Beauty...
Be your own
kind of beautiful
Be your own
kind of beautiful
By Melissa Epifano
Shades of browns, beiges, grays, and blacks will never do you wrong when it comes to eyeshadow, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t get boring. During a year (or two, really) where we can’t express ourselves with bright pops of lipstick to make a statement, we’ve got to rely on our eyes. This means there’s no better time to finally dabble in your tangerine-colored eyeshadows or those cerulean blue hues that are gathering dust in the back of your medicine cabinet.
So if your smoky eye or classic neutral swash of color is feeling dull, we’ve found some gorgeous alternatives floating about the Insta-sphere that are worthy of giving a try. Whether you are game to go bold with your color or incorporate just a flick — you can give your set of desaturated hues a rest for now (or for good).
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Have an affinity for warm hues? Swap your sienna browns for burnt oranges and tangerines. The kick of pumpkin-y colors seen here will be the boost you never knew your smoky eye needed. While it’s undoubtedly bold, it’s not as flashy as a magenta or turquoise, and you could get away with calling this a maximalist’s neutral eye.
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Tones of seafoam and mint green are as serene and refreshing as they sound, especially when you work them into your eye makeup. Coat your entire lid in a matte finish for a modish ’60s vibe (and maybe add in some Twiggy-esque lashes) or follow this blueprint for a stunning winged liner that simply pops.
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A pearlescent burst of pink can be just the infusion of color your lids need. It passes as a neutral in many respects, but is a bit more eye-catching. While a matte finish is an option, hues like this deserve to be shown off in a more shimmery way, and there’s no shame in going all out with glimmer when your eyes are on display.
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Obviously perfect for the summertime, we’d argue that this cozy yellow is basically cut out for cold winter days. While it may be cloudy and gray outside, at least your eyeshadow beams with warmth. Keep it gorgeously simple with a few opaque layers, or line your lower lashes or inner corners with a banana-toned pop.
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Lilac and similar shades look good on everyone and are so easy to incorporate. This flawless look is a picture-perfect example. Sweep a purple tone across your lids, run some mascara through your lashes, and you’ll be left with your new go-to. Neutral eye, who?
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This blend of azure and indigo is a dreamy mixture, reminiscent of all the tropical spots we’d like to be visiting right now. Because the amount of eyeshadow used is so minimal, rocking two brilliant shades at the same time is super easy. Blue also contrasts beautifully against plenty of other colors — so it’s worth trying this look with everything from orange to emerald.
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Who knew coral — the pretty blend of orange and pink — would make for such a cult-favorite color? It has previously been dubbed Pantone’s Color of the Year, it’s been painted on walls, featured in wardrobes, and slathered on nails. Now it’s having a moment in eyeshadow palettes, and it’s certainly a must-try. Case in point: this gorgeous rendition that was paired with immaculately groomed brows.
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