Easy Makeup: Soft & Sweet for Spring

I wanted to wear Stylesetter, so I figured a softer eye would be best, because Stylesetter is pretty bright on its own. I don’t know if I’ve done a combination with these kinds of colors before, but I was pleasantly surprised at how it turned out.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Urban Decay Eden Primer Potion (matte base), MAC Nylon Eyeshadow MAC Bright Sunshine Eyeshadow (PRO) (white gold), (sunshine yellow), MAC Expensive Pink Eyeshadow (dirty pink), MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow (dark taupe brown), MAC Femme-fi Eyeshadow (neutral highlighter), Urban Decay Bourbon 24/7 Liner (brown), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Face: DiorSkin Nude Foundation (021 Linen), Laura Mercier Setting Powder
• Cheeks: Dior Coral Riviera Blush (coral-pink), Dior Rose Diamond SkinShimmer (rosy pink highlighter)
• Lips: MAC Stylesetter Lipstain Marker (brightened pink)
• Brushes: 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes:  Femme-fi = Nylon; Stylesetter = Girl About Town (blotted)

For eyes, start by applying Eden primer potion as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Nylon eyeshadow on the inner half of the eyelid. Next, apply Bright Sunshine eyeshadow on the outer half of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer crease with Expensive Pink eyeshadow with the 226, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Add depth to the crease by lightly applying Satin Taupe eyeshadow into the outer, lower crease with the 219. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Femme-fi eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Bourbon eyeliner on the lower lash line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Coral Riviera blush to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116. Highlight cheekbones by applying Rose Diamond skinshimmer with the 165 onto the tops of cheeks.

For lips, apply Stylesetter lipstain marker for a brightened pink stain.

Check out more photos!

Natural Makeup with MAC Warm & Cozy

As promised, here’s a quick look I did using a bunch of Warm & Cozy products! I used Comfort mineralize skinfinish as a blusher in the first set of full-face pictures more to show you what it looks like on (and why I’m not keen on it) — I often do my best to use as many products from a single launch as possible, just to experiment and show you what you could do (or why you may want to pull pieces from your stash to complement a launch).

Comfort on me is like a dirty orange (and trust, I applied lightly–talk about pigmented, at least!), and By Candlelight is definitely shimmery/reflective — I only put the lightest it bit on the tops of my cheeks, but sure enough, BAM!

Today is exciting for two reasons: Christmas Eve (love, love Christmas! I have a thing for food and glitz and glam) and it’s Mellan’s birthday (he’s two years old today)! Super sweet reader Roxanne (@RockSlam) made an awesome collage, too. It’s SO cute. Totally made my day! (You can check it out in this post, at the bottom!)

Merry Christmas Eve to those who celebrate Happy winter, if you don’t!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Cuddle shadestick (shimmery white gold base), MAC Chamomile Eyeshadow (soft off-white), MAC Modelette Eyeshadow (soft medium brown), MAC Mulled Cider Eyeshadow (medium dark reddish brown), MAC Embark Eyeshadow (dark red-tinted brown), MAC Rich Ground Fluidline (warm rich brown), Urban Decay El Dorado 24/7 Liner (gold), Dior DiorShow Extase Macara (black)
• Cheeks: MAC Comfort Mineralize Skinfinish (orange-bronze), MAC By Candlelight Mineralize Skinfinish (shimmery peach-pink) / Dior Coral Riviera Blush (coral)
• Lips: MAC Warm Me Up Lipstick (medium, yellowed pink), MAC 2N Lipglass (creamy peach-beige)
• 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: Cuddle = Baselight; Chamomile = Blanc Type; Modelette = Era; Mulled Cider = Folie; Comfort = bronzer; Warm Me Up = Cosmo; 2N = Revealing

Directions: Start by applying Cuddle shadestick as your eyeshadow base all over the lid with the 249. Using the 239, apply Chamomile eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Modelette eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Mulled Cider eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Next, define the crease by applying Embark eyeshadow with the 226. Lightly tap and brush Modelette  eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Chamomile eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Urban Decay El Dorado Liner on the lower waterline and Dipdown fluidline on the upper lash line with the 208, and then sweeping lashes with Dior DiorShow Extase mascara.

