Understanding the Color Wheel and Makeup

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I don't have a background in graphic design or anything in the art field.  In fact, if you ask me to draw something, even my stick figures will look pitiful.  However, when you delve into the world of makeup, a basic understanding of the color wheel is necessary.  After all, makeup doesn't just involve brush technique and skin care, it's about mixing colors onto a human canvas.

I'm going to assume everyone knows that the three primary colors are Red, Yellow, and Blue.  On the color wheel, colors opposite from one another are complementary colors.  For example, the complementary color to yellow is violet.  Yellow and violet will pair very well together since they are...complementary.

In my previous blog post, I had a few people ask me if Alma had used contacts after her makeup was complete.  The answer is no.  The reason why her eyes stand out so much is because of the pairing of purple with her eyes.  Her brown eyes have specks of yellow in them.  Thus, the purple eyeshadow complemented her eyes, making them stand out.

When choosing which eye shadow colors to pair, looking at the color wheel to play with complementary colors is a great start.  However, feel free to stick to colors that match your eye color as well.

Now how does this relate to the application of products to your face?  Not all of us are blessed with beautiful picture perfect skin like Hollywood actresses.  We wake up with dark circles under our eyes; we suffer from acne; we have a natural red flush; we get skin discoloration; etc.  All of these "skin problems" gave rise to colored concealers.  These colored concealers will neutralize your skin and or blemishes depending on the color of the skin problem.  Rule of thumb: USE THE COMPLEMENTARY COLOR of the color of your skin problem.

• Green concealer = neutralizes red skin and or blemishes (green is opposite of red on the color wheel)

• Blue concealer = neutralizes orange-y skin from fake tans (blue is opposite of orange on the color wheel)

• Purple concealer = neutralizes yellow tones (purple is opposite of orange on the color wheel...see a pattern?)

• Yellow concealer = neutralizes pink undertones (yellow is opposite of purple and blue and close to red).  If you have a bruise (purple and blue!), a yellow concealer is great to help cover it up.  Blue and purple under eye circle?  Pop on a yellow concealer to neutralize the raccoon look.

• Pink concealer = neutralizes green veins.
  
  
  After you apply the colored concealer to neutralize your skin problem, you can then proceed with your usual concealer that matches your skin.