By BR Tabatha
The beauty world, on the whole, is a world of colour - from pretty pastels to bold brights. Sizzling red lips are teamed with shimmering champagne eyes. A neutral nude politely sits alongside a warm-toned sunset-inspired eye. It's all beautiful, it's all wonderful, but sometimes a girl's gotta get her dark side on. I love a smokey eye. A deep lip. And one can't go wrong with a classic black wing with lashings of black mascara. Of course choosing to walk on the dark side can be a little confronting for some... it's a look that requires a bit of attitude. But it's a look we can all do... even if it's just a case of dipping a black-painted toe into the water.
In a world of candyfloss pinks and ruby reds a black polish can elevate a nail look. It takes you from sassy to serious, from fabulous to fierce. It's a subtle step into the world of black beauty, yet it provides a small shock of surprise to those who notice the colour on your nails. Chic when painted on a square or rounded nail, but when teamed with a pointy tip? You're saying you're a woman who is ready to take on the world.
While a dark smokey eye is traditionally a night time theme, we can't help but think it should be rocked anytime, anywhere. Well, maybe not at the pool if you're going to be swimming, because that would lead to a Frankenfurter at the end of Rocky Horror after he's taken a dip look - and that's a look probably best avoided. BUT any other time a smokey look is sure to get the world gasping 'wow'. Also, how gorgeous is the Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Scorpio? It demands to be worn.
Black lipstick can be striking. It can say 'don't mess with me', 'I'm strong and fabulous, hear me roar', it can even say 'I'm yours, but only for as long as I feel like it'. It's an empowering statement look, and perhaps not one that many would feel confident in trying - or happy to splash some serious cash on in case they found the look wasn't for them. Luckily BYS has a black lipstick for less than a tenner - so you can see if you're brave enough to pull off the look from the comfort of home before stepping out and rocking it.
While not strictly black in shade - The Black Lace Rabbit Blush from Lipstick Queen is too magical not to mention. Black and shimmery in the pan, you apply it to your cheeks and it transforms into a berry shade with a hint of glow. Best of all, it's available from Mecca - although at the time of writing it wasn't available from their online store. I'll certainly be checking back!
The best bit about makeup? It washes off. Which means if one of the above looks isn't for you it's not a biggie. BUT in the spirit of going dark side, we can't help but think the shimmery black Galactic Cleanse from GlamGlow would be the perfect cleanser to wash away your dark day. And how cool is the packaging? Bring it to New Zealand, I want to give you my money already.
Ooh, that blush looks intriguing. I love black nails, but short not long and definitely not pointed. That Urban Decay eye shadow looks lush as!