TREND ALERT: 5 Ways to Wear Hot Pink Makeup, According to a Beauty Editor
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
Hot pink makeup is utterly wearable: Adore Beauty's BeautyIQ editor Amy Clark demonstrates five practical looks, from statement fuchsia lips and single swipe pink lids to hot pink manicures, layered cream to powder blush and a tonal all-pink combo, plus tested product picks from M.A.C, Benefit, Napoleon Perdis and Anastasia Beverly Hills.
Quick Takeaways You Need to Know
- Use a vivid pink lipstick for an instant confidence boost; pick matte or hydrating
- Sweep one pink shade across the lid for an easy, modern eyeshadow look
- Try a hot pink manicure or simple pink French tips for low commitment colour
- Layer a cream base then powder blush to boost pigment and staying power
In case you missed it, hot pink is literally everywhere right now.
Exhibit A: Barbie-Core.
Yes, recreating some of Barbie's iconic looks is now a thing the youths are talking about on TikTok.
Maybe it's all those film set photos of actors Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken...
Or perhaps it's Anne Hathaway at the Valentino Couture show in Paris wearing these Barbie-inspired mega pumps...
Whatever the reason, I'm grateful pink is in. Again.
And for anyone out there feeling like they can't 'pull off' a bold fuchsia lipstick or a pink eyeshadow look, I'm calling bullsh*t.
You, my friend, can 100% get in on the pink makeup trend.
How? Here are five ways to wear hot pink makeup, plus my pink makeup product picks.
1. Hot Pink Lipstick.
Does loving a bright pink lipstick make me basic? Maybe.
But c'mon. I dare you to slick on a pink lip and not feel good about yourself.
It's also the easiest way to add pink into your makeup look.
Whether it's a matte or hydrating lippie, a vibrant gloss or a creamy balm, choose your pink lip colour of choice and whack it on.
That's it. You're done!
My favourite tried-and-tested bright lip products include:
- Benefit California Kissin' ColorBalm in the shade 'Fuchsia' is what I'm wearing in the selfie above! All of these hydrating lipsticks are super shiny and very pigmented.
- Estee Lauder Pure Color Revitalizing Balm in 'Caring Crystal' gives such a vivid wash of pink, and feels as comfy as a regular lip balm.
- If Barbie was going out on a date night with Ken, she'd wear the comfortable, cushion-y M.A.C Cosmetics Powder Kiss Lipstick in 'Velvet Punch'. I'm sure of it.
- Want the shine and colour of a lippie, but with the nourishment of a balm? Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Rock'n Shinein 'Fuchsia Drum' is a no-brainer.
- Wear the shade 'Watermelon' in the Napoleon Perdis Phat X Juicy Plumping Lip Gloss on its own, or layer on top of Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Liner in 'Rose Dream'.
2. Pink Eyeshadow Looks.
Dunno about you, but I used to stay away from pink eyeshadow in fear of looking like I had an eye infection.
Then I tried it, and I haven't looked back.
Forget about any so-called 'rules'. Makeup is meant to be fun, goddammit.
Maybe the easiest way to wear pink eyeshadow is to swipe a single colour over the entire lid.
Watch this YouTube video below to learn how to apply coloured eyeshadow.
Here are a few more ideas to get you started on pink eyeshadow looks:
- Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Color Ink in the shade '10 Pink' worn on its own with mascara is how a TikTok 'clean girl' would do it.
- Our resident makeup artist Dalal recently created a *stunning* pink smokey eye look (check it out here), the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette has two beautiful bright pink options.
- Don't want to buy a separate pink eyeshadow? Use your blush!
3. Hot Pink Nails.
If you're not quite ready for hot pink makeup, might I suggest hot pink nails instead?
A full pink manicure is a vibe.
You could even give nail art a go in salon or at home with a pink French tip or what I call an 'abstract blob' pattern.
Here are some of my favourite pink nail polish shades:
4. The Best Pink Blushes.
Believe it or not, I was 27 when I wore blush for the first time.
I kick myself for believing pink blush would make me look like an 80s aerobics instructor.
Sure, different blush hues can enhance different skin tones, but you can also just wear the bloody blush colour you want.
Pro tip: I like to layer a pigmented powder blush on top of a juicy cream blush to get the best of both finishes, plus extra staying power.
I have a lot of pink blush recommendations, here are just a few:
- Benefit Crystah -Strawberry Pink is what I'm wearing in the selfie above, along with that same fuchsia lipstick from Benefit. It's not as scary pink as it looks in the box.
- Napoleon Perdis Cheek Switch Creme Blush Stick in the shade 'Pink Lady' screams Valentino pink.
- Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Stick Blush is a super blendable cream blush that comes in the most perfect pink shade called 'Ambitious Pink'.
- Giorgio Armani Neo Nude A-Blush has a silky stain formula and is also available in gorgeous shades of pink. My faves are 51, 52 and 53.
5. All of the Above!
Personally, I am loving a matching pink blush, eyeshadow and lip look sick right now.
Life is for living, no?
Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast co-host and beauty risktaker Hannah created the hot pink makeup look above using just two products.
Hannah chose the 'Bright Pink' shade in the M.A.C Cosmetics M·A·C Art Library: It's Designer palette on the eyes.
She added M.A.C COSMETICS Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour on the lips in 'Fall In Love', a bright, creamy fuchsia shade.
If neon isn't your vibe, a tonal pink makeup look in a softer shade can be just as impactful.
Not to brag, but I got heaps of compliments on this all-over pink makeup moment I wore to a garden wedding a few months back.
Napoleon Perdis Hybrid Veil Blush Rose gives my cheeks a punchy flush, and makes a great base for my pink eyeshadow look.
I added the shade 'Peony' from the Anastasia Beverly Hills Primrose Palette over the top for more sparkle.
This all ties in nicely with M.A.C Cosmetics Lip Pencil in 'Soar' and M.A.C COSMETICS Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour in 'A Little Tamed' on the lips.
Moral of this story: Just wear the pink makeup, would ya.
Feeling inspired to get back into makeup again?
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