Emerald green makeup: 14 ways to wear Pantone’s colour of the year on your eyes and nails

Date March 14, 2013

Ever since emerald was announced as the Pantone colour of the year for 2013, it’s been trending as a must-wear shade for both fashion and beauty. But how do you actually incorporate such a bold colour into your everyday look? If you’re used to wearing neutrals on your lids and lashes it can be an especially daunting colour to consider—which is why we posed the question of how to wear emerald makeup to our Beauty Panel.

(Also, considering that St. Patrick’s Day just a few days away there’s never been a better time try wearing the colour. No one will question the addition of emerald green to your beauty routine on March 17th!)

Challenge 2: Emerald is the colour of the year for 2013. How will you incorporate this colour into your beauty routine? See the answers now! »

For a few of our Beauty Panel bloggers, emerald green was a natural choice for nail polish. Tess Lopez from Makeup By Tess, Anjali Handa of Rock That Look and Jennifer Francis from Spiced Beauty all showed off green-hued manicures. Shop Pretty’s Andrea Victory-LaCasse also did an eco-friendly green manicure, but used the time between painting coats of polish to drink a very trendy green smoothie. This may seem like an unusual beauty tip, but the vitamin and antioxidant-rich drink is the best way to give your complexion a boost.

However, the real challenge for applying emerald makeup is finding a way to wear it on your eyes. Christa Potter from Perilously Pale shows one shimmering take on the shade that would look just as good on a red carpet as it would for a night out with friends. Bold N Beautiful Makeup’s Janella Panchamsingh also has a vibrant emerald eye look. And it wouldn’t be a Beauty Panel on emerald green makeup if we didn’t mention the Sephora + Pantone Universe colour collection—you’ll see many different ways to use it throughout this post.

Have a beauty question you want to see the panel answer? Send it our way at [email protected]. Read on for the answers to this week’s challenge and get to know all the contributors on our Beauty Panel hub page.

Dani Fuentes
Vancouver | Call It Beauty

Brighter, more vivid shades can be pretty daunting to wear, especially if you’ve never ventured beyond neutrals before. However, brighter colours can be quite wearable; provided you: a) Find a shade that works well with your skintone and b) Use some black eyeliner to help ground the shade. Emerald is Pantone’s colour of the year for 2013 and it works well with a multitude of skintones. I do enjoy incorporating colour into my makeup looks and when using green shades I prefer to keep it close to the lash line—the lower lash line, to be specific. For the rest of eyes, I keep it fairly neutral with champagnes, taupes, and of course, black eyeliner. I contoured my cheeks with a taupe blush and added a dash of pink to the apples of my cheeks. For the lips, I decided to stay within the pink family. After all, as Glinda said to Elphaba during the makeover scene in the musical Wicked, “Pink goes good with green.”

Products used: Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation, Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Waterproof Concealer, Anastasia Beverly Hills Vol. I Bold Brows Kit, M.A.C eyeshadow in “Naked Lunch,” “Quarry,” and “Omega,” M.A.C Powder Blush in “Taupe Shape,” M.A.C Mineralize Blush in “Subtle Breeze,” Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in “Posy Pink,” Maybelline Volum’ Express Falsies Flared mascara and NYX Slide On Pencil in “Esmeralda”

Michelle Mullins
Toronto | LipstickRules

To be quite honest, I don’t often follow makeup trends. I prefer to stick to colours that I know work for me, and that I enjoy wearing. That said I love emerald green, and I’m excited to incorporate the colour into my wardrobe. As for makeup, since an emerald green lipstick is out of the question, I’ll likely stick to nail polish or eye shadow. One of my favourite nail polish colours is OPI Jade is the New Black, an emerald green colour that I bought a couple of years ago. Who knew it would be the colour of the year eventually?! Aside from on my nails, I may also wear a green like M.A.C “Humid” eyeshadow as an eyeliner for a pop of colour on my lids. There are definitely more dramatic ways to incorporate this colour in eye makeup but I tend to keep it pretty simple. Using eyeshadow as a liner is a super easy way to incorporate trendy colours into a look, while still keeping within my comfort zone.

