Bright Makeup: Yellow, Pink, & Purple

I felt like playing around a bit last night, so I ended up with this at the end of playtime! Thought I’d share I normally pair this kind of look with bright pink lips, but I thought I’d try something a little more orange, just for fun, so there are two lip combos in this look.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (neutral beige base), MAC Golden Lemon Pigment (yellow gold), MAC Goldenrod Eyeshadow (golden yellow), MAC Bright Sunshine Eyeshadow (yellow), MAC Passionate Eyeshadow (dark pink), MAC Beauty Marked Eyeshadow (blackened burgundy), MAC Stars ‘n Rockets Eyeshadow (fuchsia-purple), MAC Femme-fi Eyeshadow (neutral highlighter), MAC Blackline Pearlglide Eyeliner (black with gold), MAC Blacktrack Fluidline (black), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black), MAC Opulash Mascara (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140)
• Cheeks: Benefit Sugarbomb Blush (peachy-pink)
• Lips: MAC Morange Lipstick (orange), Chanel Venus Glossimer (sheer pink), NARS Schiap Lipstick (bright pink), Benefit Back to the Fuchsia Ultra Shine Lip Shine (sheer fuchsia)
• Brushes: 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: N/A

For eyes, start by applying Soft Ochre paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. With the 239 and water-based mixing medium (or water), apply Golden Lemon pigment all over the lid area. Using the 239, apply Goldenrod eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Bright Sunshine eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Passionate eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. With the 226, apply Beauty Marked eyeshadow into the outer crease, and then gently press Stars ‘n Rockets eyeshadow into the middle of the crease with the 239. Lightly tap and brush Bright Sunshine eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Femme-fi eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Blacktrack fluidline on the upper lash line, Blackline eyeliner on the outer half of the lower lash line and Bright Sunshine eyeshadow lightly patted below the lower lash line with the 219 brush. Finish by sweeping lashes with Opulash and Plushlash mascara.

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

For lips, apply Morange lipstick first, and then layer Venus glossimer for a complementing lip.  or try Schiap lipstick layered with Back to the Fuchsia lip shine.

Check out more photos!

Bright Makeup: Just Playin’ Around

I wanted to test out some new products I purchased, so I figured perhaps I’d try to create a coherent look rather than have ten different new products in various places on my face with no rhyme or reason! I mostly wanted to test out Tarina Tarantino’s eyeshadows in practice, rather than just swatched, and I bought Sweetzer (green) and Peacock Pearl (blue).

Naturally, they called to be used in a tropical-ish kind of look. (I find these easier to do, too, since it’s my default bright look–SO it would be an easy test for the eyeshadows.) I’ll review the eyeshadows separately and in full from this look, but I did have trouble blending the TT eyeshadows into the whole look, unfortunately!

I wouldn’t have worn this look out, because the application wasn’t up to par — I had some blending issues, which I thought might occur, but I thought I’d show you what happens kind of behind-the-scenes, as it were, when it comes to testing out new products.    I do plan to review everything that was new and tested in this look, so be on the look out!

Products I was testing…

• Tarina Tarantino Eyeshadows
• Tokidoki Perfetto Eyeliner
• Tokidoki Glitter Eyeliner
• Guerlain Blonde Halee Bronzer
• Korres Lipstick
• Dior Ultra Gloss

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Golden Lemon Pigment (yellowed gold), MAC Lucky Green Eyeshadow (golden green), Tarina Tarantino Sweetzer Eyeshadow (grassy green), Tarina Tarantino Peacock Pearl Eyeshadow (shimmery blue), MAC Gorgeous Gold Eyeshadow (green-gold), MAC Femme-fi Eyeshadow (neutral highlighter), Tokidoki Mostro Perfetto Eyeliner (yellow-green), Tokidoki Rondine Brillante Glitter Eyeliner (blue), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Face: Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer (Bodyguard), Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder
• Cheeks: Guerlain Blonde Halee Terracotta Bronzer (bronze)
• Lips: Korres #45 Coral Lipstick (coral), Dior Apricot Cloche Ultra Gloss Pearl (apricot coral)
• Brushes: 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: N/A

For eyes, start by applying Golden Lemon pigment as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 239 and water-based mixing medium. Using the 239, apply Lucky Green eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Sweetzer eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Peacock Pearl eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Lightly tap and brush Gorgeous Gold eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Femme-fi eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Rondine eyeliner on the lower lash line and Mostro eyeliner on the upper lash line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Blonde Halee bronzer to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply #45 lipstick first, and then layer Apricot Cloche lipgloss for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!

