Dopamine makeup is just another buzzy term for the bright colors and reflective hues that essentially “scratch your brain” when you look at them. But if you don’t want to go full-out, can you do a maximalist look in a minimal fashion and still achieve the dopamine glam title? Certainly—here’s how. In order to truly understand what dopamine makeup is, it’s helpful to analyze what it is not. “All I can think of right now for the opposite of dopamine makeup is Wednesday Addams’ look in Wednesday,” Donni Davy, head makeup artist of Euphoria and co-founder of Half Magic tells mbg. (For the record, both looks are equally stunning; it’s all up to personal preference.) If you haven’t seen the recent comedy-horror series quite yet, we’ll explain the look for a bit more context: Wednesday Addams’ eyes and cheeks look gaunt and hollow. Her lips have a deep purple tint, and when you look at her, you’ll naturally feel a bit sad or scared—which is the whole point. Depending on your makeup preferences, the “clean girl aesthetic” could be seen as the opposite of dopamine makeup, too. This ultra-minimalistic look appears to be effortless, but it actually takes a whole lot of effort. In turn, you might feel, well, nothing since the makeup is designed to look invisible. Dopamine makeup, on the flip side, is meant to make a statement and trigger joy—hence, the name. But using bright colors, shimmers, and glitters can all be a bit too maximalist for some. This is understandable, but there’s certainly a way to nail the look on a more casual front. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Once you have your vision, there are a few different ways to apply said images to your face: The best way to nail a glitter eyeliner look, Davy explains, is to layer colors and textures. Using the Half Magic products, Davy creates her iconic Euphoria-esque looks with this method: “Start with CHROMEADDICTION MATTE, and layer CHROMEADDITION SHIMMER and GLITTERPILL on top for a multidimensional look,” she says. If you don’t have those products at the ready, simply start with any matte color. This will ensure your pigment appears defined and adds a bright pop underneath what comes after. Next, layer a shimmery shadow of the same tone or something adjacent. Then for a more intense sparkle, add a loose or liquid glitter on top. Depending on where you’re going, you may choose to stick with the shimmer for an understated look, or go ahead and opt for all the shine. You don’t need a special occasion to glimmer. All you have to do is pick your favorite colors (or whatever hues will complement the rest of your look) and run with it. If you want a two-tone look, opt for one or two lighter colors in the crease and another on the lid. You can even pop a bright color or metallic shimmer on the inner corner for a subtle statement. Opt for a different color blush—from lavender to orange and beyond. For your highlighter, you can pick up Davy’s LIGHT TRAP purple shimmer for the ultimate hint of color. Play around with matching your blush to your highlighter and even to your eye look for an even more satisfying finish. This one is my go-to for a casual dopamine makeup look—here’s my take on it using Half Magic’s LIGHT TRAP. Pop a gem in the inner eye corners, outer eye corners, middle of your liner, or even under the eye to brighten the mood. If you’re going all-out, you can even layer gems over your liner or use them to accent your dreamy shadow. When finding your next go-to color, it helps to determine which hue will complement your undertones—here’s a quick guide if you’re not sure.
LIGHT TRAP
Posh Lipstick in Alter Ego
Champagne Supernova Amplified Eyeshadow Palette
Always Online Gel Liner in Indigo
Just A Sec in Golden Peach
