Color is a strong driving force in any creative field, from fine arts to interior design to modern fashion. And when it comes to makeup, color is even more important—in fact, the most famous makeup styles are all built around common color schemes. That’s why you need a good eye for color to put the right makeup look together. It’s not just about differentiating good colors from the bad—it’s about knowing which ones look good on you and which ones you can do without. With all the choices in the market today, you’re sure to have options no matter what your style is.

So how do you choose the right makeup colors? The first and perhaps more important rule is to be open to experimenting. Sure, there are certain rules to follow, but nothing’s stopping you from trying out new things once in a while. Many makeup trends evolved from a simple combination that no one had previously tried. Once you get the basics right, you’re free to mix and match your makeup colors until you find one that works for you. Here’s a quick guide to help you get started.

Match your skin tone.

Before you start experimenting, it’s important to get a feel of your skin color. Dark skin makeup naturally differs from Asian and Caucasian makeup, and your first step is to identify your perfect foundation. Remember, makeup isn’t supposed to change your appearance, so don’t “fake” a skin color by choosing the wrong shade. Try it out on your face rather than your arm or wrist. Arm and facial skin don’t always match, and even subtle differences can be quite visible at first glance.

When putting on foundation, make sure to consider the lighting conditions you will be exposed to. Some types of lighting can magnify little flaws in your makeup, and you don’t want them to draw too much attention. Take a look at your makeup under artificial light and natural sunlight if possible. Pay close attention to the edges, and make sure they blend smoothly with the rest of your skin.

Add color to your cheeks.

This is perhaps the most overlooked aspect of makeup color. Foundation alone can make your face look flat and lifeless, but too much highlight can result in the “clown” look. The best example is in Asian makeup, which tends to be heavy on foundation but often lacks cheek color. If you have pale Asian skin, follow up your foundation with some blush powder to give it a healthy glow. Depending on your skin tone, you can choose peach, yellow, or pink undertones to better match your color.

Other skin tones require different cheek colors. For example, fair Caucasian skin usually works best with pink, beige and peach blush, while dark skin calls for bronze and copper shades. Experiment with the intensity of your application; sometimes just a quick sweep provides enough color, but other times a more saturated hue provides a healthier glow. Again, don’t forget to blend carefully with your foundation so that it looks more natural.

Flatter your eyes.

The eyes are often the focal point of makeup, so it makes sense to concentrate color on the eyes as well. Unfortunately, not many women know how to choose the right colors or how to apply eye makeup properly. Discussing all the eye shadow colors requires another article altogether, but in a nutshell, your color choices should match your skin tone, eye shape, eye color and outfit. It sounds complicated at first, but once you find the right base colors, the rest comes quite naturally.

The safest choice for eye makeup is a natural color scheme. Brown, peach, apricot and plum are very neutral and look good on almost anyone. Use these colors for daytime and casual events, when a more toned-down look is usually preferred. For evening and formal occasions, go for more saturated colors. Try matching your outfit or your eye color. Green eye shadow perfectly sets off a green dress, and smoky eye makeup goes quite well with blue or blue-gray eyes.

Choose the right lip colors.

Few women realize it, but lip makeup is often the trickiest part of choosing makeup colors. A common mistake is to use a strong lip color along with equally colorful eye makeup. This results in an overly made-up look. The rule is that only one feature should stand out; that is, if you have rather elaborate eye makeup, your lips need to take a backseat and vice versa.

If you want your lips to be the focal point, go for a strong shade such as red or plum. Some clear lip gloss on top will help it last longer and add some shine to make it more visible. For lighter makeup, use only tinted lip gloss—for most women, they provide more than enough color and should last most of the day.

