Miss Brightside

Just last Friday I wore a fluorescent orange dress. Many things could have gone horribly wrong wearing that dress. So you factor those variables out and you’re left with a glaring traffic-stopping dress and hopefully nothing more in the picture.

When it comes to wearing neon, keep it simple. Neon makeup is another thing, though. If you find yourself doubting your hand, then maybe it’s best to let it go. It all can go horribly wrong really quick.

As the summer solstice hits, the permutations of bright makeup with deep-colored monsoon outfits strike a sexy and commanding tone. A bright pink lip with a navy jacket never got kicked out of bed.

Here are some notes on doing the Tracey Emin on your face.

1. Yes, you can wear neon on both eyes and lips! It starts with a clean and flawless base. No neon zits! You can line eyes with a thin stripe of emerald green and blot lips with a bright pink. The photo here is a bit extreme but it just shows one of the rare cases when too much is not necessarily a bad thing. Remember to keep the face matte. This look also works more for fair and delicate-looking complexions. It may look a little wild for tanned skin.

2. What tanned skin can harp on is its tolerance to carry fire engine tones on both lips and cheeks. Gentle layering is advised. Don’t plop it on in one go. Wash cheeks with a bit of color and blend. Keep doing it until your face gets that ruddy look; it should be like a watercolor painting. Same for the lips. For this look, it’s best to have stained lips. Rub some color on the center of your lips and purse your lips together. Do this maybe three times; too much of this may give you that Heath Ledger Joker pout. Keep eyes simple; run a thick line of black to keep the eyes from disappearing with all the color. Strong eyebrows also look good with this. Pair this face with elegant neutral colored clothing. We’re creating a look, not recreating the ‘80s. You’re encouraged to wear pink, coral or orange for this look.

3. When you want to go all loco and wear yellow, green, violet and aqueous tones it is time to just pick one. Being a color polygamist will be the death of you. I actually fell in love with yellow eyeshadow when I first saw it on Winona Ryder in Reality Bites. I went through two years of my life wearing yellow shadow and bronze tinted lips. A light pat of color is enough; too much will make you look jaundiced. For all the aforementioned colors, you can go a little more heavy-handed, granted you only pick one color and only either the lips or eyes. I like just tapping on the color until there’s a deep hue going on my lids. I think if you go all graphic on your eye, you have to make sure you’re really good. Like most earthlings, a deep smudge on the eyes will do.

4. My favorite look is the bare face with the bright and defined lip. I usually just clean my face with some tinted moisturizer and concealer. I tap on some non-shimmery bronzer on my cheeks to give it some relevance and line my lips with those great lip stain felt pens and smooth on some balm after the color sets in. Alternately, for a lusher look, I use the new lip stains by Yves Saint Laurent.

5. Neon nails rock but be mindful of the clothing you wear. Your nails may be half an inch long (I hope no talons, just elegant and short ovals) but it will be a headliner in your total look. I like having bright nails with nude, white or gray clothing. It gives an edge to an otherwise simple look.

Going bright just needs some 411. It’s easy to go from the bright side to the dark side just like that.