How-to: Merry Makeup

This is my look for Christmas Eve  It is definitely similar to what I normally opt for over Christmas!  This year, I decided to use green eyeliner rather than green eyeshadow.  You could add glitter over the lid for added sparkle, too.

Eyes: Begin by using a fluffy crease brush (I used MUFE #17S) and apply a red-burgundy eyeshadow (I used Inglot #450 Eyeshadow) into the crease and blending towards the outer corner as well. Next, apply a honey gold eyeshadow (I used Inglot #430 Eyeshadow) with a firm eyeshadow brush (I used MAC 239) on the outer two-thirds of the lid. Apply a soft, warm orange eyeshadow (I used Inglot #403 Eyeshadow) on the inner third of the lid. To highlight the brow bone, apply a shimmery beige/white eyeshadow (I used Inglot #395 Eyeshadow) just underneath the brow bone, then pat a matte beige eyeshadow (I used Burberry Trench) between the crease color and the brow highlight to soften the shimmer finish. Finally, line the lower lash line with a deep green/teal (I used MAC Junkie), and then apply a liquid gold eyeliner (I used Urban Decay Eldorado) to brighten and add sparkle.

Face: Prep face by moisturizing, then applying any face primers (I used Eve Pearl’s Moisturizing Primer). I applied a few drops and dabs of liquid foundation (I used Giorgio Armani Maestro) and blend out using a dense foundation brush (I used Hourglass’ Foundation Brush). Next, apply a natural blusher, which will depend on your complexion, with either brown or plum tones (I used Kevyn Aucoin Natura) with a soft blush brush (I used Bobbi Brown’s Blush Brush). Finish the look by setting with pressed or loose powder (I used Guerlain Wulong) with a large, bluffy brush (I used MAC 138).

Lips: Prep lips by keeping them hydrated prior to applying lip color–I usually have lip balm on whenever I’m not wearing a lip color, but if you don’t usually do this, try applying a lip balm 20 minutes prior (or more), then lightly blot off right before you apply your lip color. Apply a berry-red lipstick (I used Guerlain Gigolo) onto lips, and then lightly pat a shimmering gold gloss (I used Bobbi Brown Canary) on top for sparkle and shine.

One more photo of the whole kit ‘n’ caboodle look… 

Sam, 14, Georgia | Sam is 14-years old, lives near Atlanta, Georgia with her mom and two (of three!) older brothers. She was born and raised in Georgia, but her family originally hailed from Illinois. You will find her busy meeting new people and enjoying teen soap operas/dramas (like Vampire Diaries)–and of course, she’s madly in love with all things beauty. When she’s not playing around with makeup, you’ll find her with headphones on listening to everything; from classical to rap, pop to heavy metal, and almost everything in between (though she favors rock!).

Halloween Makeup: Leopard

Halloween Makeup Tutorial:  Leopard

I have a quick Halloween makeup tutorial for you, and I promise it’s easier than it sounds. This was my first time doing Halloween makeup! My cousin, Nicole, was crazy enough to let me experiment with my makeup on her, so she will be modeling for us today.

What You Will Need:

• Your Foundation/Skin Toned Eyeshadow
• Matte Light Brown Eyeshadow (Urban Decay’s Naked, from the Naked Palette)
• Matte Medium Brown Eyeshadow (Buck, also from the Naked Palette)
• Matte Light Taupe Eyeshadow (Velvet Revolver by Too Faced)
• Satin Grey/Brown Eyeshadow (NYX Charcoal Brown)
• Matte Black Eyeshadow (NYX Black)
• Black Eyeliner Pen (NYX Super Skinny Eye Marker)
• Creamy Brown Eyeliner Pencil (NYX Brown Slim Eye Pencil)
• Warm Light Brown Lip Liner (NYX Nutmeg Slim Lip Pencil)
• Beige/Brown Lipstick (NYX Tea Round Lipstick)

These are just the colors that worked for Nicole and her skin tone. You can use whatever works best for you!

Get the step-by-step guide & see more photos! 

Prior to her arrival, Nicole had already applied her concealer and foundation. I focused on the eyes first, but you can apply this in whatever sequence you like. I started off with an eyeshadow base, then applied Naked with a paddle brush. It’s just barely darker than Nicole’s skin tone, so again, use whatever works. After, I simply applied Velvet Revolver in the crease with an angled blending brush, winging the shape out slightly.

For the eyeliner, I first traced the shape with the black eyeshadow and an angled liner brush. At the end of her eye, I followed the curl of her lashes for the wing. In the inner corner, I followed the shape of her tear duct and contour of her nose. Take your time on this part, because the eyeliner makes all the difference! Just to make the lines look sharper, I then went over it with the eyeliner pen. Add a few coats of you’re favorite mascara and the eyes are finished!

