“A Little Flash of Eye Color”

Makeup by: Stephen Dimmick of DailyDimmick.com

Written by: Erica Hungerford

About a year ago I purchased a stick of Sephora’s Waterproof Eyeliner in Electric Blue thinking I could totally rock it on a night out.  But every time I see it in my makeup bag while I am prepping my face for a night on the town I am intimidated by its intense color and reach for my black liquid liner instead.  I love the color, but I have no idea how to incorporate it into my look and I feel I am not the only one with this dilemma.

But this summer for me has been all about trying new things with my look, like tying my hair up in vintage scarves, and attempting to pull off a patterned maxi dress.  Now I think it’s time to amp up my usual makeup routine with a burst of color.

Here are a few ideas to explore this summer… Daytime

Minty Fresh – A light green, like sea foam or mint, is perfect for a sunny summer day.  Check out Dolce & Gabbana’s Makeup Crayon Intense Eyeliner in Mint.  Pair a basic line with heavy black mascara for a more dramatic, eye-catching look.

Nautical Navy – Navy is a safe color for those who are just dipping their toes into the world of colored liner.  It looks great as a cat eye, smoky eye, or even just a straight wing.  Want to make it more dynamic?  After lining the upper lid in a navy such as NYX Slide On Eye Liner in Sunrise Blue, try lining the inner corner of your upper lid with a hint of light electric blue and blend it into the navy so it moves from light to dark.Day Trippin in Teal – A step up from classic navy is a rich teal like L’Oreal Paris’ HIP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner in Teal.  When applying, use the brush to thicken the line right above your iris for a rounded, doe-eyed look.

Lashes of Blue – For something a bit different, try a colored mascara instead.  You could try a dark navy or deep purple for a more subtle hint of color, or make your lashes really stand out with Benefit BADgal Mascara in Brightening Blue.

Nighttime

Bottoms Up – This is the technique seen most often, probably because it’s the easiest to incorporate into a look.  Do whatever kind of liner you’d like for your upper lid and then amp it up by lining your bottom lid with a color of your choice.  A rich blue, such as Stila’s Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in Peacock, or a creamy purple, like Benefit’s Creaseless Cream Showdown/Liner in Purple Snap, will go with most outfits… especially a LBD.

Catch the Light – Going clubbing?  A dark, sparkly liner like Urban Decay’s Liquid Liner in Dark Green will shine under the flashing lights.

Going Green – This is for the risk takers out there, but it definitely has its benefits.  Take a bright green, like Sephora’s Jumbo Liner Waterproof in Green, and draw a thick line covering the majority of the lid.  You don’t need to add much else because the color speaks for itself.

Layer it up – This is the look I can’t wait to try because a dramatic cat eye is my go-to look for a night out and layering it with a bright neon will really make a statement.  MAC’s Eye Kohl Pencil in Resort is a hot pink that would look sexy paired with a nude lip or do a modern take on the pin-up look with an electric blue liner and a rich red lip.

Going All Out – Don’t mind standing out in a crowd?  Then my advice to you is to just go for it! If you find a color that works for you, use it as a normal liner.  Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils come in a variety of colors and will last all night.

“True beauty isn’t about perfection. By liberating people to realize this simple fact, we help them see the real beauty within themselves.” Kristan Serafino