Products used: M.A.C eyeshadow in “Humid” and “Brule,” Make Up For Ever HD Foundation, NARS blush in “Orgasm,” Maybelline The Colossal mascara, Revlon Lip Butter in “Peach Parfait,” OPI nail polish in “Jade Is The New Black”

Joyce Wong
Toronto | Sparkly Playground

Products used: Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturizing Foundation in “Warm Porcelain,” Benefit Cosmetics the POREfessional, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in “Cool Sand,” Lancôme Ageless Minerale Setting Powder, Benefit Cosmetics Creaseless Cream Shadow in “Bikini-Tini,” Annabelle Studio Pigment in “Dragonette,” Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil in “Blubomb,” L’Oréal Paris Infalliable Eyeshadow in “Time Resist White,” Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real mascara, Clarins Palette Eclat Face & Blush Powder, L’Oréal Paris Color Riche lipstick in “Crazy Fuchsia”

Emily Chan
Toronto | THISWASFOREVER

Inspired by candies, this emerald and pink colourful look is just perfect for the spring season. First, I apply my current favourite foundation with some under-eye concealer to hide those dark circles. After filling in my brows, I sweep a champaign cream-based eyeshadow all over my lid as a base to help keep the colour lasting throughout the whole day. Then I use a green jumbo eyeshadow stick/crayon to line the top of the eyes and an emerald eyeliner for tight lining. After this I apply a hot pink eyeshadow to the outer half of my lower lash line and curl my lashes for mascara. I also like to add false lashes, which is optional. For the lips, I mix a moisturizing pink lip colour with a nude lipgloss for a subtle result. Finally, I finish the look with a coral blush because coral goes so perfectly with emerald.

Products used: L’Oréal Paris True Match Foundation in “W3,” Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Roller in “Light,” M.A.C Impeccable Brow Pencil in “Taupe,”Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Shadow in “Barely Branded,” Rimmel Scandal Eyes Eyeshadow Stick/Crayon in “Gossip Green,” Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in “Emerald Sparkle,” NYX 5 Colour Shadow Caribbean Collection in “I Dream of St. Lucia,” L’Oréal Paris Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Black Lacquer Mascara in “Black Lacquer,” Shu Uemura Lash Adhesive, Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in “Strawberry Shortcake,” M.A.C Cremesheen Glass in “On the Scene,” Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in “Candy Coral”

Alicia Gilby
London | Funny Face Beauty

Rich, lush and elegant, emerald’s jewel-toned hues add a gorgeous pop of colour to any spring makeup routine. Personally, I like to incorporate the 2013 Pantone colour of the year on both my eyes and nails. To start my emerald-inspired look, I used both a peach and a golden olive eyeshadow to define and add warmth to my crease, and to act as complementary colours to the emerald green eyshadows. To achieve a bold, bright jeweled-toned eye, I used two emerald eyeshadows: a bright emerald-green cream shadow and a deep, lush, sparkling emerald powder shadow. To finish off the eye look, I used a golden olive eyeshadow along my lower lash line, followed by two heavy coats of black mascara on both my upper and lower lashes.

Wanting to make my eyes the centre of attention, I chose to keep the rest of my look very light and natural. To even out my skin tone and hide any blemishes, I used my favourite light-coverage foundation and liquid concealer, followed by a matte bronzer for a ‘barely there’ makeup look. For cheeks, I used a light peachy-pink, slightly shimmery blush and gorgeous champagne highlighter, that work together to give skin a radiant ‘lit from within’ glow. To finish off my makeup look, I used a creamy, coral lip gloss to give my lips a plump, juicy shine. For those who aren’t comfortable wearing such a bold, colourful eye, another great way to incorporate emerald into your every day beauty look is with your nails. To give my nails a sparkling, gem-like look, I used a bright turquoise-green polish followed by a shimmering emerald polish with light golden glitter.

Products used: Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation in “3.5,” Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in “Light,” Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer in “Light,” Make Up For Ever Pro Finish Powder Foundation in “113,” NYC Matte Bronzer in “Sunny,” Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in “Luminous Light,” Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush in “Natural,” Maybelline Colour Tattoo Eyeshadow in “Edgy Emerald,” Bare Minerals Eyeshadow in “Max Volume,” M.A.C Eyeshadow in “Gaelic Gold,” Yaby Eyeshadow in “Just Peachy,” L’Oréal Voluminous Black Smoke Mascara, Benefit Ultra Plush Lipgloss in “Coralista,” Orly nail polish in “Green with Envy’,” Zoya nail polish in “Ivanka”

Andrea Victory-LaCasse
Toronto | Shop Pretty

Green is a colour that pops up a lot in my life, mostly in the sense of clean and green: eco-friendly beauty is my forte. Emerald, Pantone’s colour of the year, makes an appearance in two forms in my beauty routine. The first is green juice—it’s a great way to get your skin glowing. I got mine at Fresh in Toronto and it contains kale, spinach, parsley, celery and apple. Green juice is a quick way to get your dose of super-foods, as it’s loaded with antioxidants, nutrients and fibre; all good things needed for healthy skin. I sometimes like to sip my green juice while doing an at-home mani, which brings me to my second emerald dose: Inspired by the nails at the Angel Sanchez Spring 2013 show, a quasi-french tip is a pretty way to get on-trend with emerald this spring.

Step 1: Wash hands, pat dry and apply a little oil. Jojoba is best, but olive can do in a pinch. Gently push back cuticles.

