Brown

Summer Makeup: Molten Lava Goes To the Beach, v. 2

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

Summer Makeup: Molten Lava Goes To the Beach, v. 2

I had a few tutorial requests for a coppery look I did last week, so I decided to modify it a bit so it used only permanent products on the eyes rather than limited edition ones.  This is the modified version, and the tutorial should be up on YouTube shortly :)   I layered Free to Be and Coppering to get pretty close to Firecracker–though you could certainly use one or the other and still get something quite pretty out of it!  I was also all out of the NARS base I had used in the original look, so I used UDPP instead.

By the by, theBalm will be featured on MTV’s Hired tomorrow at 6:30pm!  I’m kind of excited, because it would be fun to see the inner-workings of a beauty brand.  theBalm will be looking at three final applicants to fill the role of their office assistant.

You will need the following…

For eyes, start by applying Primer Potion as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Free Love eyeshadow on the inner half of the lid and blend upwards into the tearduct. Lightly blend Free to Be eyeshadow on the middle of the lid with the 239, then layer Coppering eyeshadow on top to darken. With the 239, apply Amber Lights eyeshadow into the lower crease and then blended towards the outer corner and lid.Next, apply Bronze eyeshadow into the crease with the 226, lightly blending outwards and upwards to fade to the brow bone.  Blend Nylon eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Lucky eyeliner on the lower lash line and Black Black pencil on the lower waterline. Line the upper lash line with Rich Ground fluidline applied with the 208; then pat Goldmine eyeshadow on top to lighten. Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Get-Away Bronze blush on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Thrills lipstick first, and then layer Flurry of Fun lipglass for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos! Continue reading →

Summer Makeup: Molten Lava Goes To the Beach

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Summer Makeup: Molten Lava Goes To the Beach

Happy Thursday, everyone! :) I hope everyone’s been having a fantastic week — almost to the weekend (a long one, if you’re in the U.S., too!).  I totally went to my comfort zone with this look — metallic, bronzy, coppery shades.  I can’t remember if I’ve done a look like this recently, but I don’t think I’ve done it usually mostly permanent eyeshadows!  I snuck some To the Beach products in there, in honor of the official launch.

You will need the following…

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Free Love eyeshadow on the inner half of the lid, then lightly layer with Goldmine eyeshadow and blend upwards into the tearduct. Lightly blend Firecracker eyeshadow on the outer half of the lid with the 239. Next, apply Bronze eyeshadow into the crease with the 226, lightly blending outwards and upwards to fade to the brow bone. With the 239, apply Amber Lights eyeshadow into the lower crease and then blended towards the outer corner and lid. Blend Nylon eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Lucky eyeliner on the lower lash line and Black Black pencil on the lower waterline.  Line the upper lash line with Rich Ground fluidline applied with the 208; then pat Goldmine eyeshadow on top to lighten.  Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Get-Away Bronze blush on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Thrills lipstick first, and then layer Easy Lounger lipglass for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos! Continue reading →

MAC To the Beach Look: Clarins + Neon Orange

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

MAC To the Beach Look: Clarins + Neon Orange

This is the look I ended up wearing to attend my local MAC’s To the Beach event.  I had originally planned to do something bolder and brighter on the eyes, but I ran out of time, so I just went with the look I started the day with!

I’m happy to say I snagged the one item that really had me smile — the MAC To the Beach Bag ($49.95).  It’s huge and cute and the perfect beach bag.  It makes me want to go to the beach ASAP!  Some photos of its loveliness and size comparisons included in this post! :)

You will need the following…

For eyes, start by applying Stay Don’t Stray as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. With the 239, apply the light peach eyeshadow on the inner half of the lid. Next, apply the medium brown eyeshadow on the outer half of the lid, softly into the crease. To define the crease, apply the dark chocolate brown eyeshadow with the 226. Blend the lightest shade above the crease and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying the dark brown eyeliner on the lower lash line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Opulash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Marine Life high light powder to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Temperature Rising lip pencil first, and then layer Easy Lounger lipglass for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos! Continue reading →

Softly Smoky: Drama, but Not Too Much

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Softly Smoky: Drama, but Not Too Much

Quickie look I did before I took my midterm to test out the wear of some new products I’m trying out! :) I will say I refuse to use Urban Decay’s Maui Wowie eyeshadow again. I’m through with it! It is fallout city, and even when I use it with a sticky base, it refuses to cooperate. Such a pretty shade, so it’s a shame, but no thank you!

You will need the following…

For eyes, start by applying Lemon Sugar eyeshadow as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Maui Wowie eyeshadow all over the lid. Next, apply Concrete eyeshadow into the outer crease and lid with th 226. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Ricepaper eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Velvet Black eyeliner on the lower lash line and NC15/NW20 pencil lightly patted below the lower lash line and smudged with the 219 brush. Finish by sweeping lashes with Opulash mascara.

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

For lips, apply T3 lipstick first, and then layer #10 lipgloss for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos! Continue reading →

Softer Makeup: Going Coral — Once More, With Feeling!

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

Softer Makeup:  Going Coral — Once More, With Feeling!

Just a quickie look here… something neutral so I could do some lip swatches! Ironically, this combination of eyeshadows recreates the look I did last week in a way–it’s subtler, softer, but the strength of Coral Crepe really seems to keep everything in the same family.

Note: I’m also testing out Laura Mercier’s Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer, but the shade is one too dark for me (it’s Almond, for reference, which I think is suitable for NC30/NC35)–I mention this because you can tell I’m just a little “bronzed” in the photos. I’ll be trying Sand, which should be a better fit, soon, but for now, I’m just wearing it for feel/texture, even if the shade doesn’t match!

You will need the following…

For eyes, start by applying Coral Crepe paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the lid area with the 249, andn then apply Soft Ochre paint pot from crease to brow. Using the 239, apply #1 eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply #114 eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with #111 eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Lightly blend #111 eyeshadow, with the 239, on the outer corner and lid. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Femme-fi eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Mirage khol on the lower water line and NC15/NW20 pencil lightly patted below the lower lash line and smudged with the 219 brush. Finish by sweeping lashes with Opulash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Enchanted cream blush on cheeks as a base, and then layer Golden Sand bronzer to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Kraft lipstick first, and then layer Fold and Tuck lipglass for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos! Continue reading →

Pret-a-Papier Look: Coral Crepe as a Base

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Pret-a-Papier Look: Coral Crepe as a Base

I wore this look to photograph lip swatches from Pret-a-Papier yesterday, but here it is in detail :)   By the by, I prefer the lighter Chromagraphic Pencil on my waterline — the darker one is a bit too subdued and runs a little yellowish on me.

You will need the following…

For eyes, start by applying Coral Crepe paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the lid area with the 249, then apply Soft Ochre paint pot as an eyeshadow base from the crease to the brow. Using the 239, apply Tissue Weight eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Bamboo eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Cut to Fit eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Lightly blend Cut to Fit eyeshadow, with the 239, on the outer corner and lid. Lightly tap and brush Bamboo eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Ricepaper eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Almost Noir eyeliner on the lower lash line and NC15/NW20 chromagraphic pencil on the lower waterline. Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

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

For lips, apply Made to Order lipstick first, and then layer Fold and Tuck lipglass for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos! Continue reading →