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Bare Eyes, Bold Lips for Summer


Skip the elaborate smokey eye this summer (it’s going to melt off your face anyway). It’s all about naked, subtle eyes this season, which will pair well with the bold orange lips that are poised to be huge. While you could opt to completely leave your lids bare and just apply mascara, there are a few options for the eyeshadow junkies among us. Here are some tips on how to make this trend work for you:

A bold eyeliner: A bold lip with a hint of color is a bold yet minimalistic statement that will turn heads–in a good way. You can pretty much pick any color your heart desires, but an aqua blue or a turquoise would look beautiful with a red lip. Apply to either the upper and lower lash line–and BAM! It’s an easy look that will make it appear that you put a lot more effort in than you actually did. Some good color options are Stila’s Stay All Day Eyeliner in “Turquoise” or Urban Decay’s 24/7 Eye Pencil in “Electric.”

A wash of color: A hint of brown also pairs beautifully with a bold lip. Using a product like Urban Decay’s Naked Basics Palette or MAC’s Groundwork Paintpot will add some definition to the face and frame a red or orange lip beautifully. If you want some shimmer, try a light application of Maybelline’s 24 Hour Color Tattoo in “Bad to the Bronze.” Don’t apply too much otherwise you will have a smokey eye, which is not what we’re going for here. A smoky eye will compete with the lip, whereas a hint of color will compliment them.

A light shimmer: Another option to pair with your neon lip is a wash of a light, shimmery color. It will add light to the eyes without being overpowering, plus it will make you look more awake. Try something like MAC’s eyeshadow in “All That Glitters,” or Maybelle’s 24 Hour Color Tattoo in “Barely Branded.” Both shades have gold sparkle running through them that is perfect for summer and that will flatter any eye color.

While these are just some options, feel free to get creative this summer and wear smoky eyes or tropical colors on your lids if that’s what your heart desires. These suggestions are just quick and chic ways to work the eyes while wearing a colorful lip. Plus, they are mostly sweat proof, which is always a good thing for summer.