Across the board, Tracee Ellis Ross is forever a source of inspiration. But in quarantine, it's her vivid makeup looks that are serving a bold and bright ray of light in these challenging times. From a stamp of coral-red lipstick to a swathe of key-lime green shadow across the lids, Ross imparts an uplifting sense of exuberance with each tap of the makeup brush. She also demonstrates that a retina-burning dose of color goes a long way to improve your mood. If you don't believe us, trust the science. Building on the idea that that colors have the remarkable power to move us emotionally, a 2015 US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health study found that warm colors, such as red, pink, and purple, which are often associated with feelings of romance and creativity, were more likely to be shared on Pinterest than other colors. Moreover, neon shades of green, yellow, and orange have been found to be energizing. In other words, craving these rich pops of color is only natural given the time of year, and our collectsive hankering for brighter times.
"Bright, crisp colors evoke joy, playfulness, and a feeling of fresh starts," says makeup artist Romy Soleimani, who recently hopped on a video call with Ross to guide her "makeup play" session, which yielded hot pink lids accented by abstract dabs of tangerine along the brow bones. If you're thinking of getting experimental with these kinds of summer-ready shades, most are flattering on different skin tones as long as the color is bright and not muddy, says Soleimani. "The easiest way to wear a pop of color, like a fuchsia or neon tomato red, is on the lip, but eyes are the most fun and experimental way to play with makeup. Be abstract! Paint your lid and leave it on its own, or add a hint of color somewhere else. Try a bright pencil to simply line your eyes, or draw on a wing or a dash on the crease." Other ways to incorporate a burst of color is a swipe of colored mascara or a swirl of pink or coral blush on the cheeks. the key to pulling it off with aplomb? "Just keep the rest of your makeup clean with gorgeous, hydrated skin," instructs Soleimani. Here, a handful of lip, eye, and cheek products you can pull out of your makeup bag for a mood-boost this summer.
