Studies show that bright hues can promote joy and happiness, so it makes sense that wearing your favourite shades in your makeup can lift your mood.
Enter the makeup trend dubbed “dopamine beauty”, which embraces bold and colourful hues to evoke those feel-good hormones. It’s all about being playful with your makeup and expressing yourself to boost your mood. Whether that’s a red lip or bright eyeshadow, here are a few tips to get you started.
Shop our favourite bright makeup products below
Maybelline Colour Tattoo Eye Stix in I am Fearless
$16.99, at Chemist Warehouse
If you’re new to wearing bright colour, keeping it close to the lash line is the best way to start. Either in a liner form or a soft wash across the lid with lashings of mascara, it’s a fool-proof application.
Stila Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow in Daring
$47, at Mecca
Opt for easy-to-use liquid formulas or pigment-packed eyeshadow palettes – you’ll only need one swipe across the lid to make your eyes pop!
Mecca Max Limited Edition Flying Colours 25-Shade Eyeshadow Palette
$49, at Mecca
The brightest in beauty, the boldest of eyeshadow looks – meet this season’s makeup staple for happiness-inducing rainbow eyes. Sparkling wet-look shimmers in every shade, and velvety-soft neutrals to take you from day to disco. Ultra-blendable, this palette might look too pretty to touch, but it looks even better on your lids.
Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in Big Melons
$39, at Sephora
Since bold and bright cheeks have been a top trend this year, applying a bolder hue shouldn’t be as daring as it once seemed. Try playing around with different tones to find which shades suit your eye colour and skin tone.
Maybelline Sunkisser Blush in Summer Sizzle
$23.49, at Chemist Warehouse
For choosing a blush formula, try a product that you can make sheer or more saturated – it will allow you to test the colour as you go and add a little more pigment if you fancy.
MCoBeauty Liquid Blush Luminous Glow in Lava
$22.39, at Chemist Warehouse
Try a liquid blush that builds a weightless veil of colour. It creates a pigmented glow in moments, giving your skin a natural-looking flush and soft-focus effect.
L’Oréal Paris Matte Resistance Lipstick in Spill the Tea
$22.39, at Chemist Warehouse
Often the star of the show, bright lips can make you feel like a million dollars. For example, you can go full saturated bold with an intense red or use that same colour just in the very middle of your lips to create a bitten lip stain.
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil in Happy
$43, at Sephora
Think hints of pink across the eyes, finished with a darker- hued lippy for a touch of drama. It can certainly be a great way to bring a colourful look together and help balance your makeup look.
Revlon Colorstay Suede Ink Lip in Spit Fire
$26.99, at Chemist Warehouse
Love bright lipstick but hate when it vanishes? Use matte lipsticks! The matte-r the lipstick, the longer the colour sticks around so you can go about your day without a single touch-up.
Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules Hydra-Plumping Serum
$175, at Elizabeth Arden
From late-night parties to sparkling soirées, nailing your skincare routine is the key to looking fresh and radiant this holiday season. Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules Hydra-Plumping Serum is formulated for maximum potency, for instance this silky, lightweight serum is boosted with skin-strengthening ceramides and hyaluronic acid to draw in moisture. Above all, the results give you plump and bouncy-looking skin!
L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Golden Age Peony Serum
$59.99, at L’Oréal
Ramp up the radiance with this new face oil that instantly delivers a gorgeous rosy glow. Specifically formulated for mature and dry skin, plus suitable for all skin types, simply smooth over your clean, dry face every morning and night to deeply moisturise and nourish.
Essano Happy Skin Makeup Melt Milky Oil Cleanser
$23.99, at Chemist Warehouse
Take the day off with this creamy cleanser. With skin-loving ingredients like squalane and hyaluronic acid, it effortlessly melts away makeup, sunscreen and more without stripping your skin as a result.