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How to Get Your Makeup to Enhance Your Eye Color

If you’ve ever wondered how to brighten your eyes with your makeup, this article is for you. 

We’ll be covering everything from the best eyeshadow for blue eyes to the best eyeliner for green or brown eyes and how to make your eyes pop

We always like to emphasize that when it comes to makeup, there are no rules. Makeup should be an expression of who you are and how you feel on any given day. That being said, there are certain tips and tricks that will enhance our beautiful natural features. 

Your eyes are the window to your soul. They’re often the first thing that anyone will notice about you. So, when it comes to makeup, what can you do to enhance your natural eye color and make it sing?

Attractive young woman with natural makeup that enhances eye color

Don’t match your eyeshadow to your eye color

There’s a common myth circulating the globe that matching your eye color to your makeup is the way to go (i.e., wearing blue eyeshadow with blue eyes, or green eyeliner with green eyes, brown mascara with brown eyes.) 

But in fact, the opposite is true when it comes to making your eyes pop. Blue makeup doesn’t enhance your blue eyes; it will make them appear less blue and striking and lead to them disappearing into your face.

The same is true for all eye colors—it’s best to avoid matching your makeup to your eye color if you want to draw attention to your eyes.

But what if you have blue eyes, and you love your blue makeup?

If you can’t bear the thought of completely swapping out your favorite color yet, try switching to a different shade—for example, a pastel blue eyeshadow, a turquoise eyeliner, or a midnight blue mascara.  

The color wheel is your friend

 

Color wheel

You may have briefly checked out a basic version of the color wheel while you were doing an art class at school. But if you haven’t taken a look in awhile, it’s time to get reacquainted with it.

Colors that are side by side on the wheel are known as analogous colors, while colors opposite each other are known as complementary colors. 

To make your eyes pop, you want to choose shades that are opposite (or close to opposite) your natural eye color. 

However, it’s important to note that most people’s irises are not just one color. There are usually different flecks and hues within that one color. 

For example, you might have hazel eyes with hints of honey in them. You might have green eyes with hints of teal or mustard. Take a close look at your eyes in both the daylight and at night. 

And when it comes to makeup, the color wheel should be used as a starting guide, but not taken literally. There are so many shades and tones of each color, all of which will show up differently depending on your eye color and skin tone. 

The best approach is to try different colors out and see what works for you and what you like most. 

Blue eyes

Blonde haired women with blue eyes and mascara

Keep it simple

Blue eyes on their own can be really bright and striking, which is why you want to try and not over-do your makeup. This can leave your eyes and skin looking washed out.

The best approach? Keep it simple. Less is more. 

Eyeshadow

The best eyeshadow for blue eyes is anything with an orange base. That means warm copper, gold, apricots, peaches and brown tones. The warmth in these colors will help make your eyes pop and stand out, and highlight any warmer flecks in your eyes. 

Purple is another shade that can be quite striking with blue eyes. All shades from lavender through to plum can work to help your eyes appear even bluer and brighter. 

Highlight

Subtle highlighting around your eyes can help frame them without the need for eyeliner. It can also prevent them from looking too icy. 

Apply a highlighter across your brow bone (just under the brow), as well as the inner corners of your eyes. Opt for a shimmery highlighter rather than a glittery one to keep this look subtle. Neutral and champagne shades will work best.

Liner

Keep your eyeliner minimal and apply it in a thin line. You can also keep your liner to your upper lash line and skip the lower lash line because blue eyes are strong enough to not disappear into your face. This can actually leave them looking bigger and brighter!

Grey eyes

Young woman with healthy skin and grey eyes

Which color is most prominent in your eyes?

Grey eyes can contain many flecks of color including green, gold, blue and brown tones. 

The first step for you is to decide which color is most prominent in your eyes. You can then pick complementary colors accordingly.

Winning colors

To enhance the green in your eyes, choose shades with pink undertones like rich plums and purples. To enhance the blue, go for shades with orange or peach undertones. 

Green eyesCloseup of model with green eyes

Don’t head for red

You’d be right in thinking that red is opposite green on the color wheel. But red is a difficult shade of eyeshadow to pull off. The tones will usually end up making you look sickly. The best eyeshadow for green eyes is within the red spectrum, but opt for reddish browns or plum shades, or even pink. 

These tones will help make your green eyes the star of the show. 

