Springtime Switch: Brunette to Blonde Makeup Tips
Thinking of going blonde? Woo-hoo! It’s a great way to brighten up your look and refresh your style for spring. But before you hit the salon, remember this: A major change in hair color requires a few key adjustments in makeup, as well. Don’t worry, you won’t have to trade in your entire makeup bag. Just make sure you’ve got these four key areas covered.
FACE
When transitioning from brunette to blonde, you want to make sure to keep your skin tone warm — light hair can make a complexion appear pale and washed out. Try mixing a tinted moisturizer or BB cream into your foundation (we like Estée Lauder’s Double Wear All Day Glow BB, $38, which gives you eight shades to choose from).
BROWS
While it’s true that your eyebrows should compliment your new hair color, that doesn’t mean they have to match. In fact, the blonde-hair/dark-brow look is totally on-trend (think Michelle Williams, Cara Delevingne, and Gwen Stefani). Try going one to two shades darker with a brow defining pencil like Estée Lauder’s Brow Now, $25.
EYES
Jet-black liquid liner can look harsh with light hair, so trade it in for a softer, smudgeble shade, like Estée Lauder’s Automatic Eye Pencil Duo in Plum Grey or Walnut Brown, $16. Use an eyeliner brush to soften the line, then add some shadow that’s just a little bit lighter than your liner (this Pure Color Envy Sculpting EyeShadow 5-Color Palette, $50, has a number of perfect shades to pick from).
LIPS
Pretty pops of color really stand out when you have light locks, so if you want to show off your smackers, opt for bright shades of pink, coral, and red. We love Estée Lauder’s Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick, $30, in Impulsive (a soft pink), Defiant Coral (a vibrant red-orange), and Carnal (a candy apple read). Make sure to keep your eye makeup minimal when sporting a bright lip— if you want to play up your eyes instead, try a sheer gloss with subtler shades, like Pure Color Envy Sculpting Gloss, $26, in Suggestive Pink, Discreet Nude, or Seductive Honey.
