Look: Chanel Spring 2012

Had a lot of you asking about what was on my eyes/cheeks/lips throughout recent Chanel posts, so I figured maybe I should post the look in full so it’s easy to find  It’s super easy and takes about five minutes or less!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (eyeshadow primer), Chanel Eclosion Eyeshadow Quad (beige, dark beige, burgundy), Chanel Grenat Stylo Yeux (burgundy), Hourglass Film Noir Mascara (black)
• Face: Chanel Perfection Lumiere (30), Guerlain Les Voilettes Mineral Powder (03), Chanel Blush Horizon de Chanel (pale pink)
• Lips: Chanel Flirt Rouge Coco Shine (pink-coral)

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.  First, I applied the lightest beige shade from the quad all over the lid with a fluffy eyeshadow brush.  I used a slightly stiffer brush to apply the darker beige shade to the outer third of the lid (which really doesn’t add a lot; you could skip it).  With a fluffy crease brush, I applied the burgundy shade and diffused it upwards.  To highlight the brow bone, I used the lightest beige shade against with a fluffy blending brush.  On the lower lash line, I applied Chanel Grenat.  Finally, I applied a coat of Hourglass Film Noir to lengthen and thicken lashes.

For face, I applied Chanel Perfection Lumiere with a circular foundation brush.  I blended Chanel Blush Horizon de Chanel onto cheeks with a dense blush brush and set with Guerlain Les Voilettes.  For lips, I applied Chanel Flirt.

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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.

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Bright Purples with Make Up For Ever by Nicholas Lujan

While I was in Las Vegas last week, there was one mission I KNEW I had to accomplish: visit the (relatively) newly opened Make Up For Ever Boutique in Sephora at the Venetian. I’ve never been to Make Up For Ever’s flagship boutique in NYC, and their range is more extensive than what you normally find at Sephora, so I really wanted to see what else they had! I popped by on Tuesday afternoon and met with the oh-so-fabulous Nicholas Lujan. He was absolutely phenomenal–so knowledgeable but even more? infinitely passionate about all things makeup and Make Up For Ever.

Over the years, I’ve found myself getting less and less “makeovers” by artists at counters because I recognize more now than I did before that for many, those are just jobs (and retail ones at that)–which is OK but we, as beauty aficiandos, have to understand that. Too often there is a lack of emphasis on artistry and technique, and instead, artists (even those who would love to teach and show more) are compelled to push product. If you’re lucky, you’ll find and connect with the artists that are passionate about their job and makeup, and then you can learn so much from them.

Make Up For Ever is ALL about artistry. Lujan (along with the others who work at the Las Vegas boutique) were trained in a one-month long makeup “bootcamp” and had hands-on training with Dany Sanz herself (founder of the brand). It’s easy to tell when someone is passionate about what they do, because you can hear it in their voice.  He knew the brand’s history, products’ history and development, and most importantly, he knew how to use everything.

I recommend visiting the boutique if you get the chance, and if you have some time, book a session with one of the artists working that day. They have shorter sessions (30 minutes or so, approximately $50 redeemable in product) and longer sessions (60 minutes or so, approximately $120 redeemable in product)–and it’s not hard to spend either amount on their products. My session was complimentary, as I came as press, but I could not leave without purchasing their Liquid Lift Foundation–I was willing to find a way to cram it into my quart-sized liquids’ bag!

The look you see in this post was created by the talented Lujan–I wanted to give him freedom to do something he thought would look good and work for me. Surprisingly, the black liner on the upper lash line was not as irritating as liner typically is, so I’ll be testing that out myself over the next few weeks.  He called this his “spotlight” look, because of the brightness popped onto the center of the lid.  Lujan also told me that my eyes are set far enough apart that I can get away with wearing dark eyeshadows on both the inner and outer creases/corners.  He also told me to go nuts with the lower lash line, because it works well with my eye shape!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Make Up For Ever #2 Aqua Cream (steel), Make Up For Ever Eye Seal, Make Up For Ever #116 Eyeshadow (lilac), Make Up For Ever #92 Eyeshadow (vibrant purple), Make Up For Ever #940 Star Powder (white iridescence), Make Up For Ever #1 Diamond Powder (white), Make Up For Ever Aqua Black Eyeliner (black), Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash (black)
• Face:  Make Up For Ever Liquid Lift (02), Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (170), Make Up For Ever Velvet Finish (01)
• Cheeks:  Make Up For Ever #6 HD Blush (coral-orange), Make Up For Ever #5 Eyeshadow (orange)
• Lips:  Make Up For Ever #1C Aqua Lip Liner (beige-brown), Make Up For Ever #23 Rouge Artist Lipstick (nude), Make Up For Ever #16 Lab Shine Lipgloss (sheer beige)

For eyes, Lujan applied #2 Aqua Cream with Eye Seal using the 6N brush. He then applied #116 eyeshadow in the creased with the 17S brush. He applied #92 eyeshadow in the corners with the 14S brush. He patted #940 Star Powder underneath the arch and the inner corner. He then mixed #940 Star Powder with #1 Diamond Powder onto the center of the lid. He lined the upper lash line with Aqua Black eyeliner. The eyes were finished with Aqua Smoky Lash on lashes.

