PASTEL MAKEUP LOOKS

The pastel makeup palette is all about soft, muted shades that evoke feelings of spring, innocence, and whimsy. Think of the colors you see in a field of wildflowers or a box of macarons—light pinks, baby blues, mint greens, soft yellows, and lavender purples. These shades are less saturated than their brighter counterparts, giving them a delicate and understated vibe. Pastel makeup colors are soft and dreamy rather than bold.

With the wide variety of colors that can come in pastel shades, you can create a beautiful pastel makeup look for any skin tone. Cool undertones look beautiful with powder blue, lavender, and light pink, while warm undertones look lovely with peach or deep lavender. For neutral undertones, you will look amazing with buttery yellow or mint green.

Below, we’ll discuss a few popular pastel makeup ideas, then teach you how to create your own pastel makeup look.

SOFT PASTEL MAKEUP

Soft pastel makeup is perfect for those who want to enhance their natural beauty with a subtle touch of color for a cute pastel makeup look. It's all about creating a fresh, radiant, and effortlessly chic look. Imagine a wash of pastel pink on the eyelids, a hint of mint green eyeliner, and a touch of peach blush. It’s a delicate, dreamy look that's perfect for daytime wear.

PASTEL GOTH MAKEUP

One of the best things about pastel makeup is its versatility. It's perfect for a wide range of occasions, from casual daytime outings to special events.

• Everyday wear: A soft wash of pastel eyeshadow or a touch of pastel blush can add a subtle pop of color to your everyday look.
• Spring and summer events: Pastel makeup is perfect for garden parties, weddings, and other outdoor events.
• Festivals and concerts: Embrace your inner flower child with a bold and colorful pastel makeup look.
• Cosplay and themed parties: Pastel makeup is a great way to add a touch of fantasy to your look.

Ready to create your own pastel makeup masterpiece? Follow these steps for a flawless and dreamy look.

STEP 1: SELECT PASTEL MAKEUP COLORS THAT COMPLEMENT YOUR SKIN TONE

Just like with any makeup look, it's important to choose colors that flatter your skin tone. Generally, lighter pastels look best on fair skin, while deeper pastels complement medium to dark skin tones. As we mentioned earlier, also take your skin undertone into consideration as you choose the best pastel makeup colors for you.

STEP 2: APPLY MAKEUP PRIMER

STEP 3: APPLY FOUNDATION

Choose a soft, dewy or glowy base makeup product if you plan to wear foundation or skin tint. We recommend Super Stay^® Lumi-Matte Foundation for a more matte finish or Fit Me^® Dewy + Smooth Foundation for a dewier finish.

STEP 4: APPLY A LIGHT COLOR EYE BASE

Before applying your pastel eyeshadow look, apply a light color base all over your lid. This will help to neutralize any discoloration and create a more even surface for your eyeshadow. Color Tattoo^® Eye Stix are a great choice for eyeshadow primer.

STEP 5: APPLY PASTEL EYESHADOW

Using a fluffy eyeshadow brush, apply your chosen pastel eyeshadow shade to your eyelid. Blend well to avoid any harsh lines.

Check out our pastel eyeshadow shades:

STEP 6: APPLYING PASTEL EYELINER

Add a touch of whimsy to your look with pastel eyeliner. Color Tattoo^® Eye Stix can be used as eyeliner, or reach for Tattoo Studio^® Sharpenable Gel Pencil in Stardust Chrome for a glittery pastel eyeliner look. You can create a classic wing, or experiment with a graphic eyeliner look.

STEP 7: APPLYING A SOFT PASTEL BLUSH

For a soft and ethereal glow, apply a pastel pink or peach blush to the apples of your cheeks. Sunkisser Liquid Blush and Bronzer in Blazing Blush or Uptown Glow is a great choice, or any of the lovely Cheek Heat^® Gel-Cream Blush shades. Choose a shade that complements the eyeliner and eyeshadow you chose. Blend well for a seamless finish.

STEP 8: APPLY HIGHLIGHTER FOR A SUBTLE GLOW

Add a touch of radiance to your look with a subtle highlighter. Apply to the high points of your face, such as your cheekbones, brow bone, and the bridge of your nose.

STEP 9: CREATE A SUBTLE PASTEL LIP

Complete your pastel makeup look with a subtle pastel lip. Choose a light pink, peach, or lavender shade that complements your overall look, especially your blush and eyeshadow shades. We love a matte pastel lip look such as Super Stay Teddy Tint™ Liquid Lip Tint in Knee High or Super Stay Matte Ink^® Liquid Lipstick in Visionary. For a more subtle pastel lip look, first apply a neutral lip color, then apply your pastel shade to the center of your lips and blend out with a finger.

STEP 10: SET YOUR PASTEL MAKEUP LOOK

To keep your pastel makeup looking fresh all day, set it with a makeup setting spray.

While pastel makeup is relatively easy to apply, there are a few common mistakes to avoid.

• Not using a damp brush for better color payoff: Sometimes, it can be difficult to get the soft, pastel colors to show up when applying them. We recommend using a damp sponge or brush for better color payoff without using more product.
• Not blending enough: Harsh lines are a no-no when it comes to pastel makeup. Make sure to blend your eyeshadow, blush, and highlighter well for a seamless finish.
• Choosing the wrong shades: As mentioned earlier, it's important to choose pastel shades that complement your skin tone.
• Creating poor color combinations: Make sure all of your pastel products complement one another. When in doubt, choose one product—such as just your eyeshadow or just your blush—for a pop of pastel color.
• Not priming your skin: Primer is essential for ensuring that your pastel makeup lasts all day.