Instep Desk

The New Year brings with it new resolutions, new beauty trends and of course a new hue that rules the fashion scene. This year Pantone, the ‘global colour authority’, has named Living Coral as the official colour of the year for 2019.

According to Pantone Colour Institute, Living Coral is "an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge."

Though it is a bright, pretty shade, it can be a bit tricky if you’re thinking to incorporate it into your beauty look. Instep shares some tips on how to wear this gorgeous hue and be bang on trend.

‘Coral’ me pretty

One of the best ways to incorporate Living Coral into your makeup is to use it to accentuate your eyes. However, putting vaguely reddish hue on the eyes can be quite complicated.

Here’s what you can do: Take a dark brown gel liner and line the inner waterline and outer lash line of your eyes. Once the liner is in place, take a shadow applicator and work your favourite coral shade (try Huda Beauty Obsessions Eye Shadow Palette in Coral) into the edges of the liner, to create a coral glow around the trace of the liner. You can blend it out or keep it as sharp and dramatic as you prefer. The key is to keep the darkest part of the shadow toward the liner and the most blended of the shade towards the outer edge. Finish it off with loads of black mascara.

Blush away

Want to step your coral game up a notch?  The safest way to add it into your beauty routine is via a pop of colour on the cheeks. To really let your cheeks do the talking, avoid using the colour elsewhere on your face. Apply your favourite coral blush and skip the eye shadow and contouring. Go for a dewy foundation, a sweep of black liner on the upper lids, black mascara and don’t forget to define your eyebrows.

Another way is to just apply your regular blush in your standard way. Then, apply a hint of coral – try Nyx Professional Makeup High Definition Blush in Double Dare – to the very highest point of the cheeks. This will add a touch of natural flush that will brighten and lift your face. If you are not big on powdered blush, opt for a liquid blush in Torrid by Nars.

Let your nails do the talking

Including a colour in your beauty routine doesn’t mean you have to apply it all over. Instead, you can simply add this shade here and there and rock the trend. All you have to do is go for a nail paint in coral – try Essie Nail Lacquer in Tart Deco or OPI‘s Toucan Do It If You Try. A perfect antidote to the neutral nail polish rut, it is not only low on effort, but is high on style as well.

For a perfect pout

f you like bold lip colors, then go ahead and swipe a rich coral shade or an orangey-red on the lips. This is the easiest way to get on top of this trend. The best part about this enchanting shade is that it looks fresh and youthful on any skin tone – instantly adding oomph to your overall look. Just remember to keep the rest of your makeup simple and subtle. Looking for an ideal shade, Barbarella by Nars delivers the colour you want with less intensity and right amount of shine. Another beautiful shade you can go for is L’Oréal Paris Color Riche Shine Lipstick in Luminous Coral.