mac nylon eyeshadow

MAC To the Beach Look: Gold & Green

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

MAC To the Beach Look: Gold & Green

I had ten minutes to do my makeup from start to finish, and this is what I ended up with! I’m pretty satisfied with the results — I went with a combo that I’m sure I’ve done before, but I used some of the newer MAC To the Beach shades.  As suspected, though, Get-Away Bronze looks better in person than in photographs!  Also, a note to those who own Going Bananas eyeshadow–use that instead of the Nylon/Bright Sunshine combo I did–’cause that’s really all I was trying to dupe!

The whole look felt so summery, despite the weather being all gloom and doom this afternoon, but I always seem to enjoy more summer-inspired looks myself.  Maybe ’cause they’re warmer!  (By the way, what’s up Bay Area weather?  It was beautiful this morning… rainy this afternoon!)

P.S. — Thanks for all the Mellan love! He’s been strutting around the house all day saying what a stud he is.  Anyway, it’s nice to know that I can share some of the bajillion photos I take of him with all of you from time to time :)

You will need the following…

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 third of the lid, and then overlay with Bright Sunshine eyeshadow to give a pale yellow effect. Next, apply Sweet & Punchy eyeshadow with the 239 to the outer two-thirds of the lid. With the 226, apply Humid 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 Rosemary & Thyme eye kohl on the lower lash line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Supernova mascara.

For cheeks, apply Get-Away Bronze blush to 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.

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MAC To the Beach Look: Humid, Shimmermoss, and “Sweet & Punchy”

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

MAC To the Beach Look: Humid, Shimmermoss, and “Sweet & Punchy”

If you’ve been collecting MAC for years, you and I both know that we own near-dupes of coming attractions, no matter how pretty the newest, shiniest thing may look. Since MAC To the Beach is out in the UK already, I thought I’d try a look using some of the products from the faux peek earlier this week. I used True Chartreuse as a base with Lucky Green eyeshadow layered over it to fake “Sweet & Punchy,” so if you have your To the Beach goodies, try using that on the lid instead :)

You will need the following…

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 True Chartreuse pigment all over the lid area. Using the 239, apply Lucky Greeneyeshadow on the lower lid. Next, apply Humid eyeshadow into the crease with the 226, lightly blending outwards and upwards to fade to the brow bone. With the 239, apply Shimmermoss eyeshadow into the crease directly 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 #7L eyeliner on the lower lash line and Gorgeous Gold eyeshadow lightly patted below the lower lash line with the 219 brush. Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Sun Rush lustre drops on the apples and upper cheekbones. Then, apply Hipness blush to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Thrills lipstick first, and then layer Sugar Overload superglass for a complementing lip.

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Easy Makeup: Soft & Sweet for Spring

Sunday, March 21st, 2010

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…

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.

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Pop-up Color with Teal

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Pop-up Color with Teal

I was totally going to do a neutral look, but I was wearing a teal shirt… so one thing led to another and I ended up going for subtle color. Is it really only Tuesday? I feel like it should be Friday already! No, seriously… :)

You will need the following…

For eyes, start by applying Soft Ochre paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Next, apply a secondary base of Indianwood paint pot on the lid only. Using the 239, apply Nylon eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Patina eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Humid eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Apply Bottle Green eyeshadow into the outer crease with the 226. Lightly tap and brush Nylon eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Ricepaper eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying #20L eyeliner on the lower lash line and sweeping lashes with 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 Gardenia lipstick first, and then layer Gold Dust lipglass for a complementing lip.

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Spring Makeup: Gold, Green, & Teal with Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Palette

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

Spring Makeup: Gold, Green, & Teal with Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Palette

I love the lips for this look.  It’s my new favorite lip combo, and as soon as I slipped on Le Metier de Beaute Apricot Creme, I completely remember why I shelled out $36 for it.  In fact, I think I’m going to place an order for a few more later this week!

My major criticisms of the Urban Decay palette (aside from the lack of new shades) were: lack of matte/satin finished eyeshadows and lack of a highlighter. The glittery shades definitely leave a nice mess of glitter beneath the eye — so I recommend applying your eyeshadow first and then cleaning up afterward, at which point you can apply your face makeup (foundation, blush, etc.). I used Lancome Bi-Facil on a cotton round to remove the majority of the glitter, and then my tinted moisturizer covered up any remaining bits. Just for fun, I included a photo of the glitter that fell out during application. ;)

Even though I love me some shimmery, frosty eyeshadows, I do like more variety in finishes these days, even if it’s only a subtle difference in the end result. I kind of felt like this look was too frosty; maybe if the brow bone had a semi-matte or satin eyeshadow instead, it wouldn’t have been the case. As always, I deliberately tried to use only the eyeshadows found in the palette, but going forward, I just don’t think I can do that. I need a less garish highlighter (there are only two potential highlighters: White Rabbit, which is too glittery and white on me; and Drink Me, Eat Me, which can lean frosty). Even still, I ended up throwing on a little MAC Nylon to yellow-up the brow bone (in the full face photos), because the peachy champagne shade wasn’t working on my skin tone as a highlighter (at least not with these shades).

You will need the following…

For eyes, start by applying Primer Potion as your eyeshadow base all over the lid with the 249. Using the 239, apply White Rabbit eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Wonderland eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Absolem eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Lightly blend Alice eyeshadow, with the 239, on the outer corner and lid. Lightly tap and brush White Rabbit eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Drink Me, Eat Me eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. (I also later added Nylon eyeshadow on the brow bone to make it look less stark on me.) Bring everything together by applying Flipside eyeliner on the lower lash line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

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

For lips, apply Corail Passion lipstick first, and then layer Apricot Creme lipgloss for a complementing lip.

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

Friday, January 15th, 2010

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…

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.

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