This summer inspiration is brought to you by Target. Find more fun and surprises all season long on Target’s #SummerUp Pinterest board.
“No fear!”
I think we should make that our summer makeup motto… After all, it’s only makeup, right? Nothing to be afraid of (we can always wash it off).
And summer is a perfect time to shine. The longer days, the warmer nights, flip-flops and loose-fitting clothing.
Why be daunted by daring, dynamic duos and multidimensional eye looks? In the spirit of adventure! — let’s kick off the season and face our fears right now. 🙂
Flashes of teal, shimmery oceans of blues, gleaming golds and juicy pinks and corals crank up the heat and fun-factor in these three bright, bold makeup looks.
Everything I’m wearing on my eyes, cheeks and lips in these looks comes from Target, so it didn’t cost an arm and a leg.
Your beauty assignment today: nothing! And you will not be graded.
We only have one goal here: no fear! Just have fun.
Purple, Teal and Fuchsia
A look featuring purple lids, with shimmering teal on your lower lash lines, bronze cheeks and hot pink lips. This one’s for fearless felines unafraid of color. In other words, you.
- Begin by applying a shimmery beige cream shadow, like Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR Metal in Barely Branded ($6), all over your lids and along your lower lash lines.
- Next, sweep a matte brown eye shadow in a shade close to your natural skin tone into your crease. I ended up mixing two shades from the Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral Palette ($20) to create a custom color (just for the heck of it).
- Then, sweep a shimmery coral shadow just above your matte brown. If you’re stuck for ideas, try Pacifica’s Coral Sand from the company’s new Enlighten Eye Brightening Shadow Palette ($12). I’m lovin’ it so far.
- Pat a dark black matte shadow, like the black matte from Sonia Kashuk’s Eye on Neutral Palette, into the outer corners of your eyes, and then blend away any harsh lines you see.
- Blend a gray matte shadow directly on top of that to create a soft gradient of color by dragging the gray into the middle of your lids. I used Sonia Kashuk’s Eye on Neutral Palette again here. 🙂
- Now, wet a flat eye shadow brush with water or a makeup setting spray, and use it to pat a bright purple shadow in the center and at the inside of your lids (the side closer to your nose). Aim for blending the purple into the black and gray gradient from the previous two steps. I used Urchin, the purple shade from the Pacifica Enlighten Palette in step 3.
- Next, line your upper lash lines with a black gel liner, like L’Oreal’s Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner in Blackest Black ($7).
- Then line your lower water lines with a vibrant teal blue pencil, like Pixi No. 6 True Teal Endless Silky Eye Pen ($15).
- To intensify the effect, sweep a bright teal shadow along your lower lash lines. I like L’Oreal’s 24HR Infallible Eye Shadow in Endless Sea ($7) for this…
- Lift your brows a bit by drawing a line beneath them using a flesh-toned matte liner like Rimmel’s Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 005 Nude ($5), and blend.
- Buff a beige shadow just beneath the arch of each brow to appear to lift them even more. I chose Skinnydip, a shimmery beige from the Pacifica Enlighten Shadow Palette.
- Finish your eyes with a couple coats of black mascara. I’m using COVERGIRL LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara ($7) here.
- Now for your cheeks and lips! Blend a shimmery bronze blush, like Bronzed from Pacifica’s Radiant Shimmer Coconut Multiples Palette ($12), on the apples of your cheeks, and tie a ribbon around the entire look with a bright fuchsia gloss like Physicians’ Formula Sexy Booster Sexy Glow Glossy Stain in Hot Pink ($9).
Blue, Teal and Pink
Mermaid eyes! A blue and teal gradient will dance across your lids like dolphins dancing across a beautiful blue lagoon, while coral and pink serenade your cheeks and lips.
- Begin by blending a shimmery peachy pink cream shadow like Pixi Lid Last Shadow Pen in Shell Sheen ($18) all over your lids.
- Next, darken the outer corners of your lids with a matte black shadow pencil. I used Rimmel’s Scandal Eyes Eye Shadow Stick in Blackmail ($5) here.
