One of the hottest trends for spring is neon. But let’s face it, neon is not the easiest to wear and can be intimidating. No one wants to look like an extra from a 1980s music video. Here’s how to wear neon now.
While several companies like Chanel and Bobbi Brown have already done brights and ones that are wearable too, we’ll see even more as the season goes on. Pantone, the authority in color forecasting, has named the color of the year as Tangerine Tango. Pantone and their color predictions have become so synonymous with makeup that they will partner with Sephora this spring to launch a tangerine/orange-based makeup collection of their own.
To rock this trend, first take Bobbi Brown’s sage advice when she says “the most modern way to wear color is an accent on an otherwise nude face.” We know she’s the best at understated makeup, but even she has gone bright with her new Neons ands Nudes line. But if you do as she says, and make it one part of your makeup, you can make it work for you.
Lips
One of the easiest ways to go bright is with a bolder lip. You can do full pigment here or go with a bright color but in a sheer formula. Within Bobbi Brown’s line, there is lipstick ($23) in shades of Neon Pink and Atomic Orange that will put your pout front and center, and lipgloss in Citrus ($23) that goes on as a sheer wash although it looks bright orange in the tube. It gives you pop, but not over the top. No matter which way you go, but especially with the full coverage lip, you need to keep the rest of the face plain. Perfect your skin with primer and foundation or a BB cream. On eyes, use mascara and either no shadow or a pale beige and then do your lip. If you want, a very light dusting of blush can be used, but make it so light that it’s truly barely there. A cream-gel blush would be perfect in this instance.
Eyes
If it’s your eyes you want to accent, think eyeliner. You can use a bold stroke of lime over a light shadow. Lime works especially well with browns, beige and gold. A favorite is Cover Girl Liquiline Blast in Green Glow ($9). If you want to do your whole eye, grab a deep purple and apply to well-primed lids. Add mascara and as above, keep the rest of the face basically makeup-free. For your lips, go with a nude lip shade to balance the bright eye.
Nails
Of course we can’t forget the nails. Nails are the easiest place of all to go big, bright and bold and try a new trend. Pop Beauty has 14 shades of neon brights ranging from acid green to turquoise in the Nail Glam Neon line ($10). If you’re feeling shy, try one on a pedi instead of a mani.
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