark lip will be too intense for daytime.
- You don’t need to stick to just one color at once. Of course, the colors you’re using should go together. Using a palette makes things easier, because the shades in them are meant to mix in appealing ways. You can also go for different eye and lip colors that complement each other, or try something like an ombré eyeliner, where two shades are blended together.
Playing with your makeup is fun, and matching it with your outfit is an easy way to experiment. So don’t be afraid of bright, fun colors when you’re getting ready for the day!