Soft blush on the cheeks

Add some subtle, soft blush on the apple of your cheeks in a pinky shade. This is a gorgeous feminine look for both work and play.

Liner

The best eyeliner for green eyes is something in a copper or violet shade. But if you prefer a more classic look, black goes with everything and is a staple for creating both simple and more dramatic makeup looks. 

A swoosh of liner and a plain, glossy lid is a simple but sexy look. 

Let your green eyes do the talking

If you really want your green eyes to stand out, keep everything else natural. Think voluminous lush lashes (try this mascara), glowing cheeks, and a glossy lip. Gorgeous!

Hazel eyes

Close up portrait of a young woman in a boho style outfit

Green or brown?

Did you know there’s no such thing as pure hazel eyes?

You’re likely to have a mix of tones and flecks in your eyes, ranging from shades of brown to green.

Depending on which color you want to accentuate, you can mix up your makeup accordingly. 

To bring out the green, follow what green-eyed girls do and go for red and purple-toned eye makeup. To enhance the brown, opt for blue or copper tones. 

Want more drama?

If you’re looking for a bolder look, try a smokey eye, a mix of dark metallic and coppery green tones. 

Liner

For a natural look, use brown eyeliner to give your hazel eyes a little more oomph. And for a more radiant, glowing look, try a gold liner.

Brown eyesCloseup portrait of woman with brown hair and brown eyes

Concealer is your friend

Did you know that dark circles can steal attention away from your beautiful, brown eyes?

Before you do anything, find the right concealer for your skin tone and spot it lightly under your eyes as needed. This is a crucial step before you go any further. 

Brown eyes suit almost any eye makeup color!

Great news, you can get away with wearing almost any color you like! 

If you want to make your brown eyes pop, then contrast is key. Think baby blues, turquoise, and metallic greens. Pink is also a great contrasting color to brown. 

But as a general rule, you have free reign here to try out all the colors of the rainbow!

Metallics are a must

Shimmery shades will create a lovely striking contrast against your brown eyes and make them glow. Reserve metallic eyeshadow or liner for those special occasions when you want to make a serious impact. 

Don’t overlook the neutrals

Neutrals might seem boring from the outset, but they can create a really sexy, effortless look while also bringing out the natural color of your eyes.

Plus, you can’t ever go wrong with a nude color with brown eyes. Think neutral eye shadows, some brown bronzer, or even a nude lip.

Liner

Classic brown and black eyeliners will always work against your brown eyes. But if you’re looking for an extra-special look, try a blue or purple eyeliner. Most eye colors can’t pull this off, but you can!

Complete the look with mascara for extra volume

Mascara is a must regardless of your eye color. Brown can work well for blue eyes, but black will suit every eye color. Apply some lash primer, one or two coats of classic French mascara, and get ready for your eyes to pop!

Getting your makeup to enhance your eye color is all about knowing which colors suit you and which ones to steer clear of. So get experimenting and try out these tips today!





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10 Eye Makeup Looks to Wear with a Mask
March 23, 2021
10 Eye Makeup Looks to Wear with a Mask

