4 Bold Makeup Trends You Really Should Try

So there’s this YouTube series called UNHhhh that you definitely need to watch. It stars Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova, two queens from the 7th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and each episode is a 10-minute conversation on the topic of the day. It’s hilarious and poignant and charming and I am not doing it justice; just please, please go watch whatever two episodes you want and you’ll be hooked forever I swear.

Anyway, last month I was watching the beauty tips episode and they were discussing the common fear of trying new makeup looks; having been a semi-professional bodypainter in a former life, I’ve also been told “I could never wear that color” by a surprising number of people. Then Trixie said something kind of super simple yet pretty profound, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since:

“The only difference between you and someone wearing a red lip is one day they just started.”

Since spring is a time of new stuff in general, now is a great time to just start trying some of the more in-your-face makeup trends you’ve been curious about. Pick an evening when you’re not going out, and spend some time giving one (or all) of these a shot. Even if you’re the only one who sees the results, you’ll get the chance to explore a new way of presenting yourself.

And hell, you might even find something you really like.

False Eyelashes

False eyelashes and their semi-permanent cousins, lash extensions, are an increasingly popular everyday staple for the makeup savvy set. They can take some time to learn to apply but once you’ve got the hang of it, falsies provide subdued drama that mascara just can’t deliver.

Begin experimenting with super cheap strip lashes at first (you’ll go through a lot of them), and don’t be afraid to cut them down to a length that makes them easier to fit flush against your lash line.

Freckles

A makeup artist friend of mine started doing this a while ago and I’ve been really into it ever since. Freckle makeup is basically the 21st century’s answer to the beauty mark and can be as natural or exaggerated as you please.

Ease yourself into this one by using your normal brow pencil to dot the sides and tip of your nose and the tops of your cheeks. Add a few to your forehead and chin, and then lightly tap everything with a beauty sponge to soften the spots without making them too uniform.

Block Brows

Eyebrows have become the makeup world’s most aspirational facial feature over the past few years, leading to the development of brow powders, pomades, gels and even semi-permanent tattoos designed to bush up, darken and define them. Luckily, an ultra-bold block brow can be a surprisingly easy way to add a harder, fiercer edge to your face, and you probably already have everything you need to try it.

Don’t worry about plucking first — just dive into your natural arch with a brow pencil two to three shades darker than your natural brow; if you don’t have one, eyeshadow applied with an eyeliner brush works just as well. Following the shape of the hair, draw in and over your current brows, then pull the color up and out with a blending brush until you achieve the desired intensity.

…and yes, the Red Lip

I’ve dragged the red lip as only a bold move for the bland of heart, but the truth is that if you’ve never done it before or have been married to subtle makeup for a while, it can actually be a big step. This look is just one you have to dive into and actually wear long enough (at least six hours) to stop thinking of it as something different from your usual face.

Go to a makeup counter, ask for a red lip that works well with your undertones and wear it out of the store, making sure to ask for a small sample so you can reapply later (this is an experiment; tell them it’s for science). If you decide you want to put red in regular rotation, don’t forget to pick up a lip primer; it’s an essential for keeping bright colors right where you put them.

Bold Is Beautiful

If you’ve ever wanted to try some of these looks out, there’s no time like the present. As with all good things in life, practice makes perfect, and remember — the only difference between you and someone doing something you’re curious about is that one day they just started.

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