- Deepen your outer corners by patting a black eye shadow, like the black shade from Maybelline’s Eye Studio Palette in Sapphire Siren, directly on top of the black shadow pencil.
- Pat a shimmery blue in the center of your lids and at the inner corners, and then drag a small amount of it into your crease to connect the two areas.
- Then, creating a gradient with the blue from step 4, pat a shimmery bright teal in the center of your lids. I used a teal from Maybelline’s Sapphire Siren Palette.
- Soften the edges of the blue and teal on your lids by sweeping a matte brown shadow, like the lid shade from the ELF Beautiful Browns Flawless Eyeshadow quad ($2), into your crease.
- Now, give your brows a lift by lining the arches with a flesh-toned matte liner like Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 005 Nude ($5), and blend.
- Dust a beige on top of that, like the pearly base shade from ELF Beautiful Browns.
- Line your water lines with a black liner (can’t go wrong with L’Oreal’s $7 Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner in Black, a true black without any blue or green undertones), and give it some depth by lining the outer third of your lower lash lines with the same pencil.
- Line your lower lash lines with the same shimmery blue shadow you used on your lids (layering it directly on top of the black liner from the previous step).
- Make your eyes the focal point of the look by lining the inner corners along your lower lash lines with the teal shadow you used a moment ago on your lids.
- Coat your upper and lower lashes with a good black mascara like COVERGIRL LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara ($7).
- Now, get cheeky by blending a bronzer just below your cheekbones for definition, and then buff a coral blush on the apples of each cheek for color. I used Sonia Kashuk’s Chic Luminosity Bronzer/Blush Duo in Glisten ($13).
- At this stage, I was going to say, “Don’t gloss over your lips,” but that’s exactly what we want. Slick a pink gloss like Sonia Kashuk’s Ultra Luxe Lip Gloss Prettiest Pink ($9) on your lips to wrap things up. 🙂
Coral and Gold
Still building your courage with bright color? I get it. You can dip your toe in with this gold eye look featuring coral cheeks and lips.
- Start by patting a shimmery beige eye shadow, like the shimmery beige from Maybelline’s Eye Studio palette in Give Me Gold ($7), all over your lids as a base.
- Next, pat a shimmery gold eye shadow, like the gold shade from the Give Me Gold palette, on the inner halves of your lids.
- Sweep a shimmery bronze eye shadow into your crease and the outer corners. I used the shimmery bronze from Give Me Gold for this.
- Using the same liner to line your lower water lines, line your upper lash lines in a cat eye shape with a brown gel liner like L’Oreal’s Lacquer Liner in Bronze ($7).
- Soften your cat eye liner look by layering a shimmery brown liner directly on top of the brown gel liner along your upper lash lines. I reached for the Give Me Gold palette again and used the dark brown.
- Apply one or two coats of black mascara, like COVERGIRL LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara ($7), on your upper and lower lashes.
- Give your skin some warmth by sweeping a bronzer just below your cheekbones. I used Physicians’ Formula Bronze Booster in Light to Medium ($15).
- Finish the look by blending a multipurpose coral cream product on your cheeks and lips. I like the coral shade from Sonia Kashuk’s Lip & Cheek Palette ($14.99).
Let’s go, summer! Now we’re ready for ya. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I love these looks! I would probably do the coral and gold since I am not one to wear super bright colors. (Not sure why….I think they look good on other people.)
Hi Tiffany,
Yay! I’m glad you like the looks. I know what you mean about brights. I used to be shy about wearing them too, but the more I played with them, the more I started to really, really love them.
You could always modify the other looks by doing something like neutrals on the lid and a teal liner along the lower lash lines. That teal from Pixi is AMAZING. It’s rocking my world right now.
Have a nice Friday! What are you up to for the long weekend?
The Blue, Teal and Pink is totally my favorite. You look really good in a bold and bright blue eye shadow. Very, very pretty.
Now I think I’ll go do my makeup…
Hi Trisha,
Thank you. 🙂
What colors are you going with on this lovely Friday?
