Staff tested: 10 ways to wear colour

Lancôme Khôl In Love Eyeliner Pencil in Jade Crush

This vibrant teal pencil was outside my comfort zone, as I always wear the same brown eyeliner. I applied it to my upper lash line and it went on beautifully, but-whoa!-very brightly. I easily got a softer look by smudging it. I’ll wear this for evening; it makes my hazel eyes really stand out. -Jennifer Walker, Deputy Editor

($24, 2 g, Lancome)

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Joe Fresh Eye and Lip Palette in Retro Brights

I don’t fear bright eye­shadow, and this matte trio was easy to play with. I brushed the chartreuse onto the inner half of my lids, and emerald on the outer half, blending them in the middle-I loved the look. The next day, I wore just the blue, for a simple wash of colour. -Jennifer Masseau, Associate Beauty & Fashion Editor

($12; eyeshadows: 3 x 1.5 g; lipstick: 1.8 g, Joe Fresh)

Marcelle Eye Shadow Quad in Midnight Seas

For an event, I tried a soft-shimmer evening eye with this palette, which comes with two applicators. Starting with the black as an eyeliner close to my top lashes, I then melded cobalt and turquoise and swept it over the black, building up the outer eye. I finished with a tap of white on the middle lid. Smokin’! -Rhonda Rovan, Beauty & Fashion Editor

($16, 4.6 g, Marcelle)

M.A.C Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Zestful

I wasn’t sure the green eyeshadow trend would work for me, but this colour is a perfect fit. It’s an iridescent lime and went on quite sheer when I applied it with an eyeshadow brush. I got a lot of nice comments on the colour and it complemented my blue eyes well. For p.m., I layered it over a darker eyeshadow for a little more drama. -Melissa Greer, Content Producer

($25, 2 g, M.A.C)

Essence Shimmer Effect Eyeshadow in Here I Am!

Bold eyeshadow? No problem! But I usually go for roses and golds -blue was new to me. This went on quite sheer, though I was able to build up the intensity. I used a small eyeliner brush to apply it from the outer corner to midsection on my lower lash line for a subtle pop of colour that works as an everyday look. -Lily Yan, Beauty & Fashion Intern

($2, 2.5 g, Essence)

Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in #20 Intense Blue

I go for a natural look when it comes to eye makeup, so when I first put this on, I found it too bright and tried toning it down with a makeup sponge-but it held true to its water­proof promise and didn’t budge. Luckily, it grew on me, and I realized the vivid blue made my brown eyes stand out. It’s fun for a night on the town. -Katharine Watts, Associate Web Editor

($26, 6 g, Make Up For Ever)

Essie Nail Polish in First Timer

This is my go-to brand of polish-it goes on super-shiny and it doesn’t chip easily. I also like the fact that it is DBP- and toluene-free. I normally paint my nails a neutral pink or “greige,” so this spring-green was a bold choice for me. I applied two coats of the lac­quer, which lasted for days before needing a touch-up. -Joana Lourenço, Associate Editor

($10, 13.5 mL, Essie)

Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquer in Candid Cameron

I tried out this bright and pretty polish as we were emerging from winter and the big thaw was finally underway. Looking at my nails with their green-blue glow made me daydream about snorkelling, and pretty little shimmery fish…. But I digress. This went on smoothly, and two coats gave real depth. -Bonnie Munday, Editor-in-Chief

($11, 15 mL, Nicole by OPI)

CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss in Mint Mojito

This promises that you won’t need a base coat or a topcoat. No fuss, no muss; just my style. Two coats went on smoothly, and dried fast enough not to try my patience. As for the colour: it ROCKS! (With a name like Mojito, how could it not?) I was getting compliments on my nails from total strangers. -Ruth Hanley, Copy Chief

($8, 11 mL, CoverGirl)

Mirabella Graphic Girl Magic Marker Eyeliner in So Jaded

I’d never tried a liquid liner. This one, which is paraben-free, has a fine-tip brush, enabling me to get a thin line of gorgeous sparkling green close to the lash line. There was no smudging as the hours passed during a long and busy day at the office. It’s now a makeup staple. -Josephine Woertman, Acting Art Director

($24, 0.59 mL, Mirabella)