Matching makeup to your jewelry can be a royal pain. When you only have a limited amount of time or a small wardrobe, finding the right match is easier said than done.

That’s what we’re here for. We’re big fans of whittling down artful, expressive looks into bite-sized pieces. Whether you want to put together your next Instagram photoshoot or are putting together a LinkedIn portrait, matching makeup to jewelry is a great skill to have.

From color schemes to moods, we’re going to break down matching makeup to your jewelry.

The Rise of the Beauty Industry

The beauty and cosmetics industry has never exactly struggled for relevance. It’s a natural human trait to express yourself through your clothes, hair, makeup, jewelry, and piercings.

A 2019 report saw the American cosmetics industry reaching nearly $50 billion. That’s not too shabby! While DIY products and recipes are rising in popularity, many buyers still love going out to shop. Mascara and eyeliner remain the go-to options for adult women and teenage girls.

Matching makeup to your jewelry is a practical skill that’ll take you far in several situations. Dating, interviews, and expressing yourself are just a few of the benefits!

Remember Your Makeup Basics

Not everyone is born knowing how to coordinate shades and colors. We've all had times when our choices didn't work. It's a learning process! 

However, to master the trend of matching your makeup to your jewelry, you'll need to keep some critical items in mind. 

To help you, we've put together this guide that focuses on the basics of makeup and matching them with your favorite jewelry.

Lipstick

Lipstick always makes a statement, so it's essential to remember when planning for your makeup to compliment any piece of  jewelry.

You can safely choose a neutral or pink shade for your lips if you're planning on wearing bold colors. For example, are you thinking about rocking a basic top and jeans? In that case, you can be aggressive with your choice of lipstick and go for red, berry, or orange to bring more attention to it.

It's also important to keep the finish of the lipstick in mind when choosing the correct shade, as the finish can either add or detract from the look you have in mind.

Eye Shadow

Matching eye shadow might not work as easily as lipstick or blush. Still, there are several ways to pick the right eye shadow to help match it with a piece of jewelry. 

Are you planning on rocking colorful, bold earrings ? Then think about opting for a soft pink or gold eye shadow. Remember, matching eyeshadow and lipstick isn't the same. You can go with a bright color on your eyes even if the rest of your outfit is bright. But, of course, you'll want to ensure it's a complementary color.

If you're going with a low-key necklace with shades of black or gray, this is the time to showcase a smokey eye, and you can even enhance it with shades of brown or plum.

It also doesn't hurt to understand which eyeshadows work best with specific eye colors. But, again, we recommend doing some research to educate yourself. For example, golds work very well with blue eyes, while purples complement green eyes.

Blush

While you apply blush and eyeshadow to two very different parts of the face, their rules are similar regarding matching. As with eye makeup, you should not match blush directly to your jewelry. 

Take the time to find out which blush works best with your complexion. Once you understand which shades work well for you, it's time to pair them with jewelry. You don't have to worry about them matching. Just make sure that it isn't the same color as the jewelry you're wearing and that it suits your skin tone.

#1: Pick a Mood, Any Mood

The easiest way to start matching makeup to your jewelry is to pick a mood. Much like a director working on a movie, a mood gives you a unifying vision to tie everything together.

Are you feeling chipper and whimsical? Bright colors for both your makeup and jewelry would work well here. For more moody or sensual moods, dark and ombre colors are a more suitable choice. Eyeshadow is incredibly flexible, so spend some time practicing your smoky eye.

Match your mood with the occasion and watch your entire look fall into place.

#2: Necklaces are the Simplest Touch-Up

Do you get tired of fussing with different jewelry combinations? A necklace will solve that problem easily! 

Necklaces are wonderful because they’re a simple touch-up with a bang-up result. You can easily toss them over a more dressed up outfit to complete your look, but they’re still not too fancy for a casual ensemble. Pick a necklace, then choose a matching color for your eyeshadow or eyeliner.

Common necklace types you should look into include:

• Pendants
• Chokers
• Collar
• Locket
• Multi-strand

Related: How to Pair Jewelry and Dresses

#3: Choose Simple, Neutral Jewelry to Mix and Match Easily

If you’re on a short time limit and want easy looks to toss together, use neutral jewelry. Popular shades are silver and white, while popular ‘neutral-type’ colors are gold and brown.

Simple, neutral-style jewelry is easy on the eyes due to their very cool or very warm vibes. For example, a series of gold bracelets will add a pop of intrigue to your blushy foundation. A silver multi-strand necklace is a solid addition to your mascara that takes little effort. Try to steer clear of complex pendants or varied color schemes.

Colorful jewelry is a ton of fun, but can be a little too much work for busy workers or stay-at-home mothers. Stick with basic, neutral jewelry and you’ll have an immediate complementary detail for your eyeshadow, lippie, or mascara!

Unique jewelry puts your personality and ideals first. We started LaCkore Couture to empower women to wear jewelry that’s hand-crafted, long-lasting, and simply beautiful.

#4: Combine Lippie with a Bold Gemstone

Now for the color fanatics! Lipstick is a lovely focal point that immediately draws the eye and stops people in their tracks. Combine your lippie with a bold gemstone for maximum impact.

Red matte lipstick is a classic look that pairs nicely with a ruby gemstone, such as a bejeweled ring or pendant. If you prefer a more natural look, consider lip gloss with a shimmery twisted silver necklace. Pairing these two looks together strengthens your focal point for a more dramatic appearance.

Related: The Hottest Jewelry Trends for This Winter 2021

#5: Go Wild With an Artful, Bohemian Look

Do you like to wander off the beaten fashion path? Artful, bohemian outfits skip past simplicity in favor of splashy designs and tons of layers.

Layering necklaces and brooches is a very popular bohemian fashion trend. Not only do you look ready to take on the world, you can apply just about any eyeshadow or mascara combo. Zesty and colorful looks are a fun twist and aren’t concerned with being too matchy.

Does that mean you can’t match? Not at all! Pick two or three colors for your necklace, ring, and bangle combinations. Apply those same colors to your eyeshadow and lipstick combination.

Related: Buying Meaningful Jewelry for Your Friends

#6: Spin the Color Wheel

Look back to your elementary school art classes and the color wheel for inspiration. It's not always about things matching but finding complementary, contrasting colors. On the color wheel, these colors are on opposite sides.

It might sound too severe, but it works. Take something like white pearls and contrast them with dark eyeshadow, as white and black are complimentary colors.  

#7 Add Some Zing With Your Rings 

A simple way to make your rings pop is to match them with your nail polish. You can also match your rings with eyeliner or eyeshadow, making them stand out when your hands flutter around your face.

#8 Two-Tones Two-Times

If you've got two-toned jewelry, blend two different eye shadows to create a mesmerizing look. This look works well when you can exactly match them, like silver and a sparkly shade of gold, with a silver and gold necklace or bracelet. 

Conclusion

Matching makeup to your jewelry is an exercise in experimentation. There are endless looks you can get out of just one closet!

The best way to match makeup to your jewelry involves the following steps:

• Pick a mood to tie the entire look together
• Rely on necklaces for quick, easy touch-ups to your ensemble
• Have simply designed, neutral jewelry on-hand for busy days
• Combine lipstick with a bold gemstone for a dazzling look
• Go artful with zesty colors and layered jewelry

Does your jewelry cabinet need a few new additions? Contact us today to start wearing hand-made, customizable jewelry designed with you in mind.