Makeup Hues: Coordinate but Do NOT Match

I'm not sure when it all began but there is this misconception that it's best to choose eyeshadow and/or lip colors that "match" your outfit but that is a big "no no".  You can get sooooo caught up on having a colorful palette of corals, peaches and pinks to coordinate with your uber girly romper or sundress that you don't realize that when you step out, people aren't screAMing, "oooo AMazing eyes or fab lips" but rather "oooo she looks like a kaleidoscope". 

don't misinterpret this as you should completely ignore your attire when it comes to makeup because that is not what i'm saying.  on the contrary, be completely cognizant of your outfit and tie in your makeup "style" (notice i said "style" not "color"). 

when i say style, let me give you an exAMple, with nautical being all the rage right now, with classic navy, red and white/ivory, you want to keep your makeup also clean, simple and classic.  play with nudes or a chAMpagne (for a little shimmer) on the lid with a matte chocolate brown in the crease and highlight with a flat creAM under the brow bone.  that may seem boring to most

but you can't forget eyeliner.  you want to get a super black liquid liner and extend it past the natural corner of your eye.  the thickness of the line is completely up to you but gradually thickening it as you move toward the outer part of the eye and finishing with a nice, sharp point drifting upward is perfection!  since we kept the eye somewhat delicate and simplistic, a matte red lip is all you need to finish this look off right.  (side note: play with the red lip stain before you take it home. your natural skin tone may draw oranges or blues so what's in the tube or pot is not necessarily what will come out on your lips -- such a tough color but so worth it!)

now a contrasting exAMple, you are wearing a picturesque romper (can you tell i'm diggin' rompers this summer!) that is rich in colors -- the last thing you want to do is pull colors from the pattern and slap it on your eyes.  you may apply the colors in an all-so-fab-way to your lids but i can only see the beauty of your artwork if maybe your romper was well...plain!  going back to an early post, i heart the vibrant blinkers but only when your attire is neutral (i.e. khaki, black, white, etc.).  with a tie-dyed romper (seen to the left), i highly recommend that you pull in the green (see i'm not recommending that you abandon color all together) by lining the upper and lower lid with a matching shadow or liner.  still rim the inner lid and under the lashes with a black or dark brown, depending on your natural skin tone and features and keep it basic with the lashes as well (but be sure to pump them up with 2 coats of mascara). Taupes on the eyes will work best or even a shimmery copper all over the lid with a nice pearlized highlighter on not only the brow bone but also the cheekbone.  I'd finish it up with a super bronzed all over look (try a mineralized bronzer but beware of glitter -- you def don't want this all over your face) and simple "stain" to the lips with a berry shade. by this, i mean don't whip out the gloss -- you want to make it look very natural, as though your lips are this color day-in and day-out.  look for lip stain pots.  Bobbi Brown makes a great one (Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks that can actually double as a cheek stain -- a perfect product to keep in your purse when you a need a little refresher.

Lastly, when all else fails and you just aren't too sure what to do with your makeup, stay true to you.  with that i mean, choose hues that compliment your eye color or skin tone. brown/taupe shadows are best for blue eyes. purple shades are AMazing for brown-eyed girls and green peepers (green/hazel eyes also look fantastic with apricot shadows. and gloss of the lips with a color one or two shades bolder than your own. 

just remember "coordinate" your look but please do not match everything up -- if you do, you will stop traffic but only because you may be blinding some people :-)  if you use these above-mentioned tips, you're whole look - from head to toe - will be conveying that "i AM stylin'"