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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Make Up For Ever Look: #21 Turquoise Aqua Cream

You know what’s frustrating? When you do your makeup, think it’s rockin’, and then you see it in close-up photos and can’t figure out why it didn’t translate!  But anyway, it’s all part of the journey–the learning, that is–so why not share it with you despite some imperfections?

How’s your Monday going? I really love Mondays, but today feels a little slow–normally so many things are happening on Monday for me!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Benefit Stay Don’t Stray (neutral base), Make Up For Ever #21 Turquoise Aqua Cream (turquoise), Make Up For Ever #101 Eyeshadow (white-gold), Make Up For Ever #171 Eyeshadow (shimmery chartreuse), Make Up For Ever #93 Eyeshadow (green-turquoise), Make Up For Ever #159 Eyeshadow (dark blue), Make Up For Ever #7L Aqua Eyes Liner (electric blue), Lancome Noir Artliner (black), MAC Opulash Mascara (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (translucent)
• Cheeks: Make Up For Ever #5 Peach Aqua Cream (peach-pink)
• Lips: MAC Beachbound Lipstick (sheer melon), MAC Flurry of Fun Lipglass (sheer tangerine)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush)
• Substitutes: Beachbound = Melon pigment; Flurry of Fun = Love Nectar + Reflects Transparent Teal

For eyes, start by applying Stay Don’t Stray as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. With the 249, apply #21 Turquoise aqua cream all over the lid area. Using the 239, apply #101 eyeshadow on the inner third of the lid. Next, apply #171 eyeshadow on the middle third of the lid. With the 239, apply #93 eyeshadow to the outer third of the lid and brush into outer crease. Define the crease by applying #159 eyeshadow with the 226, lightly blending outwards and upwards to fade to the brow bone. With the 239, apply #93 eyeshadow into the crease directly and then blended towards the outer corner and lid. Blend #101 eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone, then light overlay the edge of the faded crease area with #171 eyeshadow. Bring everything together by applying #7L eyeliner on the lower lash line and #171 eyeshadow lightly patted below the lower lash line with the 219 brush. Finish by sweeping lashes with Opulash mascara.

For cheeks, apply #5 Peach aqua cream on the apples and upper cheekbones with a stippling brush.

For lips, apply Beachbound lipstick first, and then layer Flurry of Fun lipglass for a complementing lip.

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If you were using Make Up For Ever #159 Eyeshadow?, what look would you create with it?

What shadows would you use? What would you use on cheeks? Anything added to the lips? Create a look using whatever you want, as long as you include today’s look book product!

Did you come up with a look you’d like to share featuring today’s product? You can link to your images, embed your images using HTML, or you can submit your images via e-mail to share them with readers to help give them inspiration on how to use the product!

Just a quick look I put together the other night!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre paint pot (nude base), MAC Melon pigment (peachy-pink), Make Up For Ever #5 Eyeshadow (matte orange), Make Up For Ever #75 Eyeshadow (matte hot pink), Make Up For Ever #92 Eyeshadow (matte purple), Make Up For Ever #159 Eyeshadow (matte blue), MAC Nylon eyeshadow (yellow-gold highlighter), Urban Decay Ransom 24/7 Liner (purple), Urban Decay Lash Primer, Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash Mascara
• Cheeks: MAC Petalpoint blush (plummy-pink)
• Lips: Urban Decay Naked lipstick (pinky-beige), MAC Crystal Rose lipglass (fuchsia-purple)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 116 (dense blush brush), 165 (highlighting brush)

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply MAC Soft ochre paint pot all over the lid as the base with the 249. Apply MAC Melon pigment just on lower lid with the 249. On the inner lid, pack #5 eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply #75 eyeshadow to the middle portion of the lid. On the outer lid and crease, apply #92 eyeshadow with the 226. Darken crease with #159 eyeshadow using the 219, and then blend out with the 226. Sweep MAC Nylon eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight with the 217. Apply Urban Decay Ransom 24/7 Liner on lower lash line. Smudge lower lash line with #151 eyeshadow with the 214 brush, pressing into lower lashes. Apply Aqua Smoky Lash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with MAC Petalpoint Blush using the 129. Apply Urban Decay Naked lipstick to lips, and then top with MAC Crystal Rose lipglass for color and shine.

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Tutorial: Tropical Paradise (Green, Teal, & Blue Eyes)

Here’s a tutorial for a look I did a couple of weeks ago! It’s a good mix of bright, summery colors — this combination of colors always reminds me of tropical paradise. The sun, the sea…

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Make Up For Ever #910 Star Powder (springy green base), Make Up For Ever #304 Eyeshadow (shimmery yellow-green), Make Up For Ever #93 Eyeshadow (matte aqua-green), Make Up For Ever #168 Eyeshadow (shimmery teal), Make Up For Ever #159 Eyeshadow (matte blue), MAC Nylon eyeshadow (yellow-gold highlighter), Make Up For Ever Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow (black), Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash Mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Make Up For Ever #5 Blush (matte coral-orange), Make Up For Ever #153 Blush (shimmery peachy-gold)
• Lips: MAC Overrich lipstick (pinky-coral), Make Up For Ever #403 Gloss (sheer orange-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), 116 (dense blush brush), 165 (highlighting brush)

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply #910 Star Powder all over the lid as the base with the 249. On the inner lid, pack #304 eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply #93 eyeshadow to the middle portion of the lid. On the outer lid and crease, apply #168 eyeshadow with the 226. Darken crease with #159 eyeshadow using the 219, and then blend out with the 226. Sweep MAC Nylon eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight with the 217. Apply 12L Aqua Eyes Liner on lower lash line. Smudge lower lash line with #304 eyeshadow with the 214 brush, pressing into lower lashes. Finish with Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow on on the upper lash line using the 208. Apply Aqua Smoky Lash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with #5 Blush using the 129, then highlight with #153 with the 165. Apply MAC Overrich lipstick to lips, and then top with #403 Gloss for color and shine.

