We’ve all heard the saying, “Go Bold or Go Home”. Well, with Spring in full swing and Summer just around the corner, bold and bright shades of makeup, including nail polish and lipstick are creeping up just about everywhere. Despite the growing popularity of this bold trend, some of us are not quite ready to toss out our neutral shades and venture outside our comfort zone. For those of you who prefer a more “naked look”, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite neutrals this month that will help us turn heads without having to bust out our bright fuchsia lipsticks.
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| Neutral Beauty Must-Haves! |
Applying a shadow primer or a cream based product to your eyelids before applying your eye shadow ensures that your eye makeup lasts all day without creasing/caking. I can not stress the importance of this step enough and like using a versatile product like GOSH’s Forever Eye Shadow Stick as a base. The pencils are creamy, velvety soft and blend effortlessly. They are also waterproof which means they won’t rub off. The metallic shade “02 Beige” is gorgeous and can also be used as an inner corner highlight to draw even more attention to the eyes.
No neutral look is complete without a good liner and mascara to tie it all together. Some standouts for me this month are the Color Riche le Kajal Eye Pencil by L’Oreal Paris and the Xtension Plus + ProLash Fortifying & Lengthening Mascara by Marcelle.
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| Neutral EYES (L-R): Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette ($64 CAD), Covergirl Eye Enhancers ($5.99 CAD), Marcelle Mascara ($12.95 CAD), L’Oreal Paris Kajal Eyeliner ($12.49 CAD) & GOSH Forever Eye Shadow Stick ($14 CAD) |
TOP Picks for the Face:
Whether you opt for foundation or a tinted moisturizer, a good setting powder is an essential part of helping your face “stay on”. This Mattifying Powder by essence cosmetics is one of the most effective and affordable options I’ve used recently. It even helps control oil that creeps up on you throughout the day. I like applying it with a large powder or Kabuki Brush. The one pictured below is by Mark.
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| Neutral FACE (L-R): essence Mattifying Pressed Powder ($3.99 CAD), Avon Tinted Moisturizer ($10 CAD) & mark Angled Kabuki Brush ($12 CAD) |
TOP Picks for Lips & Tips:
I love pairing a nude lip with just about any look. Whether you are sporting a dramatic eye look or “going naked”, a nude lipstick and/or gloss is an easy way to look polished without looking like you tried too hard. I’ve been pairing CoverGirl’s Lip Perfection Lipstick in #256 Crème with Lancome Gloss in Love in #300 Pink Posh.
For nail polish, I actually like wearing bold & creamy colours this time of year (heck always!) but when I want to tone it down a notch or am wanting something a little more nude-esque, I’ve been reaching for Maybelline’s Color Show Nail Lacquer in #021 Neutral Statement. If I’m feeling extra daring that day, I may accent a nail on each hand or the tips with #305 Gilded Rose, the perfect bling-ed out accessory shade.
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| Neutral LIPS & NAILS (L-R): Covergirl Lipstick ($9.99 CAD), Lancome Gloss ($29 CAD) & Maybelline Color Show Nail Lacquer ($3.99 CAD) |
TOP Picks for Hair:
The NAKED Volume range by Herbal Essences is amazing!! With 0% residue, parabens or dyes, this shampoo and conditioner restores 100% of your hair’s natural body leaving hair looking voluminous and feeling revitalized and refreshed. The dry shampoo formula contains natural tapioca and absorbs oil really well. All products are infused with white grapefruit and mint extracts, so they smell great too!
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| Herbal Essences NAKED: Volume Shampoo, Volume Conditioner & Dry Shampoo ($3.99 CAD) |
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