COLOUR COSMETICS
Makeup that defines eyes while caring for skin
Almost 18 months down the line, we still find ourselves in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa. We have adapted, and masks and social distancing have become a way of life. We have also mastered the art of virtual meetings and adjusted our beauty routines accordingly with makeup to meet our new needs. In this context, striking eye makeup and bold lipsticks play a central role. In a time when personal interaction is limited, we have to let our personalities shine across virtual boundaries. By Karen Maier of Merck
W
HILE MULTI-TASKING is not a new
The joy of purple, in whichever shade, is that it
trend in cosmetics, the pandemic has
always looks good on dark complexions. Imagine
added an extra focus on self-care
soft pastel purple or lilac as part of an artfully
wear sunny orange nails to add a little pop of colour to their look.
as part of the multi-tasking package and this
made up eye, or a dark intense purple on elegantly
TONES OF BLUE AND GREEN
has spilled over into colour cosmetics. More and
shaped nails. What about an antique whisper
Let’s not forget the blue and green hues. We see
more decorative products include an element of
amethyst on your lips? In addition to purple, we
blues ranging from soft subtle grey-blue
care, for example eye makeup with anti-wrinkle
can look forward to beautiful browns, from light
to blue-black located on the other
actives, moisturising lipsticks, blemish sticks that
brown, almost bronze shades to red-brown,
side of the spectrum. There is also
contain skin brightening actives or foundations
coppery and deep and intense brown which looks
turquoise, which leads straight into
containing anti-oxidants to offer anti-pollution
good on defined brows and artfully lined eyes.
the green palette. The upcoming
protection. This is a trend formulators should take
seasons favour more subtle,
note of and ensure that they give consumers what
pastel shades of green, yet
they want.
a hint of intense dark green
Interesting and transforming textures remain
also comes through.
a significant element in world of makeup, think of a lip mousse instead of lipstick, eyeshadow jellies
Did you know?
that transform to a powdery feel on application, or very creamy luscious products that softly envelope the
THE WARMTH OF ORANGE
skin. But what about
Orange is a colour which radiates joy and warmth
the colour palette?
and it abounds on the African continent, from our dramatic sunsets to the colour of the sun-baked
THE JOY OF PURPLE
soil, or that of the flames of an open fire. This
The current and upcoming colour palette strongly
joyful colour is perfect for African makeup.
features shades of purple. Depending on where you
For the more adventurous girl there are
are located on our vast continent, these will either
statement lips in bold bright orange, or it can
be soft-hued and delicate or bold and intense in line
be used more subtly as a soft tone on the
with the season in your hemisphere.
cheeks. Even the more timid among us can
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QUARTER 2 2021 // P&C AFRICA
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