Neon greens to barbie pinks: how dopamine beauty can brighten your day and vibe

What is dopamine beauty: Inspired by the feel-good hormone dopamine, this makeup style encourages playful experiments with colour, texture, and shine (Image: Canva)

Have you noticed the makeup trends on social media lately? They are getting louder, brighter, and unapologetically fun. Welcome to the dopamine beauty trend, a happy rebellion against neutral tones and muted palettes. It’s not about perfection but feeling good and looking vibrant while doing it.

Inspired by the feel-good hormone dopamine, this makeup style encourages playful experiments with colour, texture, and shine, says Pradeep Goyal, Co-Founder, Glam21.  “Dopamine beauty is a mood-lifting approach that lets your makeup mirror your emotions, or even create new ones. It’s less about contouring or following rigid techniques and more about choosing shades and textures that put a smile on your face. It’s about breaking the routine and doing something spontaneous with your beauty choices,” he says.

Opt for electric blues on your lids, blush that reaches your temples, and unapologetic glitter on your cheeks. It’s all about embracing your creativity and expressing your individuality.

Also read | Beauty tips: Here's how a healthy lifestyle will help give you a glowing skin

Unlike classic makeup trends that often promote one certain fashion to wear a product, dopamine beauty invites you to play and customise. Whether you pick a neon eyeliner on a rainy day or choose an unexpected lipstick shade before stepping out, the idea is you choose joy. Goyal believes this movement is a response to years of minimalist trends. “People are done with beige. They want colour that reflects their mood. Makeup should be as fun as dressing up for a party, even on regular days,” he says.

Goyal shares 6 effective ways to achieve a dopamine beauty look:

• Light it up with sparkle: Add shimmer and sparkle wherever you like, on your lids, cheekbones, or lips. From holographic highlighters to glitter lip gloss, it’s about creating light-catching, joyful accents that lift your mood.

• Blush boldly: Don’t shy away from blush in vivid, unexpected colours like berry or purple. Apply generously across cheekbones and even swipe a bit over your nose for that playful, sun-kissed vibe.

• Colour outside the lines: Blend bold eyeshadow colours like orange, pink, yellow, or teal. Play with layered tones or mismatched lids. The goal is happiness, not perfection, so go with what makes you smile.

• Pop your lids with colour: Apply a single bold eyeshadow shade across your eyelids for an instant mood boost. Neon greens, cobalt blues, or Barbie pinks can take centre stage, leaving the rest of your face fresh and minimal.

• Draw playful graphic lines: Swap your usual black liner for neon or pastel graphic shapes. Floating eyeliner, coloured wings, or geometric strokes over the crease can add a fun, futuristic edge to your look.

• Paint it loud with lips: Choose statement lip colours like bold reds, hot pinks, or vibrant corals. Matte or glossy, whatever feels right. A bright lip is the fastest dopamine fix.