Hi everybody! Let me introduce myself. I’m Dominique, the lady behind www.styledomination.com. I am thrilled to be able to guest post on the lovely Chantal’s blog as part of the Canadian Beauty Bloggers Network!
Pantone, the world’s authority on colourĀ hasĀ released its official colours of the year: Rose Quartz (a pale, flattering pink) and Serenity (a soft, sky blue).
I was really thrilled to see Pantone’s 2016 choices, as clothing in these colours areĀ universally flattering onĀ all skin tones. Past hits chosen by Pantone have been emerald green and “Marsala” – a beautiful brownish-wine tone that was a personal favourite.
I got to thinking though – these colours may be a bit hard to pull off beauty-wise. I know – especially as a woman of colour, that I most certainly wouldn’t be rocking a pale blue lip and wondered how this devotee of neutral pinky-browns could incorporate Pantone’s picksĀ into her beauty regime.
When I think “pale pink”, I think of spring blooms and a healthy glow. Pale blue scares me a little, despite its soothing, airy hue. With memories of terrible blue eyeshadow I tried to pull off in my teens, I didn’t think I could go there again. I did some research though and came up with a few wallet-friendly products that are easily wearable for all skin tones.
Nail Polish
The easiest way to incorporate Rose Quartz and Serenity into your beauty arsenal is with nail polish. Ā I am a diehard fan and pale pink tips.Ā The colour isĀ so wearable with its clean finish that matches easily to any outfit you choose. Ā The trick is to find a pale pink that best suits your skin tone. I’m partial to sheer candy pinks or milky cool tones such as Essence’s The Gel Nail Polish in #05 Sweet As Candy.
AĀ pretty, work-appropriate, pale blue shade is Essence’s #49 Turn The Lights On. With is pale, robin’s egg blue colour, it’s easy to wear, fresh and clean and perfect for spring. This particular shade also has a really nice shimmer to it.
Eyeshadows and Liners
Pastel pinks such as Rose Quartz can be difficult to pull off on light skin tones as it is a colour that already appears on the skin. A better option may be a pale pink blush to achieve a doll-like look.
Serenity is gorgeous on all skin tones -it’s just a matter of how you apply it. Fair skin really benefits from this colour. Try a pale blue eyeshadow alone with a grey or brown eyeliner for a nice day look. Those with medium skin tones should try out a Serenity-toned shadow on the lid, coupled with a neutral grey or brown shadow in the crease. Darker skin tones can apply a bright, pale shade for a high fashion or night-time look. Don’t shy away from it!
Another great look is opting for the pale pink and blue eyeliners available now. A pale blue eyeliner such as Annabelle’s Kohl Eyeliner in #150 Cool Water looks fresh and fun on a lightly contoured eyelid or softly blended out for a pop of colour. You can also add a soft pale blue to the lower lash line to make those eyes pop.
Blush
Pale pink blush is gorgeous on the apples of cheeks. To avoid a too-cutesy look, apply a sheer wash of pale pink colour to the apples of your cheeks, blending into a darker colour towards the temples and backs of cheeks. Feel free to highlight with a bright, pale pink or pinkish-gold highlighter.
Lips
This is where it gets a little trickier. If you feel comfortable rocking a pale blue lip, go for it! Don’t forget to use a lip primer to keep this bright colour in place.
Those who are a bit more chicken like me, can choose pale pink. Pale pink is not the easiest colour to pull off, so be sure to try on all of your options, and know which tones (cool or warm) are best suited for you.
Personally, I would reach for a candy-coloured gloss such as Maybelline’s Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Gloss in #30 Pink-A-Boo. You can easily layer it over other colours, customizing the depth as you wish, or apply alone for a sheer wash of colour.
There you have it – your little guide to wearing Pantone’s colour picks for 2016. Remember, try out colours best suited to your skin tone and pair your pastels with neutrals for a subtle, wearable look. Also, you don’t have to spend a mint on high-end Rose Quartz and Serenity-coloured products, especially if they are not already part of your daily routine. There are plenty of great options at the drugstore to choose from!
A huge thank you to Chantal for letting me guest post on her blog!
Stay stylish,
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Thank you Dominique for that wonderful post! (1) I have that essence “all about candies” palette and I completely forgot about it! (2) I can’t believe I don’t have those essence nail polish!!!
Make sure you stop by Style Domination and say hello to Dominique!
– Chantal š