An Ode to MAC True Chartreuse

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a really bright look, and of course, I had to go back to one of my favorite color combinations.  MAC True Chartreuse is easily one of my favorite products, because it applies so beautifully and vibrantly.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), MAC True Chartreuse Pigment (chartreuse), Make Up For Ever #159 Eyeshadow (dark blue), Make Up For Ever #72 Eyeshadow (electric blue), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (highlighter), Urban Decay Perversion 24/7 Liner (black), Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash (black)
• Face: Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer (Medium), Burberry Pressed Powder (03)
• Cheeks: Le Metier de Beaute Echo Blush (peach-pink), Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer (bronze shimmer)
• Lips: Bobbi Brown Soft Coral Rich Color Lipstick (coral), Bobbi Brown Bare Pink Rich Color Lipstick (pink-nude)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 222 (fluffy crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush)

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249.  With the 239, apply a few drops of mixing medium to dampen the brush, then apply True Chatreuse pigment on the lower lid, blending just above the crease.  Next, apply #159 eyeshadow into the crease with the 222.  Take the 219 and apply #72 eyeshadow into the crease to brighten.  Apply True Chartreuse pigment on the inner lid and brush upwards with the 239 (dry), and then hold the brush horizontally and apply it damp to the lower lash line.  Use #72 eyeshadow on the outer half of the lower lash line using the 219 to smudge.  Bring everything together by applying Perversion liner on the lower water line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Buxom Lash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Echo blush on the apples of the cheeks and pat towards the temple with fingers, then highlight cheekbones with Amber Diamond skin shimmer.

For lips, apply Bare Pink lipstick on lips first, and then dab Soft Coral lipstick to brighten, for a complementing lip.

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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…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (neutral beige base), MAC True Chartreuse Pigment (matte chartreuse), MAC Water-Based Mixing Medium (glue-based adhesive), MAC Lucky Green Eyeshadow (yellowed, shimmery green), MAC Humid Eyeshadow (dark green), MAC Shimmermoss Eyeshadow (teal), MAC Nylon Eyeshadow (champagne gold highlighter), Make Up For Ever #7L Aqua Eyes Liner (electric blue), MAC Gorgeous Gold Eyeshadow (green-toned gold), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (translucent)
• Cheeks: MAC Sun Rush Lustre Drops (peach-gold liquid highlighter), MAC Hipness Blush (coral pink)
• Lips: MAC Thrills Lipstick (copper rose), MAC Sugar Overload Superglass (nude with flaky glitter)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Sun Rush = Strobe Cream (not a dupe, but similar); Hipness = Benefit Coralista; Thrills = Lane + Fetish; Sugar Overload = Bare Necessity

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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St. Patricks Day Makeup: Green-a-palooza!

Happy St. Patricks Day! Here’s a wicked-to-the-bone green look for ya! What’s everyone doing to celebrate?  Oh, by the way?  Glitter doesn’t show up nearly as fun in the photos as it was in person.  I put the glitter on my lashes, lower lash line, and upper lash line and it reflected so prettily… I was like, “OOH!!” but then I was cropping the photos to post and was less ooh-ahh about it.

Mellan also wanted to wish you good day…

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Urban Decay Primer Potion (eyeshadow base), MAC True Chartreuse Pigment (matte chartreuse), MAC Sunny Spot Eyeshadow (satin chartreuse), Urban Decay Graffiti Eyeshadow (bright grass green), Urban Decay Chronic EyeshadowMAC Gorgeous Gold Eyeshadow (matte light green), (green-gold), Urban Decay Acid Rain Liquid Liner (chatreuse), Urban Decay Mullet Glitter Eye Liner (green), Urban Decay Graffiti 24/7 Liner (green), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Laura Mercier Setting Powder
• Cheeks: MAC Refined Golden Bronzer (bronzer), Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer (bronze highlighter)
• Lips: MAC Crosswires Lipstick (coral), MAC Instant Gold Lustreglass (gold shimmer)
• Brushes: 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 116 (dense blush brush), 165 (tapered blush brush)
• Substitutes: N/A

For eyes, start by applying Primer Potion 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 Sunny Spot eyeshadow on the middle of the eyelid. Next, apply Chronic eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the middle. Darken the outer third of the lid with Graffiti eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Lightly blend Graffiti eyeshadow, with the 239, into the crease. Lightly tap and brush Sunny Spot eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Gorgeous Gold eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. On the upper lash line, apply Acid Rain liquid liner and then overlay with Mullet glitter eyeliner for sparkle. Bring everything together by applying Graffiti eyeliner on the lower lash line and Sunny Spot eyeshadow lightly patted below the lower lash line with the 219 brush then overlay with Mullet glitter eyeliner. Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Refined Golden bronzer to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116. Highlight cheekbones with Amber Diamond skin shimmer with the 165.

