Like the closet staples we reach for over and over again (little black dress, comfy denim, leather jacket), we also have go-to makeup looks for different occasions. Night on the town? We bust out the smoky eye that's just the right mix of sultry and rocker-chic. Overslept for work — again? We swipe on the brightest lipstick in our arsenal and pretend we're not wearing our PJs as a button-down. But recently, we've found ourselves looking for ways to break out of this beauty rut. There's just too much good makeup in the world to not try new things, amirite? First things first, we rounded up some inspiration. One source: singer Zara Larsson's interactive music video with Clinique, Lush Life. By interactive, we mean it's basically the grown-up's (or beauty fanatic's) version of "Choose Your Own Adventure," except the adventure you're choosing is Larsson's makeup. And with each lipstick color you select comes an entirely different aesthetic inspired by the shade. It got us thinking — could a pop of color be all we need to take our beauty game to the next level?
Click through to see how makeup artist Allie Smith put this idea to the test, transforming four of our favorite stand-by looks into something completely new. Because we're not quite ready to say goodbye to our smoky eye altogether.
All products by Clinqiue.
Skin Is In
A dewy, fresh-faced complexion may be your go-to on days when you've had it with makeup. But when you see what just small touches of color can do to the look, we're willing to bet it gets your heart fluttering a bit.
To achieve this dewy complexion, get greedy with your facial oil. Apply a generous amount (your skin probably needs more than you think) before your base makeup, then blot off any excess that doesn't fully absorb into the skin.
To keep this look feeling soft and new, forgo any base shadow, liner, or heavy mascara. Instead, use a brush to apply a bright- or pastel-blue shadow to just the inner corner of each eye socket, slightly above the inner corner of the eye. You can make this as soft or diffused as you'd like by either blending the color out or by concentrating the pigment in one spot.
Next, give your dewy face an equally shiny lip. We used Clinique Pop Oil in Poppy Glow, a coral-tinted oil you can apply to both your lips and your cheeks.
When you're done, your skin's glowy, your makeup's on point. That's what we call a win-win in the beauty department.
Model wearing H&M top, Tibi dress and Miansai Earrings.
A New Classic
There are approximately eight billion ways to wear a smoky eye. (That's a scientific fact, people.) So it was only natural we decided to see what a pop of color could add to this trusty favorite.
To start off this smoke show, use brown eyeliner to shade in each lid, extending the color outward to line up with the tail end of your brow. This acts as a primer, creates a more even distribution of color, and guides the overall shape, says Smith. For a soft, diffused effect, follow up by dusting a matching powder shadow over the area, blending and buffing with a brush.
Since you'll be adding an electrifying accent of green shadow next, leave a bare space along your upper lashline. This will make the brighter shade stand out more clearly.
To really make that green pop, you can also go over the lashline with a white or other light-colored eye pencil. Then, use a thin-tipped brush to trace your lime shadow directly on top.
To further intensify the look, switch back to your dark-brown shadow, and use a skinny eyeliner brush to drag the color from the outside corner of your eye inward along your lower lashline.
Finish your look with a swipe of pale-pink or neutral lip gloss to complement your stare-worthy eye game.
Can you say, "stunner"? Smoky eye No. 8,000,000,001 is a keeper.
Model wearing Tibi dress and Jennifer Fisher chain choker.
Blushing Beauty
Blush is one of the products we think doesn't get used nearly enough. There seems to be the fear that wearers will go overboard and end up looking more clownish than faintly flushed. But with this look, we're busting through that fear and embracing the power of a hot-pink cheek. (Don't worry, we've got some tricks up our sleeve to keep things in check.)
Start out by brushing blush very lightly across your cheekbones. (Emphasis on the "very.") Then, slowly build the color, adding more pigment to the apple of each cheek and blending it along the cheekbone. It looks much more flattering when the blush is concentrated in just one area, with the rest of the cheek more blended and diffused, says Smith.
And for any mishaps that may occur, simply keep a clean fluffy brush on hand, so you can blend away harsh lines.
See? No reason to fear the bright stuff.
Model wearing Opening Ceremony jumpsuit and Jennifer Fisher chain link drop stud earrings.
Twice As Bold
We turn to a bold lip when we're feeling feisty, flirty, the list goes on. So if you're already in the mood to make a statement, why not double down and pair the look with an equally bold eye? To start, pick a shade that flatters your individual skin tone, both on the lips and on the lids. We started with Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer in Plum Pop for this bold lip.
Next, blend a purple shadow that's one or two shades darker over your eyelids for a pretty but subtle color contrast.
This look makes a statement with little else, so keep the rest of your makeup simple. A light application of mascara and a little brow grooming later, you'll have a new favorite look to add to your rotation.
Model wearing H&M top, Katie Gallagher dress, Tacori diamond ring, and Variance Objects ring and earrings.
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