Why you need to be seen wearing green – the make-up colour that is seriously hot
Green is the make-up colour of the season. It’s flattering on your face – and beautifully enhances your eyes – but placement matters.
It’s a shade you might not have considered.
But green is the hottest hue in make-up right now, with people drawing inspiration from the unlikeliest of sources (hello, Kermit and She-Hulk).
The trend – not to be confused with eco-conscious products – feels like it took off overnight.
But green has quietly gained popularity in the beauty scene since September last year, when English singer/songwriter/model Dua Lipa was seen in dazzling neon-green eyeliner at the Versace Spring/Summer 2022 show at Milan Fashion Week.
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How to use green make-up
Hair and make-up artist Rachael Blackwell is on-board with the look.
“There are so many variations when it comes to green make-up,” Rachael says.
For those wanting to ease into green make-up, she recommends focusing on the eyes first.
“Green liner is a good start,” she says.
“This gives a hint of colour if you’re unsure about wearing anything bright.
“For placement, I would recommend smudging the liner along the upper lash line.
“You can even add some to the lower lash line for a more dramatic effect.
“The key to the look is making sure you have no sharp lines, so blending is a must.”
Creative ideas to consider
For an experimental look, you could draw a winged effect or a bold pattern for the eyes.
But for a less out-there result, you could team brown with green.
“You could do a soft, brown, smoky look with a little hint of green shimmer to the lid, or add a matte-green shade to the lower lash line, blending out any harsh edges,” Rachael suggests.
For her clients, Rachael sometimes incorporates green in the following way.
“I have … added a very small amount of light-green shimmer to the inner corner (of the eye) for a pop of colour or to tie in with clients’ outfits,” she says.
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How else can you use green on your face?
If you’re keen to experiment with the vibrant shade further, consider using green highlighter.
The freshest takes on the trend involve product applied on the temples and cheeks to create a holographic-like effect on the skin, tying in with the maximalist, disco-themed looks taking off on TikTok.
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Why you might feel apprehensive about green
Green make-up got a bad rap in the past because certain shades and placement gave it the reputation of making you look sickly.
Olive-skinned people, in particular, were cautioned about the possibility of green make-up drawing green tones out of the skin.
But when it’s a concentrated look, such as eyeshadow or highlighter, green make-up is unlikely to throw off the tones of your entire face.
If you’re still unsure, try using bronzer to bring added warmth and offset any “sickly” tones in your make-up.
Make-up artist Daniel Tan says just don’t be too heavy handed with your technique.
“From my own observations, the main make-up mistake I see in public is excessive contouring, which can lead to the face looking muddy,” Daniel says.
“It falls in line with another common make-up issue, which is when people don’t match their foundations correctly and it results in that dreaded make-up line.”
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Is green make-up universally flattering?
There’s a shade of green out there for everyone, but when you consider the colour wheel, green tones contrast most against brown, creating a particularly flattering combination when paired together.
“Green suits all eye colours, but the colour enhances brown eyes beautifully,” Rachael says.
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Written by Charlotte Brundrett.
