Don’t get us wrong: We love a natural, neutral-hued or smudged smoky eye look as much as the next. Neutral eyeshadow looks have always been a trend and likely always will be. However, adding a pop of color to eyelids can take your shadow game to the next level and make your eyes stand out and sparkle. Don’t think we’re suggesting swiping on frosty blue eyeshadow from the ’80s (although, nostalgic ’80s and ’90s makeup looks are coming back) or a crazy neon-colored eyeliner; Instead, think pink! Since pink shades run the gamut, there’s one for everyone—plus, the color can be as subtle or statement-making as you’d like. For help on how to wear pink eyeshadow, we turned to celebrity makeup artists for how to pick your best hue and the pink eyeshadow looks that are sure to flatter you.
How pink eyeshadow is flattering for women over 40
It can be easy to get stuck in the “neutrals only” eyeshadow zone, which while a classic, can get redundant and might not be doing anything to make your eyes “pop. “Using pink tones on the eyes can still look natural, but will bring you more to life,” says Melissa Murdick, celebrity makeup artist with Colourpop. That’s because pink eyeshadow immediately draws attention to the eyes, making them a focal point of the face. Plus, if it has a hint of shimmer, pink shadows can act as a highlighter for the lids, making them look wider, brighter and more awake, and creating a luminous “lifting” effect.
Further, pink eyeshadow can bring out the rosiness of your complexion and blush, making you look more glowy and “awake.” It’s similar to how simply swiping on lipstick can do wonders for enhancing your skin.
How to pick the best pink eyeshadow for your skin tone
“When choosing a pink for your skin tone, it’s always safe to find a shade that is around the same depth as your skin,” advises Murdick. She notes that “fair skin tones can try pastel pinks, and the deeper your skin tone is, the deeper the pink you can work with.” Keep reading for the best pink hues for each skin tone.
If you have fair skin: Opt for pale to light pinks and light, peachy pinks. These soft pink shades complement porcelain complexions so you won’t look clownish.
If you have medium skin: Try rose and berry pinks. The warmth in these pink tones complements the underlying warmth in medium skin tones.
If you have dark skin: Choose deep mauve, deep berry and fuchsia pinks. Deeper, richer pink hues stand out on deeper skin tones.
Consider your skin’s undertone when picking pink eyeshadow
Skin undertones are also something to consider when picking the perfect pink shade. “It’s also nice to match the undertone of the pink with your skin’s undertone—meaning cool pinks for cool skin tones, warm pinks for warm skin tones,” affirms Murdick.
If you have warm undertones: “Your pink makeup should have a peach or coral hue to it,” says celebrity makeup artist Jessica Shakir. Besides pinky peach and pinky coral, salmon pinks also meet this criteria.
If you have cool undertones: “Look for pinks with a hint of blue or lavender to flatter your skin,” says Shakir. Pink shades that fit the bill are rose, baby pink, fuchsia and magenta.
If you have neutral undertones: Luckily for you, if you have neutral undertones you can get away with essentially any shade of pink, warm or cool, and everything in between.
For more tricks on selecting your perfect shade of pink, watch the video below from @MikaelaCarrizo on YouTube.
6 pink eyeshadow looks for women over 40
If you’re ready to try out a pink eyeshadow look, keep scrolling to see different ways to wear the eye-catching color.
1. Wake up tired eyes with light, shimmery pink eyelids
You can never go wrong with a shimmery pink eyeshadow all over the lids. This light-medium shade of pink shadow on Jennifer Connelly, above, makes her gorgeous, green eyes stand out and her dark hair pop. And the shadow’s slight sparkle makes the whites of your eyes look brighter, creating a well-rested look even if you didn’t get 8 hours of shuteye. Plus, an all-over shadow requires no special skills, making it great for beginners.
Get the look: Prime upper eyelids with an eyeshadow primer, like Milani Eyeshadow Primer. This ensures the best color payoff and gives shadow something to hold onto so it lasts longer. Next, swipe on a shimmery, light-to-medium pink eyeshadow all over the lid, like Colourpop Jelly Much Gel Eyeshadow in Close to You, stopping at the crease. To really make eyes sparkle, add a dash of shimmery, lighter pink shadow, like Sephora Colorful Eyeshadow in Glazed Donut, in the inner corner.
