If you think pink's girlie, think again. Strong, vibrant shades give black, Asian and olive skins rock-chic glamour, and soft hues look sexy on pale comlpexions.

Shock tactics: if you're goign for a big pink statement, test eyeshadows on the back of your hand to make sure that the powder looks as striking on the skin as it does in the pot. A subtle wash of colour is not what you're going for - it needs to be bold and confident. Use a sponge applicator instead of a brush and press the colour on to the eyelid rather than wiping it over. This allows you to build up intensity quickly (you want a block of stand-out clour, so don't worry too much about blending). Finsih with black eyeliner and lots of mascara. Keep cheeks bare and use a soft gloss on the lips.

See the light: if you want a fresh look, go for baby pinks on your eyelids and define your lashes with mascara. Or go for a sexy, smokey effect by applying a darker colour along the lashes line. While i often use a natural-flush shade on the cheeks, a more artificial-pink, porcelain-doll look works well with baby-pink eyes. Add a touch to the apples of your cheeks and blend well, but don't take the colour all the way along the cheekbones. To finish the look, use a lip colour that matches your cheeks in either a matt lipstick or a sheer gloss.

My Tips: Stay away from the frosted, glittery shades of pink as they look best on teenagers. If you want glitz, go for oyster or pearl colours instead.

Learn more about this author, Lucy Batcher.
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