The 2012 Makeup Colors You’ll Want

Pantone named an orange-red called "Tangerine Tango" its shade of the year for 2012, and we're loving this bright, citrusy color for makeup, too. Although the orange eyeliner we saw on the runways looked cool, the shade looks best (and is a lot easier to pull off) on lips (try M.A.C Lipstick in Morange) or nails (try Essie Nail Polish in Vermillionaire).

Brown eye shadow is a makeup-bag staple, but now makeup artists are amping it up with a touch of shine. Lightly swipe a rich moisturizer, such as Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant over copper shadow. Or just try a shade that's already got a hint of gloss, like Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Burnished or Estée Lauder Pure Color Gelée Powder Eye Shadow in Cyber Copper.

Sure, you've worn pink blush for years, but this year you'll want to wear it differently: Layer it over apricot to approximate the way your skin actually looks when it's flushed. You can use a cream or powder formula—the real trick is to apply the peach first, followed by pink, on the apples of your cheeks. "It gives you a healthy color," says makeup artist Tom Pecheux, who used the trick to make models glow on Ralph Lauren's runway. "One tone all over looks flat." Try Revlon Powder Blush in Pink Blush or Clarins Blush Prodige Illuminating Cheek Colour in Miami Pink over Mattése Elite Blush in Peaches N Cream.

Why is white so right, right now? It brightens your eyes so they look larger. "I love the idea of working with makeup that adds a touch of iridescence and luminosity," says makeup artist Peter Philips, who used the shade at Chanel's spring show. Use it on the lids, the inner corners of the eye, and if you're feeling adventurous, the cheekbones for a subtle highlight. (If you have dark skin, white can look ashy; go for shimmering champagne instead.) Try Chanel Illusion d'Ombre in Fantasme or CoverGirl Enhancers in Champagne.

We're tickled pink over the shades of purple that popped up on nails at Dior, Derek Lam, and Prabal Gurung. Violet looks best on short, well-groomed nails. We love Essie Nail Polish in Splash of Grenadine and Estée Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Purple Passion.

Forget matte and deep red lips—the scarlet of the moment is shiny and bright. Blue-based reds look best on fair skin (try L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour in British Red) while orange-based ones flatter medium and dark complexions (we like Revlon Moon Drops Lipstick in Orange Flip). Soften the color along your lip line using your fingers or a clean cotton swab—it makes the bold shade more wearable, says makeup artist Pat McGrath, who used the technique at Dior's spring show.

For a whole new twist on the smoky eye, just add chocolate. Chocolate brown liner, that is. Rim the inside of your lower lash line with your favorite black pencil, then draw a smudgy chocolate brown line along your upper and lower lash lines (we like Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Eye Pencil in Coffee and Smashbox Cream Eyeliner in Putty) for this look, which was seen on runways including Balmain's.

This year's take on the nude lip is a pink-y peach shade that flatters all skin tones. Tap peach gloss over the center of soft pink lips for a glow, says McGrath, or try one of our favorite shades, Nars Lip Gloss in Super Orgasm.

Last year we couldn't get enough of rusted metals -- and while we're still feeling metallics, our tastes have shifted. On the lids, silvery gray looks sophisticated and more understated than full-on gold. Try Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue Eyeshadow in Silver Smoke or M.A.C Eye Shadow in Silver Ring.