Valentine’s Day Makeup: Soft Peach & Plum

I thought I’d do a look using NARS Kuala Lumpur, a new eyeshadow duo for spring–review coming soon–which went okay. I had to use this duo wet in order to get the intensity I wanted. The cheeks and lips are still goin’ strong with MAC Spring Colour Forecast, so never fear!

Oh, man, I really wanted to add more to the crease.  I wanted some more depth, more darkness… just MORE!  But I held myself back.  I told myself, “Go softer, let’s try it!”

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (neutral beige base), NARS Kuala Lumpur Eyeshadow Duo (soft melon/plum burgundy), NARS Mediteranee Eyeshadow Duo (soft gold), Urban Decay 1999 24/7 Liner (burgundy), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Face: Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer (Medium)
• Cheeks: MAC Vintage Grape Blush Ombre (dirty plum)
• Lips: MAC Radicchio Lipstick (pinky plum), MAC Almondine Lipglass (frosty white-gold) (sheer gold)
• Brushes: 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes:  Try MAC Motif, MAC Cranberry, MAC Ricepaper

For eyes, start by applying Soft Ochre paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using a dampened 239, apply Kuala Lumpur eyeshadow (the peach side) all over the lid. Next, apply Kuala Lumpur eyeshadow (the plum side) on the outer third of the eyelid and lightly blend into the outer crease. Lightly tap and brush Kuala Lumpur eyeshadow (the peach side) directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Meditaranee eyeshadow (the golden side) as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying 1999 eyeliner on the lower lash line and sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

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

For lips, apply Radicchio lipstick first, and then layer Almondine lipglass for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!

Valentine’s Day Makeup:  Pinks & Purples

I’m just popping in to share with you this quick pink look I was playing around with this morning before I took a shower.  (Yes, I totally will put on a full face of makeup, only to wash it all off right after!)   Sorry if it’s felt like I’ve been a bit MIA this weekend… really trying to put in the full energy and effort to study for my midterms, which has always been a challenge ever since I’ve really started to get into the blog.  ‘Cause trust me, I’d so much rather be writing or preparing posts for you all than reading about bonds and utility theory!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (neutral beige base), MAC Stacked 1! Pigment (light purple), MAC Da Bling Eyeshadow (medium pink), MAC Bruised Plum Eyeshadow (soft gray mauve), MAC Lala Eyeshadow (dark pink), MAC Black Tulip Eyeshadow (dark purple), MAC Femme-fi Eyeshadow (neutral highlighter), Urban Decay Lust 24/7 Liner (purple), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Face: Korres Tinted Moisturizer (#2)
• Cheeks: MAC Azalea Blossom Blush Ombre (pinky purple)
• Lips: MAC Victorian Lipstick (bright pink with gold sheen), MAC Hush, Hush Rose Lipglass (medium-dark pink)
• Brushes: 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes:  Stacked 1! Pigment = Kitschmas; Bruised Plum = Shale; Lala = Fuchsia Pigment (or Romping eyeshadow, which was LE!); Black Tulip = Nocturnelle

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 the light purple pigment all over the lid area. Using the 239, apply Da Bling eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Bruised Plum eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Lala eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Lightly blend Black Tulip eyeshadow, with the 239, on the outer corner and lid. Lightly tap and brush Da Bling 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 Lust eyeliner on the lower lash line and sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

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

For lips, apply Victorian lipstick first, and then layer Hush, Hush Rose lipglass for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!

Valentine’s Day Makeup: Neutral Eyes & Red Lips

The boy and I went out last night for our Valentine’s Day dinner (early, I know–that’s how we do it!), so I had to pull out Chanel Dragon for a little night out on the town!   Every time I wear it, I feel like I’m totally made out of awesome, LOL.  I still love it to bits.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (neutral beige base), MAC Ricepaper Eyeshadow (soft shimmery champagne), MAC Wedge Eyeshadow (medium brown), MAC Cork Eyeshadow (medium-dark brown), MAC Mystery Eyeshadow (dark brown), Urban Decay Bourbon 24/7 Liner (brown), Chanel Exceptionnel Mascara (black)
• Face: Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation (Beige Naturel #03)
• Cheeks: Benefit Sugarbomb (peachy-pink)
• Lips: Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque (perfect red)
• 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. Using the 239, apply Ricepaper eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Wedge eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Cork eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Lightly blend Mystery eyeshadow, with the 226, into the outer crease. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Ricepaper eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Bourbon eyeliner on the lower lash line and sweeping lashes with Exceptionnel mascara.

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

For lips, apply Dragon rouge allure laque with a lip brush for the perfect red lip.

Check out more photos!

