How to rock the neon trend without looking OTT

Neon makeup is having a moment right now and seeing people rock it online is giving me some serious FOMO. As a person who never goes anywhere cool enough to rock this trend in all it’s OTT glory, I needed to find a way to incorporate a toned-down version that’s workplace safe. Luckily, with the plethora of uber-talented makeup artists on Instagram, I was able to find loads of inspo on little ways I can brighten up my makeup work-drobe.
RELATED: How to wear bright eye makeup
RELATED: Double Eyeliner is the new makeup trend that’ll elevate your eye game
Neon lips
A statement lip for work is nothing new, but instead of reaching for my usual deep reds and plums, I’m embracing neon with bright oranges and even purple. A huge bonus of a bright lip is that I find it makes me look like I’ve put in far more effort with my makeup than I actually have. Which is excellent, as I’d much rather sleep than spend an hour making up my face each morning. To avoid having to touch up during the day, I tend to go for a liquid or matte lipstick to guarantee some staying power and safeguard against smudging.
bh loves: Lancôme Matte Shaker, Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick, Rimmel London The Only 1 Matte Lipstick
Image credit (from left to right): @namvo, @claudianeacsu and @flexmami
Bright shadow
Yep, this one’s bold. But if I really want to embrace the neon trend in all of its head-turning glory, I’ve got to be brave, right?! The entire ethos of the neon movement is to stand out from the crowd, and that’s guaranteed with a super bright eyeshadow. So I’m making an effort to opt for shades I’d normally skip over such as, purples, reds, blues and greens. It’s giving my makeup wardrobe a whole new refresh and (hopefully) upping my cool-girl status in the office.
bh loves: M.A.C Dazzleshadow, Ulta3 The Vivid Palette, NARS Hardwired Eyeshadow (Mecca.com.au, $34).
Image credit (from left to right): @makeupby.dani, @stellatumakeup and @jdolls
Under-eye pop
Slightly less risky than the eye look above, I find the under-eye pop still trendy, but easier to pull off. All I do is simply apply a bright eyeshadow or coloured liner underneath my lash line or in my waterline (on non-hayfever days). It’s a great way to bring a subtle pop of colour to an otherwise understated look. I like to keep the rest of my makeup parred back so it really stands out in contrast.
bh loves: Anastasia Beverly Hills Norvina Pro Pigment Eyeshadow Palette Vol 1 (Sephora.com.au, $112), Mecca Max The Illuminati Metallic Eyeshadow (Mecca.com.au, $18), Urban Decay Eyeshadow (Mecca.com.au, $33).
Image credit (from left to right): @miaconner, @rumakeup and @flexmami
Inner-eye pop
I find this look to be the most corporate-friendly of them all, so if you’re in a strict-attire office space, this could be the one to try. I tend to my makeup as per normal, and then just add a touch of bright eyeshadow to the inner corner of each eye. Subtle, but damn effective.
bh loves: M.A.C Glitter, Anastasia Beverly Hills Jackie Aina Eyeshadow Palette (Sephora.com.au, $84), Huda Beauty Neon Obsessions Pressed Pigment Palette (Sephora.com.au, $48).
Image credit (from left to right): @laurenmeisner, @ru_makeup and @patrickta
Bright liner
This one’s a double whammy as it embraces two trends: Neon and double liner. I start by applying my regular black winged liner (those with hooded eyes may prefer to tightline), wait a few moments for it to dry and then go in to draw a second line, just above the wing, using a bright coloured liner. It really makes the eyes pop and paired with some super glowing skin, has become one of my favourite looks for spring.
bh loves: Chi Chi Stay On Eyeliner ,Chi Chi Matte Liquid Eye Liner Set, Rimmel London Wonder Ombre Holographic Effect Eyeliner, ulta3 Signature Essentials - Liquid Gold Eyeliner
Image credit (from left to right): @jaimeemakeup_, @taniellejaimua and @carladysonmakeup
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48 Member Comments
I like the bright liner and under eye pop, definitely not over the top for a neon look.
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I adore the neon trend, just don’t know if I could pull it off unless was going to a festival
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The bright liner is my favourite.
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Love the look, but not for me...
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Not really for me, although I think some of the looks are fab.
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It looks really good but way too daring for me...
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A fun look I guess but one that I don't find appealing
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Pretty colours, but i am positive they dont suit my colouring
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Looking good but this look is not for me
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I like the under eye pop, and I love the purple eyeshadow in the first picture. Purple suits my grey green eyes :)
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The bright eyeliners look great.
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I like the neon purple colour in the eye-line in the main photo, I also like neon lips-red on the left, bright shadow-purple & aqua just wouldn't put it so full on like shown here & lastly bright liner-the dark blue & aqua are nice colours but tend to stick to black on me unless I found a blue-black I'm all for it.
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I've always enjoyed wearing violet eyeshadow or eyeliner; even now when I'm in my fifties. I don't care about being age or work appropriate (whatever that means).
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I wear a lot of bright colours, but I stop juuuuust short of neon.
Is that Bh's Lauren in the "Inner-Eye Pop" section? Yes, it is! Lookin' good, Lauren!
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A wonderful read, thanks!
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I wear a lot of colourful makeup, I like highlighting a mint green in the corners of my eyes as something a little more subtle / a casual look
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I think the neon liner would be nice for something different.
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Looks like the 80's are back. I used to wear a neon lipstick; bright eyeshadow (which I shudder about now - Pink & Purple with Blue eyeliner). I do love the highlighter on their cheeks.
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It is back!!!! We just need the hairstyles.
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I feel OTT wearing regular makeup sometimes far less for neon colours.
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Maybe only for parties with these themes, which I never get invited to or know about.
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Fun look, but I am not going to invest $$ in a neon eyeliner / shadow / etc. for 1 or 2 times use... not the type of look that I would go for usually.
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Very sensible.
Imagine how many nappies you can buy with that.
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Hahaha! Bingo
mumtalk
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The double eyeliner look with a bright eyeliner is something I would try. A bought a bottle of neon blue eyeliner recently so I will try this trick with it.
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