Step 2: Using a relatively new buffer, buff and shine. (Tip: If you have ridges in your nails, most nail polish will look better on a buffed nail). When finished, wipe nails or rinse under warm water and dry.

Step 3: Apply base coat and let dry. I like the Get Nailed Bottoms Up Base Coat because the line is 4 – free, meaning it contains no: Camphor, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate or Formaldehyde.

Step 4: Apply one smooth coat of Get Nailed polish in “Shhh, You’ll Wake My Dad.”

Step 5: Using the brush attached to the polish, stroke a half moon shape from the outside edge of your nail to the centre, then do the other side. They should cross over each other in the centre. Before you try it on your nail, test on a piece of paper to get a feel for it. I used Mineral Fusion polish in “Mossy Bank” for this step, which is another 4-free polish available at Whole Foods. Go back and touch up any areas that don’t look opaque when dry. Let tips dry. (Seriously, don’t rush all your hard work now!)

Step 6: Apply a super shiny top coat. For this I used, Get Nailed’s Quickie Dry Top Coat. Let dry. Now you can admire your handiwork and feel good—inside out and out!

Products used: Sephora 4-step Colorful Nail Buffer, Get Nailed Bottoms Up Base Coat, Get Nailed polish in “Shhh, You’ll Wake My Dad,” Mineral Fusion polish in “Mossy Bank,” Get Nailed Quickie Dry Top Coat

Tess Lopez
Toronto | Makeup By Tess

Products used: Pro FX Complete 3 base coat, top coat and nail strengthener, China Glaze nail polish in “Watermelon Grind”

Jennifer Francis
Durham | Spiced Beauty

Green is a colour that flatters every skin tone from light to dark. The easiest way to incorporate colour into my beauty routine is on my nails. I can wear it for a week or switch it up and add some nail art. The get this look I used Sephora Color Charged Graphic Lacquer in “Emerald.” On my ring finger, I added Maybelline Color Show Fashion Prints Nail Stickers in “Divine Crocodile.”

Janella Panchamsingh
Toronto | Bold n Beautiful Makeup

Products used: Urban Decay Primer Potion, Sephora Jumbo Pencil in “Black,” 120 Clutch Palette, M.A.C eyeshadow in “Tete A Tint,” “Saddle” and “Browndown,” Sephora + Pantone Liquid Liner in “Emerald,” Dior Iconic Mascara, Make Up For Ever Eye Khol in “1k,” Red Cherry Lashes #113, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Liptar in “Authentic,” “Hush” and “Zhora,” Urban Decay Lip Liner in “Midnight Cowboy”

Elaine Atkins
Toronto | Toronto Beauty Reviews

Emerald is the colour of the year and I can understand buying an emerald blouse or scarf to incorporate this trend but how do you do it with makeup? Nail polish is the obvious choice but as a girl who likes more traditional nail colour this wasn’t going to happen for me. I decided to just go with my everyday look but instead of doing my usual eye makeup I decided to use a green liner. This is a subtle way incorporating a trend without feeling too over the top! In case you are still intimidated all you have to do is use a really light hand and build the intensity to your comfort level. In my case I chose a green liquid liner that was pretty sheer so I waited in between layers for the liner to dry before adding more. The results: just a pop of emerald colour that anyone can wear!

Product used: Maybelline Eye Studio Master Duo 2-in-1 Glossy Liner in “Polished Green”

Christa Potter
Kawartha Lakes| Perilously Pale

Prior to emerald being named the Pantone colour of the year, I had already begun my infatuation with greens. With everything from deep khakis to fresh celedon I have been enjoying my new foray into green territory since last year. However, Emerald is actually a particular nuance of green I hadn’t experimented with much. Given its lush and vibrant quality I thought it fitting to ground it with matte black in an emerald smoky eye look. This look is super easy to recreate.

Begin by prepping your lid from lid to browbone with a matte or satin shade close to your natural skin colour. This will even out the skin of your eyelid as well as aid in blending. Next take the Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil in “Absinthe-Minded” and trace around your entire eye. Then fill in your lid up into the crease with the same pencil and softly blend out the edges with your finger. Take a matte black eyeshadow, like Annabelle “Ebony” and place it on the outer corner of your eye. Then, with a firm brush and carry it into your crease. Also place the same black shadow close to your upper and lower lash lines with a small angled brush, keeping it to only the outer third of the lower lash line. I did not utilize any black eyeliner in this look as I wanted to keep the black intense but soft. Take a clean fluffy brush and blend the black shadow in your crease diffusing any hard lines. Also gently blend it into the green on your lid. Curl your lashes (I use the infamous Shu Uemura eyelash curler) and then put on lots of black mascara. My favourite of the moment is Benefit They’re Real.