Valentine’s Day Makeup: Soft Neutrals & Pink Lips

So, opposite of the last look, here’s a very soft look one could wear. I call it Valentine’s Day makeup, but you could really wear it any time. I think it’s quite appropriate for a variety of occasions! I wore this to school on Wednesday, which worked for me; I was able to wear *something* but not feel out of place or too young. (I’m probably one of the younger people in my program.)

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), (champagne pink), Too Faced Silk Teddy Eyeshadow (champagne pink), Too Faced Peach Fuzz Eyeshadow (peach-beige), Too Faced Cocoa Puff Eyeshadow (warm chocolate brown), Too Faced Teddy Bear Eyeshadow (dark mushroom brown), Too Faced Heaven Eyeshadow (matte beige), Urban Decay Underground 24/7 Liner (brown), MAC Plushlash (black)
• Face:  Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer (medium)
• Cheeks: Smashbox Paradise Blush (peachy-pink)
• Lips: Urban Decay Rush Lipstick (soft pink), Chanel Pinup Glossimer (champagne 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: N/A

For eyes, start by applying Soft Ochre paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the lid with the 249. Using the 239, apply Silk Teddy eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Peach Fuzz eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Cocoa Puff eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Next, define the crease by applying Teddy Bear eyeshadow with the 226. Lightly tap and brush Silk Teddy eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Heaven eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Underground Liner on the lower lash line, and then sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

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

For lips, apply Rush lipstick first, and then layer Pinup glossimer for a soft lip look.

Check out more photos!

Valentine’s Day Makeup: It’s the New Pink

Last night, I asked the late night Twitter crowd if I should do a colorful or natural look — I was originally thinking about doing something soft and natural, but colorful was the voice of the majority, so I ran with it. I thought about it, and I decided I should do some pinks, and then I started feeling like something Barbie might wear, you know, if she was obsessed with makeup and wore color up to her brows…

Since it’s always fun try out different lips, I went with two extremes: hot fuchsia pink and cool-toned pink-purple. I think what you pair it with, lips-wise, is really something that’s about what you feel comfortable in and if it’s appropriate for the occasion. I’d totally wear the hot pink lips out at night — don’t care if it doesn’t follow makeup rules! To tone it down, go for something in-between — light enough so it doesn’t compete with the eyes, but not so light that it washes you out. My go-to for a look like this is Sweetie lipstick topped with Luminary lustreglass, but I wasn’t trying to be subtle with this look, so there ya go. Best part about makeup? It’s fun! Second best part? It washes off

I’m pretty sure I totally rocked this kind of look one Valentine’s Day, so let’s go with that.  I’m almost positive I did the ultra bright, ultra fuchsia, and totally unforgiving hot pink lip on a Valentine’s Day, at least.  You could totally put some awesome false lashes on for even more dramatic eye, too!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (neutral beige base), (opalescent white-pink), MAC Pink Opal PigmentMAC Seedy Pearl Eyeshadow (pinky-white), MAC Stars ‘n Rockets Eyeshadow (fuchsia-purple), MAC Fig. 1 Eyeshadow (eggplant), MAC Passionate Eyeshadow (medium-deep pink), MAC Penultimate Eyeliner (black), Urban Decay Lust 24/7 Liner (purple), Chanel Exceptionnel Mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Benefit Sugarbomb Powder (peachy-pink) / Illamasqua Kate Blush (cool-toned pink)
• Lips: MAC Show Orchid Lipstick (PRO) (fuchsia-purple), MAC Luminary Lustreglass (opalescent) / MAC Saint Germain Lipstick (cool-toned pink-purple), MAC Luminary Lustreglass (opalescent)
• 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: Saint Germain = Snob

For eyes, start by applying Soft Ochre paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the lid with the 249. Put one or two drops of water-based mixing medium (or water) on your 239, and then apply Pink Opal pigment on the lid, going just above the crease. Using the 239, apply Seedy Pearl eyeshadow on the lower lid. Next, apply Stars ‘n Rockets eyeshadow on the outer third of the eyelid and lightly blend with crease. Darken the outer third of the lid with Passionate eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Next, define the crease by applying Fig. 1 eyeshadow with the 226. Lightly tap and brush Seedy Pearl eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Seedy Pearl eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Lust Liner on the lower lash line and Penultimate eyeliner on the upper lash line, and then sweeping lashes with Exceptionnel mascara.

For cheeks, apply Benefit Sugarbomb to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116 for a warmer cheek; try Illamasqua Kate for a cooler pink cheek.

For lips, apply Show Orchid lipstick first, and then layer Luminary lustreglass for a bolder lip look. For a paler lip look, try Saint Germain lipstick as a base, and then top with Luminary lustreglass.

Check out more photos!

PINK LIPS MAKE YA FEEL SEXYYYYY!