Style

Millennial pink brings its blush to our cheeks... and our nails and brows too!

The colour of the year for everything from clothes to gadgets has landed on our face

The colour of the year for everything from clothes to gadgets has landed on our face

By now you've heard about (and are possibly clad in) millennial pink, the ubiquitous shade used in advertising, packaging and branding for all of the most popular products marketed towards gen-Y. Less sweet than cotton candy or Barbie pink, millennial pink is a pale blush or slightly coral shade. Pantone calls it Rose Quartz, but it's also known as Tumblr Pink or Scandi Pink. Why are people so drawn to it? Well, it's fun without being too traditionally girly, but it's also kind of calming. It looks great without trying too hard.

So it's perfect for the beauty routines of the #wokeuplikethis, selfie generation. There's a variation of the shade that'll look good on any skin tone. Paler skin? Go with a more dusty iteration. Darker complexion? Try something a hint more pink or coral.

Talk about selfie perfection; this highlighting powder mimics different types of lighting. Dusk gives the effect of sultry evening light—no matter what time of day.

Sephora Collection Golden Hour Highlighting Powder in Dusk, $19

Who doesn't love a multi-purpose beauty product? This eyeshadow can be used dry as a sheer wash of colour or wet for a more pigmented finish.

Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in Rigel, $36, sephora.com

A lipstick and liner in one, this crayon means polished looking lip colour fast. A nude colour for light complexions, it would give a mod, '60s vibe on darker skin tones.

Annabelle TwistUp Retractable Lipstick Crayon in Absolute, $9.99, londondrugs.com

Benefit's Dandelion has been around for years, but it's pretty much the perfect shade of pink—which is probably why it has stood the test of time. It can be used as a blush or a brightening, finishing powder with a touch of shimmer.

Benefit Cosmetics Dandelion, $38, beautyboutique.ca

This barely there pink has just enough hue to make a quiet statement—and a trendy one at that.

H&M Nail Polish, $5.99, hm.com

Because crayons are a fun way to apply makeup, plus this blush is creamy with buildable coverage so it's virtually goof-proof.

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Cheek Colour Balm in Amp'd Up Apple, $27, beautyboutique.ca

MAC's Personality Palettes represent a selection of female archetypes in a fun, tongue-in-cheek way. They first launched Basic Bitch, a range of smoky grey tones, then followed up with five more, including Power Hungry and Rockin' Rebel. We don't think you actually have to be a prissy princess to wear the shades in this millennial pink palette, even rebels like flattering hues!

MAC Personality Palettes Prissy Princess, $48, maccosmetics.ca

Tom's Ford's nail polish in Pink Crush basically represents everyone's current colour crush. It's almost wholesome without being uncool.

Tom Ford Nail Lacquer, $44, sephora.com

H&M's Powder Puff shade is a bit of a nod to the millennial favourite metallic, rose gold. (You know, to match your iPhone.)

H&M Cream Lipstick in Powder Puff, $14.99, hm.com

Prefer a gloss over lipstick? MAC's cult Lipglass comes in rose gold, too. Nymphette is a "sunny golden pink" that creates a high-shine finish while conditioning lips.

MAC Lipglass in Nymphette, $21, maccosmetics.ca

This highlighter stick will give your skin a subtle millennial pink glow with a subtle shimmer. Wear it alone for a natural-looking glow or use it on cheekbones and brow bones to add drama to a finished look.

The Face Shop Multi Stick Highlighter, $15, thefaceshop.ca

Millennial pink isn't just for subtle touches of colour. Make your brows even bolder with a colourful eyebrow pencil. This one in Blonde Not Bland is the perfect shade and works well with fair hair, but it doubles as a long wear eyeliner, too!

MAC Dare Hue! Brow Pencil in Blonde Not Bland, $20, maccosmetics.ca