Like so many makeup trends, the recent spike in violet eye shadow, liner, lipstick and even highlighter can be credited to one woman (sorry, Pantone): Pat McGrath.
The legendary makeup artist and industry force has been favoring lavender and amethyst tones of late, first crafting a violet-and-fuchsia eye look at Anna Suis Fall 2018 show in New York.
In case you missed it back in December, “Ultra Violet” was named Pantones 2018 Color of the Year. And while the previous years zesty yellow-green “Greenery” didnt exactly take off much in the beauty realm, this more recent pick is proving to be quite a massive hit amongst makeup artists, celebrities and influencers.
A model backstage at Anna Suis Fall 2018 show.
Then, on Feb. 20, McGrath took to Instagram to share more purple-tinged beauty inspiration from…herself. She dipped into the McGrath archives to find a particularly gorgeous cover from a 2004 issue of Vogue Italia, photographed by Steven Meisel and featuring model Lydia Hearst in a monochromatic look of makeup “purp-fection,” as McGrath so aptly put it.
Lydia Hearst in violet makeup by Pat McGrath on the April 2004 issue of “Vogue” Italia, photographed by Steven Meisel.
McGrath also launched a violet eye shadow as part of herPat McGrath Labs MTHRSHP Subversive La Vie En Rose palettethat dropped on March 7, making her purple haze vision accessible to the masses.
The violet makeup trend made the jump from the runways to the red carpets when Rowan Blanchard experimented with the shade at the “A Wrinkle in Time” premiere.
Rowan Blanchard at the “A Wrinkle in Time” premiere
Fellow teen activist (and excellent makeup-wearer)Yara Shahidi also recently experimented with violet makeup during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live! ”
Yara Shahidi backstage at “Jimmy Kimmel Live! ”
The influencer crowd was also into this trend, with Song of Styles Aimee Song wearing her own smoky orchid eye on Feb. 18. Makeup artist Nam Vo, who was behind Songs look, says she thinks this tone is trending now because its so versatile – it can be worn on lips, eyes or even as a highlighter – and because its flattering on just about any skin tone.
Aimee Song
“I think in general, its a very feminine, soft look and especially moving into spring, its a great color,” she says. The trick to pulling it off, according to Vo, is to pair lilac or violet makeup with neutral tones elsewhere on the face, “unless you want to look like an Easter egg. ” Noted.
Vo also cautions that those with especially ashy skin with blue undertones or dark undereye circles may want to avoid this particular color family, since it may exacerbate the appearance of shadows.
In the below, weve rounded up 13 violet makeup picks that feel fresh, cool and perfect for spring.
Related Articles19 Glittery, Glimmery Eye-Makeup Looks to Steal From the Fall RunwaysSee All the Best Street Style Beauty Looks From Outside the Fall 2018 ShowsHeres How to Make Your Eyes Look Bigger With Makeup
