In a makeup rut? Feeling like summer is almost gone and you’ve missed your chance to spice things up? Here’s your quick guide to the bright, bold splashes of color that make your makeup fun again. But before you step out wearing a shockwave of color, here’s where you don’t want to let your fun side shine: At a job interview, client meeting or interview with the dean of your prospective college; before the big hand hits 12 – shimmer in the morning is not ok; if you’re sporting a whopper of a zit – keep color neutral so you don’t attract attention.

If you’re a color virgin, start with green. It’s bright and sassy, but isn’t the “Hey, look at me!” shocker that other colors can be. Green is super trendy and compliments every eye color and skin tone. If you’re easing into the brighter shades, green can be striking but subtle. Try lining your top lashes with sage or emerald liner and cover the line with a matching shadow to keep it put for the day. If you’re already a color-expert, swipe a confident line of dark lime green across the crease and hold it back with a healthy dose of black mascara. What’s fresh this season? Lip gloss with a ting of green. Seriously! A little is all it takes to look totally hot.

For a summertime alternative to smoky eyes, go blue. Feeling feisty? Purple’s your shade. These two colors are perfect for nighttime makeup that commands attention. To be sure that attention is because you’re gorgeous and not because your makeup is having an 80’s flashback, use a pale pink or white accent shadow at the brow line. Sweep sky blue in the crease and under lower lashes to frame your eyes in a color that lifts and reflects light. Then go wild with cobalt on your lids and the outer corner of the lower lashes. Finish with loads of mascara.

Kick the innocent girly-girl look up a notch or two with an audacious swipe of fuchsia. To make this work, use a full-coverage powder for a flawless base, add color with a bronzing powder and a dab of pink to the cheeks. Forget eye color. Opt instead for a few, well-placed false lashes and mega mascara. This makeup sets-up your lips to take on intense color with fuchsia lip stick. Always use matte lipstick and finish with a barely-there clear gloss.

Ready for the ultimate in color fun – try orange. Not everyone can pull it off, so be honest. Tangerine shadow with a hint of shimmer looks like summer vacation brushed along the upper lash line and the crease. Nothing more than a thick coat of mascara is needed. Glosses and lipsticks in hues of orange are also cool and make your teeth look whiter as an added bonus. Pick only one, lips or eyes. Both, and you run the risk of looking like you face-planted on a Creamsicle.

When wearing brilliant shades of color on your eyes, dust loose powder along the lower lashes and your cheek bones. Then, if any color spills, you can dust it away without streaking your face.

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