

Who doesn't love to get bold every once in a while? I'm a fan of the "no makeup" look as much as anyone, but sometimes it's fun to switch things up and go beyond the norm. This is probably why the red eyeshadow look is such a trend. Nudes and rose golds might typically be the safe favorite, but red eyeshadow is perfect when you're looking for a shake-up.
And you don't have to be afraid of it. When venturing out to rock red eyeshadow, choosing the best shade for your skin tone is key. For brown-skinned girls, a burgundy or eggplant is often a great choice. For lighter-toned ladies, a rusty red is a win, while primary reds look great on those rocking the middle. Applying concealer before red eyeshadow (or any shade) evens out your skin for a cleaner look. When wearing red eyeshadow, think about using plum or red eyeliner instead of the classic black to help balance out and complete your look. Lastly, keep the rest of your makeup look simple. Going bold is fun but this is definitely a case where less is more.
Now, where do you start? Check out a few ideas!
Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Color Paint Cream Shadow in Matte Red
Make Up For Ever
OK, so it was absolutely necessary to add this color paint to the list. It's known for not budging AND will stay on for at least 24 hours. Did I mention it's waterproof? The Matte Red shade is a daring one but oh so worth it.
Milani Cosmetics Gilded Rouge Eyeshadow Palette
Milani Cosmetics
Milani Cosmetics is a drugstore favorite and their Gilded Rouge Eyeshadow Palette is no exception. There's one red option in the collection, which goes perfectly with the other metallic and matte finishes this palette provides.
Afflano Red Orange Sunset Eyeshadow Palette
Amazon
This palette features multiple red shades, and few oranges to throw in with it. It's easy to apply and has a smooth finish, which is never a bad thing. It has both matte and shimmer options for a natural look or a more glamorous one -- it's your prerogative. Ultimately, setting spray is what really sets off this look for long-lasting success. Another plus is that it's cruelty-free.
Pat McGrath Labs EYEdols Eye Shadow in Crimson Fire
Pat McGrath Labs
This list wouldn't be complete without our good sis Pat McGrath's EYEdols shade. There's a reason celebrities flock to this one as a favorite. Crimson Fire's shimmer certainly shouldn't be underestimated and can spruce up any everyday look.
Huda Beauty Obsessions Precious Stones Eyeshadow Palette -- Ruby
Huda Beauty
This collection is not playing fair! It has nine colors with four in a metallic finish, which is perfect for a night out, and five that provide a matte look. With this palette, you have options! Even if you don't want to go all out with a metallic appearance, you can just brush it over an everyday color to get the best of both worlds.
NYX Phoenix Ultimate Shadow Palette
NYX
You really can't go wrong with this option. Its variety works well with several skin tones, so you don't have to worry about splurging on the wrong shade. Its staying power is impressive and can hold its place for hours at a time. The NYX Phoenix Ultimate Shadow Palette features six different shades that make it easy for your at-work look or after-hours appearance.
Kylie Cosmetics' The Burgundy Kyshadow Palette
Kylie Cosmetics
Kylie Jenner has a hit on her hands with this one. The Burgundy Kyshadow Palette has nine different colors, including a bright red, peach, and nudes that are perfect for those with warm skin tones. It's a pressed-powder palette so there is minimal fallout and an even better blend.
Stargazer Eye Shadow in Deep Red
Stargazer
This red eyeshadow goes deep! It complements so well with peaches and browns. Thanks to its small and petite size, it's easy to travel with so you can bring it with you on the go. Its high pigment also makes the bold color stand out, helping you achieve the ultimate look you want to accomplish.
ColourPop Main Squeeze Watermelon Red Eyeshadow Palette
ColourPop
This entire palette is bae. ColourPop's Main Squeeze Watermelon Red Eyeshadow Palette features a variety of red shades for those searching for a strawberry red look, a burnt coral, or even gold that can bring your red eyeshadow look together.
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
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Self-Validation, No Meals After 5 P.M. & The Wellness Rituals That Helped Lizzo Take Her Power Back
Don't let the "weight release" fool you, Lizzo's transformation wasn't just physical. It was spiritual, emotional, and deeply personal. In her Women's Health cover story, the "Good As Hell" artist opened up about the low point that became the catalyst for radical change in her life, inside and out.
In the summer of 2023, Lizzo found herself at the center of what she calls painful allegations when some of her former dancers filed a lawsuit against her. The 37-year-old singer has denied their claims, and though she has experienced "backlash my entire career," going through such legal woes coupled with public scrutiny proved to be detrimental to her mental health, leading her to one of the darkest periods of her life.
She told Women's Health, "I got very paranoid and isolated. I wasn’t even talking to my therapist. I wasn’t present. I wasn’t open. I wasn’t myself anymore."
After spending months in isolation, Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, decided to go to a tour stop on the Renaissance World Tour. She was nervous that the public would shun her, boo her, or reject her, but instead, she was embraced. It shifted something in her and after feeling so in the dark, she saw the light again. "It made me feel like, wow, maybe I don’t want to die," she shared with Women's Health.
"That was the kick-starter to me being like, ‘Okay, Melissa, get your ass in gear and take your f*cking life back.’"
Her first step in Operation Get Your Life Back? Cutting out the external noise. She gave her team total control of her social media and stopped looking at comments. "My validation was from external sources, people telling me they loved me, or that I look good, and accepting me," she explained. "But if that’s all I’m getting my validation from, when it changes—and it will, because people are not always going to like you—what happens? Where are you going to get your love from?"
Lizzo continued, "I can convince myself that I’m beautiful, my body fine, no matter how big or small. But reminding myself that you can’t let others tell you who you are—that was hard work."
Lizzo started going to therapy again, she started practicing quigong meditation, reading books, journaling, and doing sound baths. She released unhealthy relationships, drank echinacea tea, and began incorporating Pilates as a means to "feel sacred" and "be gentle" with herself.
But what many have interpreted as a "weight loss transformation" after she popped out sharing she met her "weight release" goal earlier this year, Lizzo has clarified that it has been something deeper for her than the aesthetic of a smaller body. "I wanted to be big-girl skinny," she told the mag. "Every big girl knows what I’m talking about. Big-girl skinny is 250 pounds." According to her, it was her back issues that inspired her to take the physical part of her wellness journey seriously.
I DID IT! #weightrelease
@lizzo I DID IT! #weightrelease
Through her friend Kelly Rowland, she linked up with her now-trainer Marvin Telp and developed a fitness regimen that prioritized strength and intention. Her weekly schedule now includes moves like single-leg deadlifts, reverse flies, and lateral lunges, along with infrared sauna sessions and cardio. Add to that a change in eating habits after realizing her vegan diet no longer served her (to be fair, she wasn't doing the vegan thing the "healthiest" way).
All the meat substitutes, bread, cashew cheese, and soy left her bloated and lightheaded, so now she's switched things up a bit to fill the nutritional gaps. When it comes to diet, it's heavy on the protein and vegetables for Lizzo. A typical day eating looks like scrambled eggs and cauliflower hash browns for breakfast, Thai chicken salad or lettuce wraps for lunch, and turkey meatloaf with greens for dinner.
She also has a strict cutoff of no meals after 5 p.m. to support her GERD and give her body the time it needs before bed to digest her food sans the acid reflux. Of her relationship with food and wellness, she told Women's Health, "There's a balance. I think that's what true health is."
Read Lizzo's full cover story with Women's Health here.
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