For cheeks, he applied #6 HD Blush onto cheeks with #5 eyeshadow used as a highlight. Lujan contoured with #170 HD Foundation and set with #1 Velvet Finish.

For lips, he used #1C Aqua Lip Liner to line lips, and then applied #23 Rouge Artist Lipstick for a nude lip. He topped the lips with #16 Lab Shine Lip Gloss for shine and shimmer.

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Soft Neutral Eyes with NYC

I actually wore this look a few days ago, but then with Chanel’s summer collection debuting, I decided to hold off on it.   Reviews to come for several products featured in this look

You will need the following…

• Eyes:  NYC Union Square Eyeshadow Palette (eyeshadow base, beige, dark purple, soft brown), Urban Decay Underground 24/7 Liner (brown), Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash Mascara (black)
• Face: Ellis Faas SkinVeil (S104), Guerlain Les Violettes Mineral Powder (03)
• Cheeks: Benefit Cha Cha Tint (sheer orange-coral)
• Lips: MAC Viva Glam VI Lipstick (plum brown)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 222 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pencil brush), 188 (small, circular stippling brush)

For eyes, start by applying NYC’s eyeshadow base as your eyeshadow base all over the eye with the 249.  Apply the beige eyeshadow to the entire lid with the 239.  Then lightly tap the soft brown eyeshadow into the crease with the 222.  Next, define the crease with the dark purple eyeshadow using the 219.  Highlight the brow bone with the beige eyeshadow with the 217.  Apply Underground liner on the lower lash line.  Finish by sweeping lashes with Buxom Lash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Cha Cha on the apples of the cheeks and sweep towards the temple with the 188.

For lips, apply Viva Glam VI lipstick for a complementing lip.

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Wet ‘n’ Wild Petal Pusher Look

This is a look I did to test out several products I hope to review (some I’ve reviewed at this point, some I haven’t).

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), Wet ‘n’ Wild Petal Pusher Eyeshadow Palette (lilac, copper rose, burgundy brown), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (highlighter), Urban Decay Perversion 24/7 Liner (black), Illamasqua Glisten Eyeliner (champagne), Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara (black)
• Face: NYX HD Studio Foundation (04 Sand Beige), Guerlain Les Violettes Mineral Powder (03)
• Cheeks: NYX Menage a Toris HD Grinding Blush (tangerine coral)
• Lips: NARS Frivolous Velvet Gloss Pencil (sheer pink)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 222 (fluffy crease brush), 263 (angled eyeliner brush), 116 (dense blush brush)

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249.  Apply the lilac eyeshadow to the lower half of the lid with the 239.   Next, apply the copper rose eyeshadow to the upper half of the lid and crease with the 217.  Then, apply the burgundy brown eyeshadow into the crease and blend upward with the 219.  Use Trench eyeshadow to highlight the brow bone and diffuse the crease color with the 217.  Apply Perversion liner on the lower water line and Glisten liner on the lower lash line.  Finish by sweeping lashes with Inimitable Intense mascara.

For cheeks, apply Menage a Trois blush on the apples of the cheeks and pat towards the temple with fingers.

For lips, apply Frivolous pencil for a complementing lip.

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Spring Purples with Lancome Amethyst Glam

I wanted to see how this palette performed before reviewing it, so I did this quick look!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), Lancome Amethyst Glam Eyeshadow Palette (pale white-pink, lilac purple, gray purple, soft lilac, blue violet), Hourglass Dune Eyeshadow Duo (champagne), Urban Decay Asphyxia 24/7 Liner (iridescent fuchsia), Urban Decay Perversion 24/7 Liner (black), Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash (black)
• Face: Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer (Medium), Burberry Pressed Powder (03)
• Cheeks: Hourglass Flush Aura Sheer Cheek Stain (pinky-red)
• Lips: Bobbi Brown Bikini Pink Rich Color Lipstick (light pink)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 222 (fluffy crease brush), 263 (angled eyeliner brush), 116 (dense blush brush)

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249.  Apply the pale white-pink eyeshadow to the inner half of the lid and tearduct with the 239.  Next, apply the soft lilac eyeshadow to the outer half of the lid with the 239.  Using the 222, apply the lilac purple eyeshadow to the crease and blend towards the inner crease.  Highlight the brow bone with Dune eyeshadow with the 239.  Apply Asphyxia liner on the lower lash line, and then apply Perversion liner on the lower water line.  Finish by sweeping lashes with Buxom Lash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Flush cheek stain on the apples of the cheeks and pat towards the temple with fingers.

For lips, apply Bikini Pink lipstick for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!