How-to: Merry Makeup
This is my look for Christmas Eve 
It is definitely similar to what I normally opt for over Christmas! This year, I decided to use green eyeliner rather than green eyeshadow. You could add glitter over the lid for added sparkle, too.
Eyes: Begin by using a fluffy crease brush (I used MUFE #17S) and apply a red-burgundy eyeshadow (I used Inglot #450 Eyeshadow) into the crease and blending towards the outer corner as well. Next, apply a honey gold eyeshadow (I used Inglot #430 Eyeshadow) with a firm eyeshadow brush (I used MAC 239) on the outer two-thirds of the lid. Apply a soft, warm orange eyeshadow (I used Inglot #403 Eyeshadow) on the inner third of the lid. To highlight the brow bone, apply a shimmery beige/white eyeshadow (I used Inglot #395 Eyeshadow) just underneath the brow bone, then pat a matte beige eyeshadow (I used Burberry Trench) between the crease color and the brow highlight to soften the shimmer finish. Finally, line the lower lash line with a deep green/teal (I used MAC Junkie), and then apply a liquid gold eyeliner (I used Urban Decay Eldorado) to brighten and add sparkle.
Face: Prep face by moisturizing, then applying any face primers (I used Eve Pearl’s Moisturizing Primer). I applied a few drops and dabs of liquid foundation (I used Giorgio Armani Maestro) and blend out using a dense foundation brush (I used Hourglass’ Foundation Brush). Next, apply a natural blusher, which will depend on your complexion, with either brown or plum tones (I used Kevyn Aucoin Natura) with a soft blush brush (I used Bobbi Brown’s Blush Brush). Finish the look by setting with pressed or loose powder (I used Guerlain Wulong) with a large, bluffy brush (I used MAC 138).
Lips: Prep lips by keeping them hydrated prior to applying lip color–I usually have lip balm on whenever I’m not wearing a lip color, but if you don’t usually do this, try applying a lip balm 20 minutes prior (or more), then lightly blot off right before you apply your lip color. Apply a berry-red lipstick (I used Guerlain Gigolo) onto lips, and then lightly pat a shimmering gold gloss (I used Bobbi Brown Canary) on top for sparkle and shine.
One more photo of the whole kit ‘n’ caboodle look… Continue reading →
My Wedding Makeup
I actually didn’t know what I was going to do quite yet for my makeup until I tested out Guerlain Turandot Eyeshadow Palette (which I reviewed last month). I loved the way it looked on me, and the colors were perfect for autumn. I knew at once that it was a happy medium that used color and not just neutrals, but it wasn’t too bold or smoky, as our ceremony was being held in the late morning. I went with a gold eyeliner on the bottom lash line, because it brightened up my eyes, so naturally, Honey was my go-to, as it was one of my all-time favorites. With the warm-toned eyes, I knew I’d be going with corals, which I tend to like on myself. I wore the same eyes and cheeks all day long, but for our evening reception, I changed the lips to Chanel Dragon and Bobbi Brown Naked Plum.
I won’t have my photos back for approximately a month, but when I have some to share, I will be sure to share a few. These are the only photos I managed to take in the last few minutes before we had to leave to go to the ceremony location. I spent a half hour on makeup, even if I used a truck-load of products!
Eyes:
I applied a layer of primer on from lash line to brow bone. Then, I applied the lighter plum eyeshadow on the inner third of the lid, followed by the darker brown eyeshadow on the outer third of the lid. I patted the gold eyeshadow directly on the center of the lid and pulled it outwards and inwards to blend with the other two colors. I used separate MAC 239 eyeshadow brushes for those three colors. I swept on the darker plum shade into the crease and diffused it upwards using Make Up For Ever’s #17S crease brush. Next, I took the MAC 239 again with the gold eyeshadow and patted it on the inner tear duct and then pulled it upwards over the inner crease. I lined the lower lashes with Honey eyeliner. I filled in brows using Espresso eyeshadow and MAC’s 266 brush, then combed through them with a clean mascara spoolie and set with brow gel. To finish the look, I heavily applied Eyes to Kill mascara (waterproof, of course) to upper and lower lashes.
Face:
I applied the moisturizing primer first, just prior to applying my eye makeup, so it would have a chance to sink in. After fifteen minutes or so, I applied the Mineral Veil primer, and I let that sink in for five to ten minutes. I used one pump of #02 and half a pump of #03, then mixed them between my fingers, and dotted it all over the face. I used Hourglass #2 Foundation Brush to blend and diffuse the foundation on the face and down the neck. I applied two pats of Cle de Peau’s Concealer on my under eye area and blended just over the bridge of my nose. I then patted OCC’s Concealer over that. I finished the under eye area by lightly tapping Terracotta Light Touch to brighten. To add color to cheeks, I tapped Love Lust blush on apples and blended towards temples with MAC’s 116 brush. I lightly contoured the hollows of my cheeks with MAC Sculpt and MAC’s 168 brush. I lightly swept on Parure de Nuit as a highlighter on cheek bones with MAC’s 165 brush. To set everything into place, I used MAC’s 184 brush and Pressed Meteorites.
