8 Crazy Makeup Trends You (and I) Can Actually Pull Off
When I was 5, I had a few "naughty" behaviors: chasing boys and skinning my knees, stealing candy at the checkout line, and getting into my mom's makeup stash.
I've obviously grown up since then, and, yes, I now pay for my candy, but my obsession for getting into all the makeup I can certainly didn't fade -- with one caveat; I only really like "safe" colors. I can never have too much peach-colored lip gloss and you'll find 10 subtly different pale pink nail polishes in my bathroom cabinet. And while I'm perfectly happy in my beige/pink comfort zone, every season, I stare in unadulterated envy at the Fashion Week models decked out in the newest crazy makeup colors that I just know wouldn't look right on me.
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And this flurry of shows wasn't any different. Wild, fluorescent orange eyeshadow and purple lips looked amazing on the glamazons, and again, I lived vicariously through their brazen nonchalance before returning to the 15 different permutations of beige eyeshadow in my drawer. That's when I came across an old picture of my half naked 5-year-old self, sitting at my mom's vanity with a streak of lipstick across my face, which made me wonder, when had I become so boring? I decided right then and there to forge a change. I called celebrity makeup artist David Maderich and Nars National Makeup Stylist Janice Daoud to see just how I could go about adopting some of the "wild and crazy" colors that are so hot for spring. They assured me that everyone can wear the bold makeup seen on the runways -- it's all in how you wear them.
Move over black, there's a new "it" color in town, and it's not going anywhere (at least until 2013). The authority on color, Pantone, just named tangerine orange the "Color of the Year" for 2012. Pantone says the vibrant reddish orange is both "exotic" and "friendly." And the best part: the sunset hue is flattering on all skin tones. See Daoud's tips on how to make the candy hue more wearable.
For fair skin tones: Choose a bright orange-red lipstick, like Nars Semi-Matte Lipstick in Heat Wave, $24.
For medium skin tones: Opt for a more burnt orange color, like Dior Rouge Dior Lipcolor in Blazing Red, $32.
For darker skin tones: Look for a blue-based orange, says Doud. Try Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick in Raven, $30. Bonus: "Since a matte lip can be a bit tricky, start with a gloss, like Nars Velvet Gloss Pencil in Happy Days, $24, and work your way up to a lipstick," says Maderich.
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If you're imagining a Tropicana bottle on your lids right now, we understand why you'd be turned off. But Doud says wearing orange-based hues on your lids can make blue eyes pop and accentuate brown eyes as well. Plus, there is a way to wear the runway trend without looking like you belong in the juice aisle. Here's how:
For fair skin tones: "Creamsicle shades of orange look great on fair skin, and especially make blue eyes pop," says Doud. Try Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow in Rust Orange, $19.
For medium skin tones: Choose a more coral hue, meaning more pink mixed in with the orange for medium skin tones. Try Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow in Orange Coral Matte, $19.
For darker skin tones: Wear a bright tangerine shade (try Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow in Tangerine, $19), which will stand out against darker skin. "The key is to layer; start with a sheer application and add that bright pop of color onto the lid or into the crease and finish with a sweep of bronzer on your face for a sun-kissed glow," says Doud. Bonus: To make sure the shadow is the focal point of your makeup, keep the rest of the face neutral with a coral-hued blush and a creamy nude lipstick.
Before you freak, hear us out -- and believe us when we say this hot trend isn't reserved for glamazons. Even if you've never strayed from the pink lip realm, Maderich says purple isn't too far of a leap -- and it can actually be flattering. Here's how to do it right:
For fair skin tones: The paler you are, the more you'll want to lean toward a wine-purple, merlot color. Maderich says going sheer is a great way to wear the hue without letting it overpower your skin. Try Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, $15 -- it goes on sheer but still gives a gorgeous color.
For medium skin tones: Try a pale purple that's almost lavender, like Nars Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Born This Way, $26, says Daoud. "You can wear it on top of lipstick or on its own."
For darker skin tones: "The deeper the skin, the more blue-based the purple should be, so that your skin doesn't look ashy," says Maderich. Try Dior Dior Addict Lipstick in Mysterious Mauve, $30. Bonus: Make sure you thoroughly cover any under-eye circles and blemishes when wearing a purple lip. "Anything purple will make the red in your skin stand out," says Maderich.
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Just swapping your black eyeshadow for blue is an easy way to punch up your makeup look. And, "blue eyeshadow looks great on every skin tone," says Daoud. Maderich loves Nars Matte Eyeshadow in Outremer, $24. "I've used it on everyone from pale-skinned blondes to dark chocolate skin tones." So what's the secret in wearing this bright hue? "If you're going to wear it, you should own it." Which means you should pack the shadow onto your lid. "You don't want to go wishy washy with this color. Just make sure to blend it to get a smooth finish," says Maderich.
For fair skin tones: You can use the eyeshadow as an eyeliner by wetting your brush, and winging it out. Or use a colored eyeliner like Urban Decay Glide-On Eye Pencil in Electric, $19.
