Journal

Beauty Trend: Coral

Beauty Trend: Coral

The world of beauty moves in peaks and troughs. Although most of us are used to our own tried and tested makeup looks, it’s always interesting to observe the direction beauty trends move in. Likewise, colour trends tend to filter down to the products we’re putting on our face. Which is why we were all ears when global colour experts Pantone announced their much anticipated annual colour of the year. Dubbed ‘Living Coral’, this is the shade that Pantone have predicted we’ll see everywhere in 2019. Pantone have earmarked coral as “symbolizing our innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits” - implying an underlying meaning that during turbulent times, the colour coral is here to spark joy and positivity. “In reaction to the onslaught of digital technology and social media increasingly embedding into daily life, we are seeking authentic and immersive experiences that enable connection and intimacy”. Although not everyone will be convinced that one colour alone can have that much power, there’s no doubt that our use of colour is quietly influenced by the zeitgeist. For us, it’s a great excuse to shine a light on coral from a beauty perspective. Every variation of this shade can find a place in each of our makeup routines - from the zingier, more orange-tones to the creamier, pinkier versions. Pantone were right that coral does have an air of optimism about it. Worn on the face, this colour is fresh as a daisy - youthful, energetic and pinging with brightness. Maybe it’s true after all that Living Coral might be exactly the kind of pick-me-up we need in testing times…

To get a little more inspired, we turned to our resident makeup artist Emily Wouters who shared her take on the colour in beauty: “Coral shades in makeup have long been favoured as they are flattering and easy to wear without taking you too far out of your comfort zone” she said. “Whether it’s a coral lip or a coral eye (or even both), the ways in which you can incorporate Living Coral into your makeup looks are endless.” So, just how can you perk up your daily look with a punchy hit of coral? First thing’s first: cheeks. If a flush of springtime is your thing, coral is a great starting point and helps emphasise a radiant complexion. Although you might imagine coral cheeks pairing best with tanned skin, the reality is this is a shade that can work for every skin tone. RMS Beauty’s creamy, multi-use Lip2Cheeks are particularly good for this kind of look: “Something like Lip2Cheek in Smile is the perfect light coral that is adaptable to all skin tones” explains Emily. If you’re after a slightly richer coral, Paradise is universally flattering when dabbled onto cheekbones. The beauty of RMS’ formulas is that one product is designed to do two jobs - opt for a matching lip to cheek look to fully embrace Living Coral.

If you’re after a more traditional coral lipstick, the RMS Wild With Desire lipstick in Flight of Fancy will give you a matte, pigment-y finish in a pink-coral. For something bolder and more orange-based, Ilia’s nourishing Tinted Lip Conditioner in Dizzy packs a particular punch on darker skin. Go for a high shine pout with Ilia’s peachy Lip Gloss in The Butterfly & I Not feeling fully committed to all things coral? “Why not embrace the fact that Spring is, slowly, creeping in and go for a coral nail polish for your next mani - Kure Bazaar’s 10-free polish in Coquette will give you exactly that.” says Emily. We’re particular fans of taking this shade and swiping it across our lids - a look that’s been seen everywhere from fashion week to our Instagram feeds. More sheer products work best for this look - try Ilia’s creamy multi-stick in I Put a Spell on You, a peachy coral that will give a glossy wash of colour. This is a confident step away from ‘traditional’ eye colours that instantly feels fresh and modern - exactly the kind of self-assurance the colour coral embodies anyway.

Emily’s final tip involves utilising what you might already have in your makeup bag to utilise this trend: “If you want to experiment with the new ‘it colour’ without investing in new products, use what you already have” she advises, “Blusher as an eyeshadow, lipstick as a blusher - you get the idea. Multi-purposing your products will allow you the freedom to experiment with new shades like this one.” Whether coral makes you think of our underwater reefs or our brightly coloured Monzo cards, there’s no doubt its cheery nature is here to brighten up 2019. We say grab it with both hands. With the first buds of spring starting to blossom, there’s no better time to embrace a fresh shade that radiates optimism. Happy coral-ing! Shop our coral collection on Glasshouse Shop and to see more of our coral-based inspiration, browse our Pinterest board. Words: Lucy Vincent Images: Phoebe Ede for Glasshouse Journal