Challenge: Wear Colors You’re Afraid Of
I’m actually not technically, technically afraid of any color, but I don’t usually reach for red eyeshadows because I don’t think they work well with me and take more effort than I usually can handle to work. I’ve had the best success combining it with golds and oranges for a sunset-like eye. I remember the first time I ever wore a pinky-red eyeshadow; my mom saw me not a minute after I had finished the look and asked if something was wrong and if I had been crying.
Is there a color you’re “afraid” of? Maybe you can’t find a way to make it work or you really don’t think you can pull it off…
While I don’t think I look like I spent the past hour crying my eyes out, I didn’t love how it came out–the purple I picked for the lid color was too dark, and I think I’d opt for something with some shimmer to open up the eyes more (which is why I ended up adding a shimmery mauve to the inner tear duct area–there was just too much darkness on my eyes). So, I’m still working on finding a way to wear red eyeshadow that’s not just gold/orange/red (because that combo I can do!). I almost, almost tried green with Christmas just around the corner but held myself back! 
You will need the following…
- Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (eyeshadow primer), Inglot #325 Eyeshadow (eggplant purple), Inglot #382 Eyeshadow (red), Inglot #450 Eyeshadow (cranberry), Inglot #420 Eyeshadow (mauve), Inglot #353 Eyeshadow (beige), Make Up For Ever #7 Aqua Liner (purple), Tarina Tarantino Glitter Mist Eyelicity Glitter Eyeliner (iridescent glitter), Hourglass Film Noir Mascara (black), Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash Mascara (black)
- Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (130), Le Metier de Beaute Coral Nymph Cream Blush (peach-coral), Guerlain Les Voilettes Mineral Powder (03)
- Lips: Giorgio Armani #602 Gloss d’Armani (semi-sheer plum)
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 #450, and I used a fluffy crease brush to lay down the crease color to help provide a good blended background for the intense red I planned to use. Next, I applied Inglot #325 onto the lid with a small eyeshadow brush. With a firm, domed crease brush, I applied Inglot #382 into the crease and blended just slightly outwards so the red would also peek through with my eyes open. Using a large eyeshadow brush, I softened the crease color with Inglot #353 and applied it to the brow bone. To lighten the look, I applied Inglot #420 on the inner tear duct with a fluffy angled brush. On the lower lash line, I first applied Make Up For Ever #7 and layered Tarina Tarantino Glitter Mist on top. Finally, I applied a coat of Bare Escentuals Buxom to lengthen lashes and then thickened with Hourglass Film Noir.
For face, I applied Make Up For Ever HD with a circular foundation brush. I blended Le Metier de Beaute Coral Nymph onto cheeks with fingertips and set with Guerlain Les Voilettes. For lips, I applied Giorgio Armani #602.
Look: Dreamy Warm Golds & Bronzes
This is the look I came up with using Tarina Tarantino’s Dreamy Eyeshadow Palette, which is really warm-toned. The quality is excellent, and even though the shades are standard fare, they’re still well-done.
You will need the following…
For eyes, I skipped eyeshadow primer (for testing purposes), but if you prefer or need primer, lay it down prior to the eyeshadow. I applied peach-beige (center) eyeshadow on the entire lower lid with the 239, and then I gently patted the copper (top) eyeshadow on the outer third of the lid with another 239. I swept the bronzy brown (right) eyeshadow into and above the crease with the 222 and deepened the crease with the deep brown (bottom) eyeshadow in the crease with the 231. I highlighted the brow bone with the white gold (left) eyeshadow with the 217. On the lower lash line, I used Bronze eyeliner. I used one coat of Film Noir mascara on top and bottom lashes.
For face, apply Pro Lumiere all over face with the 109. Add color to the cheeks by gently dusting Exposed near apples and blended out towards temples with the 116. Set with Translucent 1 using the 134. For lips, apply La Somptueuse onto lips.
Look: Subtle Green Eyes
This was my attempt to use the new Giorgio Armani palette along with Illamasqua’s Beguile pigment (it really started because of Beguile, though).