For medium skin tones: Apply bright blue eyeshadow on your upper lid, then smudge the shadow under the eye for a softer look.
For darker skin tones: For an edgier look, you can wear a taupey-colored shadow on your lid, then put the bright blue shadow in your inner corners, where you would normally put a highlight. The bright color will make your skin look radiant, says Maderich. Bonus: Make sure to have beautiful, flawless skin if you try this trend. "Pack on the blue shadow, apply lots of mascara, then keep the rest of the face pretty nude," says Maderich. Do a taupey-colored cheek and lip, and Maderich says "you'll look hot."
Green eyeshadow is a gorgeous color that looks great on any skin tone, says Maderich. And, if worn correctly, it will help your eye color pop. "A bright shade of green can look cartoonish on a lot of women," he says. The key to make the hue wearable is to mix the green with some gold eyeshadow. Check out his tips on how to wear the color:
For fair skin tones: Do a true bright shade of green (like Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow in Apple Green, $19), which will look great against pale skin and blonde hair. The key is to wear a lot of black mascara, and to keep the rest of the face bare.
For medium skin tones: Use a muted shade of green with gold flecks in it, like Napoleon Perdis Ultra Pearl Eye Shadow in Golden Khaki, $18. This will be more flattering for warm undertones.
For darker skin tones: Use an olive green color, which Maderich says will "look gorgeous against your skin." Try Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow in Olive Green, $19. Apply a heavy black liner to help define your eyes. "When you put bright color on darker skin, you tend to lose the shape of the eye, so it's nice to provide extra definition with the liner." Bonus: "Green is such an overpowering color, so it's best to keep the rest of your face nude. You could do a sheer gold lip gloss, which would be nice and kind of punchy," says Maderich.
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"A pop of fuchsia is perfect for everyone," says Daoud. But you also don't want to look like you're going to Studio 54 at noon, so "make sure to use just a touch of the color on the apples of your cheeks," says Maderich. We recommend Make Up For Ever Powder Blush in Neon Pink, $19. Want to know the best way to wear this color based on your skin tone?
For fair to medium skin tones: Apply a light application of the color on the apples of your cheeks for a slight flush, says Maderich. If the fuchsia is still too bright for your taste, apply a translucent powder on top to soften the edges of the color.
For darker skin tones: Opt for a darker fuchsia and do a heavy application of the color. Try MAC Powder Blush in Frankly Scarlet, $20. "I love this color -- it's kind of a disco look," Maderich says. Bonus: For light to medium skin tones, apply a paler shade of fuchsia on the lips, says Maderich. And for darker skin tones, do a matching fuchsia hue on the lips. Pair it with a neutral, taupey eye. "For a night look, do a slight cat-eye to punch it up," he says.
While wearing fuchsia-colored apparel may seem more appropriate at a resort, Maderich says fuchsia is not only a great lip color that can be worn all year round, but is also flattering on all skin tones. Plus, it's the easiest of all the color trends to pull off. Here's how to wear it:
For fair skin tones: Wear a pink-based fuchsia lip color or stain, and dab it on your lips. Try Dior Dior Addict in Rose Shocking, $30.
For medium skin tones: Wear a bold, true fuchsia color, like Nars Lipstick in Funny Face, $24, which is a neutral fuchsia. "Blue-based fuchsia tends to look garish on medium skin tones," says Maderich.
For darker skin tones: Opt for a richer color, like MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Love Forever, $17. Bonus: If you feel like the fuchsia is still too bright for your lips, try a sheer formula like Lipstick Queen Supercalifragilipstick in Fuchsia Fete, $24.
Like we said, this sunny hue isn't going anywhere, and its final appearance is on your cheeks. Coral orange can be worn by one and all, and it'll quickly warm up your skin -- just make sure you don't use the color on all your features at once. Maderich shares more:
For fair skin tones: Wear a see-through, coral orange that has more pink undertones, like cantelope, says Maderich. Try Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Color in Lush Nectarine, $24. "A girl with fair skin can look like a jack o' lantern if orange isn't worn properly," he says. "Make sure you apply just a whisper of it. Smile into the mirror and put a puff of the orange high on the apple of the cheek."
For medium skin tones: Wear a pale sweep of a tangerine orange color. Maderich says to apply the blush with a big fluffy brush so that you only get a wash of it. Try Nars Blush in Taj Majal, $28.
For darker skin tones: Wear a bright orange like Make Up For Ever Powder Blush in Tangerine, $19. Bonus: "Match your cheeks with a pale coral, peachy mouth," says Maderich. "You still want the mouth to coordinate with the cheeks but you don't want it to be too matchy matchy, which will look tacky. But at the same time, you don't want to go too nude, which will wash you out." For a night out, try wearing a touch of gold eyeshadow on the inner corners of your lids, then wear a taupey eyeshadow base on the lids with heavy mascara. "Gold looks beautiful with all shades of orange," he says.
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