Tags: how to apply eye makeup | how to apply eye makeup | dark skin makeup | dark skin makeup | makeup styles | makeup styles | asian makeup | asian makeup | lip makeup | lip makeup

With summer in full swing, a lot of women are heading out to go camping, hit the beach, take a hike, or simply enjoy the good weather. And if you’re one of the outdoor types, you’re probably dressing for comfort more than style. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make an effort to look your best. Start by finding make-up secrets that enhance your style and can keep up with your active lifestyle at the same time. Remember, makeup isn’t just about looking good—it’s also about confidence and knowing you’re at your best.

Outdoor makeup can be tricky, since the lighting is less controlled than in a home or office. Natural light magnifies every feature, highlights every little blemish, and makes colors look more saturated. But at the same time, it’s also more flattering, especially if you choose the right makeup styles. It’s all a matter of knowing what works for you and what doesn’t. With the right tips and tricks, you can master outdoor makeup and look your best no matter where you are and what you’re doing. Here’s a quick guide to help you get started.

Use a light foundation.

All makeup starts with a foundation or color base, and outdoor makeup is no exception. Unlike regular face makeup, however, outdoor makeup requires a lighter base, preferably one that’s easy to apply and retouch. Experts recommend a sheer foundation; if you don’t have any, you can add some lotion or moisturizer to regular foundation to lighten it up. Avoid powder and matte products—they tend to feel thick on the face and may look fake in outdoor lighting.

If you want to keep it light, you can skip the foundation and use a tinted moisturizer instead. Tinted moisturizer works well because it does double duty—it evens out your skin tone while keeping your skin hydrated. Before applying tinted moisturizer, apply concealer to any blemishes, as the sheer finish may not completely mask them. When you’re done putting on makeup, dust your face with loose powder to help the makeup set.

Choose natural eye colors.

Sweat rarely gets onto your lids when you’re outdoors, so you can be a bit more creative with color. But since you’re keeping everything neutral, it usually makes sense to stick to more natural colors as well. Don’t let that limit you—you can get a lot of eye makeup ideas from colors that match or complement your skin tone. Choose light eye shadows such as cream and gold, and trade the black mascara for a more natural brown shade.

Heat and humidity can cause eye shadow to smear and crease. You can avoid this by using a primer on your lid before applying the shadow. If you can, switch to cream or gel eye shadow instead of the usual powder. They blend better onto your skin, unlike powders which just stay on the surface. Peach, mauve and cream go with everything and usually look good on everyone. You can usually skip the eyeliner, unless you’re out early and need something to make you look more awake.

Highlight your lips and cheeks.

Makeup artists strongly advise against strong lip colors for the outdoors. While there are long-lasting lipsticks in the market, they are more ideal for all-day office work than a day on the beach. If you’re not sure what type of lipstick to use, just use a tinted lip gloss in a neutral color such as peach or nude. Gloss adds more than enough color for most women. To help it last longer, dust the surface with light or translucent powder before applying.

Natural light can make you look pale, so it’s important to add a little color to your cheeks. You can use bronzer or blusher, but not both—use bronzer if you have dark or tanned skin, and blusher if you’re more on the fair side. For the blush, powder works better than cream or gel because the latter tends to fade when it’s hot. Apply it to the apples of your cheeks, then blend carefully to make sure there are no visible “borders.”

Choose long-lasting makeup.

Long-lasting makeup has different definitions, so it’s important to understand your labels. For example, all-day makeup isn’t necessarily made for the outdoors—it’s just designed to last longer, such as a full day at work. Waterproof makeup is good for the pool or beach, but it’s not the right kind for outdoor concerts or backyard parties. If you’re planning to stay dry on your day out, smudge-proof and sweat-proof makeup are your best options.

Gel makeup usually works best for outdoor use, but it tends to wear out over the day. You can keep them longer by applying a light dusting of powder over the foundation and eye makeup. For the lips, choose a long-lasting gloss or a tint that you can reapply throughout the day as needed.

Tags: what type of lipstick to use | what type of lipstick to use | eye makeup ideas | eye makeup ideas | make-up secrets | make-up secrets | all-day makeup | all-day makeup | face makeup | face makeup