It looks as though face masks won’t be disappearing anytime soon thanks to Covid, which means applying lipstick falls a bit on our daily makeup list.  When you’re wearing a mask, your eyes naturally take center stage. And since half of your face is covered, it’s important to make the most of what’s on show. Fashionable masks are great, but they don’t quite measure up to the magic of makeup.  Whether you’re working from home, heading to the office, or taking care of those everyday tasks, you still want to look and feel your best. What better way to reclaim your beauty ritual than to have fun with your eye makeup when wearing a mask? Forget about putting makeup on under your mask — what you need is a killer look for your eyes. Here are our favorite eye makeup looks when wearing a mask. Voluminous lashes Take a minimalist approach to your eye makeup with voluminous lashes. Full, fluttery, and fabulous is the name of the game here. And the great news? You don’t need lash extensions or falsies to amp up the volume.  Check out our instant volume mascara — definition and volume in just one coat! Add a few extra for even more drama, depending on the look you’re going for.  Mask & match There’s a fun new mask makeup look trending right now that is all about matching your makeup to your mask. Pick a colorful, patterned mask of your choice, then experiment with creating an eye makeup look around it. For example, if you’re wearing a rainbow-colored mask, why not go for a rainbow-inspired eyeshadow theme?  There are no rules here, apart from breaking them! A neutral smokey eye An all-out smokey eye might be a little too much for a daytime look. The next best thing? A neutral smokey eye! Use a natural eyeshadow 2-3 shades lighter than your skin tone that has a bit of a shimmer to it. Apply the eyeshadow to the inner corners of your eyes to brighten your eyes and contrast with your mask. This should work with most masks as they tend to be muted in color.  Finish your look with some mascara for extra pop, and you’re good to go.  Rose gold eyeliner Who says shimmer and sparkle are just for celebrations?  Rose gold eyeliner is so on-trend right now and will add a dash of glamour and glitter to any look. There are plenty of options to choose from right now. Apply it as liberally as you like, and add some flicks to the outer edges of your eye for extra pizzazz. This mask makeup look is definitely one of our favorites! A pop of pastel If you’re a fan of playing with color and looking for something to brighten up your face, try a wash of color on your lids. All colors work with this look, but pastels are oh-so-pretty — especially during spring/summer.  Keep the rest of your makeup minimal, and allow your eyes to steal the show. If you’re not sure what color to go for, blue is a safe bet for all skin tones.  Use one solid color, a shimmery shadow, or add some depth at the crease line with a darker shade.  Cat eye When you’re wearing a mask, people’s eyes will be drawn to the center of your face. A sassy cat eye is the perfect detail to draw that attention outward and create a sexy, striking look. Have fun with your cat eye and experiment with colors and patterns. Keep it as subtle or dramatic as you like.  Periwinkle flicks Without a doubt, eye makeup when wearing a mask is a must to prevent your face from totally disappearing! But if you’re not used to braving bold eye makeup looks, a dash of colored eyeliner is a great way to ease yourself in. Don’t worry, lipstick will be back in play soon enough! But until then, why not experiment with color around your eyes? Match your eyeliner to your mask, or clash on purpose. This mask makeup look is guaranteed to play up your eyes in a big way.  Metallic magic If you want to take the rose gold eyeliner look to the next level, how about an all-out metallic eye? This makeup look is super feminine, sexy, and flattering. It’ll give your eyes that extra boost and help them pop against your mask while highlighting their natural, gorgeous shape.  Just sweep it lightly across your upper lids. Add some classic French mascara for volume, and voila!  Winged eyeliner Sometimes all you need is your favorite eyeliner to create a killer eye makeup statement. The winged eyeliner look is classic and flirty. It will flatter the natural shape of your eyes without any need for eyeshadow.  Magic, right? You’ll be ready to leave the house in five minutes! Perfect for those days when you’re short on time, or you snooze your alarm. If you have a shaky hand, try using a template or using a dot-to-dot method to keep your eyeliner symmetrical.     Sunset shadow There’s another popular eye makeup mask trend all over social media right now known as “sunset” shadow. This is all you need to jazz up a plain old mask and bring some color and adventure into your life! Pick a handful of different sunset colors, like oranges, pinks, purples, blues, yellows, golds, etc. Start with one color as a base on the lids, then layer on top to create that stunning sunset vibe.  Play around with different colors and arrangements. This look will be slightly different every time, and that’s the beauty of it.  And that’s how to wear makeup with a face mask! Just because you have to wear a mask, it doesn’t mean your makeup game has to take a hit.  Give these eye makeup looks a try and watch as they transform your face.

How to Get the Perfect French Girl Hairstyles
March 16, 2021
How to Get the Perfect French Girl Hairstyles

