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

WHILE MULTI-TASKING is not a new trend in cosmetics, the pandemic has added an extra focus on self-care as part of the multi-tasking package and this has spilled over into colour cosmetics. More and more decorative products include an element of care, for example eye makeup with anti-wrinkle actives, moisturising lipsticks, blemish sticks that contain skin brightening actives or foundations containing anti-oxidants to offer anti-pollution protection. This is a trend formulators should take note of and ensure that they give consumers what they want.

Interesting and transforming textures remain a significant element in world of makeup, think of a lip mousse instead of lipstick, eyeshadow jellies that transform to a powdery feel on application, or very creamy luscious products that softly envelope the skin. But what about the colour palette?

THE JOY OF PURPLE

The current and upcoming colour palette strongly features shades of purple. Depending on where you are located on our vast continent, these will either be soft-hued and delicate or bold and intense in line with the season in your hemisphere.

The joy of purple, in whichever shade, is that it always looks good on dark complexions. Imagine soft pastel purple or lilac as part of an artfully made up eye, or a dark intense purple on elegantly shaped nails. What about an antique whisper amethyst on your lips? In addition to purple, we can look forward to beautiful browns, from light brown, almost bronze shades to red-brown, coppery and deep and intense brown which looks good on defined brows and artfully lined eyes.

THE WARMTH OF ORANGE

Orange is a colour which radiates joy and warmth and it abounds on the African continent, from our dramatic sunsets to the colour of the sun-baked soil, or that of the flames of an open fire. This joyful colour is perfect for African makeup.

For the more adventurous girl there are statement lips in bold bright orange, or it can be used more subtly as a soft tone on the cheeks. Even the more timid among us can wear sunny orange nails to add a little pop of colour to their look.

This superb collection of glass flake pigments will brighten your colour cosmetic formulations with mirror-like sparkle

TONES OF BLUE AND GREEN

Let’s not forget the blue and green hues. We see blues ranging from soft subtle grey-blue to blue-black located on the other side of the spectrum. There is also turquoise, which leads straight into the green palette. The upcoming seasons favour more subtle, pastel shades of green, yet a hint of intense dark green also comes through.

These colours can be used in surprising ways, such as a blue-black eyebrow pomade, which can be applied with the fingers or a sharp-edged brush for more precise definition. An intense blue graphic eye-pencil or an ocean blue-green jellied eye colour are other innovative ideas to explore with the blue and green colour palette – the choices are endless.

Did you know?

You can achieve brilliant eye-catching effects at very low addition rates, especially in transparent formulations. This benefit makes Ronastar glass flake pigments particularly cost effective. Adding one or even a blend of Ronastar pigments to an already beautiful, trendy product will take it to the next level of compelling allure.

HOW TO PROVIDE THE PERFECT FINISH

Now that we have a sense of the colour palettes, we should explore the effects that accompany these appealing shades. There are pigments in Merck’s portfolio to provide the perfect finish. In addition to texture, effects add an extra dimension to makeup, whether it’s a matte effect, subtle sheen, alluring gloss or a dazzling sparkle. However, as the current demand leans strongly in the direction of sparkly and almost glittery effects, the Ronastar glass flakes range of pigments deserves a closer look.

This superb collection of glass flake pigments will brighten your colour cosmetic formulations with mirror-like sparkle.

These pigments offer multidimensional sparkle and pure brilliance due to the substrate technology. Perfect coating technology matters when selecting pigments, as this is what produces superior skin feel as well as exceptional sparkle.

These pigments are unique with clear and bright colours thanks to the pure white substrate technology which enhances reflection and pigment stability. The large particles with a very even surface coating and rounded edges, ensure high brilliance and a smooth touch on skin. Ronastar glass flake pigments also have a very low heavy metal content.

Despite these attractive benefits, nothing compares to the beauty of the Ronastar glass flakes pigments. The range incorporates silver-white pigments with two particle sizes, interference pigments, the jewel like tones of the mass-tone pigments in gold, copper, and silver as well as two stunning colour travel pigments.

Although COVID-19 has thrown our lives in disarray, in Africa we are resilient. We have adapted to wearing masks, communicating via our digital devices and keeping our distance, finding unique ways to express our beauty and stay on trend.

We can express ourselves by emphasising our eyes when our lips are covered. We enhance our appearance for virtual meetings, and ultimately, we take care our ourselves using products that not only beautify us but take care of our skin in the process.

Merck –www.merckgroup.com