Just as the seasons change, so do fashion and beauty trends. Not that last season's colours are so passe you can no longer wear them. But a new season offers a feeling of change and newness, and sometimes it's nice to update your look in tandem.



The year 2012 was ushered in with a call for colour. First appearing on fashion runways, bright colours have since started popping up in home design and makeup trends as well. When Pantone named their vibrant Tangerine Tango the colour of the year for 2012, it was official: Bright and bold is in!



Bright, colourful makeup is everywhere this season, so we checked in with an expert to find out what colours are trendy and how to get the look without looking like a clown.

What bright makeup colours are hot right now?
Jane McKay, senior artist at MAC Cosmetics, says that the leading bright makeup colours are oranges and pinks. "Jason Wu featured a vibrant orange-red lip at his spring-summer New York City show. I love it!" she says.

"We are also seeing alternative colours, such as the turquoise lips seen at the Mary Katrantzou spring-summer show," says McKay. While turquoise lips might be just a little too far-fetched for most of us, you can still enjoy the trend without going overboard.

Here are McKay's recommended colours.

Eyes: Turquoise and blue
Lips: Pink and orange
Cheeks: Pink and orange
Nails: Any bright colour (pink, orange, yellow, purple, green or blue)


Choosing the right bright colours for you

If you're ready to wear this beauty trend, now it's time to choose your colours. But how do you know what colours you should opt for?

"All women can wear vibrant shades of makeup," says McKay. "However, it comes down to your comfort level." For women who don't want to make an overtly bold colour statement with their makeup, McKay recommends a sheer application of a bright colour, which will appear softer.



Pink, she says, is a colour that works on everyone. "It matches warm or pink undertone skin and it brightens cooler, yellow-based skin tones," says McKay. "MAC Viva Glam Nicki is my go-to pink lipstick right now.

"

For tan skin tones, McKay recommends orange lipstick, which both embraces the current colour trend and is perfect for spring and summer.



Still not sure? Poke through your closet and take an inventory of your clothing. "If you feel good wearing bright colours in clothing, the same will apply to your makeup," she says.

Page 1 of 2 -- McKay reveals her dos and don'ts for wearing colourful makeup on page 2

Makeup application tips

Poorly applied makeup can really ruin the look you're trying to achieve. So before you pick up your makeup brushes, McKay offers up these tips to help you get it right on your first try.


Eyes: "I like to wear a pop of colour in a not too overpowering way," says McKay. "Apply colour as an eyeliner or wear it on your eyelids."


Lips: Use a lip liner to draw on a clean, crisp line. This will help prevent any feathering or bleeding of the lipstick.


Cheeks: This is the one feature where sheer bright colour is best. Do not overapply bright cheek colour or it may look tacky, McKay warns.


Nails: Go for it! Nail art is so huge. Wearing different shades on different nails and patterns is "oh-so in" right now, says McKay.



Jane McKay's dos and don'ts for wearing bright makeup

Do wear bright colours on only one facial feature. When we see just bright lips or just bright eye makeup, it makes a stronger fashion statement than wearing bright colours all over your face.


Do wear bright colours with confidence. A woman with vibrant lips is usually self-secure and not afraid to stand out and be noticed.


Don't wear bold eye makeup all over your eyes. If the colour is visible from your lashes to your brows, then it is too strong.

Don't let bright dramatic lipsticks bleed. McKay recommends pairing your lipstick with a crisp lip liner or a soft blurred edge, rather than letting it bleed.

Now that you have these need-to-know makeup tips, pulling off colourful makeup will be easy. Check out our Photo gallery: 13 best bright makeup products for summer.

Find more great fashion and style advice at our Fashion and Beauty blog.

Natalie Bahadur is the senior editor of styleathome.com and a contributor to canadianliving.com.


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