bold looks

Summer Makeup: Molten Lava Goes To the Beach, v. 2

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

Summer Makeup: Molten Lava Goes To the Beach, v. 2

I had a few tutorial requests for a coppery look I did last week, so I decided to modify it a bit so it used only permanent products on the eyes rather than limited edition ones.  This is the modified version, and the tutorial should be up on YouTube shortly :)   I layered Free to Be and Coppering to get pretty close to Firecracker–though you could certainly use one or the other and still get something quite pretty out of it!  I was also all out of the NARS base I had used in the original look, so I used UDPP instead.

By the by, theBalm will be featured on MTV’s Hired tomorrow at 6:30pm!  I’m kind of excited, because it would be fun to see the inner-workings of a beauty brand.  theBalm will be looking at three final applicants to fill the role of their office assistant.

You will need the following…

For eyes, start by applying Primer Potion as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Free Love eyeshadow on the inner half of the lid and blend upwards into the tearduct. Lightly blend Free to Be eyeshadow on the middle of the lid with the 239, then layer Coppering eyeshadow on top to darken. With the 239, apply Amber Lights eyeshadow into the lower crease and then blended towards the outer corner and lid.Next, apply Bronze eyeshadow into the crease with the 226, lightly blending outwards and upwards to fade to the brow bone.  Blend Nylon eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Lucky eyeliner on the lower lash line and Black Black pencil on the lower waterline. Line the upper lash line with Rich Ground fluidline applied with the 208; then pat Goldmine eyeshadow on top to lighten. Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Get-Away Bronze blush on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Thrills lipstick first, and then layer Flurry of Fun lipglass for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos! Continue reading →

Spring to Summer Makeup: Pretty in Purple

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Spring to Summer Makeup: Pretty in Purple

I ended up layering two eyeshadows in this look, because I felt like Da Bling was really just too pink/dark for the look — I put Digit on top of it to lighten it, and I liked it, but I think you could omit Da Bling and just use Digit instead.  I also had to physically restrain myself from applying a bright fuchsia lipgloss on top of the lip combination, because that’s what I always do.  I’m not sold on the lip combo with this look, but I do like it alone at least.

P.S. — NARS Eyeshadow Base review coming tomorrow… I swear!

You will need the following…

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Da Bling eyeshadow on the inner third of the lid and pull upwards along the inner crease, then overlay with Digit eyeshadow. Lightly blend Stars ‘n Rockets eyeshadow on the middle of the lid with the 239. Next, apply Psychedelic Sister eyeshadow into the crease with the 226, lightly blending onto the outer lid. Blend Digit eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Ransom eyeliner on the lower lash line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Pro Lash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Nymph blush on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Funbathing lipstick first, and then layer Splashing lipglass for a complementing lip.

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Summer Makeup: Go Blue or Go Home!

Friday, May 28th, 2010

Summer Makeup: Go Blue or Go Home!

Thank goodness it’s Friday! :)   I am a big fan of blue eyeshadow, and I really do think everyone should try a totally, full-on blue (I totally wanted to say Bang On Blue!) look at least once in their lifetime, even if they never wear it outside of the house.

I will say a couple things about this look:  Atlantic Blue makes this look.  Haight gets lost in it.  I listed it, because I did use it, but I don’t think you need it to recreate this look at all.  You could also go with a cooler, pinker blush — sometimes all the coolness on my naturally warmer skin tone can be odd, so I wanted to try it with a bronzey cheek instead.  I also went very heavy on mascara, since I wasn’t going to apply false lashes, to make my lashes visible against the blue.

You will need the following…

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Aquarius eyeshadow on the inner half of the lid and pull upwards along the inner crease. Lightly blend Dashiki eyeshadow on the outer half of the lid with the 239. Next, apply Haight eyeshadow into the crease with the 226, lightly blending outwards and upwards to fade to the brow bone. Define the crease with Atlantic Blue eyeshadow and the 226.  Blend Femme-fi eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying #7L eyeliner on the lower lash line and blending Aquarius eyeshadow underneath. Line the upper lash line with Blue Herizon liquidlast liner applied with the 208; then pat Electric Eel eyeshadow on top to lighten. Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Get-Away Bronze blush on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Beachbound lipstick first, and then layer Splashing lipglass for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos! Continue reading →

Summer Makeup: Molten Lava Goes To the Beach

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Summer Makeup: Molten Lava Goes To the Beach

Happy Thursday, everyone! :) I hope everyone’s been having a fantastic week — almost to the weekend (a long one, if you’re in the U.S., too!).  I totally went to my comfort zone with this look — metallic, bronzy, coppery shades.  I can’t remember if I’ve done a look like this recently, but I don’t think I’ve done it usually mostly permanent eyeshadows!  I snuck some To the Beach products in there, in honor of the official launch.

You will need the following…

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Free Love eyeshadow on the inner half of the lid, then lightly layer with Goldmine eyeshadow and blend upwards into the tearduct. Lightly blend Firecracker eyeshadow on the outer half of the lid with the 239. Next, apply Bronze eyeshadow into the crease with the 226, lightly blending outwards and upwards to fade to the brow bone. With the 239, apply Amber Lights eyeshadow into the lower crease and then blended towards the outer corner and lid. Blend Nylon eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Lucky eyeliner on the lower lash line and Black Black pencil on the lower waterline.  Line the upper lash line with Rich Ground fluidline applied with the 208; then pat Goldmine eyeshadow on top to lighten.  Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Get-Away Bronze blush on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Thrills lipstick first, and then layer Easy Lounger lipglass for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos! Continue reading →

Summer Look: Mix & Match with Urban Decay & MAC

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Mix & Match with Urban Decay & MAC

Here’s a look I did test-driving NARS’ new eyeshadow base (got a sample of it with a recent Sephora order) and new Urban Decay eyeshadows.  Plus, even though I still don’t feel like Lazy Day is a must-have (and I really thought it was going to be higher on the sell out list than it appears to be), it looks super lovely with Splashing.

How’s your Wednesday going so far?  What are you having for lunch? (Or what did you have?)

You will need the following…

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof base as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Free Love eyeshadow on the inner half of the lid. Lightly blend Woodstock eyeshadow on the outer half of the lid with the 239. Next, apply Psychedelic Sister eyeshadow into the crease with the 226, lightly blending outwards and upwards to fade to the brow bone. With the 239, apply Woodstock eyeshadow into the lower crease and then blended towards the outer corner and lid. Blend Nylon eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Honey eyeliner on the lower lash line and Free Love eyeshadow lightly patted below the lower lash line with the 219 brush. Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply #6 aqua cream on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116. Highlight softly with Sugarbomb with the 165 or 131.

For lips, apply Lazy Days lipstick first, and then layer Splashing lipglass for a complementing lip.

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Five Minute Looks: Green & Greener

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

Five Minute Looks: Green & Greener

I was in a rush yesterday, but I wanted to play with some new makeup–I was desperate to do a look with YSL’s Slate Green. The nearest to it was MAC’s Sweet & Punchy and my new Make Up Forever Aqua Creams… and thus, this look was created! Lashes are a lil’ funky, because I applied Barelash mascara on ‘em about an hour prior.

You will need the following…

For eyes, start by applying #13 aqua cream as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Sweet & Punchy eyeshadow on the lower lid. Next, apply #5 Slate Green eyeshadow into the crease with the 226, lightly blending outwards and onto the outer lid. Blend Grain eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Black Black pencil on the lower lash line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Opulash mascara.

For cheeks, apply #5 aqua cream to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 130.

For lips, apply #5 aqua cream first, and then layer Satin Peach ultra gloss for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos! Continue reading →