For the spots, I mixed Buck and Naked together and applied generously. The larger spots were placed with the angled blending brush, and the smaller spots were placed with a dense smudging brush or pencil brush. On a leopard, the spots normally decrease in size as they reach the center of the face. And they don’t have to be shaped into perfect circles, so don’t worry if they aren’t exactly what you envisioned!

After you’re finished applying the base of the spots and it looks like you have broke out into a terrible rash, you’ll want to trace each spot with the eyeliner pen. Make shapes and Cs around the spots at random–just go with it! It turns out best that way. Once I was finished with the black eyeliner, I found that I wanted more definition. To do this, I used the brown eyeliner pencil and traced areas on both the inside and outside of the black circles.  Next, set it with the shimmery grey/brown eyeshadow. Now you have a leopard print on your face!

For the nose, I went straight across the top and followed the shape of Nicole’s nostrils with the black eyeshadow; have each side of your nose dip down and make a point in the cleft of your upper lip. After, fill in with the eyeliner pen for sharper edges and add some dots along your upper lip for the whisker roots. Lastly, line your lips to make the lip color last longer and apply a nude-ish/brown lipstick.

That completes the leopard look! I hope you enjoyed it and everyone has a safe and fun Halloween!

Halloween Makeup: Leopard

Halloween Makeup: Leopard

Halloween Makeup: Leopard

Makeup Tutorial: MAC Alice + Olivia Look

Here’s the tutorial on how to achieve this smoky look!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), MAC Later Pigment (dark blue-violet), MAC Blue My Mind Mineralize Eyeshadow Trio (sky blue), MAC Blue My Mind Mineralize Eyeshadow Trio (blue-teal), MAC Togetherness Mineralize Eyeshadow Trio (violet), MAC Togetherness Mineralize Eyeshadow Trio (lilac), MAC Brule Eyeshadow (highlighter), Make Up For Ever #11L Aqua Eyes (violet), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (translucent)
• Cheeks: MAC Hang Loose Mineralize Blush Duo (soft pink)
• Lips: MAC All Styled Up Lipstick (pinky lilac), MAC Going Casual Cremesheen Glass (sheer lilac pink)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Later = Violet + Dark Soul; Blue My Mind = Sky Blue (sky blue), Tilt (blue-teal); Togetherness = Digit (lilac), Violet pigment (violet); Hang Loose = Well-Dressed; All Styled Up = Snob; Going Casual = Luminary
  

Makeup Tutorial: MAC In the Groove Purple Look

Here’s the tutorial on how to achieve this bold look!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), MAC Togetherness Mineralize Eyeshadow Trio (lilac), MAC Fresh & Easy Mineralize Eyeshadow Trio (pink), MAC Togetherness Mineralize Eyeshadow Trio (gray), MAC Togetherness Mineralize Eyeshadow Trio (violet), MAC Brule Eyeshadow (highlighter), Make Up For Ever #11L Aqua Eyes (violet), MAC Haute & Naughty Lash (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (translucent)
• Cheeks: MAC Band of Roses Mineralize Blush Duo (raspberry), MAC By Candlelight Mineralize Skinfinish (pinky highlighter)
• Lips: MAC I Like It Like That Lipstick (pinky lilac), MAC On the Scene Cremesheen Glass (sheer peach)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Togetherness = Digit (lilac), Print (gray), Violet pigment (violet); Fresh & Easy = Pink Freeze (pink); Band of Roses = Dollymix; By Candlelight = Dior Rose Diamond; I Like It Like That = Snob; On the Scene = Big Baby
  

Makeup Tutorial: Bold Blue Look

Here’s the tutorial on how to achieve this bold look!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), MAC Clear Sky Blue Pigment (matte sky blue), Urban Decay Aquarius Eyeshadow (aqua), Urban Decay Dashiki Eyeshadow (medium blue), MAC Atlantic Blue Eyeshadow (matte violet-hued blue), MAC Brule Eyeshadow (highlighter), Urban Decay Deviant 24/7 Liner (medium dark blue), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (translucent)
• Cheeks: Benefit Sugarbomb Blush (peachy pink)
• Lips: Chanel Chintz Rouge Coco Lipstick (peach-nude), Chanel Petite Peche Glossimer (peach)
• Brushes: 242 (fluffy flat brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes:

Makeup Tutorial: Dirty, Dirty, Smoky, Smoky Rich

Here’s a quick tutorial on how to achieve this Chanel look!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad (rosy pink), Chanel Vert Khaki Eyeshadow (dark olive green), Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad (dark burgundy-plum), MAC Grain Eyeshadow (highlighter), Chanel Cassis Eyeliner (plum), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (translucent)
• Cheeks: Chanel Pink Explosion Blush (brightened pink)
• Lips: Chanel Chintz Rouge Coco Lipstick (peach with pink), Chanel Petite Peche Glossimer (peach)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush)