Pastel for Summer I: Here’s how you can wear sophisticated pastel shades this summer
We’re loving the pastel shade revival this summer, but we have to admit that it can look a bit too pop princess at times. Here’s how you can take that pastel trend and make it more sophisticated for a casual daytime look.
1. Prep your skin
Image via Pinterest
Create a smooth and flawless base on which to apply your pastel shades by priming your skin with a primer and smoothing out any imperfections with concealer and foundation. If you’re going for a more dewy look, opt instead for a tinted moisturiser or BB cream, which will give you just enough cover without looking heavy.
2. Avoid washed out chalky tones
Image via mcdellbeauty.com
Summer is the perfect time of the year for you to show off healthy and glowing skin, which is why you should avoid pastels which have a a white base altogether as chalky tones can make the skin appear ashy. Opt for warmer pastel shades, such as pale corals and warm pinks to brighten up your features and highlight your glowing skin instead.
3. Mix and match pastels and metallics
Image via fypony.tumblr.com
We love the pastel x shimmer look on PONY!
If you want to add a bit of shimmer and shine to your pastel look, consider combining your pastels with metallics like how pony does it, which can give the added depth to your makeup that pastels often lack. Semi-shimmer shades of silver and champagne shimmer creams work well with pastels, you just need to experiment and work out which combinations look best on you.
Here are our recommendations to recreate Pony's look:
The Bobbi Brown Party Sticks that comes in four shimmery colours! Click image to grab yours.
4. Full on pastel lips
Image via Pinterest
Pastel lipstick is one aspect of this trend that we’re all over right now. Sporting a full-on pastel lip is great, but getting your colour to pop isn’t as easy as it looks. Start off by exfoliating and moisturising your lips for a smooth base and apply foundation over your pout before going in with the lipstick. The layer of foundation acts as a primer and will give your pastel lipstick enough of a bare canvas to really brighten up your colour.
5. Blusher in moderation
Image via imabeautygeek.com
For a toned down pastel look, go easy on the blusher and apply a light dusting of pale pastel pink blusher to the apples of your cheeks only. If you’re going in with a more peachy tone, use this to accentuate your features and apply sparingly over the higher parts of your cheekbones.
Both looks above were created using the YSL Baby Doll Kiss & Blush. We love the way the colours pop and how it can be used as a blush and a lipstick! Check out this hot pink #1 Fuchsia Desinvolte, as seen on Cara Delevingne.
6. Pastels for highlights
If you’d prefer to opt out of using blusher altogether, purchase a pale cream highlighter and use light strobing techniques to accentuate your cheekbones, forehead and cupid’s bow. Strobing will help to create a more dewy look and balance out the matte flatness of pastel makeup in general. Try the Bobbi Brown Brightening Brick, Your go-to product for a lit-from-within glow. The combination of the warmth of a bronzer and the soft flush of a blush that gives your skin a gorgeous, subtle glow.