For cheeks, lightly apply Comfort mineralize skinfinish to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116. Highlight lightly with By Candlelight mineralize skinfinish using the 165 or 187. For more toned down cheeks, try Dior Coral Riviera blush with the 116.

For lips, apply Warm Me Up lipstick first, and then layer 2N lipglass for soft, neutral lips.

Check out more photos!

Chamomile, Modelette, Mulled Cider, Embark

With Dior Coral Riviera instead

With Dior Coral Riviera instead

Collage by the lovely Roxanne (@RockSlam)! Thank you!! <3

Hey, Ma! I did a look! So it’s been a couple of weeks since the Lady Gaga inspired look which totally wreaked havoc on my eyes, but my eyes seem to be recovered now. (They were swollen for a few days, and then they proceeded to just be itchy/red and consequently dry and flaky afterward. You know, generally unpleasant.) I thought I’d try to do something holiday-esque, but maybe not the most typical holiday look (err… at least, my typical holiday look) of golds, cranberries, and red lips.

P.S. – Lashes are looking a little beat-up, because I was testing out a new mascara, wasn’t loving it, tried to layer another mascara over… and yeah, not the best idea. Lesson learned = don’t test new mascara when you’re doing an actual look!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Goldmine eyeshadow (true gold), Bio-Green eyeshadow (medium green), Humid eyeshadow (dark green), Bottle Green eyeshadow (dark green-blue), Femme-fi eyeshadow (neutral highlighter), Smashbox Wish Pencil Eyeliner (dark green-blue), Urban Decay Honey 24/7 Liner (gold), too many mascaras (so ignore the lashes, they’re terrible)
• Face: Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer in Medium
• Cheeks: Dior Coral Riviera blush (coral-pink), Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer (bronzy highlighter)
• Lips: Guerlain Gems lipstick (coral), Guerlain Perle de Lune lipgloss (pearly beige)
• 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: Femme-fi = Shroom

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply Soft Ochre paint pot all over the lid as the base with the 249. On the inner lid, pack Goldmine eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply Bio-Green eyeshadow to the middle and outer portions of the lid. Darken crease with Bottle Green eyeshadow using the 226, then deepen the outer lid with Humid eyeshadow. Sweep Femme-fi eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Urban Decay Honey Liner on lower waterline and Smashbox Wish Pencil Liner on the lower lash line. Apply mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Dior Corial Riviera blush using the 129, then highlight with Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer with the 188. Apply Guerlain Gems lipstick to lips, and then top with Guerlain Perle de Lune lipgloss for color and shine.

Check out more photos!

This is my… “OMG I DID A LOOK FINALLY FACE!”

Remember I told you I attempted a look on Saturday, and how it came out SO similar to the last look I posted? Here it is, LOL! It’s not quite the same; it’s obviously kicked up a few notches in brightness/boldness, but the color scheme is still kind of similar, yeah? Not really a bad thing all around, I just like to vary it up between looks that I post so you don’t all get too bored, LOL!

P.S. – I did use Prep + Prime Line Filler underneath my eyes and along my “smile” wrinkles. I find I like it best in my smile lines, because helps reduce any foundation creasing in that area. Around the eyes is fine, but I just don’t notice that area throughout the day so much, so it’s not such a big deal to correct any issues there!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Gold Dusk pigment (soft gold), Going Bananas eyeshadow (bright yellow), Fab & Flashy eyeshadow (medium orange), Firespot eyeshadow (fiery orange), Coppering eyeshadow (dark red), Antiqued eyeshadow (brown with red), Rose Blanc eyeshadow (soft white gold), Urban Decay Lucky 24/7 Liner (copper penny), Eve Pearl Liquid Liner (black), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Enough Said blush (bronze), Dior Coral Riviera blush (soft coral)
• Lips: Gentle Simmer slimshine lipstick (soft coral-neutral), Tartlette lipglass (coral-pink)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Gold Dusk = Baselight; Going Bananas = Bright Sunshine; Fab & Flashy = Juiced; Firespot = Amber Lights; Rose Blanc = Nylon; Enough Said = Refined Golden; Gentle Simmer = Sandy B; Tartlette = Lychee Luxe