Get step-by-step instructions…!

1. Begin with a clean/makeup-free eye area. Make sure any moisturizer you’ve applied has been fully absorbed, otherwise it might reduce the effectiveness of your eyeshadow base/primer.

2. Apply a neutral eyeshadow base like MAC Soft Ochre paint pot with a flat, firm bristled brush like the 249. You can also use products like Urban Decay Primer Potion or Too Faced Shadow Insurance.

3. You’ll want your eyeshadow base to cover your eye area from lash line to just before the brow bone.

4. With a flat, lightly fluffy domed brush, apply Make Up For Ever #910 Star Powder with water-based mixing medium all over the lower lid.

5. Pull the brush outwards so that the color covers the whole lid.

6. This is how the color should look once it has been deposited. You may need to go back and add more to get an opaque base without any sheer areas.

7. With an eyeshadow brush like the 239, apply Make Up For Ever #304 eyeshadow, which is a chartreuse shimmer shade, all over the lower lid.

8. This is how it should look. Layer additional eyeshadow over it to even out the color or intensify it as necessary/desired.

9. Using a fluffy eyeshadow brush like the 239, apply Make Up For Ever #93 eyeshadow, a bright apple green, to the middle of the lid, pulling downwards towards the lash line.

10. This is how it should look now.

11. With a fluffy eyeshadow brush like the 239, apply Make Up For Ever #168 eyeshadow, a shimmery teal, onto the outer third of the lid.

12. This is what it looks like now.

13. With a fluffy, tapered crease brush like the 226, apply Make Up For Ever #159 eyeshadow, a matte royal blue, into the outer half of the crease.

14. Pull the brush outwards, and then drag slightly downwards towards the outer corner.

15. This is what it looks like now. You can go back and intensify the boldness of your crease color if desired.

16. With a large fluffy brush like the 224, apply your choice in highlighter (I chose MAC Nylon eyeshadow, which is a soft gold shimmer) to your brow bone. Start on the inside and work your way outward.

17. This is what it looks like at this time!

18. With a stiff, defining brush like the 214, apply Make Up For Ever #304 eyeshadow, a shimmery chartreuse, to the lower lash line. Repeat but use Make Up For Ever #159 eyeshadow, a matte royal blue, on the outer third of the lower lash line.

19. Add a green-teal eyeliner like Make Up For Ever 12L to the lower lash line and black mascara to finish the eye look. Apply Make Up For Ever Aqua Black Cream Eyeshadow on the upper lash line with a stiff, angled brush like the 208. For blush, try matching with corals, like Make Up For Ever #5 Blush and Make Up For Ever #153 Blush. For lips, try a coral shade as well. I used MAC Overrich lipstick with Make Up For Ever #3 gloss (a sheer coral-orange).

Here’s the finished product!

So much for having mastered false lashes! Trying to use them in this look turned out to be more disaster than gorg. Good thing this was just for fun and not going out, because then I would have been upset rather than just a little disappointed it didn’t all wrap up into a nice little bow. This is a very OTT look, and it was deliberately made that way. I’d probably wear it out, but I totally understand if anyone feels it’s a bit too bright/much for the grocery store   Besides, it looked good from afar, and nobody should be standing THISCLOSE to my eyes anyway, right?!

For those wondering, you can purchase Make Up For Ever at Sephora.com.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Make Up For Ever #910 Star Powder (springy green base), Make Up For Ever #171 Eyeshadow (shimmery yellow-green), Make Up For Ever #93 Eyeshadow (matte aqua-green), Make Up For Ever #159 Eyeshadow (matte royal blue), Make Up For Ever #167 Eyeshadow (shimmery medium blue), Make Up For Ever #102 (matte eggshell), Make Up For Ever Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow (black), Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash Mascara (black), , Make Up For Ever #7L Aqua Eyes Liner, Make Up For Ever #156 Genevieve False Lashes
• Cheeks: Make Up For Ever #5 Blush (matte coral-orange), Make Up For Ever #153 Blush (shimmery peachy-gold)
• Lips: Urban Decay Naked lipstick (shimmery pink-beige), Chanel Arlequin Glossimer (shimmering 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), 116 (dense blush brush), 165 (highlighting brush)

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply #910 Star Powder all over the lid as the base with the 249. On the inner lid, pack #171 eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply #93 eyeshadow to the middle portion of the lid. On the outer lid and crease, apply #167 eyeshadow with the 226. Darken crease with #159 eyeshadow using the 219, and then blend out with the 226. With #171 eyeshadow, apply it just above the crease colors with the 217. Sweep #102 eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight with the 217. Apply #7L Aqua Eyes Liner on lower lash line. Smudge lower lash line with #171 eyeshadow with the 214 brush, pressing into lower lashes. Apply #156 Genevieve false lashes on upper lash line. Finish with Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow on on the upper lash line using the 208. Apply Aqua Smoky Lash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with #5 Blush using the 129, then highlight with #153 with the 165. Apply Urban Decay Naked lipstick to lips, and then top with Chanel Arlequin glossimer for color and shine.

Check out more photos!