The seasonal changing of the guard is practically upon us with summer ready to take the place of spring. So, I figured now would be a good time to squeeze in one more color block of inspiration... one that can easily be carried over into the steamy months ahead - peachy corals.
For the eyes, I have a frosty option from L'Oreal. Their HIP eyeshadow duos have long been a drugstore favorite because of the array of colors offered and overall quality. Although some of the duos have been hit-or-miss with regard to pigmentation, this duo in Playful is definitely one of the "hits".
Playful is a pale peach with a high-pearl finish. It is very pigmented and soft to the touch. It performs well on the eye and plays well with others, however, HIP duos are kinda fickle when it comes to playing with each other. I've noticed that the two shades tend to muddy when paired together in one look... almost like they cancel each other out. So using a shade from an outside brand as a buffer would be best to keep the colors in line and prevent fading.
Another eyeshadow option is Inglot's 366. It is a deep, orange coral and has a matte finish.
Inglot 366 is highly pigmented, which goes without saying, and is slightly drier in texture than most of Inglot's mattes. But this in no way impacts its appearance nor performance as it applies and blends effortlessly, and is not the least bit chalky.
Finding a flattering coral for the cheeks is all but too easy since just about every cosmetic brand, from drugstore to high-end, offers one. This beauty was a limited edition blush from MAC and it's called Ripe Peach.
Ripe Peach's ombré design of yellow to pink-coral resembles the skin of a peach. Each shade can be used alone or swirled together to create a lighter coral color. It's lovely.
In lieu of a solid twist-up, why not opt for a lighter version of lipstick this season? Many brands, from Revlon to MAC, offer liquid lipsticks and they are perfect for warmer weather.
Slightly heavier both in pigmentation and texture than a gloss, but not as heavy wearing as a traditional lipstick, liquid lipsticks are a happy medium between the two. This one from Kevyn Aucoin is a smooth, peach-infused coral that's imbued with a high dose of shine.
Another way to add coral to your countenance is via a fabulous pigment. Pigments can not only be used on the eye, but can be added to lip products or on the cheek for an instant boost in color.
This bright, frosty coral with gold shimmer from MAC is called Electric Coral. Inglot, NYX and drugstore brand Jesse's Girl offer a wide range of pigments as well. Pigments can be a little tricky to work with, but are a lot of fun once you get the hang of them.
And finally, if you'd rather be low-key on the makeup tip or could care less about coordinating different shades of coral
on your face, why not
frame your face with the color instead in a pair of oversized shades? It's a very fuss-free way to add the color to your wardrobe and injects a bit of glamour, too!
So with all the countless options out there to "coralize" your spring and summer, I really do hope you take the plunge! It's such a pretty shade that can go from super orangey all the way to pastel pink-toned. So, color yourself up, I say! Let go of the bland and ordinary, and allow yourself to be inspired and captivated by the color of coral.