French women are known for their effortless yet sophisticated look. French girl style is all about looking like you basically "woke up like this,"  perhaps with just a touch more polish. It’s never too much or too little — it’s always perfect.  The same philosophy applies to French hairstyles. They should never be too complex or intricate. Instead, the focus should be on having a flattering haircut styled to honor your natural hair texture and to frame your beautiful features.   If you’d like to give French girl hair a try, we’ve got some ideas to inspire you. We’ve selected our four favorite ladies’ hairstyles for 2021, and we’ll explain how you can achieve them, along with some matching makeup tips.  French bob cut   A bob cut is one of the most popular French haircuts right now! Vogue called it the biggest hair trend of 2020, and we can assure you that it’s going strong well into 2021. While every bob is tres chic, consider adding bangs to your look to truly embody that French girl style.  To get the bob cut   The secret to getting a bob to work for you is to make sure that it hits your features just right. The eye will be drawn to the spot where the bob ends or where the fringe falls, so consider which features you’d like to emphasize with the length and layering.   You can try to cut your hair on your own, but we’d recommend going to a professional hairdresser. A great hairdresser will take the time to chat with you and help you figure out which lengths will flatter your face shape the best.  Matching your makeup to a French bob If it’s your first time going short, you may want to put a little extra effort into making sure your makeup is visible. We’re partial to pairing this popular French haircut with a vibrant red lip, using our Matte Constance Lipstick in Classic Red.  Wavy French girl hairstyle    You don’t have to go short to achieve amazing French girl hair. Soft waves and natural-looking texture are just as chic, and they work beautifully on longer bobs, shoulder-length hair, and even ultra-long tresses. While a natural wave looks totally effortless, it does take a little bit of technique.  To get soft waves  If you’re naturally blessed with wavy or curly hair, the curly girl method is ideal because it skips the damage of heat styling and brings the very best shape out of your tresses.  If your hair is naturally straight, you’ll have to resort to just a bit of heat styling. First, spray your hair with a texturizing salt spray, and blow dry it if needed. Then, use a large-sized curling iron to create alternating curls in your hair, focusing only on the bottom half of each strand. Finally, once your entire head is curly, use your fingers to gently loosen up the curls to turn them into gorgeous waves.  Tie it together with makeup  The beautiful thing about softly textured waves is that they match any makeup look, including barely-there makeup. The key is to keep the eyes nicely framed by your brows, so they don’t disappear behind the mane of hair. All you need to do is lightly fill them in with the Brow Arcade pencil and then brush them up into a groomed look.  Effortless messy bun While it’s important to have a signature look, French girl style is also about knowing when to change things up. Before dates or nights out, having a go-to effortless, yet sophisticated, bun really comes in handy.   Creating a simple bun The more effortless and messy you want your bun to look, the more bobby pins you’ll need, so make sure to have plenty on hand. You’ll also need strong, tight hair elastics. Start with your hair already a little wavy, and consider using a little dry shampoo to add some grit.  First, pull your hair into a ponytail, leaving a few loose strands at the front to frame your face Next, twist your ponytail, and then wrap it around the elastic so it forms a donut-shaped bun.  Use bobby pins to secure the base of the bun.  Then, gently pull on the bun with both hands to slightly expand it and give it a more voluminous look. If any strands come loose, you can tuck them under the bun and then pin them into place. It’s super easy to create, but the results are impressive.  Match it with soft-glam makeup You’ve already gone through the effort of pulling and pinning your hair up into a bun, so finish off your look with a careful swipe of liquid liner to make your eyes gleam, and then a healthy dose of our Provocation volumizing mascara.   Flirty ponytail French girl hairstyles can lean into a playful, feminine vibe as long as they retain their chic simplicity. A hairstyle with a low-ponytail does the trick, and it’s great for days when you want your hair out of your face. Tying it off with a scarf gives rustic charm and a bit of color to the look!   Styling the perfect ponytail You can rock a sleek ponytail if you like, but we’re partial to this voluminous style. You can start with air-dried hair or go all out and use a hair curler to achieve loose waves. If your hair is feeling a little flat, section it at the crown, and tease a little bit to add some volume.  Then, pull your hair back into a low, loose ponytail. Leave a few loose strands around your face, and give them a quick curl with a curling iron. Finally, pick a colorful scarf, and tie it around the base of the ponytail!  Playful makeup to match This kind of look pairs best with a fresh face. We suggest giving your pout a sheen; so first, use our volumizing Polynesie Francaise gloss in Bora Bora, and then add a sheer wash of pink blush over the cheeks.  Finishing in style  Which of these French hairstyles will you try in 2021? From changing things up with a short bob to embracing length and texture, French girl haircuts and styles give easy options that’ll keep you feeling chic and sexy! 