For lips, apply Crosswires lipstick first, and then layer Instant Gold lustreglass for a complementing lip.

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I thought I’d use some of the new eyeshadows from MAC’s Love That Look Collection, and I figured I’d go with a pretty obvious, but fun, combination of green, blue, and teal. You can also expect a video tutorial for this look, too

P.S. – I totally realize why I rarely use liquidlast liners. If you don’t get it perfect the first time, you can never quite fix it!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), True Chartreuse pigment (bright matte chartreuse base), Rated R eyeshadow (chartreuse), One-Off eyeshadow (medium green), Strike A Pose eyeshadow (dark teal-blue), Atlantic Blue eyeshadow (bright royal blue), Dreammaker eyeshadow (yellow highlighter), Make Up For Ever #17L Aqua Eyes Liner (light green), Blue Herizon liquidlast liner (blue), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Fleurry blush (coral-orange)
• Lips: Lollipop Loving lipstick (coral), Liberated lipglass (shimmery yellow-gold)
• 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: Rated R = Bitter; One-Off = Kelly Green; Strike A Pose = Tilt; Dreammaker = Nylon; Fleurry = Springsheen; Lollipop Loving = CB96 (not a great dupe); Liberated = Instant Gold

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply Soft Ochre paint pot all over the upper lid and brow bone as the base with the 249. With the 239, apply True Chartreuse pigment with water-based mixing medium on the lower lid. On the inner lid, pack Rated R eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply One-Off eyeshadow to the middle and outer portions of the lid. Apply Strike A Pose eyeshadow to the outer third of the lid and bring into crease with the 239. Darken crease with Atlantic Blue eyeshadow using the 219. Sweep Dreammaker eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with #17L Aqua Eyes Liner on lower lash line, and Blue Herizon liquidlast liner on the upper lash line using the 208. Apply Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Fleurry blush using the 129. Apply Lollipop Loving lipstick to lips, and then top with Liberated lipglass for color and shine.

Check out more photos!

I’m feeling encouraged by yesterday’s look post (because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to post this since it was more experimental than anything else), so I wanted to share with you a look I attempted a week or so ago. I wanted to try a color combination I hadn’t done before (it’s not always easy to think of something that is different AND could work!), and this is what I came up with. I didn’t like it at first, but as I looked at it throughout the day, I decided I really liked the eyes and thought the application was better than my usual is. I just had no idea what kind of lip color made a good pairing! Nude looked odd, too purple looked odd, and too pink doesn’t seem like it complements. I was thinking maybe a really shamelessly bold, wine/burgundy/purple lip might have rocked it (think Rebel lipstick).

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), True Chartreuse pigment (chartreuse), Goldmine eyeshadow (gold), Overgrown eyeshadow (chatreuse), Fig. 1 (medium wine), Shadowy Lady eyeshadow (deep burgundy), Crystal Avalanche eyeshadow (white highlighter), Urban Decay Ransom 24/7 Liner (blue-violet), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer (bronzy highlighter)
• Lips: Fun Fun lipstick (light pinky-purple), Tartlette lipglass (coral)
• 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: Overgrown = Bitter; Fun Fun = Snob; Tartlette = Lychee Luxe

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 True Chartreuse pigment with water-based mixing medium on the lower lid. On the inner lid, pack Goldmine eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply Overgrown eyeshadow to the middle and outer portions of the lid. Darken crease with Fig. 1 eyeshadow using the 226, then deepen with Shadowy Lady eyeshadow with the 219. Sweep Crystal Avalanche eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Urban Decay Ransom Liner on lower lash line. Apply Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer with the 188. Apply Fun Fun lipstick to lips, and then top with Tartlette lipglass for color and shine.

Check out more photos!

8 Must-Have MAC (PRO) 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.

Pink Pearl pigment is a gorgeous duochrome pigment that is both fuchsia-pink and fuchsia-purple. Think Stars ‘n Rockets eyeshadow, but prettier, more pigmented, and brighter.

Kelly Green pigment is a bright pop of springy green. Perfect to add brightness to any look, and it works particularly well as a green base.

True Chatreuse pigment is a matte, yellow-y green. It’s like Bitter, but insanely better, because it’s a lot more pigmented and opaque.

Naval Blue pigment is a dark, navy blue with a bit of cobalt reflects in it. Very pretty and dark.

See four more must-have pigments!

Emerald Green pigment is a rich, deep emerald green. It’s vibrant, opaque, and gorgeous.

White Gold pigment makes for a gorgeous lightly shimmered white with gold. It’s a nice shade for highlighting and accenting.

Blonde’s Gold pigment is a soft, tanned gold frosty pigment. It works well as a base, light highlighter, and works well when mixed with moisturizer for an all-over body glow.

Vintage Gold pigment is a metallic, vintage gold shade that works well on both warm and cool tones, because it isn’t overly warm nor a yellow gold.

What are your favorite pigments?