Summer Makeup: The Bright Sunset – Yellow, Orange, & Red

I just can’t help it!   The latest shades to join the permanent range at MAC are all bright, they’re so *summer* and it’s not even technically spring yet! Oh, well… call it fashionably early? Hm. Whatever. This was just me having a little fun late at night If you want to wear it yourself and make it a little more tame or “everyday” (but I mean, it is bright!), use a more neutral highlighter (maybe Nylon) rather than going with color up to the brow bone.  I’d rock it either way!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (neutral beige base), (yellow gold), MAC Golden Lemon Pigment (yellow gold), MAC Going Bananas Eyeshadow (soft bright yellow), MAC Goldenrod Eyeshadow (golden orange-yellow), MAC Free to Be Eyeshadow (coral), MAC Red Brick Eyeshadow (orange-red), MAC Nylon Eyeshadow (golden highlighter), Urban Decay Bourbon 24/7 Liner (brown), Chanel Exceptionnel Mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Dior Vintage Pink Blush (pink with peach)
• Lips: MAC Bronze Shimmer Lipstick, MAC Lychee Luxe Lipglass
• Brushes: 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Going Bananas = Nylon + Bright Sunshine (or Chrome Yellow)

For eyes, start by applying Soft Ochre paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the lid with the 249. With the 239 and water-based mixing medium (or water), apply Golden Lemon pigment all over the lid portion. Using the 239, apply Going Bananas eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Goldenrod eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Free to Be eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Next, define the crease by applying Red Brick eyeshadow with the 226. Lightly tap and brush Going Bananas eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Nylon eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Bourbon eyeliner on the lower lash line, and Going Bananas eyeshadow lightly patted below the lower lash line with the 219 brush. Finish by sweeping lashes with Exceptionnel mascara.

For cheeks, apply Vintage Pink blush to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Bronze Shimmer lipstick first, and then layer Lychee Luxe lipglass for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!

This was a really quick Style Warrior look I put together the other day. I don’t think Night Manoeuvers is a very flattering color on me — at least in this pairing! I think I could wear it in a more gray/purple kind of look. I was attempting to only use Style Warrior products, so, there ya have it. Live and learn Never hurts to try.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Golden Lemon pigment (gold yellow), Bright Future eyeshadow (bright yellow), Tempting eyeshadow (chocolate brown), Folie eyeshadow (reddish brown), Night Manoeuvers eyeshadow (gray-purple), Soft Force eyeshadow (soft white-gold), Urban Decay Honey 24/7 Liner (gold), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Eversun beauty powder blush (orangey-pink), Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer (bronze highlighter)
• Lips: Sunsational lipstick (peachy gold), Style Warrior lipglass (brown)
• 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; Brave New Bronze = Velvet Teddy

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. With the 239, apply Golden Lemon pigment with water-based mixing medium on the lower lid. On the inner lid, pack Bright Future eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply Tempting eyeshadow to the middle and outer portions of the lid. Darken crease with Night Manoeuvers eyeshadow using the 226, then deepen with Folie eyeshadow with the 219. Sweep Soft Force eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Urban Decay Honey Liner on lower lash line. Apply Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Eversun blush using the 129, then highlight with Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer with the 188. Apply Sunsational lipstick to lips, and then top with Style Warrior lipglass for color and shine.

Check out more photos!