Hot Makeup Trends vs Timeless Beauty
March 05, 2021
Hot Makeup Trends vs Timeless Beauty

One of the best things about makeup is how creative and evolving it can be. While clothing trends force you to buy new products every season, trendy makeup often just requires a change in technique. Experimenting, changing, and playing around with hot new trends from Instagram, TikTok, or the runways can be a ton of fun! However, these makeup trends are usually fleeting. Unlike classic makeup looks, they won’t stick around for longer than a year or two! It’s fun to look back at photos from the ‘80s or ‘90s and admire how differently women used to do their makeup, but it’s a little scary to imagine others doing the same with photos of you.  When you get ready for graduation photos, weddings, and other big events, do your makeup in such a way so that when you look back at the photos, you won’t find yourself thinking, “gosh, I can’t believe we all used to wear our makeup like that!”  In this article, we’ll go through each hot makeup trend whose days are unfortunately numbered, and reflect on the more timeless makeup looks equivalent to the trend.  While trends are fun for a night out or a creative Instagram story, classic makeup looks are the ideal choice for the most important occasions, so they’re utterly essential to master!   Hot trend: soap brows Brushed up brows are the go-to look for a ton of influencers these days, who usually achieve them with soap, brow gel, or even a semi-permanent lamination. They make the eyebrows look bushy, fluffy, and more symmetrical, and they’re very reminiscent of the styling for model brows in the ‘80s.  Soap brows give a youthful look and they’re a lot of fun, but like other brow trends before them, we think a new look will replace them shortly.  Classic look: groomed brows Soap brows are great fun—we think they’re going to be a major marker of the end of the 2010s. However, keeping your brows classically groomed has the benefit of looking good today as well as in the future.  Eyebrow pencils tipped with a grooming wand, like the Brow Arcade, are incredibly helpful for this technique since you can fill in your brows and then brush the hairs so they go to the side instead of upwards, to lay down in a more natural way.  Hot trend: fox eyes The fox eye makeup trend has absolutely taken over social media and the red carpet, especially by the likes of US-based celebs Bella Fox and Kendall Jenner. It’s a gorgeous look that gives the face an angular, elven appearance through pointed eyeliner and brows that are shaved off at the arch and filled in on an upward angle.  Classic look: classic eyeliner View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vivienne Sabó Paris (@viviennesabo.paris) Fox eyes may be sultry and sexy, but we predict that in the long term, eyeliner that makes the eyes look a little larger will continue to endure. After all, we’ve been doing our eyeliner this way since the ‘40s, and looking back on photos from that era, it still looks stunning.  The trick to keeping your natural eye makeup looking classy is to keep the liner away from the inner corner of the eye, and then to create the wing by following the natural angle of your lower lash line. We have a few more tips and tricks for this look here! Hot trend: baking or strobed skin We live in an era of extremes, with two ultra-popular foundation trends that directly contradict each other. You either bake your makeup under a thick layer of powder for 5-10 minutes, to guarantee an impenetrable finish, or you pack on the glowy serums and highlighters for a strobed, reflective skin finish. It can be great fun to experiment with both of these trends! Classic look: natural skin View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vivienne Sabó Paris (@viviennesabo.paris) In the long term, however, we think natural-looking skin with a satin finish will always be the classiest choice. It’s exactly in the middle between very dewy and matte skin, with the same level of reflectiveness that the skin has when it’s happy and moisturized.  To achieve such an easy natural makeup look, all you need is a light coverage foundation and maybe a touch of concealer. Then, a light dusting of powder with a fluffy brush will help to lock things into place and control excess sheen without making your skin look flat and dry.  Oh, and there’s one more way to achieve this look that’s even easier. Skip the foundation altogether, for the natural, no-makeup look!  Hot trend: flattened Cupid’s bow We first noticed ultra-pouty lips with a flattened Cupid’s bow on the gorgeous Ariana Grande. Then, before you knew it, everyone was applying their lip liner with a continuous, rounded line. It essentially changes the lips’ natural shape, transforming them into elongated ovals. While we love the look right now, it might seem odd in just a few short years.   Classic look: slightly overdrawn lips  While you don’t need to go overboard with it, overdrawing the lip line is actually a very timeless makeup look that goes at least as far back as the ‘30s. The key to achieving lush and full lips without looking cartoonish is to follow the vermillion border, which is the skin-colored line of demarcation surrounding the lips.  The best part? You can create both the classic and trendy lips with our Le Grand Volume lip pencils.  Time and place for every makeup look Every style and technique, from the easiest natural makeup look to the most outrageous hot trend, has its time and place. We don’t want you to forsake makeup trends, because they add spice to life, but it’s just as important to master the classic makeup look so you can look chic for the coming decades.