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(Beauty Report Card)

Colorful Eyeshadow Is The MVP Of My Summer Makeup Routine

Go bold or go home.

June 17, 2023

colorful eyeshadows

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As I approach my nine-year anniversary of moving to New York, I realize I’ve fully adopted the lifestyle associated with those who call the city home. My coffee? The stronger the better. My leisurely walking pace? Just slightly short of a jog. My wardrobe? Eighty percent black, 15% gray and white, and 5% statement pieces. While my outfits typically lean neutral year-round save for special occasions, I like to fully lean into bright, hazy summer days with my makeup routine, specifically with colorful eyeshadows.

After months of bundling up to walk to and from the subway to get to work and shlepping groceries in subzero temperatures, everyone in New York is outside enjoying the extra hours of light with picnics in one of the parks or happy hour drinks on a patio. The energy in the air of the city come summer is inescapable, so much so that I dust off the bright eyeshadow products I simply had to have when they launched, but have yet to fully play with. And while I’m into eye makeup looks that match my sunny disposition, I’m still a New Yorker, which means time is of the essence. I gravitate towards user-friendly products that are quick and easy to to apply and unfussy.

So if you’re like me and looking to embrace color in your summer makeup repertoire, I’ve complied my favorite bright eyeshadows and tools to help you get started.

Hydro Grip Eyeshadow and Concealer Primer

Hydro Grip Eyeshadow and Concealer Primer

While my face isn’t generally oily, my eyelids get moist with a capital M. That’s where Milk’s Hydro Grip Eyeshadow Primer comes in. Before applying any eye makeup, I simply dab a bit on my eyelids using the doefoot applicator then tap it all over the area. After, I let it marinate on my skin for a few minutes before going in with whatever eyeshadow I plan on wearing. Through humid days and long nights, the primer has never let me down – it keeps my eye makeup crease- and smudge-free.

EyeWear in Macaron

Victoria Beckham Beauty

EyeWear in Macaron

Ultra pigmented and creamy, this eyeshadow stick blends seamlessly and dries down into a powder-like finish that doesn’t budge. Seriously, I wore it to an outdoor dinner party on a work trip to Marakech. The shade range consists of both neutral and statement hues in matte and shimmer finishes. I’ve become partial to “Macaron”, cotton candy pink, and I’m not the only one: it’s currently on pre-order after selling out its initial run.

VIOLETTE_FR Yeaux Paint in Violette Sauvage

Yeux Paint in Violette Sauvage

Despite being one of the world’s top makeup artists, Violette’s bold yet simple French-girl approach to eye makeup is DIY-able at home. At least, that’s what I tell myself as I attempt to recreate her Instagram tutorials. Luckily, the liquid eyeshadows from her namesake makeup line make the job easier. They offer intense pigment and enough playtime before they dry down, whether you’re adding color all over your lids or doing a graphic wing. I’m partial to “Violette Sauvage,” a sparkly rich purple she just added to the shade lineup.

Micro Palm Palette - Pastels

Micro Palm Palette - Pastels

This dreamy, ethereal palette of pastel eyeshadows comes from celebrity makeup artist Jo Baker, who’s known for her daring approach to color and shapes. Naturally, these shades offer an opaque finish and don’t fade or crease. I’ve found myself reaching for this palette more and more as the weather warms up, and simply use a brush to add a pop of color to my lids.

Shadowstick in 2002

Shadowstick in 2002

This icy-blue eyeshadow stick lives up to its Y2K-inspired name. But while it channels the frosted makeup trend of the early aughts, it does so in an elevated way that feels age-appropriate for a 30-something like myself to wear. Like the rest of Halsey’s about-face line, this product offers impressive color payoff and long wear. To apply, I swipe it on my eyelid straight from the stick and blend it with my fingertip.

Mothership IX: Huetopian Dream

Pat McGrath Labs

Mothership IX: Huetopian Dream

No one does color like legendary makeup artist Dame Pat McGrath. While all of her eyeshadow palettes offer an expertly curated mix of neutral and bold shades in matte and duochrome finishes, Mothership IX: Huetopian Dream has become my favorite assortment. The romantic pinks, browns, golds, and purples in the palette can be bold or pared down. And whatever level of look you decide on, it’ll look Instagram-worthy until you take it off.

CHROMADDICTION MATTE

CHROMADDICTION MATTE

The Euphoria effect on makeup rolls on as the experimental looks seen on the HBO series continues to inspire us all to break out of our comfort zones. Straight from head makeup artist Donni Davy’s makeup line comes CHROMADDICTION MATTE, a multitasking pigmented eye paint you can use to create your own take on avant-garde eye makeup or tip-toe into wearing bright colors by smearing it on your lids. While I’ve fully embraced trendy green manicures, my next move is playing with this chartreuse shadow this summer – I’ve already fallen in love with the brand’s other shade offerings.

24/7 Eyeshadow in Float

24/7 Eyeshadow in Float

Urban Decay is known for its blockbuster Naked Palette franchise, but the brand’s single-pan eyeshadows are not to be slept on. Case in point: The 24/7 eyeshadows, which come in matte and duochrome shimmer options. Take this turquoise color, for example. The coolness of it screams summer.

226 Medium Eye Shader Brush

MAKE UP FOR EVER

226 Medium Eye Shader Brush

While I’m partial to using my fingertips to apply eyeshadow, when I do reach for a brush, it’s always this shading one from MAKE UP FOR EVER. It’s the ideal shape and size for swiping on color and blending it out for even coverage or a diffused finish.

Forever Eye Mask

Forever Eye Mask

While many of the above eye products are liquids and creams, when I do use powder eyeshadows, I’ll slap these reusable eye masks on before doing my look. This way, I won’t have to clean up any fallout on my undereye area or cheeks.