Beauty In Color: The Art of Makeup
By Daria V. Wright

Every woman should master the art of applying makeup specific to her own unique look; discovering that perfect wash of color that sweeps across your lids and instantly awaken your eyes!  Go ahead, unearth that saucy shade of red that literally speaks drama on your newly bold lips. I’ve found that whenever I create looks for women, it’s rare that I use only one eye or lip color to complete the story. Blending, and mixing colors doesn’t take the expertise of Picasso or Matisse, it just takes practice and some beauty know-how.

The Special Effects Palette by Three Custom Color ($54 threecustom.com) should to be the newest addition to makeup wardrobes across America. It is a beauty treasure, enveloped in a nifty mirrored case that adds punch to those less than praiseworthy lip colors tucked away in your cosmetics caddy. Your blending experience will consist of a white pigment to liven that lip shade that left you looking sallow. It also includes Black pigment to intensify and richen flat, muted shades. Silver, White Frost, and Opal Frost pigment cools down colors, Bronze, Gold, and Copper warm things up, and a sheering gloss will make an oversaturated color more translucent and wearable. The pigments add interest to lip shades without compromising the quality of the lipstick. The palette also contains a spatula, lip brush, and empty space for blending to your hearts content.

Three Custom Color’ s Collection also boasts a “A Century in Red” color palette ($54 threecutsom.com) that features ten vibrant red hues representing shades from the past, present, and color musts for the future. The palette is great for experimenting with different shades that encourage you to connect with your inner siren, starlet, and even the playful side of your personality.

Smashbox offers the Eye Illusion Palette ($32 smashbox.com) a quad with incandescent pastel shades of pink, green, white, and lavender. The colors can be worn alone, or added over darker shadows and liner to create uniquely smashing effects. The palette is also enriched with vitamins C & E to nourish and soothe your lids. As a finale, add customizable depth and dimension to your eyes with one of the ten best selling shades in Smashbox’s cream eyeliner palette ($32 smashbox.com). The flake-free formula is mistake proof, can be easily controlled, and doesn’t move.

Imagine your visage as a beautiful canvas, eagerly anticipating enhancement with fresh, exciting color. Creating customized looks shouldn’t be intimidating or dreadful, though it may take time to master, but with these easy to blend palettes, you now have the know-how to put your best face forward.

Beauty in color is our monthly beauty column aimed at reviewing products, highlighting color trends, and focusing on the hair care and skin care needs of women of color. Please contact Daria V. Wright if you have story ideas or product suggestions.