Bright colors and floral patterns are hitting the summertime pavement hard, and it's not surprising that there's bold pink lips and brilliantly hued eyeliners to accompany these fresh and funky looks.
But with corals and purples all in bloom, it can be easy to forgo simple glamour with our makeup. So, which colors should we actually be applying to our radiating faces?
Earth tones.
Yes, that means variations of browns that range from cocoa to golden-tans for our eyes, lips and faces. Not only do earthy hues flatter ANY complexion, but if you look hard enough, there's bound to be a neutral eyeshadow palette or nude lip gloss hiding somewhere in your beauty collection.
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So, to convince you that a neutral look is the way to go, here are some prime examples of how you can make browns work for your face this season.
Face
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Stepping out without makeup on is pretty rad, but if you want to add a little something-something, take note of Emmy Rossum's look.
While she is wearing a touch of lip color and barely-there eyeshadow, her glowing face probably comes down to excellent skin care and expertly-applied powder. Instead of blush, dust a thin layer of bronzer to your cheeks making sure to blend.
TRY:Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting with Body Puff
While she is wearing a touch of lip color and barely-there eyeshadow, her glowing face probably comes down to excellent skin care and expertly-applied powder. Instead of blush, dust a thin layer of bronzer to your cheeks making sure to blend.
TRY:Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting with Body Puff
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Paula Van Oppen sports a dewy face for the ages, without looking sweaty.
Achieve this magical look with a multi-purpose cream stick that can give your cheeks and lips some dimension.
TRY:NARS The Multiple
Achieve this magical look with a multi-purpose cream stick that can give your cheeks and lips some dimension.
TRY:NARS The Multiple
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Of course Lupita Nyong'o inspires us by wearing various shades of brown all over her face.
Depending on the type of coverage desired, foundation or tinted moisturizer will create an even base. Then, apply a golden bronzer for added shimmer.
What really pulls this look together is the two-toned eyeshadow matched with a deep lip color that begs you to go bold or go home.
TRY:Color Your Smile Lighted Lip Gloss Seduction
Depending on the type of coverage desired, foundation or tinted moisturizer will create an even base. Then, apply a golden bronzer for added shimmer.
What really pulls this look together is the two-toned eyeshadow matched with a deep lip color that begs you to go bold or go home.
TRY:Color Your Smile Lighted Lip Gloss Seduction
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Eyes
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Achieve a subtle shine like Olivia Wilde with a gilded version of your favorite neutral.
Apply the shadow from the upper lash line to the crease of your lid, adding light swipes of a highlighting powder on the brow bone and lower lid. Finish off with a thin strip of eyeliner and few coats of mascara.
TRY:Bobbi Brown Surf & Sand Eye Palette in Sand
Apply the shadow from the upper lash line to the crease of your lid, adding light swipes of a highlighting powder on the brow bone and lower lid. Finish off with a thin strip of eyeliner and few coats of mascara.
TRY:Bobbi Brown Surf & Sand Eye Palette in Sand
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Cheryl Cole's eye makeup shows the benefits of blending.
Rich brown shadows like chocolate and mauve can look harsh. To avoid that, create a wing-like shape with the shadow and blend away from the middle of your lid to fade out beautifully without looking messy.
TRY:Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Single in Made For Mocha
Rich brown shadows like chocolate and mauve can look harsh. To avoid that, create a wing-like shape with the shadow and blend away from the middle of your lid to fade out beautifully without looking messy.
TRY:Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Single in Made For Mocha
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A smokey eye goes great with a lot of colors, but it looks ultra glam with a range of neutrals.
To get a look similar to Naomi Campbell's, experiment with the different brown shades in an eyeshadow palette. Just make sure the glitzier hues are applied at the inner corners of your eye, while the darker colors blend into your "smokey" liner.
TRY:Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eye Shadow Collection
To get a look similar to Naomi Campbell's, experiment with the different brown shades in an eyeshadow palette. Just make sure the glitzier hues are applied at the inner corners of your eye, while the darker colors blend into your "smokey" liner.
TRY:Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eye Shadow Collection
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Lips
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Jessica Alba's sun-kissed makeup works well with her glossy nude lip.
The trick to finding a complimentary lip color is using a lip liner or lipstick as a base, layered with a smooth coat of gloss. A nude lip gloss will work by itself, as well.
TRY:NYX Butter Gloss in Fortune Cookie, Madeleine or Praline
The trick to finding a complimentary lip color is using a lip liner or lipstick as a base, layered with a smooth coat of gloss. A nude lip gloss will work by itself, as well.
TRY:NYX Butter Gloss in Fortune Cookie, Madeleine or Praline
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Go for copper shades like the clay color on Tatyana Ali's lips to add more warmth to your glowing face.
A creamy, hydrated finish makes this brick red color pop, so a highly-pigmented balm or face stick would be perfect for this kind of look.
TRY:FLOWER Kiss Me Twice Lip and Cheek Chubby in Raisin' The Roof
A creamy, hydrated finish makes this brick red color pop, so a highly-pigmented balm or face stick would be perfect for this kind of look.
TRY:FLOWER Kiss Me Twice Lip and Cheek Chubby in Raisin' The Roof
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While Elizabeth Olsen is nailing the monochromatic makeup trend here, her beige lips really take the cake.
If you want to transform your earthy look with a matte lip, try something that's one or two shades deeper than your complexion, so it won't wash you out by being too pale or dark.
TRY:NARS Pure Matte Lipstick In 413 BLKR
If you want to transform your earthy look with a matte lip, try something that's one or two shades deeper than your complexion, so it won't wash you out by being too pale or dark.
TRY:NARS Pure Matte Lipstick In 413 BLKR
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