The upgraded neutral: How to wear living coral makeup to the office

Photo: Stylenanda

Last year, leading colour authority Pantone declared Living Coral to be the colour of 2019. And when Pantone speaks, we listen. After all, they were the ones who saw the cult of Millennial Pink coming; our lives (and aesthetic sense) have never been the same since. There’s just one thing: unlike Millennial Pink, Living Coral is out, loud and proud. It’s a shade that commands the spotlight.

When it comes to outfits, the peachy-orange hue usually translates into dramatic looks. Makeup, on the other hand, is a different story. By choosing sheer formulas and using a light hand, it’s easy to tone down the shade and transform Living Coral makeup into something office-appropriate.

As a blotted lip

One of the easiest ways to wear Living Coral makeup to the office is to concentrate the colour on your lips. Blot lip colour onto your lips with a ring finger for a just-bitten, diffused effect.

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As a soft wash of colour

If you’re really self-conscious about attempting to incorporate Living Coral into your makeup palette, try applying it as a soft wash of colour on your lids. Use a sheer blusher in a similar shade and round things off with a tinted balm. Keep skin looking dewy and natural and you’ll have an understated coral look that makes you look like you, but better.

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As a smoky eye

For something more dramatic (but still within HR regulations), try doing your usual smoky eye with coral tones instead of browns, greys and blacks. Keep the rest of your look clean and simple to avoid veering into that dreaded “Instagram beauty guru” territory.

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As a graphic eye

If you can get away with more adventurous looks, give this cut-crease graphic liner a go. We love how the matching lip pulls the whole thing together and makes the entire look wearable, not theatrical.

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As a monochrome look

An easy way to wear Living Coral makeup to the office is to keep your entire colour palette in the same family. Use similar shades on your lids, cheeks and lips to prevent things from looking messy. Switch things up by using a glossy lipstick instead of a predictable matte. Finish off with neatly-parted hair or a slicked back pony so that the focus is on your makeup.

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ALSO READ: HOW TO ADD PANTONE'S 2019 COLOUR OF THE YEAR TO YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE