Holiday Makeup: Office Party Neutrals

Date: December 11, 2009 - Posted in: Brown, Looks, Neutral

So here’s a tip about using all matte eyeshadows (or matte products in general): make sure you’re exfoliated and well-moisturized. My eyelids were a touch dry on the inner lid, and the mattes really enhanced that dryness. The same thing is true if you have drier skin and opt for a matte finish foundation; it doesn’t always go so well! Winter is being particularly brutal to my skin lately, but I imagine that has more to do with the fact that we’ve seen some below 50 temperatures here in California (hey, WE freeze at 50 degrees here!).

Happy Friday!

You will need the following…

  • Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Blanc Type eyeshadow (matte white-beige), Malt eyeshadow (pinky-beige), Wedge eyeshadow (soft brown), Bisque eyeshadow (pink nude), Lancome Plum Tease Gel Artliner (plum), Urban Decay Rockstar 24/7 Liner (dark purple-plum), Plushlash mascara (black)
  • Face:  Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer (medium)
  • Cheeks: Petalpoint blush (raspberry-pink), Dior Rose Diamond Skin Shimmer (icy rose highlighter)
  • Lips: Giorgio Armani #600 Rouge d’Armani lipstick (fuchsia plum), Lancome Untamed Plum La Laque Fever (muted plum)
  • 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: Petalpoint = Well-Dressed + Breath O’ Plum

Directions: Apply Soft Ochre paint pot all over the lid as the base with the 249. On the inner and middle lid, apply Blanc Type eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply Malt eyeshadow to the middle and outer portions of the lid. Darken crease with Wedge eyeshadow using the 226. Sweep Bisque eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Urban Decay Rockstar Liner on lower lash line, and Lancome Plum Tease Gel Artliner on the upper lash line using the 209. Apply Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Petalpoint blush using the 129, then highlight with Dior Rose Diamond Skin Shimmer with the 188. Apply Giorgio Armani #600 Rouge d’Armani lipstick to lips, and then top with Lancome Untamed Plum La Laque Fever for color and shine.

Check out more photos!

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Leave a Reply

61 Responses to “Holiday Makeup: Office Party Neutrals”

  1. Frances

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    The blush and cheek highlighter is sublime! And I love that Armani lipstick. I just wanna take it behind the middle school and……

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      LOL!!

    • Alexis

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      love it!
      I love 30 Rock, too!

      • Christine

        Friday, December 11, 2009

        Thanks, Alexis :)

  2. Lindah

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    the lip color is gorgeous! :) And is the rockstar liner the liquid one?? <3

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      Thanks, Lindah! It’s the 24/7 liner!

  3. Christy

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    That lipstick is so pretty. I hope I get a gift card so I can get one too ;)

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      It is! I hope you grab yourself one, Christy!

  4. jess

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    I really like this, it’s different.

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      I’m glad you liked it! Thanks, Jess!

  5. Amanda

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    Love this look! Just curious though…How do you like the Kiehl’s tinted moisturizer??

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      Thanks, Amanda!

      I love it! :) It’s one of my favorite tinted moisturizers.

  6. Babybubblz

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    I love the lip color you paired with this look!
    Colors like that usually age me…but it looks perfect on you! Any tips for how to wear dark lip colors youthfully? Haha

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      Thank you so much :)

      Hmm, cheeks! I think it might be pairing it with a cheek that’s noticeable but doesn’t take away from the lips.

  7. Sarah M

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    Stunning. x

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      Thank you, Sarah!

  8. Kerry

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    that cheek combination is gorgeousss. such a pretty look :)

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      Aww, thanks, Kerry!

  9. Alexis

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    It’s official I WANT that lancome plum liner!

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      Haha ;)

  10. Mary007

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    Luv it!!

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      Yay! Thanks, Mary :)

  11. fiaspice

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    love it, I shure will do that this hollyday

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      Thank you, Fiaspice!

  12. Palak

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    wow !
    this Armani lippy suits yu so well !!
    lookin gorgeous , as usual :)

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      Thank you, Palak!

  13. AnGeLwInGz

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    Thanks so much for the tip. I always have trouble working with matte shadows.

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      No prob!

