Naked or Not: Evening Makeup for Gray Hair
When your hair goes gray, the colors that once looked amazing on you might not anymore. You’ll need to update your makeup colors to work with a new look, especially for night. A little more definition around the eyes is key to making your eyes stand out. Your lip and cheek colors should also be a little brighter and stronger. Here are seven steps to gorgeous party makeup for gray hair.
Step one: Use a creamy concealer like Laura Mercier’s Secret Concealer ($24) or Sonia Kashuk’s All Covered Up Concealer ($10) to brighten up the area underneath the eyes.
Step two: Apply a light foundation with your fingers to even out your skin tone. A yellow-based foundation that works with your skin type will help counter any redness, smooth over lines, and plump up the skin. MAC Studio Face & Body Foundation ($27) and Maybelline Fit Me Foundation ($8) are good options.
Step three: When your hair goes gray, your brows can also start to fade in color. Give them a more defined shape and color by filling them in with a powder eyeshadow and a stiff angled brow brush. For our model Gro, a slate gray/soft brown shade worked best, but choose a hue that matches your natural brows.
Step four: Eyeshadow in soft, pretty shades can give your eyes a natural lift. Apply a light base color from the lower lashline all the way up to just below the brows. Then sweep a medium shade with a bit of subtle shimmer from the lower lashline and into the crease for depth. On Gro, an ivory shadow paired with a metallic taupe was the perfect color combination.
Step five: Line your top lid with a thin line of black gel liner or pencil liner. Then smudge it slightly by layering a charcoal powder liner on top. If you want to line underneath, choose a softer shade like charcoal for the lower lashline. Defining your eyes is key when you have gray hair as your eyes can start to get lost a bit against lighter hair; liner helps them stand out. Try Sonia Kashuk’s Eye Definer pencil ($6) or Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner ($10).
Step six: Finish eyes with a few coats of lengthening mascara in black like Dior’s Diorshow Mascara ($25) or Covergirl Bombshell Mascara ($12).
Step seven: Add a glowy touch of sheer color with cream blush like Flower’s Win Some Rouge Some ($8) or Stila’s Convertible Color ($25). Apply to the apple of the cheeks and blend outwards. A rosy shade looks gorgeous against gray hair.
Step seven: A pretty lip color in a vibrant shade like rose complements gray hair beautifully. It’s just enough color to stand out in the evening. Apply a sheer lip color like Laura Mercier’s Sheer Lip Color ($24) or Covergirl Colorburst Lip Butter ($9) straight from the tube.