fotd: cool pinks and how to wear them

On principal, I really hate that there are makeup rules about wearing specific colours for your skin tone. But the truth is there are definitely colours each of us just feel we look better in, and colours that kind of make us look…off. My personal preference is for warm colours, but once in a while I stumble onto a cool-toned-something-or-another that just calls my name. This season it was Cle de Peau Beaute’s new Liquid Rouge in #15 Fast Lane, an irresistible Barbie-pink lip lacquer. How could I pass up on something that is the stuff of my childhood dreams?

Ahem. For the adults in the room, these Liquid Rouges check all the boxes on texture and pigmentation too. The finish of reminds me of YSL Glossy Stains…but waaaaaay better. They go on smoothly and evenly, don’t dry down to a sticky finish, and remain comfortable on the lips.

Anyway I thought I’d have some fun with this FOTD and go full-on Barbie – frosty pink eyeshadow and all! But I also wanted to share some tips on how I make cool colours like these work against my warm skin tone, because I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to expand their range of wearable shades.

1. A little bit of a tan helps. When we say a colour doesn’t work with us, it’s usually because it washes us out and makes us look ill. The best way to counteract that is a healthy glow, so break out the bronzer. I love NARS Laguna because it has a slight yellow undertone that looks very natural on my skin.

2. Pick a neutral nude blush. A cool blush will almost certainly be too much if you’re already sporting cool eyes and lips, and a warm blush can look too jarring with an otherwise cool look. Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed is probably my favourite neutral nude matte blush, but I reach for Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure when I need a bit of glow as well.

3. Balance cool eyeshadow with warm crease and transition colours. It’ll help your cool shades meld with your skin tone more and keep your eye area from looking ashy. My go-to crease/transition colours are MAC eyeshadow in Rule and Make Up For Ever’s M646 Latte. They can warm up even the coolest, frostiest shadow look and just bring things together so beautifully.

4. Smoke it out. A bolder eyeshadow look gives you the chance to sneakily incorporate more harmonious warm tones and makes the finished product look more intentional.

5. Don’t skip the eyeliner. It anchors an eye look and gives the face contrast, which – again – prevents you from looking washed out.

And there you have it. I hope this helps you break some makeup rules and wear more of the shades you love!

Face: Cle de Peau Beaute Radiant Cream Foundation, Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer // Cheeks: NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna, Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed // Eyes: Coax and Shellshock from Urban Decay Vice 2, MAC eyeshadows in Beauty Marked and Rule, Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in M646 Latte, Physician’s Formula Lash Boosting Eyeliner, Make Up For Ever Excessive Lash Mascara // Brows: Make Up For Ever Pro Sculpting Brown in #40 // Lips: Cle de Peau Beauty Liquid Rouge in #15 Fast Lane

This post features a product/products that were provided as press samples, however all opinions and observations are my own and not influenced by the brand or its PR team. This post contains affiliate links.