There seems to be an unspoken rule that as you grow older, you need to leave behind “youthful” things such as colour. You might read plenty of articles about dressing in classic silhouettes or wearing tonal makeup, because that seems to be what is expected of you as you mature. But just like every rule in the book, this needs to be broken.
Growing older doesn’t mean wearing brown eyeshadow and nude lipstick. It shouldn’t mean dyeing your hair and using anti-ageing creams. Instead, it should be about accepting those changes and using them to your advantage.
Wear that neon lipgloss, and let that grey be. Colours make everything better, brighter, happier. Embrace it, and let me show you how.
Start slow
If the idea of experimenting with colour baffles you, start out slow. Copper is a great way to do this. As an eyeshadow, it is neutral enough to be considered a ‘subtle’ option, but there is enough orange/red in there to still stand out. MAC’s Coppering Eyeshadow (₹1,400 from Nykaa) or Makeup Geek Foiled Eyeshadow in Flame Thrower (₹650 from Beauty Bay) are both great ways to start. Let this be your entry to the bolder reds, oranges and even blues.
The easiest way to make colour work with hooded eyes is to use it in place of eyeliner. Place it around the eyes and blend upwards, using mascara to define your eyes instead. It doesn’t matter if it’s a purple, mustard yellow or forest green. Where you place your eyeshadow can make your eyes the focal point without much else.
The simplest way to wear colour is a bold lip. But think beyond your classic reds. If you take your cues from the likes of Helen Mirren, you may notice how good the bright pinks and deep purples can look. Bobbi Brown’s Crushed Lip Colour in Punch (₹1,700 from Nykaa) or Maybelline’s Pretty in Plum (₹500 from Nykaa) are both rich pops of colour.
Choose your texture
Rid yourself of harsh eyeliners that emphasise the texture of your skin and choose matte or satin eyeshadows instead. They are easier to work with and far more versatile, as both colour and liner.
Similarly, ditch the liquid lipstick in favour of regular lipsticks or lip crayons. Clinique’s Chubby Sticks (₹1,500), L’Oreal’s Matte Moisture Lipsticks (₹1,250) and Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Colours (₹1,700) all have vibrant lip shades that can make your lips look incredible without emphasising the lines.
However, when it comes to base products, liquids will always work better than product as they give the skin a dewy glow. Cream blushes like the Glossier Cloud Paint in Haze (₹1,175 on Glossier.com) while bright, blend into the skin much more naturally than its powder counterpart.
Tie it in
The least daunting way to wear colour is to tie it in with something else. Match your turquoise jewellery with eyeshadow in a similar shade and lots of mascara to balance it out. Or add a peachy orange cream blush to tie in with your bold orange lip. Something as simple as seeing colour repeat itself (even various hues) makes it look a lot more natural.
Experiment
And finally, don’t stop with just your face or your clothes. Instead of dyeing those greys brown, maybe look into a colour instead. If you’re already grey, you have an advantage over the rest of us who need to sit for hours together to bleach the hair enough for it to take on a colour. Choose a purple, a pink or even a pastel wash! Or just tone it silver, and find yourself perfectly on trend.
Colour can be liberating, empowering and, most of all, fun. After all, what is the point of fashion or makeup if you aren’t having fun with it.
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