I have a co-worker who walks into the office looking like she stepped out of a magazine spread. She takes fashion risks that never fail, changes her nail polish color every other day so she's always on-trend, and wears the cat-eye spotted on last night's red carpet.
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I've tried to mimic her chameleon ways, but I simply can't catch on. It takes me weeks to master a new eyeliner look (which is why I always resort to the same-old basic black eyeliner and nude lip). So by the time I get on board, the trend is already so last season.
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When the pastel makeup trend was taking off, I longingly looked at my co-worker's gorgeous lilac lips and minty green eyes and wished they were my own. So I decided to ask celebrity makeup artist Geoffrey Rodriguez how to pull off this trend -- and he told me anybody can wear pastel makeup. Why? Because there's no technique involved. You just need to know what other colors to pair with the pastel you're wearing. Trend Town, here I come. See his tips on how to wear the top 5 pastel makeup hues now.
Lilac is one of the easiest pastels to wear, says Rodriguez, because "it complements both warm and cool tones, like a neutral color." He says the key to wearing this trend is to commit to the color and go all the way -- monochromatic that is. "By wearing lilac on your lips, lids, and cheeks, you don't have to wonder about coordinating -- you look put together immediately," he says.
Here's how to pull off lilac lips: Wear a lilac lip gloss for a sheer purple tint. Try Dior Dior Addict Ultra Gloss in Party Lilac, $28. To go bold, brush a light layer of foundation on your lips to remove any natural lip color. Then apply CoverGirl LipPerfection Lip Color in Verve, $6.99. Get his tips on how to wear your eyes and cheeks for the look here.
MINTY GREEN EYESHADOW
We know what you're thinking: You're going to end up looking like a McDonald's Shamrock Shake. Rodriguez says minty green eyeshadow, while definitely a bolder look, can be worn no matter what your skin tone. Proof: Pale-skinned Kristen Bell, olive-toned Kim Kardashian, and darker-skinned Rihanna all have worn the emerald hue without ending up in a "What Were They Thinking?" roundup.
Here's how to pull off green eyeshadow: Apply Stila Eye Shadow in Cha Cha, $18, all across your lid, in the inner corner, and along your lower lashline. Then draw a thick black line along your upper lashline, winging it out for a retro spin, says Rodriguez. Finish with lots of black mascara.
For tips on how to wear your cheeks and lips with this look, click here.
SHERBET ORANGE EYESHADOW
You've probably heard a million times now that tangerine orange is the color of the year. If the 2012 hue is too bright for your taste, try a soft pastel orange, which has the same flattering effect without the "look at me!" vibe. Not only is the sunny hue surprisingly flattering, "it'll especially look fresh and gorgeous on blue eyes," says Rodriguez, because the two shades are opposites on the color wheel.
Here's how to pull off orange eyeshadow: Apply a slight wash of color over your entire lid and the inner corner. Try Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow in Pearly Orange, $19. You can choose to build the color or go beyond your crease if you want to go bolder. Then you can opt to apply a warm brown eyeshadow to your upper lashline and into your crease for a "chic modern interpretation of the smoky eye," says Rodriguez. Finish with three coats of black mascara. For tips on how to wear your cheeks and lips with this look, click here.
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When it comes to periwinkle, think disco circa 1975 (but trust us, it won't look like a bad time warp). We like Sephora Collection Colorful Mono Eyeshadow in Swimming Pool, $12. Light-skinned celebrities like Ginnifer Goodwin have been spotted wearing this trendy hue, but Rodriguez says it also looks exceptional on darker-skinned women. "Rich, dark skin coupled with blue eyeshadow looks so chic," he says.
Here's how to pull off periwinkle blue: Layer the shadow over your entire lid to the crease and the inner corner. Then swipe it on your lower lashline. "Keep it simple, close to the eye, and very soft," says Rodriguez. "Similar to where you would apply a neutral beige base. For tips on how to wear your cheeks and lips with this look, click here.
PETAL PINK LIPS
While pink lipstick has been a go-to for ages, pastel pink is a totally different look -- and one that can be a bit trickier to wear well. The powder puff color can make skin look cold if not worn correctly. The key to pastel pink lips: Keep your entire face monochromatic. "The pastel pink lip needs to be the focus, so make sure nothing else competes," says Rodriguez.
Here's how to pull off pastel pink lips: Apply a light layer of foundation onto your lips to remove any darker pink pigments. Then apply a pastel pink lipstick, like MAC Lipstick in Saint Germain, $14.50, or CoverGirl Queen Collection Lip Color in Powderpuff Pink, $6.99. For tips on how to do your eyes and cheeks with this look, click here.
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