Ever heard the phrase, “Work smarter, not harder?” It might normally apply to getting sh*t done at work, but we’re all about incorporating that mindset when it comes to makeup.

For those days when you’re not in the mood to contour or tightline or you’re bored with your go-to makeup routine, injecting a strategic hit of color is a great way to easily amp up your look.

We put together three ways you can mix up the way you use color on your eye, face and lip for a truly impactful look. (And no one needs to know it took less time to perfect than your cat eye.)

Purple Blush
The idea of purple cheeks can conjure images of otherworldly beauty—and that’s precisely the point. It’s a departure from your common pinks and peaches—and purple is such a universally flattering color that anyone can pull it off.
Sketch from the Full Spectrum Eyeshadow Palette
Try out these techniques using Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush in Bittersweet:
Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter in Aura
Use a soft, diffused sheer wash of color for a subtler effect. Take our UD Pro Diffusing Blush Brush and swirl Bittersweet on your cheek, right below your cheekbone. Keep it matte, or tap on Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter in Aura just over your cheekbone to add glowing dimension.
· Go big with draping by taking the purple shade up to your temple for an edgy, powerful look. Use our UD Pro Diffusing Blush Brush to drape Bittersweet up toward your temple, following the C-shape you’d normally make with highlighter. Then, blend it into your eyeshadow ( Sketch from the Full Spectrum Eyeshadow Palette is a good pick) for more monochromatic emphasis.

Floating Eyeliner
We’ll never give up our cat eye, but sometimes you have to change things up a bit. And floating eyeliner is a cool, artistic way to take your eye look to another level.

· A well-placed swipe of colorful liner right above your crease is a nod to the ‘60s pop-art makeup of Edie Sedgwick and Twiggy, but revamped for today.
· Double up on colors. Use 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Deep End and Chaos to create a clean outline of a geometric shape right above your upper lash line and another above your crease.

Gilded Cupid’s Bow
If you’re into overlining your lip, consider this the deluxe version. This look thinks outside the box by using a sliver of shine to make lips look fuller and more amazing.

Start by applying your favorite bold, jewel-toned lip color—like Vice Lipstick in Nighthawk. Then, use a gold metallic eye pencil or Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow in Zap to line just above your Cupid’s bow.

Some tips:
· How far you want to take the line is up to you, but the wider the line, the more dramatic the effect.
· Keep the line narrow for a bit of shine when the light hits your lip.
· For a more dimensional effect, line the top of your lip, blending into your lip color.