Evening Makeup for Gray Hair
Photo: Ondrea Barbe/ Trunk Archive
When your hair goes gray, the colors that once looked amazing on you might not anymore. You’ll need to update your makeup colors to work with a new look, especially for night. A little more definition around the eyes is key to making your eyes stand out. Your lip and cheek colors should also be a little brighter and stronger. Here are seven steps to gorgeous party makeup for gray hair.
Step one: Use a creamy concealer like Laura Mercier’s Secret Concealer ($24) or Sonia Kashuk’s All Covered Up Concealer ($10) to brighten up the area underneath the eyes.
Step two: Apply a light foundation with your fingers to even out your skin tone. A yellow-based foundation that works with your skin type will help counter any redness, smooth over lines, and plump up the skin. MAC Studio Face & Body Foundation ($27) and Maybelline Fit Me Foundation ($8) are good options.
Step three: When your hair goes gray, your brows can also start to fade in color. Give them a more defined shape and color by filling them in with a powder eyeshadow and a stiff angled brow brush. For our model Gro, a slate gray/soft brown shade worked best, but choose a hue that matches your natural brows.
Step four: Eyeshadow in soft, pretty shades can give your eyes a natural lift. Apply a light base color from the lower lashline all the way up to just below the brows. Then sweep a medium shade with a bit of subtle shimmer from the lower lashline and into the crease for depth. On Gro, an ivory shadow paired with a metallic taupe was the perfect color combination.
Step five: Line your top lid with a thin line of black gel liner or pencil liner. Then smudge it slightly by layering a charcoal powder liner on top. If you want to line underneath, choose a softer shade like charcoal for the lower lashline. Defining your eyes is key when you have gray hair as your eyes can start to get lost a bit against lighter hair; liner helps them stand out. Try Sonia Kashuk’s Eye Definer pencil ($6) or Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner ($10).
Step six: Finish eyes with a few coats of lengthening mascara in black like Dior’s Diorshow Mascara ($25) or Covergirl Bombshell Mascara ($12).
Step seven: Add a glowy touch of sheer color with cream blush like Flower’s Win Some Rouge Some ($8) or Stila’s Convertible Color ($25). Apply to the apple of the cheeks and blend outwards. A rosy shade looks gorgeous against gray hair.
Step seven: A pretty lip color in a vibrant shade like rose complements gray hair beautifully. It’s just enough color to stand out in the evening. Apply a sheer lip color like Laura Mercier’s Sheer Lip Color ($24) or Covergirl Colorburst Lip Butter ($9) straight from the tube.
