No matter what I try or how many times I try it, mineralize eyeshadows and I just don’t get along. They frustrate me, and using one means I’m adding (wasting) another 15-20 minutes to my makeup routine that really feels unnecessary. I guess it is just not meant to be! I just find that they’re more work than I really want to do for an eyeshadow.I could have just eliminated Blue Sorcery and used Shimmermoss and been a happy camper!

My major annoyances/frustrations were the dusty fall out and the fact that the color faded before I even finished the application. Oh, well — I know there are lovers and haters of mineralize eyeshadows, I just know which side I’m on, even though I want to love them. :P

Oh yeah, and P.S.?  Wet hair never looks very good in photos.  I need to remember to make sure my hair is dry before I take photos in the future!  (That was a total note-to-self.)

(And for your reference, I have tried mineralize eyeshadows from every batch since their inception; I have tried a multitude of bases–UDPP, paint pots, TFSI, CCBs, pigments; and I have tried a multitude of different wetting agents–mixing medium, Fix+, water.)

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Sour Lemon eyeshadow (chartreuse green), Blue Sorcery mineralize eyeshadow (teal), Deep Truth eyeshadow (dark blue), Prussian eyeshadow (matte, dark blue), Ricepaper eyeshadow (soft beige highlighter), NARS Blue Bayou Eyeliner Stylo (medium blue), Urban Decay Graffiti 24/7 Liner (green), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: MAC Spaced Out blush (peachy-pink), Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer (bronze highlighter)
• Face: Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer
• Lips: Guerlain Gems Rouge G Lipstick (pinky coral), MAC Young Thing lipglass (creamy nude)
• 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: Blue Sorcery = Shimmermoss; Spaced Out = Peachykeen; Young Thing = C-Thru

Directions: Apply Soft Ochre paint pot all over the lid as the base with the 249. On the inner lid, pack Sour Lemon eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply Blue Sorcery eyeshadow to the middle and outer portions of the lid. Darken crease with Deep Truth eyeshadow using the 226, then deepen with Prussian eyeshadow with the 219. Sweep Ricepaper eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Urban Decay Graffiti Liner on lower lash line, NARS Blue Bayou Eyeliner Stilo on the upper lash line, and apply Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Spaced Out blush using the 129, then highlight with Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer with the 188. Apply Guerlain Gems lipstick to lips, and then top with Young Thing lipglass 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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Here’s a look using the Stila All Doll’d Up Palette that I reviewed and LOVED so much. :)

What’s on the agenda for today? I’m about two minutes away from being late for leaving for my morning classes (one on federal taxation and another on cyberspace), aka I better get my butt MOVING! How’s your Wednesday going?

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Mutiny pigment (teal), Stila All Doll’d Up Palette (light green, blue, and teal), MAC Prussian eyeshadow (navy blue), MAC Femme-fi eyeshadow (highlight), Stila Cobalt Clutch Smudge Pot (blue liner), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: MAC Fleurry blush (coral peach), Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer (bronze highlighter)
• Lips: MAC Brave New Bronze lipstick (pinky nude), MAC New Spirit lipglass (peachy orange), MAC Tartlette lipglass (coral)
• 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: Mutiny = Teal + Frozen White; light green = Juxt; blue = Tilt; teal = Shimmermoss; Femme-fi = Shroom; Brave New Bronze = Velvet Teddy; New Spirit = Fresh Buzz (not a great dupe); Tartlette = Lychee Luxe

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply Mutiny pigment all over the lid as the base with the 249. On the inner lid, pack Stila’s light green eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply the medium blue eyeshadow to the middle and outer portions of the lid. Darken the outer lid and crease with the teal eyeshadow using the 226, then deepen with Prussian eyeshadow with the 219. Sweep Femme-fi eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Cobalt Clutch on lower lash line. Apply Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Fleurry blush using the 129, then highlight with Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer with the 188. Apply Brave New Bronze lipstick to lips, and then top with New Spirit and Tartlette lipglass for color and shine.