I’ve been wearing brighter colors lately as well but mostly to distract people from all my preggy breakouts. Blah. At least I’m on trend!! I’m a big fan of the cool colors, especially the purple and teal. I’m going to have to try out some of these this weekend!
Hi Leah,
Oh, sorry to hear about your breakouts. How long before the baby comes?
Happy Friday, btw.
Only 9 more weeks to go and boy am I ready. I feel like my skin went back in time and I’m 16 again. Not hot, but as everyone keeps reminding me, it’ll all be worth it. Happy Friday to you, too!
I’m so excited for you and can’t wait to be a virtual “auntie.” You’re almost at the finish line…I’ll have a glass of wine waiting for you. LOL
Yes please!!
White or red? Or both?
Love the first look
Thank you! 🙂
Eeeee, I love everything! You brighten up any beach Karen, seriously! I especially love the first two very colourful looks, that teal liner is just so fun and it pairs amazingly well with a fuchsia lip! Must try this myself now ^^.
Thanks, Teri!
I’m so into teal these days. Do you ever wear it along your lower lash lines? Such a fun and easy way to add color.
Happy Friday!
I am freaking out over these looks, Karen! The mermaid eyes is my definite favourite, but the coral comes in at a close second. You’re so beautiful.
Hi Arianne,
You’re so sweet. Your nephew sends you extra special purrs on this lovely Friday!
What are you up to this weekend? Anything fun?
Ugh, Karen, you’re killing me with the gorgeous eye looks and cute sunglasses! 😀 I need a new pair, the upper bridge-bar (they have a double bridge thing going on) is cracked. No idea what to do so you showing off these cute ones with gorgeous eye looks is inspiring!
Hi Danii,
Happy Friday! Oh gosh, there are SO many cute ones at Target right now. I usually don’t like to spend a ton of money on them because I end up losing or breaking them anyway. These are fun and trendy and are only $12, whoop-whoop!
What are you up to this weekend?
Happy Friday to you too! I know exactly how you feel; you lose or break ’em, why spend a lot?! I want something less hipster, since the ones I have are white square frames, and more vintage cat-lady starlet! 😉 I’m trying to make sure that our new kittens (took a pregnant stray in whose now a happy mommy) aren’t getting into things or stuck under the bed and doing a pretty look I hope to put up today. I think it’s a very refreshing look, since its mint eyeshadow and a little gold liner.
I’m all about vintage cat lady starlet. 🙂
Aww, congrats on your new kitty family! How many kittens did she have? Did you name them all?
Mint shadow and gold liner sounds beautiful. I’m going to try that!
All of these looks are great. The second one is actually more my speed but the third could be office friendly. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Tami,
Thanks very much! I love that you’re all about the mermaid eyes. 🙂
Happy Friday; what are you up to this weekend?
Our refrigerator went out, so first thing will refrigerator shopping. After that, I’m hoping to catch Gatsby or maybe Hangover 3 and a little makeup.shopping to seal the deal (gotta feed the addiction :D)
Happy Friday to you as well and Happy Memorial Day weekend!
Oh boy! Good luck with finding a good fridge. It took us awhile…
Ooh, where are you going makeup shopping? I’m stopping by Nordstrom tomorrow after my hair appointment (gotta get the roots done).
I heard that cvs has 75% off select revlon products. There’s two stores in my area so maybe I’ll hit both. Hopefully there will be some products left.
Just jumping in to say, OH MY GOD GATSBY IS GREAT! It’s a great blend of 1920s (the costumes, makeup and cars were all on point) and modern music given an electro-swing and jazz twist!
I just finished re-reading the book and can’t wait to see it! Plus, hello… LEO!
What a great post. I adore the second look. You look stunning.
Hi Agata,
Thanks, my friend. How are you doing today? Do you have a walk planned? I’m going to run this afternoon for the first time in days. I can’t wait!
I’m good. In the car going on vacation 🙂
Oh, nice! Where are you guys headed?
Me and hubby and 3 other couples rented a cottage by the lake up north Michigan.
