Bold colours splashed their way onto Spring runways without leaving makeup behind. Bright hues and pops of colour are perfect for celebrating the warm weather ahead, so what better than a tangy trend to jump start spring? Usually bold brights are left for our lips, but this season you can look forward to an abundance of colourful eyeshadows including daring red hues.


Narciso Rodriguez, Carolina Herrera, Derek Lam (images via Vogue.com, Allure.com)

Since a pop of colour can be overbearing enough, it's best to stick with matte shades when applying this look. Bold brick reds work best, but you may need to play around with different hues until you find one that works for you. Paler skin tones can pull off a bright, ruby red while darker pigments should stick to deeper, rich tones like maroon.

Apply the shadow close to the lash line, dragging the pigment outwards to cover the rest of your lid. This dramatic look can easily be lightened by adding a dash of white shimmer to the inner corners of each eye. This will not only help break up the colour, but it will also make eyes appear brighter and more white (which is important, since red eyeshadow can sometimes intensify any red you already have in your eyes). Lastly, pair your colourful lids with a carbon black mascara to avoid eyes looking swollen.

With such dramatic eyes, it's important to keep the rest of your makeup minimal. A soft peach blush and a sheer glossy lip are the perfect pairing to this sexy Spring trend. Just make sure to spot test your pigments before application, as some people may react to the dyes that are used to make red shadows.

Eyeshadows

Clockwise from top left: Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Eyecolor in Snow (US$13.00), Make Up For Ever Pure Pigments in No. 6 Bright Red (US$19.00), M.A.C Eye Shadow in Red Brick (US$11.00), Nyx Single Eyeshadow in Sunrise (US$6.70), Manic Panic in Vampire Red (US$8.25), Lise Watier Loose Powder Eyeshadow in Folie Blanche (C$18.00)
      
Pair With

Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Apricot (C$17.50), Revlon Matte Powder Blush in Perfectly Peach (C$10.99), Burt's Bees Super Shiny Lip Gloss in Sweet Lemon (C$10.25)

Would you try red eyeshadow for spring?

-By Marni Zaretsky