Bright Makeup: Hot Pink Smoky Eyes

Go fierce or go home! Dark, sultry smoky eyes with a hot pink edge paired with equally in-your-face pink lips.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (neutral beige base), MAC Fuchsia Pigment (fuchsia), Sugarpill Dollipop Eyeshadow (matte fuchsia pink), Sugarpill Bulletproof Eyeshadow (matte black), MAC Stars ‘n Rockets Eyeshadow (fuchsia-purple), MAC Beautiful Iris Eyeshadow (iridescent icy purple), MAC Blacktrack Fluidline (black liner), Urban Decay Lust 24/7 Liner (purple), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Laura Mercier Setting Powder
• Cheeks: MAC Sculpt Sculpting Powder (dark nude), MAC Shell Pearl Beauty Powder (soft champagne-peach)
• Lips: MAC Petals & Peacocks Lipstick (hot pink), MAC True Babe Lipstick (hot pink)
• Brushes: 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 168 (fluffy angled brush), 165 (tapered blush brush), 130 (flat stippling brush)
• Substitutes:  Shell Pearl = Soft & Gentle; Petals & Peacocks = Girl About Town; True Babe = Pink Poodle

For eyes, start by applying Soft Ochre paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. With the 239 and water-based mixing medium (or water), apply Fuchsia pigment all over the lid area. Using the 239, apply Dollipop eyeshadow on the entire lower eyelid area. Darken the outer third of the lid with Bulletproof eyeshadow with the 226, gently brushing it into the outer crease. Lightly blend Stars ‘n Rockets eyeshadow, with the 226, in the crease. Lightly tap and brush Stars ‘n Rockets eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Beautiful Iris eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone and inner tearduct. Bring everything together by applying Lust eyeliner on the lower lash line and Stars ‘n Rockets eyeshadow lightly patted below the lower lash line with the 219 brush. Finish by applying Blacktrack fluidline to the upper lash line with the 208, and then sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Sculpt sculpting powder to the hollows of the cheeks to lightly contour and blend onto cheeks with the 168. To highlight, apply Shell pearl onto the cheekbones with the 165.

For lips, apply Petals & Peacocks lipstick first, and then layer True Babe lipglass for a complementing lip.

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Glitter Makeup: Stila Jewel Eye Palette Look

Just decided to have a little fun with Stila’s new glitter-tastic palette last night :) Didn’t have too much fall out — definitely apply less than you think you need, and then build up if you need to. (I tried two techniques – one on each eye; nearly no fall out on the latter technique!)  It definitely has a bit of a wet look to it – very shimmering – but not so easy to capture in a still photo.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (neutral beige base), MAC Blacktrack Fluidline (black), Stila Jewel Eyeshadow Palette (Black Diamond, Rose Quartz), MAC Stars ‘n Rockets Eyeshadow (fuchsia-purple), MAC Beautiful Iris Eyeshadow (iridiescent purple), MAC Hush Eyeshadow (pink-toned highlighter), Urban Decay Lust 24/7 Liner (purple), Chanel Exceptionnel Mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Illamasqua Unrequited Blush (pink)
• Lips: Shiseido BE 109 Perfect Rouge Lipstick (soft fleshy beige), Le Metier de Beaute Dubai Lipgloss (sheer purple-pink)
• Brushes: 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: N/A

For eyes, start by applying Soft Ochre paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the lid with the 249. With the 249, apply Blacktrack fluidline all over the lid portion. Using the 239, apply Black Diamond eyeshadow on the eyelid. Next, apply Rose Quartz eyeshadow in the crease and slightly above with the 239. With the 239, lightly apply Stars ‘n Rockets eyeshadow into the crease to add a pop of color. Lightly tap and brush Beautiful Iris eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Hush eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Lust eyeliner on the lower lash line, and Beautiful Iris eyeshadow lightly patted below the lower lash line with the 219 brush. Finish by sweeping lashes with Exceptionnel mascara.

For cheeks, apply Unrequited blush to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply BE 109 lipstick first, and then layer Dubai Gloss for a complementing lip.

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I was watching Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance Music Video yesterday, and I felt a little inspired by the bold makeup she’s wearing around the four minute mark. At first, I thought she was wearing this look while dancing a bit, but I think the looks are different–the one she wears while dancing (also around the four minute mark) seems cleaner, not quite as dark, though the lips seem really similar.

Anyway, this is inspired by and not so much as an exact replica. If you wanted to be more on target, I’d say to go for a slightly messier smoky eye, add a little bit of gloss to make it look wet and have a sheen, and then go for a very dramatic cheek contour. The shape of the black portion on the eye also goes up quite close to the inner brow bone and then comes down.  The lashes should also be bigger and flair out more on the outer lash line.

