We’re not going to sugar coat it: Colored eyeshadow is difficult to pull off. But with the right shade and a few simple tricks it can be done. Case in point: this year’s Altuzarra show. Models walked the runway in stunning tangerine eye shadow and a matching coral lip. You’d think that so much color would skew clownish but it was surprisingly subtle and romantic, due in large part to the sheer application. The result is a thoughtful alternative to a bright lip. Here, our tips to pulling it off:
Tangerine Dream
Photo Credit: Getty
Pick a shade (orange or otherwise) that complements your skin and eye color. Stay away from anything too bright (no neon) and don’t be afraid to mix colors—as they did at Altuzarra— to find a hue that flatters you.
Use an eyeshadow primer to keep the eyeshadow in place. The only thing worse than migrating makeup is colorful migrating makeup. Use one formulated for long wear to avoid looking like you got into a bar fight at the end of the day.
Define your brows by filling them in with shadow or pencil. Doing this will frame your eyes and balance the wash of colorful shadow.
Choose a sheer lip color in a similar shade to your eyeshadow and apply it with a light hand. The use of similar hues actually balances the face and makes the overall look seem intentional rather than clown-like.
Keep it simple. Don’t go crazy with the rest of your face. Just use your normal base and stay away from blush or other eye-defining products. You want the effect to be ephemeral not aggressive so one swipe of brown mascara is plenty.