Lips:
I applied Gems lipstick onto lips with a lip brush. I lightly patted Cle de Peau #2 on the center of the lower lips, then pressed lips together. I finished by applying a full coat of Citrus and lightly pressing my lips together.
Look: Illamasqua Human Fundamentalism Eyeshadows
Look: Pop of Color for Spring
This was a recent look I used to test out the wear of several products–the newer MAC eyeshadow quad (because it had a very stubborn shade in it), MAC’s Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner (because it was worth re-testing), and Becca Damselfly (had not tested the wear before). I haven’t worn either the lipstick or gloss on its own, so I haven’t finished testing either of those, but I thought they might work well with this look so at least I could get a lip swatch out of it!
You will need the following…
For eyes, I applied a light layer of NARS Smudgeproof on the lid as an eyeshadow primer from lash line to brow bone with a firm, flat brush. First, I applied Self-Serve to the crease with a pencil brush and used a blending brush to attempt to diffuse the color. Next, I applied Colour Added all over the lid with a fluffy eyeshadow brush. I used another pencil brush to apply Pre-packaged to the outer corner and into the deep crease. To highlight the brow bone, I used Laudry Daze applied and blended with a fluffy blending brush. On the lower lash line, I applied MAC Undercurrent and then patted Colour Added on the inner half of the lash line and Pre-packaged on the outer half of the lash line. Finally, I applied a coat of Hourglass Film Noir to lengthen and thicken lashes.
For face, I applied Chanel Vitalumiere with a circular foundation brush. I blended Becca Damselfly onto cheeks with a dense blush brush and set with Guerlain Les Voilettes. For lips, I applied Make Up For Ever Folk and layered Le Metier de Beaute Orange Juiced on top.
Look: Chanel Spring 2012
Had a lot of you asking about what was on my eyes/cheeks/lips throughout recent Chanel posts, so I figured maybe I should post the look in full so it’s easy to find It’s super easy and takes about five minutes or less!
You will need the following…
For eyes, I applied a light layer of NARS Smudgeproof on the lid as an eyeshadow primer from lash line to brow bone with a firm, flat brush. First, I applied the lightest beige shade from the quad all over the lid with a fluffy eyeshadow brush. I used a slightly stiffer brush to apply the darker beige shade to the outer third of the lid (which really doesn’t add a lot; you could skip it). With a fluffy crease brush, I applied the burgundy shade and diffused it upwards. To highlight the brow bone, I used the lightest beige shade against with a fluffy blending brush. On the lower lash line, I applied Chanel Grenat. Finally, I applied a coat of Hourglass Film Noir to lengthen and thicken lashes.
For face, I applied Chanel Perfection Lumiere with a circular foundation brush. I blended Chanel Blush Horizon de Chanel onto cheeks with a dense blush brush and set with Guerlain Les Voilettes. For lips, I applied Chanel Flirt.
Look: My Christmas Makeup
I like themed makeup myself, so I felt it was only right to incorporate red and green into a look in the spirit of Christmas. One of the easiest ways to tie green and red together is by using gold, and if you want to try out a cooler-toned version of it, you could try silver. Gold is easier, just because greens tend to have subtle yellow undertones and reds easily blend to a burnished copper when they mesh with golds.
You will need the following…
- Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (eyeshadow primer), Inglot #418 Eyeshadow (medium-dark forest green with gold sheen), Inglot #430 Eyeshadow (deep, rich honey gold), Inglot #450 Eyeshadow (cranberry), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (beige), Bobbi Brown Bronze/Chocolate Dual-Ended Eyeliner (bronze), Hourglass Film Noir Mascara (black)
- Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (130), Illamasqua Seduce Cream Blush (plum), Guerlain Les Voilettes Mineral Powder (03)
- Lips: Giorgio Armani #602 Gloss d’Armani (semi-sheer plum), Hourglass Imagine Extreme Sheen Lipgloss (gold sheen)
For eyes, I applied a light layer of NARS Smudgeproof on the lid as an eyeshadow primer from lash line to brow bone with a firm, flat brush. The first eyeshadow I applied was Inglot #430, which I applied to the upper two-thirds of the lid and just barely into crease with a small eyeshadow brush. With the edge of an eyeshadow brush, I applied Inglot #418 on the lower third of the lid, and then I went back with the previous brush to soften the edge (I always prefer to blend light into dark). With a fluffy crease brush, I applied Inglot #450 above the crease and towards the inner tear duct, following the natural shape of the crease. Next, I softened the edge with Inglot #430 lightly blended outwards. To highlight the brow, I applied Burberry Trench with a fluffy blending brush. On the lower lash line, I first applied Bobbi Brown Bronze and smudged Inglot #430 below. Finally, I applied a coat of Hourglass Film Noir to lengthen and thicken lashes.
For face, I applied Make Up For Ever HD with a circular foundation brush. I blended Illamasqua Seduce onto cheeks with fingertips and set with Guerlain Les Voilettes. For lips, I applied Giorgio Armani #602 mixed with Hourglass Imagine.
