Has your New Year’s resolution been slowly slipping away? Don’t panic. Creating a new makeup look can help you get back on track! Looking better means feeling better, and feeling better is the first step to achieving your goals.
Shake things up with Pantone’s 2018 color of the year – Ultra Violet. Described as “dramatically provocative and thoughtful”, nothing screams “New Year, New Me” like this beautifully jewelled shade of purple. Here are some ways to incorporate this year’s color into your makeup catalog.
Smokey Eye
While browns and greys are more traditional colors for the smokey eye, purples can bring this look to a new level. The smokey eye is hard to perfect, but definitely worth putting in the practice. It continues to be a go-to look for high-profile celebrities and is considered a portfolio must-have for any freelance makeup artist.
For a smokey eye in this year’s color, try using Sephora’s Ultraviolet MicroSmooth Baked Eyeshadow Trio or the NYX Hot Singles Eyeshadow in Ultraviolet. Nothing says “I have my life together” like a perfectly executed smokey eye, especially in this year’s rich shade of violet. So, channel your favourite celebrity and start working towards the new you!
Galaxy
For more of an Instagram-worthy look, try mixing this Ultra Violet color with darker blues and blacks towards the outer v of the eye. Then, add some silver sparkle to create a galaxy-inspired look. As Pantone points out, this color “suggests the mysteries of the cosmos and the vast and limitless night sky is symbolic of what is possible”. So, believe that your dreams for 2018 are also possible! Plus, look glamorous and mysterious as you set out to reach those goals!
Mermaid
2017 was a year filled with mermaids – from mermaid hair, to mermaid toast, to Starbuck’s Mermaid Frappuccino – and with the live action version of The Little Mermaid set to hit screens in 2018, this trend is likely to continue into the New Year. Fortunately, Ultra Violet is the perfect color for creating that mermaid look.
Use a bright turquoise eye shadow to lighten up the inner eye and blend with violets and pinks on the lid and in the crease. Add star-shaped glitter and Milk’s Holographic Stick in Lavender to finish off the incandescent look.
Lipstick, Mascara, & Liner
According to Pantone, purples like this year’s Ultra Violet are symbols of non-conformity and artistic brilliance. Musical icons like Prince, David Bowie, and Jimi Hendrix all rocked similarly bright and deep shades of violet. If you’re feeling especially adventurous this 2018, use Ultra Violet in non-traditional ways.
Who said mascara needed to be black? Where did this nude lip trend start anyway? Defy the conventional and replace these everyday products with a bold Ultra Violet version instead. Try the NYX Brights Liner in Vivid Violet. Or, if you’re looking to splurge on some high-quality products this New Year, YSL’s Waterproof Luxurious Mascara For A False Lash Effect in Signature Violet is the perfect choice.
Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty line – the most exciting thing to happen since Kylie’s Lip Kits – also comes packed with options sure to make 2018 a powerful (and very purple) year. Try the Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick in One Of The Boys or the Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick in Unicorn! Is there any greater makeup inspiration than the pop princess herself?
Hair & Nails
If you’re looking to make a statement in 2018, but don’t want to give up your trusty black mascara, not to worry. There are other ways to incorporate Ultra Violet into a bold new look.
Remember when you went to the hair salon, or painted your nails the night before picture day? You may not be in primary school anymore, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start off brand new in 2018.
If you have darker hair, ask your hairdresser to incorporate Ultra Violet undertones for a luxurious pin-up look. For lighter hair, ask for lavender ombre similar to last year’s popular silver hair trend. Mix with blues and pinks to create vibrant mermaid or galaxy effects that are also perfect for hair!
For something less permanent, try a hair chalk, a purple tinted conditioner, or tinted dry shampoo. To make your hair pop, match it with an ultra violet nail polish like Pantone’s own Butter London Nail Polish in Ultra Violet.
This year’s color is said to convey mindfulness and deep meaning. Incorporating ultra violet into your makeup routine can inspire others to connect with you and make reaching your goals that much easier! At QC we encourage you to follow your makeup dreams – bigger is better after all!
Comment below and tell us what you goals are for 2018!
