I am, for the most part, a no-makeup makeup kinda girl. Like many other women, I meticulously apply a variety of products in hopes of achieving the desired outcome of looking like I’m not wearing a stitch of makeup yet have porcelain skin, pouty lips and sparkling eyes. It’s a little ridiculous, actually, spending so much time and putting so much work into looking like we haven’t spent any time or done any work at all. 

Every now and then I throw in the blending sponge and decide that if I’m going to put makeup on, well, I want to be able to see it. Makeup is great for hiding blemishes and enhancing your natural beauty, but it can also be a hell of a lot fun. Maybe the long, dark winter months have gotten to me, but lately I’ve been drawn to bright colors and bold hues that are both fun and pretty. And surprisingly wearable. Here are two of my favorites (which I often wear together): 

Jouer Lip Gloss in Birchbox Pink: This hot pink gloss, which was created exclusively for Birchbox (www.birchbox.com), is silky smooth and can be layered for varying levels of pigment. I find a generous swipe brightens my whole face and makes my lips look healthy and plump. An extra layer or two makes the color pop even more, but the shade is ultra-flattering and the shiny gloss looks great, not garish. Another great hot pink gloss pick? Make Up For Ever Glossy Full Couleur Extreme Shine Lip Gloss in #4. 

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Peacock: I never thought I’d see the day when wearing any form of bright blue eye makeup would make me feel like a stone cold fox, but it has arrived. Stila’s Peacock, a sort of electric cobalt blue, makes my eyes dazzle – they’ve never looked so blue! You can line your eyes fully with the pencil and then smudge it to really rock the color. My favorite way to wear it is a bit more subtle – I line the upper and lower lashes of the outside corners of my eyes, winging up and out for a very slight cat eye. 

Have you embraced bright makeup this season?