I had to take a break from neutrals today because…some days you just gotta wear something colorful! It’s been sunny and warm here in the North Bay Area, and that always puts me in the mood to wear summery, bright eyeshadows.
Orange and purple — a combo for errrr-one, but particularly peeps with blue or green eyes
A single bold color on the top and another complementary shade on the bottom makes for one my favorite ways to wear bright colors, because 1) it’s not too complicated, and 2) you can really bring out your eye color.
My eyes are brown, and when I wear a combo like this one, I think the makeup really stands out, because it’s not just brown upon brown upon brown (although I do love me some browns!).
By the way, if your eyes are blue or green, try an orange and purple combo like this one. On the color wheel, orange sits on the other side of blue, so the “clash” between the two makes blue eyes STAND OUT. And purple is on the opposite side of green, which is why plum and purple POP on green eyes.
I also think this duo would pop on hazel eyes, too.
El Hub’s eyes are hazel, and although I’ve begged him to let me do his eyeshadow many, many times…he still refuses. 🙁 I guess this isn’t surprising, considering how years ago I told him that I wouldn’t marry him unless he let me curl his long, lush lashes with my lash curler. He said, “Sure, knock yourself out,” but I have yet to curl his lashes, LOL!
One of the tricks to keeping colorful eyeshadow combos wearable: choosing matte finishes
If you’re going to try a colorful, but totally wearable, combo like this one, you might want to use something similar to the Wahala Palette by Juvia’s Place, which is what I used in this look. There are 20 bright eyeshadows in it, most of them matte, which I think is one of the keys to making colorful looks like this one a little more wearable, because the matte kinda reins in the potential for it to look cray-cray/over the top.
Playing with levels of shimmer for contrast
Also, if you’re wearing matte eyeshadows on your lids, try patting a high-beam highlight in the inner conner to contrast with the flat finishes on the lids and lash lines.
You know I looooove me some contrasting finishes!
Another thing to consider: play with the levels of shine on other parts of your face, too. For the past few years, highlights that you can see from space have been so popular, but I think it’s cooler to do a low-level sheen on the high points of the face (upper cheekbone, down the bridge of the nose, and atop your Cupid’s bow), especially when there’s one bright focal point on your face already.
Makeup worn in this look
EYES
- Juvia’s Place Wahala Palette — Unsilenced on lids, Woke on lower lash line, Stand Up in the inner corners
- Cargo black pencil liner — upper lash line
- Covergirl Easy Breezy Brow and Maybelline Tattoo Studio Brow Tint Pen in Medium Brown — brows
- Laura Mercier Caviar Mascara — lashes
CHEEKS
- Clinique Sunset Glow Blushing Blush Powder Blush — blush
- Hourglass Radiant Bronze Light and Laura Mercier Candleglow — highlighter
LIPS
- Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick in Vibe
BASE
- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Tinted Moisturizer in Tan
- Estee Lauder Double Wear Instant Fix Concealer in Medium Deep
- Kevyn Aucoin Super Natural Concealer in Medium 06
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Beautiful hues, shades, and tones! I think you’re a “warm and radiant,” Karen, because that amazing, bright and warm-colored top just sets you GLOWING. I’ve been watching Merriam Style and her Artistic License color system. I think I’m more towards warm and delicate due to my underlying olive, so slightly muted warm tones suit me better.
Great idea to put the complementary colors where they work best: opposite each other to pop, rather than next to each other to blend together and neutralize. The bright orange on top, lilac on bottom placement is brilliant and looks gorgeous!
You always have great YT channel recommendations. I’m fascinated by how color works so I’ll check her out. Time to binge! 🙂
P.S. Where should I start? Is there a particular color-related video of hers that you find useful?
Happy to connect you! I would recommend beginning your descent into the rabbit hole with “The Four Skin Undertones (Artistic License Color Analysis).” I think you could watch this by itself and you’d have a solid understanding that makes total sense (no need to deal with this “Four Seasons” stuff). I loved her “Zendaya Style Report–Part 2 (Colors),” which is how I figured out I am a warm and delicate.
Merriam also goes into body types but I didn’t have as much problem figuring this one out for myself (gamine). The skin tone thing is much more fascinating and complex!
Thank you for the recommendations. I have a little time to myself tonight to loaf about so I’m going to watch!
P.S. I am endlessly fascinated by undertones.
What a colorful and pretty combination! I never would have thought about using orange shadow, but it totally works. And I love that top too. I’m always drawn to more colorful clothes in the summer.
Me too. Especially brights like corals and oranges. 🙂 How’s your week been so far? Good I hope!
Good week so far! The weather has been nice and I’ve been able to take Louis out for a walk a couple of times. Hope you’re having a good week too! Does Rosie like to go outside?
Oh nice! I hope he’s a very good boy on his leash.
We haven’t done any leash training with Rosie Posie yet, but she does like hanging out on the deck in the cat tower, so we’re pretty sure she loves the outdoors. When she’s out there she’s *very* interested in jumping on the railing so I have to keep a close eye on her, though! Eventually it’ll happen. I might have to get her this pretty harness:
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/bond-and-co-pink-rose-print-cat-harness-and-leash-set
Ooh, I love that harness! It would be perfect for her.
Louis is a good boy outside, but his one vice is chasing after other cats. There’s a friendly neighborhood cat he’s gone after before so sometimes I’ll pick Louis up and move him so he doesn’t see the other guy.
The kids next door love seeing him outside and they tell him how handsome he is. 🙂
If I was in your neighborhood I would totally carry treats in my pocket for him! (And baked goods for you, ha ha ha.)
I love wearing orange hues on my eyes, it makes them look much bluer than usual (they are a green/blue/grey mash). Next time I will pair it with purple and see how that transforms my eye color.
Cool! I hope it works for you.
Everything looks so good on you! I am loving this colorfull looks you have been doing lately! I have a lot of dificulty using colors.
Love that top you have on Karen!! It’s a great color and it goes with so nicely with your eye shadow. A great summery look!!
I read this blog all the time- and the pics of you in this post are so amazing. You look radiant, happy, and beautiful. And Rosie looks like such a nice cat- so glad you gave her a home 🙂
You’re so kind, Stefanie. Thank you!
Rosie is a very sweet, very gentle cat. Our family is lucky to have her!
This looks awesome on you – love the color combo! And your lashes are looking lush! 🙂
Thanks, lady! I know you’ve got a thing for orange eyeshadow. 🙂