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Faced with the monotony of the COVID-19 pandemic, some turned to online shopping, buying clothes for future versions of themselves. From patterned trousers to contrasting blouses, colorful outfits were a way out of boredom. This is what’s called dopamine dressing, or using your wardrobe to elevate your spirits.
“Dopamine dressing is about wearing what makes you feel good. For some people that’s a specific fit or silhouette, for others it’s a specific colour, print or texture,” Stitch Fix style expert Whitney Keefe explained in a conversation with Byrdie, adding, “For all of us, confidence comes when we feel our best.” In recent years, maximalist creators like the Amiaya twins and Thalia Casto-Vega have taken to Tik Tok and Instagram, sharing increasingly experimental and colorful street styles.
Although a healthy diet, exercise, and humming along to your favorite song can increase levels of dopamine, our brain’s “feel good” hormone, clothing offers a unique opportunity for artistic expression. Meanwhile, dopamine beauty has been added to the dopamine dressing — or as Beyoncé’s makeup artist Sir John calls it, “dopamine glamour” (via Hypbae). Here’s how you can use dopamine beauty to boost your mood, no matter your skill level. Sometimes all you need is a little glitter…
Spot of color on the inner corner
Ultimately, all you need for this look is a glitter palette and a clean finger. Keep the rest of your makeup to a minimum — or just opt for a simple skincare base — and add shine to the inner corners of your eyes by applying liberally with the tip of your pinky or index finger. This trick will make your eyes sparkle without requiring too much product or precision. If you’re up to the task, jazz up the look with a black double-winged liner like Jonet Williamson (pictured).
Futuristic graphic liner
Aniyah, a New York-based content creator, uses a small liner brush and palette from Gavissi Beauty to freehand a cream geometric design. She paints planetary rings, draws stars in their inner corners, and accents retro-inspired wings with delicate dots. The beauty of the design lies in its negative space. For graphic eyeliner, make sure your eyelids are fully primed and primed. “The key to this look is to create the shape contour with your eyes open and looking straight into the mirror,” makeup artist Nick Lujan told Glamour.
Colorful eyebrows
The bleached eyebrow trend has been around for quite some time and was popularized by artists like Kendall Jenner and Lizzo. However, there’s no harm in adding some pigment to your blonde brows. First, pair your dyed hair or extensions with bright blue brows. While it’s always best to consult a professional colorist when applying chemicals this close to your eyes, if you want to do an at-home transformation, consider using a spoolie brush and protecting your skin with petroleum jelly.
Are you aiming for something less permanent? Use a colorful eyeliner pencil to temporarily accentuate your eyebrows.
Create a mix of decades
While the 2020s may not be as rosy as the 1920s, there’s no better time to revive flapper-inspired makeup. Especially when you combine it with elements of ’70s nostalgia from Daisy Jones and the Six. Start with a smooth powder base, add dark lipstick and a generous dose of pink blush. Next, draw ultra-thin Greta Garbo brows. These are easiest to recreate if your natural hair is bleached or shaved, although you can achieve a similar, barely-there look with concealer. Finally, add a dusty blue metallic smokey eye to give that classic rock ‘n’ roll vibe.
Decorate with beads
If a string of pearls can improve dopamine levels when you wear it around your neck, imagine what it can do when strapped to your face. Artist and Instagram creator Rowi Singh is a pioneer when it comes to embellished looks. Starting with a pale green base, she adds dimension to the center of her lids with a dark, cool shade of green, accentuating her inner corners with a warmer hue. Self-adhesive 3D beads enclose her eyes. If you want to replicate this look, you can easily find similar beads online.
Colorful cat eye
As psychotherapist Annie Bennett describes for Glamour, “Everything from positive affirmations to exercise releases endorphins, but so does surrounding yourself with lemon, pink, blue and orange…” With that in mind, it’s time to change your regular black cat eye upgrade and opt for a lighter color instead. It’s certainly easier than walking. Although Katie Jane Hughes is a fan of a bright blue liner, orange or pink wings can also do the trick (per Bennett’s recommendation). Complement this look with neutral toned lips and a smooth, slightly blushed base.
You can’t beat a bright red lip
TikTok’s so-called “clean girls” prefer no makeup and neutral colors. According to Beyoncé’s makeup artist Sir John, dopamine glamor contrasts with minimalist trends. “While I’m super inspired by everything that’s been happening on TikTok and Instagram lately,” he explained to Refinery29, “I tend to take a more whimsical approach. When I say dopamine, I mean a swipe of red lipstick or lots of it. Blush—anything unorthodox and against the standard, but with lots of fun colors.” When it comes to mood-boosting makeup, bright red lips are classic unbeatable.
White double wings
Whether you’re experimenting with the four-dot white eyeliner trend or going for the wide-eyed doe look, white eyeliner is trending all over social media. At the same time, retro-inspired double grand pianos are becoming increasingly popular. “Double winged liner is trending right now for a lot of reasons,” Keri Blair, Senior National Artist at MAC Cosmetics, tells InStyle, adding, “It exudes so much duality: It’s sexy and glamorous, and it also expresses strength.” and sets accents.” the technical skills of a person in the world of make-up application. Combine both trends with a bright white double-lined eye and complete the look with a matching white balaclava and winter pink lips.
Use eyeliner stamps for an easy upgrade
Especially if you lack confidence when applying makeup, this is for you. Add drama to the outer corner of your eye with a heart, star, or moon-shaped eyeliner stamp from Amazon. All you have to do is push down – no precision required. Alternatively, you can pay homage to old Hollywood glamor (or French aristocracy) and leave delicate beauty marks on your cheekbones with stamps. This technique can also be used to creatively reshape your pimples.
Don’t be afraid of the lower lashes
In an Instagram guide, makeup artist Erin Parsons shows her followers the best way to create a dramatic bottom lash look. Start by adding spiky eyelashes to your Amazon shopping cart. Next, use kitchen scissors to separate the lashes into individual pieces. Using clear lash glue and rounded tweezers, place three small tips evenly along the lower lash line. As recommended by Parsons, the upper lashes should mirror the lower ones. Finally, the creator realizes that this look may not be for everyone, noting, “Makeup is art and art is subjective.”
Experiment with cloud makeup
Starting with a base of powder and foundation, taking inspiration from beauty creator Mei Pang, dab blue and white clouds onto the bridge of your nose with a cue tip. Next, she paints golden rays radiating from the center with a thin eyeliner brush. “For my makeup,” Mei Pang tells ClichéMag, “my plan is to just make it bigger and bolder…” Ultimately, dopamine beauty is about experimentation — it’s time to show your skin like the canvas to treat who she is.
Fun with polka dots
TikTok and Instagram creator Sara Camposarcone is not only a self-proclaimed maximalist when it comes to her wardrobe, her makeup also takes a larger-than-life approach. It’s dopamine dressing at its finest. To mimic her polka dot look, start with prepped and primed lids and draw multicolored dots with a round-tipped eyeshadow brush. For a change, Camposarcone also adorns her lids with much smaller white pencil strokes and completes the look with fan-shaped false lashes and pink lips. Tie it all together with chunky neon jewelry and a ruffled collar.
60’s mod revival
Inspired by icons like Twiggy and Diana Ross, ’60s makeup is on the rise. “The modern mod looks I happen to see feature eyeliner around the corner of the eye, especially the…