2. Widen small eyes with a bottom lash line pink eyeshadow look
This pink eyeshadow look is perfect for those with smaller, hooded eyelids that don’t have much visible eyelid space when the eyes are open. Adding the color to the lower lash line like on Kate Mara, above, makes the eyes appear two times wider.
Get the look: Apply eyeshadow primer, then reach for a rose-pink eyeshadow, like Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeshadow Compact in Bad Seed. Blend the shadow into the crease, then drag it down to the lower lash line. Next, blend the shadow into both the crease and the lower lash line with a fluffy blending brush, like e.l.f. Fluffy Eye Blender Brush. This will slightly diffuse the shadow so it won’t look harsh.
3. Mask crepey lids with shimmery peachy pink shadow
As mentioned previously, fair skin looks absolutely stunning in pink shades with peachy undertones. Take Jessica Chastain, above, whose fair complexion looks glowing with peachy-pink eyelids. What’s more, a light pink shadow with a shimmery finish blurs any imperfections on eyelids like crepey skin.
Get the look: After applying eyeshadow primer, pat a pink shadow with peachy hues, like Nars Hardwire Eyeshadow in Melrose, all over the upper eyelid using either a dense eyeshadow brush or your fingertips. Bonus: For some added drama, pair with winged eyeliner.
4. Make dark hair and skin pop with mauve shadow
Darker skin tones and dark hair look gorgeous in pinks that have purple hues and undertones, like mauve, as shown on Angela Bassett above. That’s because mauve has more depth, which ensures features don’t look washed out. Also, in general, keep in mind when you’re working with pink eyeshadow, especially mauve pinks, that they “pair great with neutrals and also plum shades,” adds Murdick, to make a statement eye look.
Get the look: Apply eyeshadow primer, then use a fluffy eyeshadow brush and a mauve shadow, like MAC Eye Shadow in Girlie, and blend all over the lid, into the crease and slightly above the crease. To make eyes appear wider, apply a dab of shimmery, lighter mauve, like NARS Hardwired Eyeshadow in Earthshine, at the center of the eyelid. Finish with a few coats of mascara (we like tubing mascara) to volumize lashes.
5. Enhance eye color with an allover pink eyeshadow look
Make a stunning statement with an all-over pink eyeshadow look like Kate Hudson is wearing above. This look is especially great on green eyes. “Pink is an especially flattering shade to bring out hazel and green eyes, says Murdick. Why? “Pink and green are opposite on the color wheel.”
Get the look: Start with a fluffy shadow brush and a matte, rose-colored eyeshadow, like Root Pressed Eyeshadow Pigment in Joan. Blend the color along the outer crease, stopping around the outer third to the middle of the eye. Also, dust this shade along the lower lash line, stopping around the outer third to the middle of the eye. Next, use a denser eyeshadow brush and a light pink, shimmery eyeshadow, like Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Frog, and starting at where the rose shadow stops, blend into the lid and inner crease toward the inner corner of the eye. Tip: Bringing this color above the inner to middle crease as well makes the eyes appear larger and more awake. Then, sweep the remainder of the shadow on the brush along the lower lash line toward the middle where the mauve stops.
6. Lift droopy eyes with a berry-pink eyeshadow look
This gorgeous, berry-pink eyeshadow look on Jennifer Lopez, above, beautifully complements the warmth in her eyes and hair. Plus, by bringing the color higher up past the crease and toward the brow, the eyes and face appear instantly more lifted.
Get the look: Once eyeshadow primer is applied, use a fluffy blending brush and a berry-colored eyeshadow, like MAC Eyeshadow in Rose Before Bros, and blend into the crease. Then, gently blend upward toward the brow, applying any excess shadow above the crease. Tip: Make sure to blend, blend, and blend to avoid harsh lines. Next, apply a light pink shadow, like Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow in Seashell, on the upper eyelid and inner corner. Lastly, sweep a small amount of the berry shadow along the lower lash line. And for added drama and to widen the eyes, apply a pair of false lashes.
The best pink eyeshadow palettes
Why commit to just one shade of pink when you can test out different hues with a pink eyeshadow palette? Eyeshadow palettes are also great if you just aren’t sure what shade of pink will look best on you. Plus, you typically get more bang for your buck with a palette compared to buying individual shadows. Below, see our favorite pink eyeshadow palettes to try out.
