What the mall makeup-counter ladies say isn’t always right.

Come closer. We need to share something but we don’t want the Internet to hear. Ready? Okay. Sometimes our makeup looks bad. Okay, really bad. Like, eighth-grade picture bad, when you’re combining braces, big-framed glasses, and hair you haven’t figured out quite how to tame yet.

How does this happen into our adult years? We’re not quite sure. Maybe we’re swayed by catchy magazine layouts that promise the latest trends that don’t translate off-page. (Or they do translate, but they read: clown.) Maybe we’re influenced by a makeup artist who sits us in a department store chair and plies us with powders that look great under fluorescent lighting, but look fluorescent under the light of the sun.

Or maybe, it’s time for all of us to just take a stand and say NO MORE to certain makeup trends and tap into what feels right to us. Regardless, here’s a few combos we advise you steer 100 miles clear of.

Blue eye shadow and red lipstick
Blue was once the glory of all eye shadow. We plied it across our Barbie’s lids, convinced it was the most fabulous accessory short of the silver saddle jauntily sitting across a My Little Pony. Now, blue eye shadow, especially when matched to red lipstick, is like the Sasquatch of makeup. It sounds interesting in theory, but we have yet to see it work in person.

Matchy-match eye shadow and lipstick
Pink and pink? You look like you’ve escaped from your hospital bed and are about to start a zombie plague. Blue and blue? You’ve already started the zombie plague. There’s not a color match on planet Earth that can work on any complexion without completely washing it out. Seriously, Stephen Hawking would back me up on this. It’s a law of physics.

Black eyeliner and nude lips
This is perhaps the most controversial of our bad color combos. Black eyeliner, artfully applied, is the ultimate tool to make eyes pop. But combined with a too-pale lip? Your eyes are popping while the rest of your face looks like it’s given up and gone to bed early with a glass of warm milk.

Image: soundfromwayout, xlordash

The post 3 Makeup Color Combinations That Don’t Work (So Don’t Even Try Them) appeared first on EcoSalon.

Tips for nailing your makeup like a pro.

Let’s be blunt. Sometimes applying makeup can be an utter pain in the ass. Why? First, you have to master the art of eyes. For a non-professional, drawing the perfect eye line requires a steady hand and nerves of steel. (See: Screams of frustration after several smudged applications.) And once you’ve got your eyes all set, you’re supposed to top it off with a perfectly-accentuating lipstick. Mess this up and your face explodes in a mess of clown color reminiscent of someone you might see juggling cats at a second-rate circus.

But when you nail your makeup? Break out the runway, because you’re strutting down it more confident than any Gisele or Heidi. So here are three makeup combos that will keep you pout perfect and proud.

Black eyeliner and red lips
Coco Chanel said that “Elegance does not consist of putting on a new dress.” She might have also said “Artful black eyeliner with an eye-popping red lip is the ultimate in class.” (Okay, she didn’t, but can’t you see it?) This classic look travels well across all skin tones, bringing style and grace to anyone who can wield a liquid liner.

Shimmery eyes and fruity lips
A bright shimmery powder can bring out the deep, rich color in your eyes. Pair it with a plum or raspberry lip and you’ll light up like a spring blossom on a sunny morning. This works for both light and dark complexions.

Smokey eyes and pink lip

Smokey eyes are big right now, but pairing them with a dark lip can lead to too much makeup for one face. So consider combining your dark eyes with a lighter lip. Be sure to add a little bit of pink or peach undertones to your mouth to avoid a washed-out pucker. You want to make a pretty impression with your peeps while making your pout a supporting power player.

Image: melloveschallah

The post 3 Brilliant Lipstick and Eye Makeup Combos appeared first on EcoSalon.