Do the bright thing

Nothing says summer quite like a juicy tangerine lip or a splash of aqua across the eyes and rarely before has a pop of positivity been quite so needed. What better way to celebrate the looming ‘return to normality’ than with a cacophony of colour? There’s even a bit of psychology behind it – most of us are au fait with the confidence boost a slick of bright lipstick can bring, but some studies say that makeup can actually help boost productivity too.

So while skincare may have superseded makeup as our beauty mainstay for the first time in the history of cosmetics, the pendulum may be about to swing back the other way if predictions of a ‘roaring twenties’ are to be believed. Either way, you can’t go far wrong with a swipe of bold colour.

‘Bright makeup is a great summer staple because it adds that important pop of colour to the face which looks stunning in the sunshine and offers an element of fun,’ says makeup artist Dani Guinsberg. Time to swot up on swatches and dive into the fun zone.

Never underestimate the clout of a punchy pout — it’s your ultimate summer accessory and the makeup equivalent of donning a power suit. But if a stamp of bold lipstick feels too brazen, try easing in with a sheer balm or gloss instead. ‘Everyone looks good with a bright lip – it’s all about finding the right shade for you,’ says Dani. ‘I feel olive skin tones often look best with a pop of bright pink which creates a great contrast to the warmth of the skin. Likewise, paler skin tones look great with a vibrant orange, while for dark skin types I love a pillarbox red that sits in the neutral end of the colour spectrum and works with both cooler or warmer skin tones.’

Any application rules when going bright? ‘Those of us with thin lips should always use a lipliner in our chosen lip shade to help create the illusion of a fuller lip,’ advises Dani.

Step away from the smoky eye palette, it’s time to indulge in a little joie de vivre when it comes to playing up your eyes. Colour-phobes fear not – you don’t have to swathe your lids in block colour to create an impact. There are plenty of other ways to add a pop of bright, whether it’s pressing a dot of eyeshadow onto the centre of the lids or donning some coloured mascara.

‘If you’re still feeling fearful of colour on the eyes, opt for a beautiful sliver of thinly drawn eyeliner in a bright tone which will give just a hint of colour while still creating a flattering accent,’ says Dani. Any chroma rules when it comes to different eye colours? ‘Every eye colour looks amazing with a bright green,’ Dani suggests, ‘but just remember that the more the eye makeup colour contrasts with your natural eye colour – think opposites on the colour wheel – the more intense the pop will be.’

Think of nails as your natural entry point into the world of vibrant colour. The beauty of nail polish is that you can swap and change hue easily and quickly depending on your mood without making a production number out of it. Feeling like a lift? Go for something bright and summery. In a dramatic mood? Try a darker shade that makes a bold statement. It’s your chance to play around and experiment.

Cheeks may be the last place you’d think of to indulge in a spot of colour therapy and yet a pop of bright pink or coral is actually a great way to liven up lacklustre skin and deliver a youthful glow. ‘If you naturally opt for a rosy or nude blush then it can be fun to play with a bright coral or fuchsia on the cheeks,’ says Dani. ‘Just remember to stick to the apples when applying and blend really well. Keeping the rest of the makeup pared back will ensure that the effect is less theatre and more fashion.’