Color I'm Loving: Orange

It is summer, friendly people!  This is a time to try out bright colors and take risks with different looks...especially if you like shades of the 1980s.  One color I am loving to wear is orange and colors close to it like melon and coral.  These colors have been hot on the runways but unlike other lip colors, few want to wear this daring shade for fear of looking garish, tacky, and/or sickly.  There is no need to be scared of the color because it can look gorgeous on many.  Those who wear it need to find their right color because like any other colors, the undertones of the color makes all the difference.  If you have cool-toned (more pink than yellow) skin, look for oranges with a little pink or red in them, like melon or coral.  If you have warm skin (more yellow), a truer orange will look edgy and awesome on you.  If you have beige skin...lucky ducks!  You can wear any of the colors!  Orange is one of those colors people do not expect in makeup because they take color so literally.  The thing is, most people will not look good in straight-up orange.  The trick is finding the right tones within the color.

I only did one eye because my eyeliner
broke and I got frustrated

The most popular way to wear orange on the runway is on the lips, but orange eyelids have been popping up a lot as well.  If you are daring, color block it.  Just pack on the color and finish with a gorgeous cat eyeliner.  If you want a very wearable look, use the orange as a wash of color and use brown to tone it down in a pretty smokey eye.  Depending on the brown, this can be a look for summer or autumn.  In the summer, don't go as dark- it will look too harsh.

This was my favorite look

When wearing color on the lips, it depends on how much edge you want to determine your look.  If you want to look sweet with subtle color- go for a stain, a little bolder- layer a gloss on it, and if you want to go all rock-star- wear one of the rockin' lipsticks out there!

Stained lips and cheeks

Last, melon/coral cheeks have been catching on in makeup.  Keep it very subtle with this feature because it can edge on weird-old-lady very quickly.  Just add a slight flush to the apples of your cheeks and you will look so sweet!





If you are unsure of where to start with orange, I would suggest starting slowly with a sheer formula, whether it is a cheek or lip stain.  If you are bold, go for one of the great orange lipsticks out there!  I have a few choice products for all levels to try.

Subtle and sexy:

Josie Maran Lipstain in Jive* 

NEW!  (I haven't tried it, but it looks amazing!) Benefit Cha-Cha Tint Lip/Cheekstain

Revlon Superlustrous Lipgloss in Firecracker

Revlon Colorstay Lipgloss in Continuous Coral

Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain in (I think it's called) Daybreak

Bold and Beautiful:

Prestige Lip Liner in Poppy

Covergirl Natureluxe in Anemone

Makeup Forever Aqua Lip Liner in Bright Orange 17C 

NARS Lipstick in Heat Wave* 

Givenchy Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick in 13 Tempting Orange and 14 Fruity Orange

Makeup Forever Eyeshadow in Orange Coral Matte 5, Tangerine 18, Cantaloupe 24*, Pearly Orange 25

Makeup Forever Aquacream in Orange

* Worn in one of the photos

I hope this helps any of you who were debating on using orange in your summer makeup and those who didn't think orange was plausible for off the runway.  If you have any questions about working with this color or any other bright, please leave a comment or send me a message.  I'd be happy to elaborate for those who want more information.

By the way, all the brushes I used for these looks- eye brushes for a brown smoky eye with the stain and color block, and stippling foundation brush- are Real Techniques brushes.  They are makeup brushes created by one of my favorite Youtube beauty gurus:  Sam from Pixiwoo!  I will write a post about her brushes next because I've used them enough to have a strong opinion.


Take chances, make mistakes, and stay beautiful!

-M