I’ve always been a little intimidated by maroon – it’s such a bold, statement-making color.
But lately, I’ve been on a mission to break out of my neutral clothing comfort zone.
So when I spotted the perfect maroon dress on sale, I decided to give it a try.
The problem was, I had no idea how to do my makeup to make sure this dress really stood out.
On a whim, I decided to play around with different color combinations one evening after work.
To my surprise, within a few different makeup trials I discovered some gorgeous pairings with the maroon that made me feel totally confident.
Now anytime I wear the dress, I always get compliments on how well my makeup complements the rich hue.
Did you know that maroon was actually one of the most popular colors during the Victorian era?
The deep burgundy shade represented luxury, wealth and sophistication.
No wonder it has stood the test of time for evening glamour.
Berry Lip
As a fashion designer, I’m always focused on how different makeup shades can either enhance or compete with an outfit.
When it comes to pairing berry lips with a maroon dress, it’s a match made in heaven for a few key reasons:
The similar undertones allow the look to feel cohesive instead of clashy.
Both maroon and berry shades have red and plum undertones that beautifully complement each other.
Opting for a true blue-based red lip would end up looking disjointed next to a maroon garment.
The slight shade difference prevents either one from overpowering the other.
A berry lip is just different enough from the dress color that your eyes are drawn to both equally.
You want your makeup and outfit to harmonize, not fight for attention.
It adds nice dimension to the look.
While a neutral pink or nude lip is a classic choice, a berry shade brings another layer of richness and depth that flatters the complexion.
Your face pops instead of fading into the background.
Subtle makeup lets the dress be the focal point.
An eye-catching outfit needs makeup that enhances it rather than takes away.
Berry lips are eye-catching in their own right but don’t detract from appreciating the precision details that go into a beautifully made garment.
In the end, berry lips become another design element that ties the whole look together seamlessly.
As a fashion designer, that kind of cohesion and balance is what I strive for in any ensemble.
Warm Neutrals for Eyes
There’s a good reason why warm neutral eyes pair so beautifully with a maroon dress:
It creates intrigue and visual interest.
While the dress shade demands attention, neutral eyes leave you wondering and wanting more.
It’s the ultimate juxtaposition of simple against statement.
It allows the dress to shine.
Dark or intensely colorful eyeshadow can fight the dress for the spotlight.
But neutrals act as a complementary accent instead of competition.
They highlight without upstaging the focal point.
The monochromatic allure.
Sticking within similar undertones connects the look through a cohesive color story, even if the tones aren’t identical.
Warm neutrals echo the red and plum shades.
Neutrals flatter any complexion.
Unlike bright hues, toasty beiges and browns work for all skin tones without overwhelming.
The color focus shifts to the beautiful dress.
It’s day-to-night dazzling.
With minimal adjustment, the look can easily go from daytime meeting to evening affair.
The neutrals provide a canvas to build on yet remain natural anytime.
Ultimately, warm neutral eyes allow garments to take center stage in a way bold or extravagant makeup never could.
It’s simple showcasing done to perfection.
Peach Blush
Peach lifts dullness without overshadowing the dress like a darker blush potentially could.
It enhances naturally.
The soft coral tone mimics a post-exercise or excited glow on the skin.
It’s universally flattering on all complexions.
Similar to how berry lips pair, peach blush shares red undertones with maroon for a cohesive, color-coordinated look.
While neutral pink blush is classic, peach adds another layer of vibrancy to the face that makes features pop.
It shows off your best assets!
Maroon can look heavy and dark on some, but peach imbues a youthful, radiant counterbalance that stops the overall look from seeming too heavy.
Like warm neutral eyes, peach blush ties into the same family as the dress shade for flow and harmony versus jarring contrasts.
It acts as a multi-use color, pulling double duty as either a cheek pop or lip tint for day or night versatility.
In the end, peach blush brings outsized beauty and poise to a maroon dress without stealing its poise.
It’s the ideal partnership.
Champagne Highlighter
Champagne shades have just the right mix of gold, rose and peach tones to pick up on the red undertones in maroon without looking off.
This creates harmony.
Unlike stark white powders, champagne provides a soft, dimensional glow that looks absolutely luminous and natural.
It’s incredibly flattering!
Highlighter is the final touch that takes an ensemble from nice to next-level.
The subtle sheen draws attention to best features and makes you look put together.
A few swipes of champagne highlighter can brighten your face whether you’re heading to brunch or a black-tie affair.
The look transitions effortlessly.
Sweep highlighter on cheekbones but also eyelids, brow bone and cupid’s bow for an lit-from-within effect that sculpts and stuns.
Like peach blush, highlighter pulls the look together seamlessly by echoing similar jewel tones found in maroon.
It ties the color story.
In the end, that iconic champagne gleam is totally dazzling yet never overwhelming like lighter shades could be.
Your radiance is enhanced, not upstaged!
Burgundy Eyeshadow
Both burgundy and maroon have rich wine and plum undertones that blend together seamlessly.