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I thought I’d use some of the new eyeshadows from MAC’s Love That Look Collection, and I figured I’d go with a pretty obvious, but fun, combination of green, blue, and teal. You can also expect a video tutorial for this look, too :)

P.S. – I totally realize why I rarely use liquidlast liners. If you don’t get it perfect the first time, you can never quite fix it!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), True Chartreuse pigment (bright matte chartreuse base), Rated R eyeshadow (chartreuse), One-Off eyeshadow (medium green), Strike A Pose eyeshadow (dark teal-blue), Atlantic Blue eyeshadow (bright royal blue), Dreammaker eyeshadow (yellow highlighter), Make Up For Ever #17L Aqua Eyes Liner (light green), Blue Herizon liquidlast liner (blue), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Fleurry blush (coral-orange)
• Lips: Lollipop Loving lipstick (coral), Liberated lipglass (shimmery yellow-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: Rated R = Bitter; One-Off = Kelly Green; Strike A Pose = Tilt; Dreammaker = Nylon; Fleurry = Springsheen; Lollipop Loving = CB96 (not a great dupe); Liberated = Instant Gold

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply Soft Ochre paint pot all over the upper lid and brow bone as the base with the 249. With the 239, apply True Chartreuse pigment with water-based mixing medium on the lower lid. On the inner lid, pack Rated R eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply One-Off eyeshadow to the middle and outer portions of the lid. Apply Strike A Pose eyeshadow to the outer third of the lid and bring into crease with the 239. Darken crease with Atlantic Blue eyeshadow using the 219. Sweep Dreammaker eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with #17L Aqua Eyes Liner on lower lash line, and Blue Herizon liquidlast liner on the upper lash line using the 208. Apply Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Fleurry blush using the 129. Apply Lollipop Loving lipstick to lips, and then top with Liberated lipglass for color and shine.

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So much for having mastered false lashes! Trying to use them in this look turned out to be more disaster than gorg. Good thing this was just for fun and not going out, because then I would have been upset rather than just a little disappointed it didn’t all wrap up into a nice little bow. This is a very OTT look, and it was deliberately made that way. I’d probably wear it out, but I totally understand if anyone feels it’s a bit too bright/much for the grocery store ;)  Besides, it looked good from afar, and nobody should be standing THISCLOSE to my eyes anyway, right?!

For those wondering, you can purchase Make Up For Ever at Sephora.com.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Make Up For Ever #910 Star Powder (springy green base), Make Up For Ever #171 Eyeshadow (shimmery yellow-green), Make Up For Ever #93 Eyeshadow (matte aqua-green), Make Up For Ever #159 Eyeshadow (matte royal blue), Make Up For Ever #167 Eyeshadow (shimmery medium blue), Make Up For Ever #102 (matte eggshell), Make Up For Ever Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow (black), Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash Mascara (black), , Make Up For Ever #7L Aqua Eyes Liner, Make Up For Ever #156 Genevieve False Lashes
• Cheeks: Make Up For Ever #5 Blush (matte coral-orange), Make Up For Ever #153 Blush (shimmery peachy-gold)
• Lips: Urban Decay Naked lipstick (shimmery pink-beige), Chanel Arlequin Glossimer (shimmering 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), 116 (dense blush brush), 165 (highlighting brush)

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply #910 Star Powder all over the lid as the base with the 249. On the inner lid, pack #171 eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply #93 eyeshadow to the middle portion of the lid. On the outer lid and crease, apply #167 eyeshadow with the 226. Darken crease with #159 eyeshadow using the 219, and then blend out with the 226. With #171 eyeshadow, apply it just above the crease colors with the 217. Sweep #102 eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight with the 217. Apply #7L Aqua Eyes Liner on lower lash line. Smudge lower lash line with #171 eyeshadow with the 214 brush, pressing into lower lashes. Apply #156 Genevieve false lashes on upper lash line. Finish with Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow on on the upper lash line using the 208. Apply Aqua Smoky Lash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with #5 Blush using the 129, then highlight with #153 with the 165. Apply Urban Decay Naked lipstick to lips, and then top with Chanel Arlequin glossimer for color and shine.

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I’m really happy with the way this turned out, particularly how the photos themselves came out, ha! Forgive me for being a bit lazy on the looks-front. I’m trying to be better, but that laziness is just so hard to kick! ;) The 30 Days of Make Up For Ever project is definitely a motivator, though!

