I don’t have a real go-to; I tend to opt for warmer tones, either a jewel-toned eye if I’m feeling colorful or a smokier, gold/bronze kind of vibe and then pairing cheeks/lips from there.
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Fun question! I have two special occasion looks:
For a dressy look, I use Dior’s Backstage Cool Palette, Marc Jacobs Highliner in Blacquer, Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Pink Explosion, Diorskin Nude Luminizer in Pink Glow, Guerlain Meteorite Pearls, and Laura Mercier Velour Lovers Lipstick in Boudoir.
For an edgier look, I’ve been wearing ColourPop’s Smoke Show Palette, Marc Jacobs Highliner in Blacquer, Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Cuff (looks amazing with Smoke Show), and Chanel Pirate (my all-time favorite red lipstick). There are no set cheek products; it depends on my mood, but I’ll usually buff on Guerlain Meteorite Pearls.
Nowadays for me special occasions means mostly going to a musical, opera or symphonic concert. I actually have two go-to looks. When I know I’m running late it’s a neutral quick eyeshadow look with a bold lipstick. When I have time I do either a grey or brown smokey eye look (but nothing too intense), paired with a bold lipstick. Otherwise, it’s the same old every day contouring, some blush, no highlighter, no false eyelashes, same brow routine.
I don’t have a go-to either. I like to match something in my makeup to something I’m wearing. So today, for example, we’re doing a Thanksgiving event at work. My eyeshadow matches my dress- that feels old Hollywood and special somehow.
And I like the impactful thing to be something other than lipstick so that I can eat/drink comfortably.
I do colorful highlighter a lot, since that lasts. The last couple of weeks I’ve put Tati’s Textured Neutrals Vol. 1 glitters on my orbital bone/cheekbone when going out somewhere special.
I don’t really have one! Partly because I just wear whatever I’m in the mood for, and partly because there aren’t many special occasions in my life, lol.
I’m fair with dark hair, green/hazel eyes and slight pink undertones: Emphasis on bright pink or red mouth and cheeks. Very subtle, natural eyes (for me that’s grayed-rose, -mauve and -icy pink eye shadow), black tightlining w/blackened-plum shadow smudged on the lash line) and lots of black mascara, particularly on the corners.
oooh this is fun
i’ll line my undereyes with a gel (i usually just do liquid on the upper eyelid on a day-to-day basis), bust out some fancy mascara, and do some contour. for eyeshadow i usually don’t wear any (or if i do it’s maybe a faint wash of one matte colour in the outer lid area) but if it’s a special occasion i’ll try and do like, an actual look. lip and cheek probably just the usual as what i do (lipstick, blush, highlighter) but i might go for a darker lip depending on the occasion and/or outfit.
I usually always do a neutral smoky eye with a very light application of shimmer topper on the lid. I will darken it up for going out and be slightly heavier shimmer. I usually do a lighter glossy lip (lipliner for color topped with gloss.). My lips chap easier and I usually defer to darker lip colors at work. I usually add a lash primer and extra coats of mascara. Sometimes I pop a crystal on my left cheekbone if it is to a club.
In the summer when I have more color, I go bronze and use a shinier highlighter. I find my husband likes this look the most.
I do use body shimmer on my chest and color ones though. Sometimes I’ll add gold shimmer to my curls which makes them seem highlighted and more shiny.
I have dark brown hair, pale blue eyes, about NW20 skin.
My default is probably Nars Audacious in Carmen, with a predominantly gold eyeshadow look (until recently I’d say a gold and brown look with Urban Decay Half Baked, sometimes Chopper), blush Sleek Rose Gold. But I’m not wedded to that.
I usually use my latest “look” sort of item (e.g. red gel eyeliner, white eyeliner, gray lips), or neutral eye and red lips, or this go-to:
Eyes: Vampy and smoked out with deep blue, purple or red (sometimes a shimmer topper), black tightlighting, black winged liquid liner
Lips: Deep red (e.g. FENTY Griselda), deep plum (e.g. MAC Fashion Revival), nude, or glossy
Cheeks: Brown or light pink blush with a light hand
I would love to see your looks! Your color palette sounds so interesting!!!
Patty
Since my only special occasion makeup has been what I’ve worn to either concerts or my Convention, I can say that my go-to eyeshadow palettes were PMG Bronze Seduction Mothership V, ND Mini Lila and Lila full size. I would also absolutely use either ND Mini Gold and/or PMG Subversive Mothership III in the future. For concerts, I wear a deep matte lip and a more contoured and highlighted cheek. For special religious assemblies, I go with whatever lip and cheek go well with my outfit. Easy enough since my wardrobe consists of mostly black or jewel toned clothing.
I don’t have an implicit go-to, but would be reaching for PMG Bronze Seduction or Divine Rose with the Astral Rose quad Ritualistic Rose. It’s the VR shades which call to me for special occasions.
I don’t have a single go-to look. It depends on the occasion and venue. If I’m going out to a concert or show, or something else at night just with my husband and/or family, anything goes. Ditto for holidays at home. I usually wear bolder makeup and love shimmer, and I may break out some glitter.
For night-time work or other fancy events, I usually go with gold or bronze lightly smokey eye, matte red or glossy nude lips, nude blush, and natural highlighter.
For daytime work events, weddings, memorial services, and other conservative events, I usually go for a classic pin-up look: Matte face and highlighter, nude or light coral blush, matte and neutral eye with winged black liner on the top lid, and matte red lips. I sometimes substitute a mauve- or peachy- nude lip if I need a softer look.
My seasonal Winter go to is a warm gold , copper and rich warm deep plum brown .
I, like a lot of you, don’t have a go to for the same reasons. What I do have are my go to brands and foundation. The Dior Airflash foundation with either Pat McGrath or Natasha Denona eyeshadow.
Has anyone who has this PM Mothership palette combined the red with gold to achieve a warm orange type of shade? I’ve been on the fence about this palette since it came out because it looks so bold and flashy and I go for more muted earthy tones or lavenders.