Colours of the rainbow

Aug 15 2009 by Katharine Everitt, The Journal

Don't stay in the beauty shade this summer, reach for those sunny rainbow brights. Katharine Capocci shows you how to do colour that pops

WITH tangerine lips, aqua blue eyes and hot pink nails everywhere, it seems the future’s bright in beauty, at least as long as the summer lasts.

And high summer is the perfect time to pack a punch with eye-popping colours before we all return to dark smoky eyes and berry lips for the autumn.

This season’s 80s-inspired catwalk trends, along with the help of celebrities such as Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Rihanna, have put bold colours back on the beauty map.

Forget fluoro and think acid pastels such as sky blue, sherbert lemon and flamingo pink to put you in the holiday mood.

But to avoid looking like an experimental teenager, you need to choose your candy colours carefully, says Newcastle makeup artist Alexis Gray.

“As a rule, it’s eyes or lips – not both, otherwise you can look like a clown,” says Alexis, 28, who works at Savannah Hairdressing Salon and Spa, an Aveda salon, in Nelson Street, Newcastle.

“This kind of look is very fresh with an 80s feel to it, and can work really well.

“If you go bright on the eyes, go more neutral on the lips, and vice versa. Why not try bright matt pink lips, a soft pink blusher and nude eyes, with just a touch of mascara?

“Also, if you are opting for bright on the eyes, keep it modern by using a block colour on the lid and underneath to rim the eyes, and not too much blending. Alternatively you can use a damp eyeliner brush with eyeshadow to create a more intense eyeliner, rather than all over the lid.”

Follow our tips for bright and breezy looks.

LIPS

For a pout with look-at-me appeal, keep the rest of your face natural and let your lips scream colour.

Avoid gimmicky shades such as lavender and blue, and stick to warm tones that will complement golden summer skin.

“Bright pinks are in and tangerine tones can be quite flattering, and can look lovely with a tan,” says Alexis.

And fuchsia pink, as worn by Newcastle’s very own Cheryl Cole, flatters most skin tones.

Alexis advises: “Use a lip liner to stop the colour bleeding and add a dab of clear gloss in the middle of the lip.”

She recommends trying Aveda’s sugar apple lipstick shade at £10.50. “It’s a nice pink with a shimmer to it. It’s a bright one that suits most colour tones.”

TRY: Marks and Spencer Essential Colours Lipstick in Candy, £2.50; Vie Pop Colour Supershine Lip Gloss in Quirky Coral, £9.50; Lancome Color Fever Coral Shine in Orange Drop, £17 (www.lancome.co.uk).

EYES

Open up your peepers with one show-stopping wash of your favourite shade. Look for solid, opaque colours with intense build-up and top off lashes with a colour mascara if you dare. Violet is the shade to be flashing on your eyelids this season. If you’re thinking of dabbling in punchy purple, makeup artist Jemma Kidd advises: “Purples suit most eye colours. However, if you have dark circles under the eyes, make sure they are well concealed as purple eye shadows will accentuate them.

“If you don’t want to colour the whole lid, simply draw along the upper lash line using a bold colour and then add lashings of black mascara to the top and bottom lashes to tone down the brightness.”

TRY: JK by Jemma Kidd Hi-Design Eye Colour in Modernist purple, £9 (www.asos.com); Dior Electric Lights 5-Colour Iridescent Eyeshadow, £34.50 (0207 216 0216); Boots 17 Va Va Voom Mascara in Electric Blue, £5.86.

NAILS

If you prefer the natural look on your face, you can still go to town with the super-brights via your fingers.

Nails in rainbow shades are the instant way to give your look a high summer lift, but if you’re going bold, avoid the matchy-matchy look of teaming up your nail shade with your clothes and accessories.

“Pop colours look hottest on short, square nails,” says Charlotte Straughan, creative director for Ciaté, the hand, nail and beauty company.

“Apply a base coat before your colour – this will protect the nail from staining and hold the vibrant colour for longer. Then choose your favourite bright colour and apply two coats for an eye-popping finish.”

TRY: Ciate Paint Pot in Knickerbockerglory, £9 (www.ciate.co.uk); Collection 2000 Hot Looks Nail Polish in Sherbert Lemons, £1.79 (0870 755 1055/www.collection2000.co.uk); Barry M Nail Paint in Pink Flamingo, £2.95 (Superdrug).

Wet ‘n’ Wild pop colour look.

JK by Jemma Kidd Hi-Design Eye Colour.

Vie Pop Colour Sunshine Lip Gloss.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils.

Marks & Spencer Essential Colours Lipstick.

Ciate Paint Pots.