
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.

Valentine’s Day Makeup: Lady Gaga Lips & Purples
Here’s a fun look using Viva Glam Gaga!
I wanted to warm up the eyes a bit, so I opted for a mix of pinks and purples with gold eyeliner (which was where I drew a lot of the warmth from), to pair it with the cooler pink from the lipstick. Happy Thursday!
Don’t forget, Spring Colour Forecast hits stores today!
You will need the following…
- Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (neutral beige base), MAC Stacked 1! Pigment (light lilac), MAC Stars ‘n Rockets Eyeshadow (fuchsia purple), MAC Lala Eyeshadow (fuchsia pink), MAC Very Violet Eyeshadow (violet purple), MAC Black Tulip Eyeshadow (dark purple), MAC Beautiful Iris Eyeshadow (soft purple), MAC Femme-fi Eyeshadow (neutral highlighter), Urban Decay El Dorado 24/7 Liner (gold), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
- Face: Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer (Medium )
- Cheeks: MAC Azalea Blossom Blush Ombre (lilac pink)
- Lips: MAC Viva Glam Gaga Lipstick (pale blue-pink), MAC Cultureclash Lipglass (light yellow-pink)
- Brushes: 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
- Substitutes: Stacked 1! Pigment = Kitschmas; Lala = Fuchsia Pigment; Very Violet = Violet Pigment; Black Tulip = Nocturnelle (in this look); Femme-fi = Ricepaper; Azalea Blossom = Well Dressed; Viva Glam Gaga = Snob; Cultureclash = Nymphette (not the best dupe)
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 Stacked 1! light lilac pigment all over the lid area. Using the 239, apply Stars ‘n Rockets eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Lala eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Very Violet eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Lightly blend Black Tulip eyeshadow, with the 239, on the outer corner and lid. Lightly tap and brush Beautiful Iris eyeshadow directly above the inner tear duct for iridescence. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Femme-fi eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying El Dorado eyeliner on the lower lash line and sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.
For cheeks, apply Azalea Blossom blush ombre to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.
For lips, apply Viva Glam Gaga lipstick first, and then layer Cultureclash lipglass for a complementing lip.

Valentine’s Day Makeup: Neutral Eyes & Red Lips
The boy and I went out last night for our Valentine’s Day dinner (early, I know–that’s how we do it!), so I had to pull out Chanel Dragon for a little night out on the town!
Every time I wear it, I feel like I’m totally made out of awesome, LOL. I still love it to bits.
You will need the following…
- Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (neutral beige base), MAC Ricepaper Eyeshadow (soft shimmery champagne), MAC Wedge Eyeshadow (medium brown), MAC Cork Eyeshadow (medium-dark brown), MAC Mystery Eyeshadow (dark brown), Urban Decay Bourbon 24/7 Liner (brown), Chanel Exceptionnel Mascara (black)
- Face: Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation (Beige Naturel #03)
- Cheeks: Benefit Sugarbomb (peachy-pink)
- Lips: Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque (perfect red)
- 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 eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Ricepaper eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Wedge eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Cork eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Lightly blend Mystery eyeshadow, with the 226, into the outer crease. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Ricepaper eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Bourbon eyeliner on the lower lash line and sweeping lashes with Exceptionnel mascara.
For cheeks, apply Sugarbomb blush to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.
For lips, apply Dragon rouge allure laque with a lip brush for the perfect red lip.

Wherefore art thou Giulette?
I wanted to wear a brighter/bolder lip, but I was also still on my way to school, so I kept everything else very minimal/subtle and let the lips be the focus. I reviewed Giulette earlier this week, and what makes it stand out in a sea of brighter pinks is really the soft coral undertones and the golden sheen. I definitely hope to find a more affordable dupe, but I haven’t quite yet.
You will need the following…
- Eyes: Dior Extase Mascara (black)
- Face: Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer (medium)
- Cheeks: Benefit Sugarbomb (peachy-pink)
- Lips: Guerlain Giulette Lipstick (medium bright pink with coral sheen), Guerlain Crystal Pearl (#800) KissKiss Gloss (sheer iridescent pearl)
- Brushes: 116 (dense blush brush)
For eyes, lightly sweep lashes with Dior Extase Mascara. For cheeks, apply Benefit Sugarbomb to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116. For lips, apply Guerlain Giulette lipstick first, and then layer Guerlain Crystal Pearl gloss for extra glossy shine.

