You don’t have to be overtaken by Barbiecore to enjoy wearing pink, because it’s also useful for looking youthful, healthy and fresh-faced without looking overly ‘done’, something that is big in beauty in 2023.
Makeup artist Sophy Phillips calls pink ‘versatile and fun’, pointing out that it works for a variety of moods and moments. Though she feels nostalgic about the colour as a lipstick, saying it was something she used to play with as a child, she’s also enjoying the Barbie hype.
“Pink has had some powerful moments throughout makeup history, ” she says. “It’s a colour that is innately feminine, that can be used to create softness or loud statements. It’s versatile and always fun. I’ve been loving seeing the variety of pink blushes and lips used on Margot Robbie in the new Barbie movie. Ken even sports some subtle pink cheeks.
MiNDFOOD: Pink feels a bit tricky for some as it can read as cutesy or sweet. What are we missing out on?
Sophy Phillips: A bold pink lip with a sharp outline is just as potent as a fiery red lip. My all time favourite is NARS Schiap, an opaque matte in a blue-based bright pink shade. It makes teeth look very white!
That softly blended but coordinated pink makeup look is very popular right now. Any tips?
The nice and easy thing about sheer pink makeup looks is that often one product can work on eyes, lips and cheeks. Not only is that easier on the pocket, especially if you’re venturing into pink territory for the first time, but it makes the entire look cohesive.
Blush powders typically contain less pigment than eyeshadows, so they’re perfect for creating a ‘wash’ of colour across the eyes as well as the cheeks. Kylie Beauty Pressed Blush Powder in ‘Winter Kiss’ is a really playful candyfloss pink with a matte finish.
Cream products are a beautiful option for a glowy, modern makeup look and again are great multi-taskers. I love MECCA MAX Off Duty Cream Blush. A really versatile colour is ‘Tutu’.
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How do you go about choosing a pink lip colour to flatter?
There is a spectrum of pink hues, ranging from peachy, to cool fuschia, down to deep grape.
With a bold shade, I believe anything goes if you’re wearing it with intention.
Sticking with your skin tone can help create a more subtle look. If you have a cooler, fairer skin tone, cooler pinks that contain more blue pigment can be really cute. For warmer and deeper skin tones, slightly peachier tones tend to be more seamless.
If you’re dipping a toe into pink lip colours for the first time, trying sheer products first is a nice safe place to start. Ilia Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil is really lush and easy to wear, with a concise range of pinks to choose from for all skin tones.
What pink lip looks are you loving now?
Plump, healthy looking lips are always hot, so I’m loving seeing such a variety of lip oils and luxurious balms available now. They lend themselves to being sheerer in colour and easy to wear everyday and are a lot more exciting than Chapstick.
Obviously blush is an area where pink is popular, how do we choose the right colour?
Cool pink blushes tend to read as quite pale on the skin, making them playful and girlish. On deeper skin tones they can tend to look a little too chalky. Warm, peachy pinks are universally flattering. Deeper skin tones can play a lot with depth and tone.
