How to Apply Bright Spring Colors to Fair Skin

Many fair-skinned women turn away from bright, bold make-up colors and go back to their comfort zone, neutrals. Bright colors are not for me they say, concerned about looking like a clown, or worse, like a "lady of the evening." But there's nothing to worry about if you apply these makeup colors correctly.

My model has porcelain-fair skin with cool undertones. She usually wears neutral eye make-up, an all-over face powder for a "glow" instead of a blush, and light lipsticks or glosses. These choices wash the color out from fair skins, making them look paler. She agreed to let me give her a "spring make-over" for this article.

I started with her eyes, and as a base shadow, chose one that in its package is a bright sunny yellow. I used a light hand in applying it from lash-line to brow bone, so instead of shining, it provided a light wash of color. The next color was a lime green. She was horrified, but she was a good sport and let me apply it from the lash line to just above the crease. Again, a light wash, not a blast of color. I finished with an ocean blue shadow that I used as a liner with a wet brush on the upper and lower lash lines. By mixing water with the color, the blue intensified, and the shadow could make a defined line.

For the cheeks I chose a coral-pink cream blush. She was afraid that with her coloring, coral would make her look sallow. But by lightly applying the blush to the apple of her cheeks and blending it my fingertips, it gave her a natural and healthy glow, without sallowness. I finished with a pink lipstick a couple of shades darker than her actual lip color.

When using bright colors on pale skins, don't put on too much; go for a wash of color. Light skins look "made-up" without very much make-up, and a caked-on look isn't pretty. A pale pink blush on a pale skin can make the skin look washed out and even paler than it is. Don't use a dark blush, but do use one with a touch of warmth, and blend well. If you want to focus on the lips, don't use the pink look that I gave my model; use a darker lipstick in a coral tone. A red on the coral side of pure red is perfect. I used pink because I wanted the focus to be on the eyes, not the lips; if you want the eyes to stand out, don't dress the lips up too much, and vice versa.

The result? Bright spring colors on a fair skin, providing a beautiful look!