Color Wheels and Makeup?!?!

You're probably wondering, "What the heck?  Am I reading the wrong blog?"  Nope, you're not!  You're about to get a very rudimentary lesson in colors and how they can make it easier to choose the best colors for your makeup (eyes primarily).  

So, first, we all know, there's the 3 primary colors- red, yellow, and blue.  If you mix them together, that's where you get the other colors, called "secondary" colors found in between the primary colors along the color wheel.  So, example:  red + yellow = orange, yellow + blue = green, blue + red = purple.  Got it?  Good!

I am leaving one type of color out at those are called the "tertiary colors" but, they don't really apply a lot to this discussion, so, I will spare you the explanation- just know that the tertiary colors are created by mixing a primary and a secondary color and it usually results in a shade of/variation of the two colors mixed, i.e. blue-green, yellow orange, etc.

From here, this is where we can apply the color theory to makeup.  In essence, colors can either be harmonious together or complementary together.  If you look at the color wheel, it would be the wedge of like colors in different shades.  These would be considered harmonious.  Here is a picture of harmonious eye makeup- makeup that simply supports the eye color and appears to be neutral shades of taupe, pearl, and maybe even some brown.  This use of color theory typically looks very natural and though this is clearly a dressy occaision, her makeup is definitely not overdone.

From MyFashionCents by Loren Ridinger

Now, to complimentary colors.  Complimentary colors are the colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel.  For example, blue and orange (gold) would be complementary.  Green and red are complementary and well, brown is complemented by just about every color on the wheel.  You know what that means?  Those brown eyed gals are lucky because they can pick just about any color for their eyes and it will look great.  Here's a photo of complimentary colors in eye makeup taken from Eyeshadow Lipstick blog:



I encourage you to think more about this next time you go to select a new eye shadow/liner, etc.  This knowledge opens the doors to so many makeup possibilities!  Have fun!