Rock Bold Lips and Bright Eyes

Colour blocking is this spring’s hottest look.  From Camilla Belle, to Rihanna and Katy Perry, everybody (and we mean everybody) is doing it.  But if you’re worried about looking like an oversized lollipop, we’ve got the solution.  Turn it down a notch (size-wise, not colour-wise) and rock bold lips and bright eyes instead.

Here are some tips to working the bright and bold colour trend for your eyes and lips.

Bold Juicy Lips

Reds, oranges, hot pink and fuchsia - anything bright and juicy will help create a sexy springtime pout. Top it off with a splash of gloss to get the guys (and girls) drooling or choose a matte finish to really attract attention.

To keep your lips the focus of this look, opt for a natural flawless complexion and emphasise your lashes using black mascara.

Pinks:

Hot pink lips can seem a little scary and images of Barbie may even come to mind, but this colour actually works well when paired with (cool toned) pale to medium skin tones and lighter hair. With Fuchsia, if you have fair skin, opt for a bright true tone in this shade and for those with darker complexions choose a deeper magenta.  Fair skin with a pinkish undertone will suit blue-based pinks and for those with a yellow/golden undertone but with light skin should opt for yellow-based pinks. Dark skin will suit blue-based reds and pinks and tanned skin will work beautifully with corals and reddish pinks.

Reds:

Red lipstick is universal and works well on all skin tones, but a deeper shade with a blue undertone is best suited to those with pale complexions. Brick red is a popular colour at the moment and those with fairer skin should opt for a matte shade. For medium skin tones opt for a shade with orange rust tints, and darker skin will suit true brown red or a colour with a deep earthy orange based tone. For something brighter, medium toned and tanned skin will suit bright fire engine red.

Oranges:

A matte based orange lipstick is best suited to warmer skin tones or those blessed with a natural tan. Orange also has the ability to work beautifully with porcelain skin. Orange brings out the warm tones so the darker your skin colour, the more your complexion will shine from the contrast in shades. Tanned skin will suit pumpkin-orange and reddish-orange based colours, while fair skin with pink undertones will suit pinkish-orange colours, like tangerine.  Light skin with a golden undertone will rock yellowish orange based shades.

How do you know if you have cool or warm toned skin?

Cool Toned: You may have blue veins and your skin has reddish or blue undertones.  You look stunning in soft pastels, aquatic blues, emerald green and canary yellow.

Warm Toned: You have green veins and your skin has a yellow undertone.  You look amazing in golds, earthy greens, mocha and orange.

Bright Eyes

From orange and yellow to green and blue and purple and pink, bold eye shadows are all the rage. Just like the bold lips trend, a natural base is best, but it’s time to be a little daring and try colour blocking?  You’ll fall in love.  We promise.

Make your eyes really pop by applying your favourite bright colour, line the top lash line of your eyes with black liquid eyeliner and then finish with a coat of black mascara. Add some false lashes for a more dramatic effect!

Apply some tint/lipstick to your lips in a reddish, orange, coral or pink shade (definitely one that compliments your eyes.)

Tip: Highlighting your lips and eyes will work best for evening rather than daywear.

What bright colours will work best for your peepers?

Brown Eyes: Turquoise, Hot Pink, Royal Blue, Tangerine, Lime Green.

Green Eyes: Burgundy, Watermelon, Lavender, Bright Purple, Forest Green.

Blue Eyes: Burnt Orange, Fuchsia, Plum, Turquoise, Tangerine.

Hazel Eyes: Apricot, Dark Green, Pale Yellow, Lime Green, Pink.

Grey Eyes: Spring Green, Purple, Violet, Peach, Teal.

Be bold, daring and fearless and you won’t regret it.  Or maybe you will, but you’ll never know until you try it.

Written by:

Karli Emma Smith is a Melbourne based makeup artist, currently studying Freelance Magazine Writing & Editing.  With a passion for all things fashion, beauty and entertainment related, and a particular interest in the lifestyles of the rich and famous, Karli is also interested in health and fitness and enjoys baking, cooking, and getting outdoors for big walks/jogs.  She loves spending time with her family and friends and can’t imagine a life without magazines and media!