  14. Anitacska

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    I love the cheeks and lips, but the eyes, I’m not too sure about. I’m wondering if just using the liners and mascara wouldn’t have been easier and prettier. I’m not a big fan of such nude matte eyeshadows.

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      I’m glad you liked the cheeks and lips, at least!

  15. Haylie

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    I was thinking about purchasing soft ochre paint pot. Is it worth it?

    Haha I wish it was 50 degrees where I live! I woke up this morning and it’s -15 degrees…

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      I loveeeeee it! It’s my favorite Paint Pot!

      OMG, I’d die. Seriously, I’d just freeze to death.

  16. amy

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    That is soft, pretty and really easy to do. I love the purple liner and the fuchsia lip. Looks like I need to browse around the Armani counter when I visit Holt Renfrew.

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      Thanks, Amy! :)

  17. Sarah

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    I really like Petalpoint, what collection was that from?

    • Christine

      Monday, December 14, 2009

      Strange Hybrid!

  18. Jenn

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    Up here in Seattle we freeze at relatively high temperatures, too… this past week we’ve had a run of 15-20 degree nighttime temperatures and you’d think the apocalypse had hit with the way people are acting!

    Very nice matte look, though. I’ve felt like my collection is overrun with glitter and shimmer lately, and it’s nice to see a look that can make you feel more “grownup”.

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      LOL! But it’s sooo cold! I don’t even know how to keep warm, I swear.

      Thank you!

  19. aradhana

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    love the lipcolour!

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      Glad ya liked it!

  20. Brittany

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    I wish it was 50 degrees here in Colorado! This week we’ve had some below temperatures! Today it’s finally a nice, warm 35 degrees :P

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      LOL! Warm!

  21. Lisa

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    You look so cute!

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      Thanks, Lisa! :)

  22. Valerie

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    THE LIPS! WOW!

  23. Jess

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    You look really pretty :)
    Well you always do lol.
    Im loving that plum colored eyeliner!

    • Christine

      Friday, December 11, 2009

      Aww, thank you, Jess!

  24. Lorna

    Friday, December 11, 2009

    i like how you can tell you’re wearing makeup but it doesn’t look overdone.

    • Christine

      Monday, December 14, 2009

      Thanks, Lorna!

  25. Helena

    Saturday, December 12, 2009

    I know what you’re talking about regarding the weather…65 degrees Fahrenheit in L.A.? Preposterous! My skin hates me right now :c ha ha. I love the look!

    • Christine

      Monday, December 14, 2009

      Haha! I know, right? ;)

      Thanks!

  26. Luisafer

    Saturday, December 12, 2009

    That’s a lovely look!!! kinda neutral but really pops with the cheeks and lips…

    • Christine

      Monday, December 14, 2009

      Thanks so much, Luisafer!

  27. pia

    Sunday, December 13, 2009

    oh my! i totally love love this look!!! and the lips combo was fabulous!!!

    • Christine

      Monday, December 14, 2009

      Yay! Thanks, Pia!

  28. Caitlin

    Sunday, December 13, 2009

    Gorgeous look, but by saying “you should exfoliate and be well-moisturized b/c my eyelids were dry and flaky and so the mattes didn’t work well” it sounds like you’re suggesting that eyelids should be exfoliated… surely not a good idea?

    • Christine

      Sunday, December 13, 2009

      Sorry, I don’t mean to exfoliate your eyes with a scrub or anything — it was a general tip for ALL matte products, not your eyes…

  29. Brenda

    Sunday, December 20, 2009

    What have you found to be the best moisturizer around the eyes? I often find my inner lids a bit dry too.

    hahaha…I had to kind of laugh because 50 degree weather would be so great right now!! my parents have 3 feet of snow and Toronto (where i am, my folks are north) its a wonderful 30 degrees…and that’s NOT celsius! Winters up north get to 30 below on average in January.

    • Christine

      Monday, December 21, 2009

      Hey Brenda,

      I often use Vaseline, because I find a lot of eye creams just make my sensitive eyes burn (and I’m just putting it around them, not really *on* them).

  30. Mandy

    Wednesday, February 10, 2010

    I love this look. So flirty but simple. Do you have any recommendations for a mac dupe for the lips?

    • Christine

      Friday, February 12, 2010

      Hi Mandy,

      Try MAC Plumful lipstick! Maybe a little Star Nova over.