Ever picked up a bright, bold pigment at your favourite beauty counter and almost bought it, only to revert at the last minute to the trusty neutral shade you've bought countless times? Yep, us too. We all have that one cobalt or lavender eyeshadow lingering in the darkest depths of our makeup bag but, truth be told, we've never even bothered opening it, let alone road-testing it.
Veering away from earth tones and a neutral palette can be scary enough when it comes to your wardrobe, let alone your makeup routine. So to encourage a little more beauty experimentation for the new year, we've rounded up some of the best colourful eye looks on the 'gram to re-inspire your approach to eyeshadow. Step away from your faithful nude palette and pick up a pot of pink or purple. Click ahead for a lesson in light 'n' bright eyelids...
Model Paloma Elsesser proves that wearing red eyeshadow doesn't have to look like you have an eye infection. We love the inner corner gold highlight to brighten the eye and the very minimal makeup on the rest of the face.
Photo: via @palomija.
This bright blue lid, created by makeup artist Lucy Joan Pearson, is complemented by the perfect peachy blush tone. Blend the lighter blue colour into a navy shade in the crease and outer corner of the eye to add dimension.
Photo: via @lucyjoanpearson.
Match your lid to your lip like blogger Hannah Louise. Here, Hannah wears Shell from the Lime Crime Venus palette and plenty of coats of mascara.
Photo: via @hannahlouisef.
Fuchsia is a pretty bold colour to experiment with but follow Adwoa Aboah 's lead and pair it with barely-there makeup. Bucket hat optional.
Photo: Courtesy of Oxfam/Tim Walker.
Ditch your nude shadows and try a more vivid crayon along the upper lash line instead. Finish off the look with groomed brows and dewy skin.
Photo: via @ameliabcr.
Makeup artist Heather Lines is another Lime Crime fan, mixing a few different shades from the Venus palette to create this striking terracotta tone.
Photo: via @heatherlinesmua.
We couldn't resist another bold eye courtesy of Paloma. Here, she teams her mid-blue lid with a mauve lip. Perfection.
Photo: via @palomija.
When your hair and eye look are on fire... Cora Delaney gives us a coral masterclass.
Photo: via @coradelaney.
If you're not sold on pink eyeshadow yet, nothing will convince you. Not even model Charlie Barker a.k.a the Queen of Colour and her flawless candy-floss face.
Photo: via @charliexbarker.
Smudge a black or brown eyeliner along the lower lash line and finish off with a dust of orange across the lids. Make cheekbones pop with a warm-toned bronzer to complement the eye look.
Photo: via @oursecondskin
More evidence, this time from singer Dua Lipa, that orange lids and lashings of mascara are the best way to brighten up a dull winter's day. Add a luminous highlight on the top of the cheekbones, inner corner of the eye and Cupid's bow for even more glow.
Photo: via @dualipaLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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