Pink eyeshadow has historically been filed under the heading of Things I Will Probably Never Wear In This Lifetime. I just didn’t get it: wouldn’t it make you (or at least me: a fair-skinned blonde) look…sick? Or at the very least, kind of like an alien?
And I’ll be honest: when Urban Decay asked me to help them launch their new Electric Palette, I was nervous. I don’t tend to wear bright eyeshadow a whole lot, and I also don’t apply makeup like a makeup artist; I apply it the way a real person does, and I wear it in the real world alongside other real people (as opposed to on sets, alongside models, or at…I don’t know, raves).
I wanted to create a look that was bold, but also something I’d actually wear.
I also wanted to have a little fun.
I mean, tell me that doesn’t look fun. So I figured that if I was going to try something new with my makeup, I might as well try something really new, and chose to create a look using the shade that I found most intimidating of all: hot pink.
And here’s what I learned: you can apply these shades subtly (as an accent) or layer them on, but either way, I think the key is to put them on like you mean it. I started by creating a subtle pink wash over my lids, and then just kept going, and discovered that the more I committed to the look, the better it got. And in the weeks since I’ve owned this palette, let me tell you: I’ve reached for it a ton.
As it turns out, once you get comfortable with the idea of playing around with color, it loses the intimidation factor and becomes just that: playing.
For this look, I created a monochromatic effect by layering hot-pink shadow (with purple and silver accents) onto my lids and pale pinks on my cheeks and lips, and then finished with strong, graphic liquid liner to break it up.
1. Apply a wash of Revolt over entire lid with a fingertip, extending up to the brow bone (almost to the eyebrow).
2. Apply Savage to entire upper eyelid with a soft shadow brush, extending color up slightly onto browbone and blending well.
3. Smudge Urban into the crease to add depth.
4. With the smaller end of the brush in the palette, rim the lower lash line with Savage, blending to erase any sharp edges and thickening the line towards the outer corner of the eye.
5. Apply a little more Revolt to the inner corner of the eye to brighten it up, blending well.
6. Use the 24/7 eyeliner pencil in black to rim the entire waterline, both top and bottom.
7. Apply a thin swipe of the 24/7 liquid liner to the top lid, winging it out at the end to make a cat-eye.
8. With the liquid liner, create a single small wing on outer edge of the lower lash line, as well (for a Twiggy-ish effect).
9. Apply (lots) of mascara.
(Click here for more Electric Palette inspiration from both bloggers and pros.)