You will need the following…
- Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Primer (primer), Illamasqua Beguile Pure Pigment (iridescent glitter), Giorgio Armani #1 Jacquard Eyeshadow Palette (light green, dark green, beige), Illamasqua Havoc Precision Ink Liner (burgundy), shu uemura Glitter Mascara (glitter), Hourglass Film Noir Mascara
- Face: Make Up For Ever Lift Foundation, Guerlain Les Violettes Mineral Powder (03), shu uemura Rouge Luster Lustrous Glow Powder (shimmering pink)
- Lips: shu uemura Rouge Luster Rouge Unlimited (shimmery beige-rose)
For eyes, start by laying down your eyeshadow primer all over the lid and until the brow. Apply Beguile eyeshadow on the lid with the 239 (dampened with mixing medium). In the crease, gently brush the lighter green eyeshadow with the 222 and diffuse above the crease. Apply the darker green eyeshadow in the inner crease with the 239. Use Havoc eyeliner on the lower lash line and layer Beguile on top. Finish lashes with Film Noir mascara and one coat of Glitter mascara.
For face, apply Lift all over face with the 193. Add color to the cheeks by gently dusting Rouge Luster near apples and blended out towards temples with the 116. Set with Les Violettes with the 134.
For lips, apply Rouge Luster onto lips.
Look: Neutral Eyes + Vampy Lip
And the third look I did to test out MAC’s new Pro Longwear eyeshadows! 
I don’t know what’s going on this week, but I’m already exhausted! Can you believe it’s already Wednesday?
You will need the following…
For eyes, start by laying down your eyeshadow primer all over the lid and until the brow. Apply Carefree eyeshadow on the lower two-thirds of the lid with the 239. In the crease, gently brush Legendary Black eyeshadow with the 222 and diffuse above the crease. Apply Make Your Mark eyeshadow in the outer corner and lid to add warmth with the 239. Use Black Black eyeliner on the lower lash lin, then soften with Carefree eyeshadow. Finish lashes with Film Noir mascara.
For face, apply Matchmaster all over face with the 193. Add color to the cheeks by gently dusting Natural blush near apples and blended out towards temples with the 116. Lightly dust on illuminator with the 165 or 188 on cheek bones. Set with Les Violettes with the 134.
For lips, apply Soulfully Rich onto lips.
Look: Warm Green & Brown
This was the second look I tried to test drive MAC’s new long-wearing eyeshadows! I don’t know if I’ve paired green (without being brownish or olive) with browns – it’s a very earthy combo! Hope you’re having a fabulous day!
You will need the following…
- Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Primer (primer), MAC Fresh Flare Eyeshadow (green), MAC Keep Your Cool Eyeshadow (grayish brown), MAC Lie Low Eyeshadow (medium-dark brown), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (highlighter), Urban Decay Lucky 24/7 Eyeliner (copper), Hourglass Film Noir Mascara
- Face: MAC Matchmaster Foundation (03), Korres #15 Natural Blush (nude brown), Guerlain Les Violettes Mineral Powder (03), Guerlain Parure de Nuit Pressed Powder & Blush (illuminator)
- Lips: MAC To the Future! Pro Longwear Lipcreme (nude), MAC Show Me! Pro Longwear Lipglass (peach brown)
For eyes, start by laying down your eyeshadow primer all over the lid and until the brow. Apply Fresh Flare eyeshadow on the lower two-thirds of the lid with the 239. In the crease, gently brush Keep Your Cool eyeshadow with the 222 and diffuse above the crease. Apply Lie Low eyeshadow in the crease to add warmth with the 239. Use Lucky eyeliner on the lower lash lin, then soften with Lie Low eyeshadow. Finish lashes with Film Noir mascara.
For face, apply Matchmaster all over face with the 193. Add color to the cheeks by gently dusting Natural blush near apples and blended out towards temples with the 116. Lightly dust on illuminator with the 165 or 188 on cheek bones. Set with Les Violettes with the 134.
For lips, apply To the Future onto lips and then layer over Show Me.
Look: Orange & Browns
This was the first look I did to test drive MAC’s new long-wearing eyeshadows.
You will need the following…
For eyes, start by laying down your eyeshadow primer all over the lid and until the brow. Apply One to Watch eyeshadow on the lower two-thirds of the lid with the 239. In the crease, gently brush Hot Paprika eyeshadow with the 222. Above the crease, apply Lie Low eyeshadow and diffuse upwards.
For face, apply Matchmaster all over face with the 193. Lightly dust on illuminator with the 165 or 188 on cheek bones. Set with Les Violettes with the 134.
For lips, apply Driven by Love onto lips.
