Channel tropical makeup vibes for your next night out

How to be playful and elegant with your makeup

08 / 08

For makeup minimalists, just the idea of wearing teal eyeshadow is enough to elevate their anxiety levels. But, says makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes, this statement color doesn’t have to be loud. Instead, it can be playful and elegant at the same time—as shown in this winged eyeshadow look that she created for RHW. “It’s a bit of a bird-of-paradise, tropical, sexy vibe,” she says. “It’s perfect for a girls’ night out.” And to complement the makeup, hairstylist Christian Wood created a polished yet playful ponytail with tons of volume. Altogether, this look is a little bit ’60s, a little bit ’80s, and a whole lot of fun. Here’s how the beauty team made it all happen.

MAKEUP

COMPLEXION

To hydrate and prep the skin for makeup, Hughes massaged Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream on RHW’s face and neck, adding a bit of Lano 101 ointment where needed. A thin layer of Laura Mercier Bare Radiance Tinted Moisturizer helped even out the skin. Using a large fluffy shadow brush, she applied Glossier Stretch Concealer in Medium “for intensified coverage,” plus Rosie for Autograph Amazing Skin Secret Concealer around the eyes, nose, and mouth. Finally, she dusted on translucent powder with a Jenny Patinkin Kitten Paw brush to eliminate shine.

EYES

Creating a perfect wing only looks difficult. With a willingness to go step-by-step (and do some fastidious cleanup), anyone can do it. Hughes started by using the Sigma Beauty E21 Smudge Brush to apply Urban Decay eyeshadow in Haight, a shimmery teal. Her secret weapon: a few spritzes of MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ on the brush. “I love wetting an eyeshadow brush, as it gives metallic eyeshadows a higher luster and sheen,” she says. Then, using the same brush, she traced the outer part of the wing with MAC eyeshadow in Carbon. For a flawless shape, she dipped a pointed Q-tip in makeup remover, then picked up any errant shadow.

CHEEKS

For a tawny glow, Hughes blended Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base in the hollows of the cheeks. Then, to create a dimensional, light-reflecting look, she applied Glossier Haloscope in Quartz on the high points of the cheeks.

LIPS

Hughes covered RHW’s lips with Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Never Say Never, a lilac rose, before buffing it in with an eyeshadow brush.

NAILS

Manicurist Millie Machado painted RHW’s nails with Essie Gel Couture polish in Drop the Gown, a glossy ruby-red.

HAIR

“This is a really great hairstyle to do when you have next-day hair,” says hairstylist Christian Wood. To create texture, he added mousse throughout the roots of the hair before blow-drying it. Instead of using traditional hair elastics, he secured RHW’s ponytail using bands with hooks at the ends. I find it’s easy to hook it in and wrap it around, rather looping it through as you would with a normal band,” he says. For fullness, he incorporated Wella Eimi Dry Me Dry Shampoo into the roots of the ponytail (in other words, where the hair is gathered at the elastic) before back-combing hair underneath the band. Then, using a Mason Pearson brush, he smoothed the top layer over the back-combed sections. Boom: crazy volume.