L'Editorial: Having Fun with Bold Beauty

Neon may be this year's biggest beauty trend, so photographer Diego Uchitel captured models rocking the palette in both classic and unexpected ways.

Photography by Diego Uchitel

Styling by Carolina Orrico

After a few years of minimalism as the dominant trend, bold looks are back and making bigger statements than ever. A range of returning styles from the '80s, '90s, and early aughts including animal print, logomania, and statement silhouettes have contributed to this, and Instagram culture has increasingly been celebrating trendsetters who dress eccentrically through pops of color, mixed patterns, and unexpected layering.

While this shift has been occurring in fashion for the past three or four seasons, it's just now leaving its mark on beauty. Glossier finally expanded on its Instagram-ready natural glow aesthetic last month via its vibrant Play line, and shades of neon are now the latest makeup trend, unapologetically showcasing eyes and lips in a way that can complement either trending bold colors and patterns or a palette of tried-and-true neutrals. While hyper-pigmented eyeshadows and lipsticks are certainly at the core of this movement, less conventional ways to make a statement, such as forest green lashes and artful swipes of highlighter-yellow eyeliner, are quickly spreading across social media feeds and the world at large.

With spring in the air, there couldn't be a better time to celebrate this colorful makeup moment. Diego Uchitel captured the neon trend's various manifestations through a series of stunning close-ups, with some photos highlighting the looks as fierce statements and others, such as a shot of Salem Mitchell laughing, disclosing just how enjoyable it is to have a bit more fun with beauty. While a good setting spray will certainly be necessary as the temperatures slowly rise, the LA shoot will get you excited to experiment with bright eyes and lips all spring and summer long.