Given the intensity of the eye I like to keep the skin fresh and glowy. For a more natural finish and to keep my dry skin from looking flat, I mix Burberry Fresh Glow Primer into my foundation. Conceal any imperfections—for me that means hiding undereye darkness as well as rosacea on my chin and around my nose. I’m loving the new Benefit Fake Up Concealer to keep my delicate under eye area looking hydrated. I set with Hourglass Ambient Light Powder in “Ethereal Light” and build up the Hourglass Ambient Light Powder in “Mood Light” on my cheeks as a blush for a radiant glow that doesn’t compete with the eyes. For lips I keep it subtle with one of my favourite nude pinks, Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani lipstick in “Beige 103.” I love the vibrant intensity of the glowing emerald paired with the sultry black. I think it is a fun and unexpected way to bring the Pantone colour of the year into your look for a night out.

Products used: Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil in “Absinthe-Minded,” Annabelle Single Eyeshadow in “Ebony,” Benefit They’re Real Mascara, She Uemura eyelash curler, Benefit Fake Up Concealer in “Ivory,” Burberry Fresh Glow Primer, Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation in “Shade 1.0,” Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in “Ethereal Light” and “Mood Light,” Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani Lipstick in “Beige 103”

Alexa Lowe
Montreal | Stealing Beauty

Products used: Urban Decay Primer Potion, M.A.C eyeshadow in “Bisque,” “Copperplate,” “Arena” and “Humid,” Blush Professional 88 Palette, Urban Decay Smoked Palette, L’Oréal Telescopic Mascara, Lancôme Khôl in “Love 401 Deepwater Blue”

Rema Benallal
Toronto | The Burgundy Book

Working in the cosmetics industry allows me to get wild with my makeup and so I’m always sporting a vibrant lip colour. This year I actually made a point of experimenting with more eye makeup (exceptionally daring because I always find that my eyelids are too hooded for eyeshadow). This year, I figured if I can go bold on my lips I could go bold on my eyes too, right?

My favourite eyeshadow block from the Sephora + Pantone Universe collection is shown here: the Colour Theory Shadow Block in “Eclipsed.” The bronzed-beige was used as a base all over the lid, the emerald glitter shade on the mid to outer corner of my eye and the deep moss green can be seen in the crease. To finish the look off I used a sweep of the super intense Sephora + Pantone Universe Graphic Lift Liquid Liner and layers and layers of They’re Real Mascara by Benefit.

I kept the cheeks and lips soft using the Sephora + Pantone Universe Colour Theory Sculpting Blush for a soft flush and a soft layer of Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine Lipstick in “Dream Orange” (the new OB collection!).

For days when I find myself rushing out the door but still wanting to add that glimmer of emerald to my look, the Graphic Lift Liner is SUPER intense in colour. A thin line of this on your upper and lower lash line would look so sexy and trendy.

Products used: Sephora + Pantone Universe Colour Theory Shadow Block in “Eclipsed” and Graphic Lift Liquid Liner in “Emerald,” Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine Lipstick in “Dream Orange” and Benefit They’re Real Mascara

Anjali Handa
Toronto | Rock That Look

One of my favourite ways to jazz up a beauty routine is by including a pop of bright colour to a fresh face. Whether it is on the lips, cheeks or eyes, a splash of brightness can change your entire look! While emerald is the “in” colour for 2013, it may not be the easiest to work with—after all, I don’t ever remember a time when green was acceptable on cheeks or lips! The best way to play with emerald, in my opinion, is on the eyes on nails.

For the eyes, a great way to play with colour, while keeping it subtle, is by using coloured eyeliner. For this look, I used Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil in “Absinthe-Minded.” This is a highly pigmented, long-lasting liner that doesn’t smudge or wear off over the course of the day. After applying my regular foundation and eye primer, I applied the eyeliner first on the waterline of my eye. I then smoothed the colour out over the top of my lashline and then just below the bottom lashes. This provides a nice bright outline to the eye. It would be acceptable to leave the liner like this, however for daytime wear I prefer to tone it down just a tad by also applying black eye liner on the waterline. This adds an element of drama, while also toning down the bright emerald shade. I applied two coats of black mascara on the top lashes to provide a further contrast to the green and open the eyes a little more. This combo of green and black liner along with black mascara allowed me to stay on-trend with the emerald shade, while keeping my look work and daytime appropriate!

Another way to incorporate emerald is on the nails. In particular, I gave myself a rather minty manicure using simple French manicure stickers and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fasty Dry Nail Colour in “Mint Sprint.” This shade has been in my nail polish collection for quite some time, and I am happy that I’ll be able to pull it out again this spring! To create the manicure, simply apply the stickers to your nails right where you’d like the French manicure to start. Then, paint the tips of your nails using your preferred shade. Let the paint dry, then rip the sticker off. Voila! Perfectly French-manicured nails done right in the comfort of your home!

Products used: Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil in “Absinthe-Minded,” Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fasty Dry Nail Colour in “Mint Sprint”