Why mismatched makeup works in summer
Colours that clash play best with fresh, minimally covered skin.
It’s easy, when you’re busy with work and being alive and attempting to have a social life, to wear pretty much the same makeup every day. It’s not that exciting, but it works, and you can do it in about six minutes.
I’m all for that. Makeup should be fun rather than a burden, and the right amount of effort to put in is always the exact amount you can be bothered with. When I’ve got time off, though, and nowhere in particular to be, I’m much more likely to spend a bit more time thinking about it.
Lately that’s meant playing around with lip and eye colour combinations that don’t immediately make a lot of sense. Think Edward Enninful’s first British Vogue cover with Adwoa Aboah in a bright blue eye and glossy red lips. It’s a lot, but it works, and it can be worn by non-supermodels too.
The look suits summer, I think, because it plays best with fresh, minimally covered skin. Conceal under your eyes, work on some tinted moisturiser or BB cream, and finish with some Hourglass Ambient Lighting powder. I never shut up about this product but it is truly excellent - perfecting and flattering but never cakey. Add a tiny bit of blush if you must, but use a light hand. There’s already going to be a lot going on.
From there, think about your colour choices. Metallic purple eyes can look amazing with orange lips, pink eyeshadow can be truly striking with red lipstick, and tropical, coral eyes can be the perfect foil to a gothy dark lip. There’s every chance those all sound hideous to you, and I get it, but done right it’s refreshing and offbeat.
It’s also great in that this is a new look you can try by just wearing products you already own in different combinations. Urban Decay Backfire is a great purple eyeshadow though, and YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Orange Electro is gorgeous.
Don’t wear eyeliner with this, by the way. Too heavy.