For those wondering, you can purchase Make Up For Ever at Sephora.com.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Make Up For Ever #910 Star Powder (springy green base), Make Up For Ever #304 Eyeshadow (shimmery yellow-green), Make Up For Ever #93 Eyeshadow (matte aqua-green), Make Up For Ever #168 Eyeshadow (shimmery teal), Make Up For Ever #159 Eyeshadow (matte blue), MAC Nylon eyeshadow (yellow-gold highlighter), Make Up For Ever Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow (black), Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash Mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Make Up For Ever #5 Blush (matte coral-orange), Make Up For Ever #153 Blush (shimmery peachy-gold)
• Lips: MAC Overrich lipstick (pinky-coral), Make Up For Ever #403 Gloss (sheer orange-coral)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 116 (dense blush brush), 165 (highlighting brush)

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply #910 Star Powder all over the lid as the base with the 249. On the inner lid, pack #304 eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply #93 eyeshadow to the middle portion of the lid. On the outer lid and crease, apply #168 eyeshadow with the 226. Darken crease with #159 eyeshadow using the 219, and then blend out with the 226. Sweep MAC Nylon eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight with the 217. Apply 12L Aqua Eyes Liner on lower lash line. Smudge lower lash line with #304 eyeshadow with the 214 brush, pressing into lower lashes. Finish with Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow on on the upper lash line using the 208. Apply Aqua Smoky Lash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with #5 Blush using the 129, then highlight with #153 with the 165. Apply MAC Overrich lipstick to lips, and then top with #403 Gloss for color and shine.

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Another look :) I really should be patient and space out my looks, since I don’t do my makeup everyday, but I can’t resist. I must admit, I’m terrible at holding things back, LOL! I tried false eyelashes again, and while I was able to make them work, it didn’t go quite as smoothly (nor as quickly) as the day before. I definitely need to throw this pair of 7s away, though, because one is totally shot! (By the way, still wearing Korres’ Watermelon Tinted Moisturizer in this look.)

Happy Monday! Hope your day is amazing!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Kelly Green pigment (medium green), Gorgeous Gold eyeshadow (green-cast gold), Bio-Green eyeshadow (medium green), Prussian eyeshadow (dark blue), Atlantic Blue eyeshadow (bright violet-blue), Femme-fi eyeshadow (highlighter), #7 lashes (false eyelashes), Shade fluidline (dark forest green), Urban Decay Graffiti 24/7 Liner (green), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Laura Geller Golden Apricot blush (peachy-pink), Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer (bronzy highlighter)
• Lips: Brave New Bronze lipstick (pinky nude), Tartlette lipglass (coral)
• 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; Tartlette = Lychee Luxe

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 Kelly Green pigment with water-based mixing medium on the lower lid. On the inner lid, pack Gorgeous Gold eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply Bio-Green eyeshadow to the middle and outer portions of the lid. Darken crease with Atlantic Blue eyeshadow using the 226, then deepen with Prussian eyeshadow with the 219. Sweep Femme-fi eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Urban Decay Graffiti Liner on lower lash line, and Shade fluidline on the upper lash line using the 209. Apply #7 lashes to upper lash line, then lightly apply Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Laura Geller Golden Apricot blush using the 129, then highlight with Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer with the 188. Apply Brave New Bronze lipstick to lips, and then top with Tartlette lipglass for color and shine.

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Yesterday, I was SO excited! Why? Because I applied false eyelashes for the first time to myself without it taking all day long. False eyelash application is most definitely an area where I lack expertise in (I can tell you all the tricks–I just can’t get them to work for me!), and one of the issues is I just can’t afford to spend an hour fussing with applying them. I don’t even just sit down and watch TV — I’m writing posts or taking photos or going through notes! I am just hoping maybe it’s all finally clicked for me, and I’ll be able to replicate my success next time, LOL!

I’d also like to add that in this look, I am using Korres’ Watermelon Lightweight Tinted Moisturizer SPF30 (you can expect a review later, but just for reference!). The pictures make it look a bit dewy, but I think that’s just me hot after blow-drying my hair. All in all, though, this is one of my favorite looks I’ve done lately, maybe overall, too :) Hope you like it!