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply Gold Dusk pigment all over the lid as the base. On the inner lid, apply Going Bananas eyeshadow using the 239. Apply Fab & Flashy eyeshadow to the middle of the lid. Darken the outer lid using Firespot eyeshadow using the 239. Darken crease with Coppering eyeshadow using the 226, then overlay the top half of the crease with Antiqued eyeshadow. Sweep Rose Blanc eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Eve Pearl Liquid Liner on upper lash line, Urban Decay Lucky Liner on lower lash line, and Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Enough Said blush using the 129, then highlight with Dior Coral Riviera blush with the 188. Apply Gentle Simmer slimshine lipstick to lips, and then top with Tartlette lipglass for color and shine.

Check out more photos!

This look is from last week — March 30th, to be exact — so still pretty much prior to getting hit with the nasty cold bug. I did a look this morning, and would you believe that it’s a similar look to this? I was like, “Geez, I finally put on makeup while I’m sick, and I end up doing the same thing!!” It was a little frustrating My wiggle-worm (aka Mellan) keeps wiggling onto my lap insisting I stop posting and get to feeding him, LOL. Hope your Saturday is filled with as much laughter as mine has started off with!

P.S. – If my face seems lighter than my body, it’s likely more an issue of SPF and reflection with flash photography (which is why I always advocate skipping SPF for any special occasion photography!).

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Rose Blanc eyeshadow (soft white-gold), Going Bananas eyeshadow (bright yellow), Texture eyeshadow (medium red-brown), Urban Decay Lucky 24/7 Liner (copper penny), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Refined mineralize skinfinish (peach-nude), Dior Coral Riviera blush (soft coral)
• Lips: Sci-fi Delity lipstick (raspberry), Chanel Candy Glow Aqualumiere Gloss (shimmery pink)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Rose Blanc = Nylon; Going Bananas = Bright Sunshine; Sci-fi Delity = New York Apple

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply Soft Ochre paint pot all over the lid as the base. On the inner lid, apply Rose Blanc eyeshadow using the 239. Apply Going Bananas eyeshadow to the middle of the lid. Darken the outer lid using Texture eyeshadow using the 239. Darken crease with Texture eyeshadow using the 226. Sweep Rose Blanc eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Urban Decay Lucky Liner on lower lash line, and Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Refined mineralize skinfinish using the 129, then highlight with Dior Coral Riviera blush with the 188. Apply Sci fi Delity lipstick to lips, and then top with Chanel Candy Glow Aqualumiere Gloss for color and shine.

Check out more photos!

This look is from yesterday It’s pretty simple, and I had originally intended to wear one of Colour Ready’s bright lipsticks with it, but it definitely did *not* look good with a super bright lip. I can’t figure out why the cheeks stand out so much in pictures, because they SO didn’t in real life. I liked the way the eyes turned out, but I definitely could have paired it with different cheeks/lips to really bring it all together. Maybe next time

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Ricepaper eyeshadow (soft beige-neutral), Deep Truth eyeshadow (dark navy blue), Freshwater eyeshadow (medium bright blue), Eve Pearl Liquid Liner Pen (black), Givenchy Navy kohl (navy blue), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Dior Coral Riviera blush (soft coral)
• Lips: Sweetie lipstick (pink), Cult Fave lipglass (pastel pink)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Cult Fave = Cultured

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply Soft Ochre paint pot all over the lid as the base. On the lid, apply Ricepaper eyeshadow using the 239. Darken crease with Deep Truth eyeshadow using the 226, then overlay with Freshwater eyeshadow. Sweep Ricepaper eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Givenchy Navy kohl on lower lash line, Eve Pearl Liquid Liner Pen on upper lash line, and Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Dior Coral Riviera blush with the 188. Apply Sweetie lipstick to lips, and then top with Cult Fave lipglass for color and shine.

Check out more photos!

A few readers asked for a recent picture of Magellan, so here’s one… I’m not sure if posted it already, but it’s fairly recent and my favorite I’ve taken of him.