The look feels put together.
While neutral eyes let the dress take center stage, burgundy shadow makes a bold statement and impression when you want all eyes on your glamorous appearance.
The slightly darker hue adds depth to the eye look without going overboard.
It helps eyes really pop against the maroon fabric.
Burgundy lends a sultry, smoldering allure that is romantic rather than overtly sexy.
It enhances your features in a polished way.
Burgundy can be worn day or night – for day sweeps in the crease and lid, ramp up intensity for evening with a deeper Smokey eye.
Whether blue, green or brown eyed, the flattering wine shade works with all.
It flatters without overwhelming.
Rather than sticking to safe neutrals, burgundy takes a maroon outfit to the next glamorous level in a way pinks and plums can’t quite achieve.
The end result is runway-worthy glamour and intrigue that steals the show alongside such a statement dress shade.
Deep Plum Lip
Plum lips add drama to amplify the look without overpowering.
The slightly darker shade creates visual interest.
Both plum and maroon are opulent, rich shades that flatter a formal, polished outfit.
They create a feeling of luxury.
While berry shades echo maroon, plum provides enough contrast to make lips stand out instead of merely complementing.
Like burgundy eyes, plum lips have a seductive vibe that is alluring without being overt.
They accentuate features beautifully.
Compared to popular nude lips, plum feels special and eye-catching while still complementing most skin tones for a unique look.
Darker shades make lips appear more voluminous and plumped compared to lighter colors.
Plum is incredibly enhancing!
Rich wine and plum shades never go out of style for evening.
The color combo feels both classic yet fresh.
While deeper than berries, plum lips pair gorgeously with maroon dresses by bringing an extra rich, seductive element to elevate the ensemble.
Rose Gold Eyes
Rose gold contains just the right mix of pink and copper undertones that beautifully echo the red and burgundy tones found in maroon.
Unlike traditional golds, rose gold has a softer, more ethereal quality that lends an eye-catching romanticness instead of brassiness.
The flattering metallic sheen draws attention to help eyes stand out against a bold hue like maroon without overwhelming.
Rose gold can be worn day or night from a wash of shimmer on the lid to a foiled smoky eye for evening festivities.
Whether cool or warm toned, most skin tones flatter rose gold’s universally flattering mix of colors.
Metallic shadow adds an extra touch of glitz that jazzes up a formal look versus typical nude, neutral tones.
The subtle pink and gold flecks blend beautifully together much like the melding shades found in maroon fabric.
Overall, rose gold eyes create a magical balance of soft glamour and gleam that harmonizes beautifully with a rich maroon dress.
Copper Eyes
Both copper and maroon share rich reddish, brick undertones that beautifully coordinate together without directly matching.
Copper eyes add warmth and golden dimension to features that can offset the deeper, cooler tones of a maroon dress.
The flattering reddish hue emphasizes natural brown or green eye color without overwhelming like brighter shadows could.
Copper blends seamlessly through the crease between deeper outer colors for a sunset gradient effect.
It ties hues together.
Placed in the crease, it helps shape and lift eyes while bringing out flecks in iris color.
Whether as a daytime lid shade or evening smoky eye, copper works for any occasion from brunch to cocktails.
Whilst maroon may overwhelm some, the accompanying copper shadow is universally flattering on skin tones from light to deep.
The end result is subtle smolder and intrigue that sizzles beautifully alongside a rich maroon ensemble.
Copper eyes are a perfect pair!
Maroon Liner
Having the eyeliner match the dress creates a pulled-together monochrome look with no clashing colors.
Everything flows together seamlessly.
Dark liner makes the eyes really stand out against the similar colored dress.
It draws attention to the eyes in a flattering way.
Liner adds dimension and drama to sexy up the look without being over the top.
The slight pop of maroon emphasis is elegant.
Whether you do a subtle daytime line or sultry wing, liner ties into smoky or chiseled eye looks equally well.
Unlike harsh blacks, maroon enhances natural lash color and plays up eye shape in a subtly defining way.
As a rich berry tone, maroon liner works with all complexions from light to deep, unlike some brighter liners.
More than just matching, liner helps bind the eyes into the overall color story presented by the maroon dress.
The seamless continuity of shade between eyes and dress creates utterly chic harmony through well-balanced uniformity.
Nude Lips
Nude lips allow the bold maroon dress to be the star without distracting color competition from the lips.
By de-emphasizing lips, it instead draws attention toother features like eyes/cheekbones for a elegantly balanced look.
Unlike some lip colors, true nude shades flatter all skin tones whether fair or deep for broad versatility.
Nude has a softly glamorous effect that is polished without edging into overtly sexy territory like some bolder shades.
Without lips pulling focus, you can better appreciate intricate fabrics, drapes and designs of the maroon garment.
With minimal adjustments, the nude base transitions seamlessly from day into evening by simply amping up surrounding features.
A nude lip is low maintenance yet makes any womanfeel put together and pull off an upscale garment seamlessly.