OMG I adore all three of these looks!! Phenomenal Karen!
I think I need all of these products now! Especially that last look – stunning! So gorgeous, wow, probably one of my fave posts of yours!!
Hi Emily,
Thank you, babe! I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. Do you heart the makeup section at Target as much as I do?
I live in Canada and we just got Target a few weeks ago! It was like walking into beauty heaven – such an awesome experience!!!
I really love the second look on you, beautiful!
Thanks, Marina! Happy Friday. 🙂 Got any fun plans for the weekend?
In the cosmetic department, I am pretty timid. But your photos make me want to give a couple of these looks a try.
Hi Meridith,
I used to shy away from bright colors, too, but now I love them! You could always start slowly with the third look. 🙂
Instant happiness when I see these looks! All these looks are so vibrant, and they all suit you so well!
Thanks, lady. Happy Friday!
What are you doing this weekend?
These looks are great! Thanks for the step by step, too. I think I’ll wear mermaid eyes for my daughter’s birthday party tomorrow.
Happy birthday to your daughter, Meredith! How old is she?
Thank you! She’s four and quite the girl’s girl. She appreciates it when I put some effort into my look.
How sweet. Are her nails painted special for her party? 🙂
Love love love coral & gold! I’m gona try that out tomorrow. 🙂
Sarah
Yay! I hope it works out for you.
I love them all, especially the second look. It’s so bright and looks great on you!
Thanks, Gio. Happy weekend!
I love the coral and gold look! I might go run to Target…
If you find anything cool let me know. 🙂
How was your Friday? Mine was LONG. I’ve been up since 5:30… I was supposed to work out but now that ain’t happening, LOL!
It was long too! I actually went to bed around 8 last night after another long day (work, job interview, having been at the hospital visiting an aunt the previous night), and besides getting up for the bathroom and a snack, didn’t get up until 7:30AM for another job interview! I also toured an apartment since we might move soon…
I just worked out, I hadn’t the past two days because they’d been so long, and I’d been so tired! But I also had a mini M&M blizzard today, so that was good.
Good for you for working out. I ended up skipping mine. I took some pics and then made dinner — improv pasta (it was kinda gross) and purple cauliflower and broccoli with capers. Now El Hub is making me watch a stressful French movie called Special Forces (so not relaxing).
How did your interviews go?
WOWZA Karen–I am in love with that blue, teal, and pink look you did. It’s bold and vibrant and you blended everything absolutely PERFECTLY! 😀
Thanks, Becca! Happy Friday!
Darn, I wish I got on here earlier, I just was at Target this afternoon. Picked up some cheap E.L.F goodies to try out :). My favorite is the teal, blue, and pink look.
Hi Heather,
ELF goodies are always fun. The Target near my house has a really big selection of things. What did you get?
Coral & Gold and Blue, Teal, & Pink are at a tie! Both look great on you!
Thanks! Loves the looks!!!
I love the step by step techniques (I am doing much better with blending but it wouldn’t have occurred to me that black, instead of grey, could be used to create the gradients of color), and I love that all of the makeup came from Target. I enjoy bright colors, myself, and I think they can be classy and sexy (and not Mimi from the Drew Carey Show) if they are well blended and created like your looks are. One of my favorite looks is to use a bright, sunny yellow and a neon orange from Make Up Forever together. I saw a runway version of it and modified it a little to make it everyday friendly. They are very bold colors but look great blended with a soft black, brown, or grey liner along the lash lines.
They are all gorgeous! You know my fave is the coral and gold… And I already have that eye pallete! Woot! Happy weekend, Karen!!
The teal one is gooooooooooooooooorgeous. I wish I knew all of the products you used so I can try this look at home (although I don’t know if the bronzer you used would be too dark on me! I am so pale!) The blue isn’t mentioned.
Karen, you look absolutely amazing!! You look younger than I do, and I’m 23. What primer/foundation etc combo are you using in these pics? Flawless! I can’t pick what look I like better, the purple or the teal. I’m so going to try both of them, though. Thanks for the suggestions!