Floating liner, glossy lids, fluffed up brows – some makeup trends are easier to achieve than others. And when it comes to trends, bold swipes of colour are no doubt on the intimidating end of the spectrum…but it turns out, they don’t have to be. With blue being the colour of the season, Newby Hands, Global Beauty Director at NET-A-PORTER explains why the colour is easier to use than you think and so much more versatile.
“Classic blue is the [colour] of the year in 2020,” says Hands. “Blue is bold, brave and fun.”
“When it comes to bright colours like blue, [it’s] not about skin tones or eye colours…[Take] Rihanna, Lupita Nyong’o and Sophie Turner [as examples], regardless of their skin and eye colour, the blue eye products help intensify their look.”
If blue seems terrifying and minimal makeup is your go-to (cause, same), “colourful liner is an easy way to add to your look. Line your lower lash line in the same or lighter shade to make your eye colour stand out,” explains Hands. Alternatively, “gently tapping on a bold eyeshadow shade to the corners of your eyes can provide a subtle hint of [colour]…Or simply swap your eyeliner for an exciting fun colour.” When it comes to day-to-day looks and incorporating the colour of the moment, “make it bold, not pastel – I would wear it as a liner,” explains Newby. “Also, a deep navy blue smokey eye looks so beautiful instead of the usual black.”
If you’re looking to up the ante in real life (or for a killer TikTok transition), Hands recommends “mismatched eyeshadow colours” as an up-and-coming trend to try. “[Choose] two bold shades from opposite ends of the [colour] spectrum, like blue and orange,” she says. Or, more similar colours “like lavender and baby blue can also create a stunning look,” she explains, if you’re not up for contrasting colours.
Whether minimal or maximal is your vibe, you still want to keep the look modern, “think about the texture you choose, as much as the shade,” she says. “Shimmer and shine is a great retro look but to update it for this season, I love [matte] or a real vinyl gloss…a shine, but without any shimmer.”
“For go-to products, I love the look of one eyeshadow buffed over the eyelid…[it’s] simple to do and the more you shape and shade the more retro you can make it.” Products like Kosas 10-Second Eyeshadow in Nitrogen “offer [a mess-free application, is], lightweight and easy to blend. I [also] love using soft eyeliners, and then buffing the line out with a brush,” says Hands.
The trick to making bold colours stick? “[Choosing] a primer that provides a lightweight and smooth base to help hold other eye products in place and intensify your look,” Hands explains. “The Lilah B Virtuous Veil Concealer and eye primer and Wander Beauty Smooth Sailing 360 eye primer are great options.”
As for the rest of your makeup look, there are a few things to consider…balance is key. “Muted and nude lipsticks or gloss, will help draw the attention to your eyes.” If matte is your preference, Hands recommends Gucci Beauty lipstick in Rosewood or the Charlotte Tilbury lipstick in Hepburn Honey. If you’re a gloss girl, Lilah B Tinted Lip Oil in Romantic or Code 8 Lip Gloss “will help create a wet or glowy look.” Natural skin, a natural powder bronzer and black mascara are also great ways to compliment a bold blue. Hands recommends Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer – Coup de Soleil and Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara.
Convinced to take the plunge? Here are the ocean-hued eye products to try first: Kjaer Weis Eye Pencil – Blue, Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette Colour Coded Eye Shadow – Super Blue, Kosas 10-Second Eyeshadow in Nitrogen
