At Glasshouse we’re usually fans of muted tones and paired back makeup looks. But whilst barely-there foundations and softly tinted lips are our go-to, there’s one surprising trend that’s caught our eye this year: purple.

Where ‘Millennial Pink’ has been the colour of choice dominating the fashion, design and beauty world for the past decade, managing to remain in vogue from the days of Paris Hilton to the launch of Glossier, purple has very much been a colour associated with outlandish 80s style and of course, Prince. At the end of last year however, Ultra Violet was named the colour of 2018 by Pantone.

Few predicted we’d see this bold colour taking off in the fashion or beauty world until the previously unpopular hue began to spring up all over Instagram and the AW18 catwalk, signalling a move away from the normcore movement and a shift towards a more maximalist aesthetic. Eye makeup in shades of violet, lilac and mauve made a reoccurring appearance throughout Fashion Month in the form of cat eye flicks, graphic lines and monochrome lids. Paired with as little makeup as possible though, the new purple can be more graceful than garish, and we’re ready to add a little of the regal colour to our look.

If you’re not afraid of turning heads, go bold with a cream eyeshadow on the eyelids. We love RMS Eye Polish in Imagine, a deep shade of plum with a subtle shine. Our resident Glasshouse makeup expert Emily gives us some tips on how to get the best result: “For a seamless application, warm up your cream eyeshadow on the back of your hand and press the colour onto your eyelid using your ring finger. If you’re new to using bright colours on your eyes, start with one layer for a subtle wash of colour and build up the layers for a more bold finish.”

If the cream pigment is a little much for you, try a powder eyeshadow in a light lilac shade for a softer take on the trend. “When using powder eyeshadow, apply a light wash of colour over the eyelid with a flat eyeshadow brush and blend it up towards your crease line with a larger blending brush.” Says Emily. “A simply way to intensify the look is to apply a second layer of colour along the lash line for an extra pop of colour.”

Alternatively, add just a touch of purple to the corners of the eye for a more subtle, understated look. “Using either a gel eyeliner with a thin liner brush or a liquid eyeliner, create a thin line across your lash line running from the inner corner of your eye to the mid point of your iris. To soften the look, smudge the eyeliner lightly with a small defining brush.” Keep things simple by leaving your lashes bare and adding just a touch of clear gel to the eyebrows.

Although purple may seem a bit unconventional, when it comes to choosing a shade that suits you it’s surprisingly easy. Purple is an extension of the the berry tone which is one of the most flattering shades on all skin types, so both dark and fair skin tones can compliment purple just as well. The best place to start is with your skin undertone; those with a cool skin tone should opt for pink-based purples or grey, pastel shades, whereas warm skin tones suit more vampy, plum shades with a red base.

Whether you’re a colour lover or a makeup minimalist, this trend is perfect for injecting a little playfulness into an everyday look that can be made as bold or as understated as you like.

Featured Image: ES Magazine

Words: Phoebe Grace Ede