What Is the Color Wheel?
The most basic color wheel is composed of 12 colors:
- The three primary colors are red, yellow, and blue.
- The three secondary colors are orange, green, and purple.
- The sixtertiary colors are vermilion (red-orange), magenta (red-purple), violet (blue-purple), teal (blue-green), chartreuse (yellow-green), and amber (yellow-orange)
The way the color wheel works, colors near each other are ‘analogous,’ meaning they are in the same family, and colors opposite are ‘complementary,’ meaning when placed side by side, they create contrast, and when layered, neutralize each other. A real-world example is how holiday colors like red and green make everything look vibrant when placed side by side
Color theory is a great way to upgrade your eye makeup and create looks that are both flattering and stylish. By understanding the basics of color theory, you can choose colors that complement your eye color, skin tone, and overall style.
How Can the Color Wheel Influence Our Makeup Choices?
- Creating makeup looks
Not every makeup look needs to utilize color theory, but the color wheel can certainly come in handy. When you want to create a dynamic look that is more subtle, the color wheel can help you create stealth contrast and balanced harmony that makes the finished look truly exceptional. Once you learn the placement of colors on the wheel, it’s easy to make eye color stand out, to pop cheekbones, and to select a lip color that steps up your look.
- Figuring out your undertones
Most consumers have good instincts for what works for them, but they might not realize that the color wheel impacts their choices, especially when it comes to foundation, concealer, and color cosmetics. These products come in undertones such as warm (golden/yellow) and cool (pink/blue or red/purple). By trying on foundation shades and seeing which one matches your skin tone perfectly, we figure out if we need a warm, cool, or neutral undertone to match our skin.
- Color correcting
The color wheel is instrumental in color correction as well. For example, orange is the opposite of blue on the wheel, so if you have dark circles with blue undertones, you can neutralize them with different tones of orange and peaches before applying your concealer. This extra step can make a significant impact in covering up unwanted blemishes and more.
What is color theory?
Color theory is the study of how colors interact with each other. It can be used to create a variety of effects, from subtle to dramatic. When it comes to eye makeup, color theory can be used to:
Highlight your eye color. The right colors can make your eyes look brighter, larger, and more vibrant.
Create a more dramatic look. If you’re looking for a more dramatic eye makeup look, you can use contrasting colors to create a high-impact effect.
Add depth and dimension to your eyes. By using different shades of the same color, you can create a more sophisticated and polished look.
How to use color theory in eye makeup
There are a few basic principles of color theory that you can use to create eye makeup looks that are both flattering and stylish.
Complementary colors:
Complementary colors are colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. When used together, they create a high contrast look that is very eye-catching. For example, if you have blue eyes, you could use orange or yellow eyeshadow to create a complementary look.
Analogous colors:
Analogous colors are colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. When used together, they create a more subtle and harmonious look. For example, if you have green eyes, you could use shades of blue, green, and yellow eyeshadow to create an analogous look.
Warm and cool colors:
Warm colors, such as reds, oranges, and yellows, tend to make eyes look brighter and more vibrant. Cool colors, such as blues, greens, and purples, tend to make eyes look more mysterious and sultrier.
Choosing The Right Eyeshadow Colors
With literally millions of eyeshadow colors and combinations available, color theory can help you narrow down which color combinations might best complement your eye color. Here are some of the ways to enhance blue, green, brown, and hazel eyes:
Blue Eyes
Color pairings are fun especially when it comes to eyeshadows that contrast the color of the iris since they instantly make eyes stand out. On the color wheel, the opposite color to blue is yellow, so a canary, gold or ochre eyeshadow does the trick, but any shades with yellow undertones will also work magic on blue eyes. If you like a softer harmonious look, you can go for shades of violet, pink or green
Green Eyes
For green eyes, on the color wheel the color opposite green is red, hence shades of red or berry tones, auburn or burgundy eye shadow would create a striking visual. Interestingly, since red is next to pink and violet on the color wheel, they also create brilliant contrast for green eyes.
Brown Eyes
Brown eyes have a huge range, sometimes with flecks of yellow and even gold in the iris they are blessed with the ability to wear all colors on the wheel with ease. To make those warm flecks jump out, try cool shades of plum, teal and blue and for a more cohesive look try shades like vermilion, amber and olive.
Hazel Eyes
“Usually thought of as a mix between green and blue or green with yellow flecks, hazel eyes light up in orange undertone terracotta shades, peachy-orange colors and berry shades would look great on hazel eyes and for a subtle look go for a dirty gold or khaki color.
How to experiment with color theory
The best way to learn how to use color theory in your eye makeup is to experiment with different colors. Try different combinations of colors and see what works best for you. There are a few things to keep in mind when experimenting with color theory:
Start with a light base color. This will help to blend the other colors together and create a more polished look.
Build up the color gradually. Don’t start with too much color, or you’ll end up with a look that’s too harsh.
Use a blending brush. This will help you to blend the colors together smoothly.
Don’t be afraid to add a pop of color. If you want to create a more dramatic look, add a pop of color to the inner corner of your eye or on your lower lash line.
From foundation to lipstick to eye makeup, understanding the color wheel can have a lasting impact on how you shop for and apply your makeup to make to look more flattering & stylish. You’ll never look at color the same. So, get out there and experiment!
Blog images sourced from Pinterest