Ultimately allowing a vivid maroon dress to take center stage, nude lips complete the look with understated femininity and grace.
Smoky Eye
Smoky eyes are inherently dramatic and attention-grabbing.
They complement the boldness of a maroon dress without upstaging it.
Smoky eyes typically involve shades like smokey greys, taupe, and plums – colors that naturally tie into a maroon hue without directly matching.
Dark smoky eyes provide enough contrast next to the dress to make features stand out, versus all-neutral looks that risk blending in too much.
Unlike some specific colors, the overall smoky effect flatters any skin tone or eye color beautifully without overwhelming any features.
A soft daytime smoky eye can easily amp up intensify for evening with some black or charcoal.
The look transitions seamlessly.
Smoky eyes can range from subtle to sultry depending on your mood, event, or personal style preferences for a customizable vibe.
From contours to definition, the diffused blend of darker shades helps shape and frame the face beautifully.
Overall, smoky eyes create intense drama and dimension to match the vivacious personality of a maroon dress.
Pinky Nude Lip
Unlike deep berry tones, a subtle pinky nude lip helps soften darker eye or dress shades for a more fresh-faced appeal.
With soft pink and neutral beige undertones, it coordinates nicely with wine-toned maroon without being an exact match.
Unlike some brighter pinks, a barely-there pinky nude enhances all skin tones whether fair or deep.
The subtle lift of pink helps naturally bring out eyes and cheek definition without competing with the dress.
It has a put-together, feminine vibe that is simultaneously polished yet not overly glamorous.
The reflective tone makes smiles really pop versus dark lip shades.
It works from day brunch to night cocktails and glides on effortlessly without fuss.
It adds a fresh, youthful dimension to the look versus dulling all-neutral shades.
Overall, pinky nude lips complement a maroon evening look with natural refinement and lift.
Mahogany Eyeshadow
Mahogany has reddish-brown undertones that echo the colors found in maroon, creating harmony between the eyes and dress.
It adds depth and drama to open up the eyes without going overly dark or colorful like some shades could.
Used in the crease and outer V, it helps contour and define the eyes in a flattering shaping way.
A soft wash on the lids works for day, while a smoky liner takes it from brunch to night out seamlessly.
Unlike some bright colors, mahogany’s neutral undertones flatter all eye colors and skin tones.
The rich hue lends a put-together, mature look compared to brighter or lighter shadows.
The dimensional lid color helps naturally accentuate underlying colors in the iris.
Mahogany shadows blend the eyes into the overall monochrome effect of a maroon dress perfectly.
The end result is polished contouring that seamlessly flatters and finishes off the ensemble.
Terracotta Blush
Terracotta’s warm orange-red undertones beautifully match the color story of a red-wine maroon shade.
The lightweight terra cotta pigment mimics a natural flush of color better than some brighter shades.
Unlike some blues or plums, the orange undertone flatters all skin tones whether fair or deep.
It adds a healthy glow versus pink that doesn’t warms up features as effectively.
Applied in the apple and blended back, it helps shape and define cheeks gorgeously.
Works for any occasion, ramping up intensity for evening versus sheered out for daytime.
The contouring effect emphasizes high cheekbones beautifully.
Coordinates the color theme of eyes, lips, and dress seamlessly.
Ultimately, terracotta blush brings just the right touch of golden radiance to complement a rich maroon ensemble.
Monochrome Makeup
Sticking to a single color family pulls the whole look together in a put-together, intentionally coordinated way.
With eyes, lips and cheeks echoing the dress hue, there is no competition for attention – the dress truly takes center stage.
Monochrome lends a more polished, elegant feel versus clashing or contrasting elements.
Monochrome schemes typically use neutral, universally flattering shades rather than something too matchy matchy.
Let’s the rich maroon dress boldly shine through, while still making features stand out.
Different shades and tones of the same color help subtly shape and contour features.
Creates a pulled-together insta look with uniformity across makeup and outfit.
Sticking to maroon and its harmonious shades creates a cohesive, elevated beauty look that magnificently complements such a bold, theatrical dress.
To conclude, a maroon dress is a bold and dramatic piece that deserves an equally glamorous and well-coordinated makeup look.
The keys are to choose shades that echoed and harmonized with the rich wine tones of the dress, rather than clashing or distracting from it.
Monochrome makeup utilizing different variations of maroon helps tie the entire look together seamlessly while also spotlighting natural features.
Accents like a smoky eye, berry lip, or rose gold shimmer adds just the right amount of depth and luxe without dominating.
Meanwhile, more subtle makeup styles like nude lips or pinky blush also complement the dress beautifully by letting the garment take center stage.
Whatever your personal style or event, focusing on complimentary rather than contrasting shades ensures a sophisticated, polished aesthetic that flatters both wearer and dress to perfection.
With so many flattering makeup options, finding the right beauty balance to a maroon dress should be an enjoyable creative process.
By selecting complementary colors and keeping features the right amount of contoured, the full glamorous potential of both your features and fabulous dress can shine through for an elegantly pulled-together evening look.