8 Must-Have MAC (Consumer) Pigments

About the Temptalia Must-Haves Series
A series of posts showcasing must-have products from MAC Cosmetics’ permanent line of products. Selections are based on quality, universality, uniqueness amongst the line, and the like. Limited edition shades are deliberately excluded to make buying easier. Readers’ comments act as a supplement to these lists of their favorites and must-haves. You can find the entire series here.

Old Gold pigment is a stunning combination of yellowed green and green-gold mixed together. It’s an interesting mix of green and gold with a little bit of brown. This is a particularly good pigment for those with warmer tones in their skin.

Teal pigment is exactly as it is named — teal. It’s pigmented, smooth, and looks rich on eyes.

Golden Lemon pigment is a bright pop of yellow gold with lots of frost in its finish. It’s not necessarily a product for those who don’t love shimmer/frost in their eye products, but it is one of the best bases to use for gold, orange, and red eyeshadows.

Golden Olive pigment is a gorgeous soft, olive green. It’s smooth in texture, rich in color pay off, and feels soft. If you wear green eyeshdaow often, tihs is an absolute must.

See four more must-have pigments!

Melon pigment is a sunny, peachy-pink combination that can be worn alone, as a base, or to highlight.

Pink Opal pigment is perfect for highlighting and accenting the face, lips, or eyes. It’s one of the most versatile pigment shades, and definitely a favorite of mine.

Violet pigment is a beautiful shade of rich, medium-to-dark purple. It’s not too cool, not too warm–almost neutral–so it is great for all skin tones. Like the other pigments on this list, the product is pigmented and smooth to the touch.]

Vanilla or Naked pigments are superb highlighter/neutral shades to have in your pigment collection. Vanilla tends to work better on cooler skin tones, while Naked works on all skin tones, but it can lean just a touch warm.

Note: This list only considers consumer pigments, so it does not include PRO-only pigments. (There is a separate list for PRO-only pigments.)

What are your favorite pigments?

Here’s a MAC Style Warrior look! I did false eyelashes again (hey, when you’ve spent four years attempting without success, and you can manage it… you keep trying!), but I used knockoff #7s instead, and they were just too long, IMO. I ended up removing them, because the length was a bit obnoxious. I did pick up some new #7s at MAC last week, so hopefully I can keep applying lashes as I need to in the future!

What’s everyone doing this weekend? It’s a ridiculously beautiful (and hot!) weekend here in California. We’ll have to find a way to do something outside to enjoy it!

P.S. — Happy birthday to my Dad! <333

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Golden Lemon pigment (yellow-gold), Bright Future eyeshadow (bright yellow), Night Maneuvers eyeshadow (gray-brown), Vibrant Grape eyeshadow (deep purple), Graphology eyeshadow (matte dark blue-purple), Soft Force eyeshadow (soft white-gold), #7 lashes (knockoffs) (false eyelashes), Blacktrack fluidline (black), Urban Decay Honey 24/7 Liner (gold), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: On A Mission blush (raspberry pink), Pink Rebel lustre drops (pink highlighter)
• Lips: Brave New Bronze lipstick (pinky nude), Fierce & Fabulous lipglass (magenta pink)
• 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: Bright Future = Bright Sunshine; Night Maneuvers = Scene; Soft Force = Shroom; On A Mission = Plum Foolery; Pink Rebel = Benefit Posie; Brave New Bronze = Honeylove; Fierce & Fabulous = Star Nova

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. With the 239, apply Golden Lemon pigment with water-based mixing medium on the lower lid. On the lid, pack Bright Future eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply Night Maneuvers eyeshadow to the outer portion of the lid. Darken crease with Vibrant Grape eyeshadow using the 226, then deepen with Graphology eyeshadow with the 219. Sweep Soft Force eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Urban Decay Honey Liner on lower lash line, and Blacktrack fluidline on the upper lash line using the 209. Apply #7 lashes to upper lash line, then lightly apply Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with On A Mission blush using the 129, then highlight with Pink Rebel lustre drops with the 188. Apply Brave New Bronze lipstick to lips, and then top with Fierce & Fabulous lipglass for color and shine.

Check out more photos!

Without lashes!

Without lashes!