We know we're all feeling a little bit anxious these days with social distancing and lockdowns. One thing we think can help us all cope during this trying time? Doing more of the things we love! While cooped up in their homes, makeup enthusiasts have turned to — what else? — makeup to entertain themselves. By channelling the anxiety they feel into a creative outlet, the watercolour eyeshadow trend was born.
The trend involves using eyeshadow hues in all colours of the rainbow and a lot of blending. Talk about an impromptu arm workout! It's a fun way to spend your free time, sweetened up by the added wellness benefits that come with it.
It’s a familiar ritual
Do you apply makeup every morning before going to work? This early morning weekday routine might have been disrupted lately and can be one of the reasons why you’re feeling anxious. Having set routines can help reduce the anxiety you're feeling. It’s completely fine if you end up putting on makeup even if you’re not going anywhere. By doing so, you’re actually going through the motions of your usual routine. This gives you a sense of comfort and control, even when everything seems topsy-turvy. With the watercolour eyeshadow trend, going through the motions of prepping your eyelids, dipping into an eyeshadow palette, and blending away can be very cathartic. You're in less of a hurry compared to when doing your usual makeup routine. Ending up with a look that's worthy of an Instagram post is a bonus.
Makeup can change your mood
Aside from having a familiar routine in place, putting on makeup also has an influence on your mood. Red lipstick may give you a confidence boost or a pink blush will leave you feeling livelier than before. These are all valid feelings. In fact, a previous study was done on female students to see how they do on a test while they’re wearing makeup versus not wearing makeup. It resulted in the women wearing makeup doing better in a test compared to those that didn’t. It's proof that makeup boosts your self-esteem, which then impacts your performance. Imagine what a bright splash of colour will do for your mood if you have yellow and pink on your eyelids? Better yet, imagine a rainbow? We bet you'll be smiling for the rest of the day.
It’s a form of art therapy
As many makeup enthusiasts and professionals will agree, playing with makeup is a very creative process. Deciding which eyeshadow shades will look good together, choosing the right lipstick shades, or perfecting a winged eyeliner are all forms of art. Did you know it takes only 45 minutes of doing something creative to lower the amount of stress you feel? So it’s not surprising that a makeup trend would be directly inspired by an art medium. Even the tools you use are similar to the paintbrushes artists use in creating their masterpieces. There are different blending techniques and brushes you'd need to use to precisely blend all the eyeshadows together. Less than an hour might not even be enough — and that's a good thing. Just pop in your most upbeat playlist and watch time fly past. Before you know it, you have a masterpiece in your hands... err, on your face!
Colourful eyeshadow palettes you can use
We’re not saying that playing with makeup is better than other forms of therapy and self-care. But at its core, makeup is fun. It should be fun. And if it has other positive effects, why not do it? Ready to take on the watercolour trend — or just play with some colour? Some colourful eyeshadow palettes that will give you a boost of inspiration are the Huda Beauty Neon Obsessions Pressed Pigment Palette in Neon Orange Obsessions (SGD52/~USD35.91), Viseart Grande PRO Volume 3 Eyeshadow Palette (SGD280/~USD193.36), and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Norvina Pro Pigment Eyeshadow Palette Vol. 2 (SGD115/~USD79.42).
(Cover photo from: @kellychabeauty)
For more makeup inspiration, check out these insanely creative mask makeup looks.
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