& Happy Mother’s Day!! <3

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Mutiny pigment (aqua-blue), Parrot eyeshadow (blue with teal), Moon’s Reflection eyeshadow (silvery blue), Prussian eyeshadow (dark blue), Atlantic Blue eyeshadow (bright violet-blue), Femme-fi eyeshadow (highlighter), #7 lashes (false eyelashes), Blacktrack fluidline (black), Urban Decay Flipside 24/7 Liner (teal), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Enough Said blush (bronzy-orange), Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer (bronzy highlighter)
• Lips: Brave New Bronze lipstick (pinky nude), Goldyrocks dazzleglass (gold shimmer)
• 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: Mutiny = Teal + Frost; Parrot = Shimmermoss; Enough Said = bronzer; 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. With the 239, apply Mutiny pigment with water-based mixing medium on the lower lid. On the inner lid, pack Mutiny pigment on using the 239. Apply Parrot eyeshadow to the middle of the lid. Darken the outer lid using Moon’s Reflection eyeshadow using the 239. Darken crease with Atlantic Blue eyeshadow using the 226, then deepen with Prussian eyeshadow. Sweep Femme-fi eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Urban Decay Flipside Liner on lower lash line, and Blacktrack fluidline on the upper lash line using the 209. Apply #7 lashes to upper lash line, then lightly 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 Brave New Bronze lipstick to lips, and then top with Goldyrocks dazzleglass for color and shine.

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This look is from yesterday :) It’s pretty simple, and I had originally intended to wear one of Colour Ready’s bright lipsticks with it, but it definitely did *not* look good with a super bright lip. I can’t figure out why the cheeks stand out so much in pictures, because they SO didn’t in real life. I liked the way the eyes turned out, but I definitely could have paired it with different cheeks/lips to really bring it all together. Maybe next time :)

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Ricepaper eyeshadow (soft beige-neutral), Deep Truth eyeshadow (dark navy blue), Freshwater eyeshadow (medium bright blue), Eve Pearl Liquid Liner Pen (black), Givenchy Navy kohl (navy blue), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Dior Coral Riviera blush (soft coral)
• Lips: Sweetie lipstick (pink), Cult Fave lipglass (pastel pink)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Cult Fave = Cultured

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. On the lid, apply Ricepaper eyeshadow using the 239. Darken crease with Deep Truth eyeshadow using the 226, then overlay with Freshwater eyeshadow. Sweep Ricepaper eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Givenchy Navy kohl on lower lash line, Eve Pearl Liquid Liner Pen on upper lash line, and Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Dior Coral Riviera blush with the 188. Apply Sweetie lipstick to lips, and then top with Cult Fave lipglass for color and shine.

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Straight-forward bright tropical eye for today! :) I was originally going to do a BBR look, but when I tried to do something purple using Violet pigment and Top Knot/Deep Shade, it looked a hot mess! I quickly wiped it all off and started over again. My mind went blank as to what kind of look to do, so I went for this oldie!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: True Chartreuse pigment (chartreuse base), Goin’ Bananas eyeshadow (shimmery yellow), Overgrown eyeshadow (chartreuse), Wondergrass eyeshadow (medium green), Freshwater eyeshadow (medium blue), Deep Truth eyeshadow (dark blue), Femme-fi eyeshadow (neutral highlighter), Urban Decay Honey 24/7 Liner (gold), Urban Decay Graffiti 24/7 Liner (grass green), Penultimate liner (black), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: NARS Super Orgasm blush (soft peach)
• Lips: Blow Dry lipstick (sheer coral), Red Devil lipglass (red-coral)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Going Bananas = Bright Sunshine; Overgrown = Sour Lemon; Wondergrass = Bio Green; Femme-fi = Shroom; Blow Dry = Ravishing; Red Devil = Lychee Luxe

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply True Chartreuse pigment all over the lid as the base with the 249. On the inner lid, apply Going Bananas eyeshadow using the 239. Apply Overgrown eyeshadow to the middle of the lid. Darken the outer lid using Deep Truth on and drag into crease using the 239. Overlay Deep Truth with Freshwater eyeshadow using the 239. Darken crease with Deep Truth eyeshadow using the 226. Sweep Femme-fi underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Urban Decay Honey Liner on lower lash line, Urban Decay Graffiti Liner on lower water line, Penultimate liner on upper lash line, and Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with NARS Super Orgasm blush using the 129. Apply Blow Dry lipstick to lips, and then top with Red Devil lipglass for color and shine.

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