The expert guide to AW19’s most vivid beauty trend: all things neon

By Holly O'Neill
29th Aug 2019

The expert guide to AW19’s most vivid beauty trend: all things neon

Meet AW19’s most electric trend – vivid shades of neon worn with paired back, dewy skin.

Though it may not be a trend for the faint of heart, you can take a minimalist approach to neon with fluorescent strikes like those at Chromat and Natasha Zinko, or get rave-ready with a full Kenzo-inspired wash on the eyes.

“Neon can be worn so many ways,” says make-up artist Sue Brophy.

Backstage at Carolina Herrera AW19

“It can be used to add a twist to a classic beauty look,” says Sue, who advises Kendall Jenner as your muse for this look. “I am absolutely in love with the cool tone brown smokey eyes with neon flicked outliner she wore.”

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“Use powder pigments from MAC on top of lipstick for a vibrant look or mix with gloss for maximum impact, or with a neon pink or green highlight on the inner corner instead of the usual champagne or vanilla shade.”

As for the rest of your make-up, “I love nothing more than a dewy skin look with a matte neon lip in pink or orange,” recommends Sue.

Backstage at Carolina Herrera AW19

“My favourite way to add neon to my makeup is by using powder pigments,” says Sue. “MAC and Sample Beauty create some of the most amazingly pigmented ones, which can be added on top of lipsticks to give a matte vibrant neon look or mixed with gloss for a high shine look with maximum impact for lips. They can also be used to create liners or mascaras by mixing with mixing mediums. My favourite mixing medium is Inglot Duraline, €12.”

Backstage at Kenzo AW19

If mixing pigments sounds like too much work, there’s a very easy hack. “Using liquid matte lipsticks are a great alternative to pigments,” says Sue. “Use them with a small artist brush to create eyeliner, neon lips and cute details. For the best neon liquid lipsticks, my favourites are by Lime Crime.”