Valentine’s Day Makeup: It’s the New Pink
Last night, I asked the late night Twitter crowd if I should do a colorful or natural look — I was originally thinking about doing something soft and natural, but colorful was the voice of the majority, so I ran with it. I thought about it, and I decided I should do some pinks, and then I started feeling like something Barbie might wear, you know, if she was obsessed with makeup and wore color up to her brows…
Since it’s always fun try out different lips, I went with two extremes: hot fuchsia pink and cool-toned pink-purple. I think what you pair it with, lips-wise, is really something that’s about what you feel comfortable in and if it’s appropriate for the occasion. I’d totally wear the hot pink lips out at night — don’t care if it doesn’t follow makeup rules! To tone it down, go for something in-between — light enough so it doesn’t compete with the eyes, but not so light that it washes you out. My go-to for a look like this is Sweetie lipstick topped with Luminary lustreglass, but I wasn’t trying to be subtle with this look, so there ya go. Best part about makeup? It’s fun! Second best part? It washes off
I’m pretty sure I totally rocked this kind of look one Valentine’s Day, so let’s go with that. I’m almost positive I did the ultra bright, ultra fuchsia, and totally unforgiving hot pink lip on a Valentine’s Day, at least. You could totally put some awesome false lashes on for even more dramatic eye, too!
You will need the following…
- Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (neutral beige base), (opalescent white-pink), MAC Pink Opal PigmentMAC Seedy Pearl Eyeshadow (pinky-white), MAC Stars ‘n Rockets Eyeshadow (fuchsia-purple), MAC Fig. 1 Eyeshadow (eggplant), MAC Passionate Eyeshadow (medium-deep pink), MAC Penultimate Eyeliner (black), Urban Decay Lust 24/7 Liner (purple), Chanel Exceptionnel Mascara (black)
- Cheeks: Benefit Sugarbomb Powder (peachy-pink) / Illamasqua Kate Blush (cool-toned pink)
- Lips: MAC Show Orchid Lipstick (PRO) (fuchsia-purple), MAC Luminary Lustreglass (opalescent) / MAC Saint Germain Lipstick (cool-toned pink-purple), MAC Luminary Lustreglass (opalescent)
- 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: Saint Germain = Snob
For eyes, start by applying Soft Ochre paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the lid with the 249. Put one or two drops of water-based mixing medium (or water) on your 239, and then apply Pink Opal pigment on the lid, going just above the crease. Using the 239, apply Seedy Pearl eyeshadow on the lower lid. Next, apply Stars ‘n Rockets eyeshadow on the outer third of the eyelid and lightly blend with crease. Darken the outer third of the lid with Passionate eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Next, define the crease by applying Fig. 1 eyeshadow with the 226. Lightly tap and brush Seedy Pearl eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Seedy Pearl eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Lust Liner on the lower lash line and Penultimate eyeliner on the upper lash line, and then sweeping lashes with Exceptionnel mascara.
For cheeks, apply Benefit Sugarbomb to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116 for a warmer cheek; try Illamasqua Kate for a cooler pink cheek.
For lips, apply Show Orchid lipstick first, and then layer Luminary lustreglass for a bolder lip look. For a paler lip look, try Saint Germain lipstick as a base, and then top with Luminary lustreglass.


The Scarlet Season: Korres #55 Red Guava Lipstick
Korres’ Guava Lipstick is an amazing formula, albeit pricier than I feel it should be, and the red shade is a really fabulous starter-red. You know, like you’re not quite sure you’re ready for a full-stop red, so you need to work your way towards it… that’s what this shade is for. #55 Red is a soft, semi-opaque red with just a hint of pink. It’s not too bright, nor does it run orange or blue, so it’s very wearable. The formula itself is incredibly hydrating, so it even wears well and leaves lips feeling soft at the end of the day.
The Scarlet Season is a series of posts showcasing and featuring my favorite shades of red lips–from glosses to lipsticks that runs through December 2009. You can sure expect to see a lot of red this holiday season!