Also, this look is actually REALLY easy. No, seriously! It’s pretty much any cream black base all over the lid. I used the same technique I did back in 2007 to create this black smoky eye tutorial. The lashes took me infinitely longer and still didn’t adhere correctly–but it was good enough to fake it in photos (and my eyes were burning from upper lash line irritation, so it was a hurry-up-and-finish situation).

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Blacktrack fluidline (black), Carbon eyeshadow (matte black), Vex eyeshadow (duochrome white-purple), Bisque eyeshadow (matte highlighter), Feline kohl power (black), false eyelashes (anything big and dramatic), Zoom Fast Black Mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Sculpt sculpting powder (dark shadow), Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer (bronzy highlighter)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (#140)
• Lips: Red No. 5 lipstick (deep red), Violetta lipstick (bright purple), Vino lip pencil (dark red)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Red No. 5 = New York Apple

Directions: Apply Blacktrack fluidline all over the lid as the base with the 249. With the 239, pack Carbon eyeshadow on all over the lid. Using the 226 brush, lightly blend the crease with Vex eyeshadow. Sweep Bisque eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Feline Kohl Power on lower lash line, and apply false lashes to upper lash line, then lightly apply Zoom Fast Black mascara on lashes. Sweep hollows of cheeks with Sculpt sculpting powder using the 168, then highlight with Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer with the 165. Apply Red No. 5 lipstick to lips, and then top with Violetta for color and shine.

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MAC Style Black Look: Dark Smoky Eyes

Just a quick Style Black I through together this morning before I took a shower. I’m not sold on mineralize eyeshadows whatsoever! I applied these mineralize eyeshadows wet using water-based mixing medium (for better adhesion and to minimize fall out). Admittedly, it’s all over a significantly dark base, so maybe that’s why they just don’t pop much. I did two different lips — the first is the lip I’d actually pair with it (based on my style and preferences); the second is with black lips as requested.

Two notes:  I’m wearing Korres’ Wild Rouse Foundation in this look.  (I think the shade may be a lil’ orange on me–not sure if going a shade lighter will help or not yet.)  One eye has a stronger distinction between crease and highlight (which, to be honest, looked fine in real life) that I would recommend blending out more in practice.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Dark Soul pigment (dark black-gray), Gilt By Association mineralize eyeshadow (black-bronze), Young Punk mineralize eyeshadow (black-purple), Blue Flame eyeshadow (dark blue), Femme-fi eyeshadow (neutral highlighter), Black Greasepaint Stick (black with purple shimmer), Stila Purple Pumps Smudge Pot (purple shimmer), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Plum Foolery blush (pinky-purple)
• Lips: Brave New Bronze lipstick (pinky nude), Bling Black glimmerglass (dirty antique gold)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Gilt By Association = Tempting; Young Punk = Contrast; Blue Flame = Deep Truth; Femme-fi = Shroom; Black Greasepaint = Smolder; Brave New Bronze = Velvet Teddy; Bling Black = Reflects Antique Gold + Black Lip Mix + Clear gloss

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply Soft Ochre paint pot all over the lid as the base with the 249. With the 239, apply Dark Soul pigment with water-based mixing medium on the lower lid. On the inner lid, pack Gilt by Association eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply Young Punk eyeshadow to the middle and outer portions of the lid. Darken crease with Blue Flame eyeshadow using the 226. Sweep Femme-fi eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Black Greasepaint stick on lower lash line, and Stila Purple Pumps smudge pot on lower lash line with 209. Apply Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Plum Foolery blush using the 129. Apply Brave New Bronze lipstick to lips, and then top with Bling Black glimmerglass for color and shine.

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With Black Knight lipstick + Blackware Glimmerglass

Easy-peasy smoky eye :) I consider this the “traditional” smoky eye, since I’ve always thought of a smoky eye as silver/gray. Video tutorial for this coming soon, too!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Electra eyeshadow (bright silver), Silver Ring eyeshadow (dark silver), Typographic eyeshadow (matte dark gray), Carbon eyeshadow (matte black), Blanc Type eyeshadow (soft white-beige), Blacktrack fluidline (black), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Enough Said blush (bronze), Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer (bronzy highlighter)
• Lips: Honeyflower lipstick (pinky-nude), Nymphette lipglass (pinky-beige)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Femme-fi = Shroom; Brave New Bronze = Velvet Teddy

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply Soft Ochre paint pot all over the lid as the base with the 249. On the inner lid, pack Electra eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply Silver Ring eyeshadow to the middle and outer portions of the lid. Darken crease and outer lid with Typographic eyeshadow using the 226, then deepen with Carbon eyeshadow with the 219. Sweep Blanc Type eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Blacktrack fluidline on lower lash line and upper lash line using the 208. Apply Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Enough Said blush using the 129, then highlight with Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer with the 188. Apply Honeyflower lipstick to lips, and then top with Nymphette lipglass for color and shine.

Check out more photos!