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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Look:  Subtle Green Eyes

This was my attempt to use the new Giorgio Armani palette along with Illamasqua’s Beguile pigment (it really started because of Beguile, though).

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Primer (primer), Illamasqua Beguile Pure Pigment (iridescent glitter), Giorgio Armani #1 Jacquard Eyeshadow Palette (light green, dark green, beige), Illamasqua Havoc Precision Ink Liner (burgundy), shu uemura Glitter Mascara (glitter), Hourglass Film Noir Mascara
• Face:  Make Up For Ever Lift Foundation, Guerlain Les Violettes Mineral Powder (03), shu uemura Rouge Luster Lustrous Glow Powder (shimmering pink)
• Lips:  shu uemura Rouge Luster Rouge Unlimited (shimmery beige-rose)

For eyes, start by laying down your eyeshadow primer all over the lid and until the brow.  Apply Beguile eyeshadow on the lid with the 239 (dampened with mixing medium).  In the crease, gently brush the lighter green eyeshadow with the 222 and diffuse above the crease.  Apply the darker green eyeshadow in the inner crease with the 239.  Use Havoc eyeliner on the lower lash line and layer Beguile on top.  Finish lashes with Film Noir mascara and one coat of Glitter mascara.

For face, apply Lift all over face with the 193.  Add color to the cheeks by gently dusting Rouge Luster  near apples and blended out towards temples with the 116.  Set with Les Violettes with the 134.

For lips, apply Rouge Luster onto lips.

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Look:  Neutral Eyes + Vampy Lip

And the third look I did to test out MAC’s new Pro Longwear eyeshadows!  I don’t know what’s going on this week, but I’m already exhausted!  Can you believe it’s already Wednesday?

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Primer (primer),  MAC Carefree Eyeshadow (white gold), MAC Legendary Black Eyeshadow (black brown), MAC Make Your Mark Eyeshadow (medium-dark brown), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (highlighter), MAC Black Black Chromagraphic Pencil (black), Hourglass Film Noir Mascara
• Face:  MAC Matchmaster Foundation (03), Korres #15 Natural Blush (nude brown), Guerlain Les Violettes Mineral Powder (03), Guerlain Parure de Nuit Pressed Powder & Blush (illuminator)
• Lips:  MAC Soulfully Rich Pro Longwear Lipcreme (deep wine berry)

For eyes, start by laying down your eyeshadow primer all over the lid and until the brow.  Apply Carefree eyeshadow on the lower two-thirds of the lid with the 239.  In the crease, gently brush Legendary Black eyeshadow with the 222 and diffuse above the crease.  Apply Make Your Mark eyeshadow in the outer corner and lid to add warmth with the 239.  Use Black Black eyeliner on the lower lash lin, then soften with Carefree eyeshadow.  Finish lashes with Film Noir mascara.

For face, apply Matchmaster all over face with the 193.  Add color to the cheeks by gently dusting Natural blush near apples and blended out towards temples with the 116.  Lightly dust on illuminator with the 165 or 188 on cheek bones.  Set with Les Violettes with the 134.

For lips, apply Soulfully Rich onto lips.

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Look:  Warm Green & Brown

This was the second look I tried to test drive MAC’s new long-wearing eyeshadows!  I don’t know if I’ve paired green (without being brownish or olive) with browns – it’s a very earthy combo!  Hope you’re having a fabulous day!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Primer (primer),  MAC Fresh Flare Eyeshadow (green), MAC Keep Your Cool Eyeshadow (grayish brown), MAC Lie Low Eyeshadow (medium-dark brown), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (highlighter), Urban Decay Lucky 24/7 Eyeliner (copper), Hourglass Film Noir Mascara
• Face:  MAC Matchmaster Foundation (03), Korres #15 Natural Blush (nude brown), Guerlain Les Violettes Mineral Powder (03), Guerlain Parure de Nuit Pressed Powder & Blush (illuminator)
• Lips:  MAC To the Future! Pro Longwear Lipcreme (nude), MAC Show Me! Pro Longwear Lipglass (peach brown)

For eyes, start by laying down your eyeshadow primer all over the lid and until the brow.  Apply Fresh Flare eyeshadow on the lower two-thirds of the lid with the 239.  In the crease, gently brush Keep Your Cool eyeshadow with the 222 and diffuse above the crease.  Apply Lie Low eyeshadow in the crease to add warmth with the 239.  Use Lucky eyeliner on the lower lash lin, then soften with Lie Low eyeshadow.  Finish lashes with Film Noir mascara.

For face, apply Matchmaster all over face with the 193.  Add color to the cheeks by gently dusting Natural blush near apples and blended out towards temples with the 116.  Lightly dust on illuminator with the 165 or 188 on cheek bones.  Set with Les Violettes with the 134.

For lips, apply To the Future onto lips and then layer over Show Me.

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Look:  Orange & Browns

This was the first look I did to test drive MAC’s new long-wearing eyeshadows.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Primer (primer),  MAC One to Watch Eyeshadow (peach-orange), MAC Hot Paprika Eyeshadow (burnt orange), MAC Lie Low Eyeshadow (medium-dark brown), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (highlighter), Urban Decay Lucky 24/7 Eyeliner (copper), Lancome Doll Eyes Mascara
• Face:  MAC Matchmaster Foundation (03), Guerlain Les Violettes Mineral Powder (03), Guerlain Parure de Nuit Pressed Powder & Blush (illuminator)
• Lips:  MAC Driven by Love Lipglass (red)

For eyes, start by laying down your eyeshadow primer all over the lid and until the brow.  Apply One to Watch eyeshadow on the lower two-thirds of the lid with the 239.  In the crease, gently brush Hot Paprika eyeshadow with the 222.  Above the crease, apply Lie Low eyeshadow and diffuse upwards.

For face, apply Matchmaster all over face with the 193.  Lightly dust on illuminator with the 165 or 188 on cheek bones.  Set with Les Violettes with the 134.

For lips, apply Driven by Love onto lips.

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Look: Guerlain Holiday 2011

This is a look I did to test out Guerlain’s holiday collection!

You will need the following…

• Eyes:  Guerlain Les Ombres de Nuit 4-Colour Palette (silvery pewter, teal, navy blue, black), Lancome Doll Eyes Mascara (black), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (highlighter)
• Face:  Guerlain Lingerie de Peau (02 & 03), Guerlain Les Violettes Mineral Powder (03), Guerlain Perles de Nuit Meteorites (illuminator, on my left cheek), Guerlain Parure de Nuit Pressed Powder & Blush (illuminator, on my right cheek)
• Lips:  Guerlain Nuit d’Amour (plummy red)

For eyes, start by applying the silvery-pewter shade on the lower half of the lid with the 239.  Next, apply the teal shade to the upper half of the lid and into the crease with the 239.  Apply the navy blue shade into the crease and diffuse with the 222.  Then apply Trench on brow bone to highlight with the 272. Next, apply the black shade on the lower lash line with a dampened 208 brush. Coat lashes with Doll Eyes mascara to finish the look.

For face, apply Lingerie de Peau all over face with the 109.  Lightly dust on either illuminator (listed above) with the 165 or 188 on cheek bones.  Set with Les Violettes with the 134.

For lips, apply Nuit d’Amour on lips straight from the tube.

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