7 Makeup Colors that Work on Everyone
If you took a look at my Pinterest boards, you wouldn't see recipes for cake pops or DIY wax seals. No, you'd see pins of gorgeous, wild makeup: pictures of shockingly pink lips, dramatic smoky eyes, and bright rosy cheeks. All of the colors are so bold, so fresh, so … not anything I ever wear. Ever.
Why? Because I've logged enough hours in Sephora, trying and re-trying samples of all my dream makeup colors, to know that the shades that look amazing on the models in magazines do not look amazing on me. I may dream of Technicolor makeup, but I always end up with the same, basic, safe palette.
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But according to celebrity makeup artists David Maderich and Christina Guerra, safe doesn't have to equal boring. In fact, these experts call on just a handful of makeup products when working on all of their star clients, from pale-skinned Julianne Moore to chocolate-complexioned Kerri Washington. The colors of these 7 products are universally flattering and they work on every woman, no matter her skin tone. The best part: these magic makeup shades are anything but boring. In fact, you won't find a neutral dud in the mix.
ONE:Nars Funny Face, $24
"This is a showstopper. It's one of those colors you're going to love or hate since it's so bold," says Maderich. "But, this hot fuchsia is a beautiful color, and really does look good on everybody." He says many fuchsia lipsticks tend to have a lot of blue in them, which can look too pink on those with yellow undertones. Funny Face is one of the few "true" fuchsias. "If you don't have time to do your makeup, popping on a bright lip like this fuchsia will make you look put together in minutes -- and you'll definitely turn heads." Bonus: Maderich says this color is also appropriate for those past the 20-something age. "If you want to look younger or feel hip, I think fuchsia lips work on women of all ages."
TWO:Covergirl Cheekers Blush in True Plum, $3.99
Surprised to see purple in this roundup? We were, too, but Maderich says this is a fabulous universal color. Think about it, he says: "When you hear a dirty joke or you've finished a workout, the natural flush in your cheeks has a purplish hue." The key to wearing this color well is in the application.
For pale skin: Using a big fluffy brush, apply a sheer wash of the color high on the cheekbones.
For medium/olive skin: Apply it on your cheeks, extending it to your temples.
For dark skin: Apply the color on your cheeks, then reapply foundation on top of the color with a sponge to blend out any gray in the powder blush. "Mixing the plum with a little foundation is my secret to make the color look like it's emanating from within their skin," Maderich says.
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THREE:Clinique Lip Gloss in Goldspun, $15
"I just adore a sheer, gold gloss on everybody," Maderich says. "A sheer gold looks beautiful on its own for a Saturday brunch; on top of a pink lipstick, it looks like candlelight." And Maderich guarantees that a gold tint is flattering on all women. "Whether you have golden or pink undertones, gold flecks will add light to the skin. If you need a 4 o' clock pick-me-up, put a little gold on your lips to make your whole face pop."
FOUR:Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Beige, $39
Neutral gold eyeshadow, like a gold gloss, is universally flattering and helps you look more bright-eyed and awake. "Gold eyeshadow is more eye-catching than just brown eyeshadow, but not as intense as a purple. Gold eyes are more of a whisper than a scream, which is nice," says Maderich. The Bobbi Brown palette comes with five shades, so odds are good that you'll find one you love. You can use each as a separate eyeshadow, or you can swivel a fluffy blush brush over the palette and use as a highlighter on your cheekbones.
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FIVE:Nars Orgasm Blush, $28
It's a cult favorite for good reason: This peachy pink blush with just a hint of golden shimmer is flattering for most skin tones, because everybody has a little pink, peach, or gold in their skin, says Maderich. "The sheer bit of gold always makes the skin come to life. Whenever I'm in a hurry, I always reach for this blush, because I know it'll make anybody look good."
SIX:Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in Skinny Jeans, $19
"Don't be afraid of the green undertone of this long-wear cream eyeshadow," says Guerra. "The shimmery greenish-gray makes the perfect smoky eye -- without the harshness of black eyeshadow." Here's how to wear it:
Step 1: Apply to your lids using your fingertips.
Step 2: Smudge a black or brown eyeliner over it and blend.
Step 3: Top with black mascara and you're done.
Step 4: For bonus drama, top with another universally flattering shade, Benefit Velvet Eyeshadow in Where There's Smoke, $18.
Related: The Best Red Lip Makeup for Your Skin Tone
SEVEN: NARS Matte Eyeshadow in Ouremer, $24
"Blue is a good color for everyone to wear on their eyes. I know it sounds crazy, but a dark shade of blue is a neutral in my opinion," says Maderich. Why? Because a dark blue (even one that's as bright as Outremer) is versatile. You can use it as an eyeliner, by dipping a thin eyeliner brush into water and turning the powder into a paste. Or, use an eyeshadow brush and use the powder for a fun twist on the black smoky eye. Nars National Makeup Stylist, Janice Daoud, agrees that it's very flattering for every skin tone: "I've used this on everyone from pale-skinned blondes to dark chocolate skin tones."
See four more universal makeup products here.
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