Happy Thanksgiving!  For those who celebrate it, I hope you’ve been having a lovely day with your loved ones.  For those who don’t, I hope your Thursday is every bit as lovely (or perhaps Friday, depending on where you may reside!).  I’d like to take this moment to share a few things that I’m thankful for:  the love and support of my family, the loyalty and trust of my readers, and of the beauty community at large for creating a vibrant, knowledgeable, and vast universe for those who are passionate about beauty.

Here is my totally indulgent look for today (meaning:  products I just wanted to wear, not because I needed to test them!) — thanks for visiting as always!

EYES

I used MAC 242 Brush for the cream eyeshadows, Makeup Geek Small Crease Brush for the crease, and IT Cosmetics #112 Airbrush Precision Shadow Brush for the brow bone highlighter. I started by patting ColourPop Fringe Super Shock Shadow on the very inner fourth of the lid, near the tearduct, and then lighting pulling the sparkle/shimmer upward past the innermost crease area. Next, I applied ColourPop KathleenLights Super Shock Shadow on the middle of the lid, overlapping with Fringe. To get a better gradient between the two shades, I then patted ColourPop Cheap Date Super Shock Shadow between the two, just gently. To add more contrast, I applied ColourPop Drift Super Shock Shadow to the outer third of the lid and lightly buffing just into the crease but not above it. For the crease, I applied ColourPop Central Perk Super Shock Shadow with a small crease brush and buffed it quite a bit above the crease itself. To merge the outer lid and crease shades together, I applied ColourPop Moonshine Super Shock Shadow to the crease. To diffuse the crease color, I applied ColourPop Truth Super Shock Shadow to the brow bone with a fluffy brush. I used Sephora Love Affair Eyeliner on the lower lash line, and then patted ColourPop Fringe Super Shock Shadow over the inner third and ColourPop Dance Party Super Shock Shadow on the outer two-thirds. I used IT Cosmetics Tightline mascara with Dior DiorShow layered on top.

FACE

I applied Marc Jacobs Beauty Coconut Primer prior to doing anything else, so that it had time to absorb into the skin. After I finished applying my eye makeup, I applied a mix of Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation in 02 and 03 (about 2/3 and 1/3). I applied Tom Ford Love Lust Blush on cheeks and highlighted with Laura Geller Ballerina Baked Gelato Illuminator. To set and buff everything in (I also toned down the cheek color I had on) with Guerlain Les Voilettes Loose Powder in 03. I used Clarins Fix’ Makeup Spray as a final setting step.

LIPS

I mixed Tom Ford Malik Lip Color and Tom Ford Derek Lip Color together, and then layered the mixed lipstick hue with Sephora Good Fairy Ultra Shine Holographic Lip Gel. I highlighted the cupid’s bow and just below the center of the bottom lip with Laura Mercier 001 Matte Radiance Powder using a fluffy brow brush.

See more photos!

Thanksgiving 2015 Makeup Look

Thanksgiving 2015 Makeup Look

Thanksgiving 2015 Makeup Look

How-to: Merry Makeup

This is my look for Christmas Eve  It is definitely similar to what I normally opt for over Christmas!  This year, I decided to use green eyeliner rather than green eyeshadow.  You could add glitter over the lid for added sparkle, too.

Eyes: Begin by using a fluffy crease brush (I used MUFE #17S) and apply a red-burgundy eyeshadow (I used Inglot #450 Eyeshadow) into the crease and blending towards the outer corner as well. Next, apply a honey gold eyeshadow (I used Inglot #430 Eyeshadow) with a firm eyeshadow brush (I used MAC 239) on the outer two-thirds of the lid. Apply a soft, warm orange eyeshadow (I used Inglot #403 Eyeshadow) on the inner third of the lid. To highlight the brow bone, apply a shimmery beige/white eyeshadow (I used Inglot #395 Eyeshadow) just underneath the brow bone, then pat a matte beige eyeshadow (I used Burberry Trench) between the crease color and the brow highlight to soften the shimmer finish. Finally, line the lower lash line with a deep green/teal (I used MAC Junkie), and then apply a liquid gold eyeliner (I used Urban Decay Eldorado) to brighten and add sparkle.

Face: Prep face by moisturizing, then applying any face primers (I used Eve Pearl’s Moisturizing Primer). I applied a few drops and dabs of liquid foundation (I used Giorgio Armani Maestro) and blend out using a dense foundation brush (I used Hourglass’ Foundation Brush). Next, apply a natural blusher, which will depend on your complexion, with either brown or plum tones (I used Kevyn Aucoin Natura) with a soft blush brush (I used Bobbi Brown’s Blush Brush). Finish the look by setting with pressed or loose powder (I used Guerlain Wulong) with a large, bluffy brush (I used MAC 138).

Lips: Prep lips by keeping them hydrated prior to applying lip color–I usually have lip balm on whenever I’m not wearing a lip color, but if you don’t usually do this, try applying a lip balm 20 minutes prior (or more), then lightly blot off right before you apply your lip color. Apply a berry-red lipstick (I used Guerlain Gigolo) onto lips, and then lightly pat a shimmering gold gloss (I used Bobbi Brown Canary) on top for sparkle and shine.

One more photo of the whole kit ‘n’ caboodle look… 

Look: My Christmas Makeup

I like themed makeup myself, so I felt it was only right to incorporate red and green into a look in the spirit of Christmas. One of the easiest ways to tie green and red together is by using gold, and if you want to try out a cooler-toned version of it, you could try silver. Gold is easier, just because greens tend to have subtle yellow undertones and reds easily blend to a burnished copper when they mesh with golds.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (eyeshadow primer), Inglot #418 Eyeshadow (medium-dark forest green with gold sheen), Inglot #430 Eyeshadow (deep, rich honey gold), Inglot #450 Eyeshadow (cranberry), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (beige), Bobbi Brown Bronze/Chocolate Dual-Ended Eyeliner (bronze), Hourglass Film Noir Mascara (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (130), Illamasqua Seduce Cream Blush (plum), Guerlain Les Voilettes Mineral Powder (03)
• Lips: Giorgio Armani #602 Gloss d’Armani (semi-sheer plum), Hourglass Imagine Extreme Sheen Lipgloss (gold sheen)

For eyes, I applied a light layer of NARS Smudgeproof on the lid as an eyeshadow primer from lash line to brow bone with a firm, flat brush.  The first eyeshadow I applied was Inglot #430, which I applied to the upper two-thirds of the lid and just barely into crease with a small eyeshadow brush.  With the edge of an eyeshadow brush, I applied Inglot #418 on the lower third of the lid, and then I went back with the previous brush to soften the edge (I always prefer to blend light into dark).  With a fluffy crease brush, I applied Inglot #450 above the crease and towards the inner tear duct, following the natural shape of the crease.  Next, I softened the edge with Inglot #430 lightly blended outwards.  To highlight the brow, I applied Burberry Trench with a fluffy blending brush.   On the lower lash line, I first applied Bobbi Brown Bronze and smudged Inglot #430 below.  Finally, I applied a coat of Hourglass Film Noir to lengthen and thicken lashes.

For face, I applied Make Up For Ever HD with a circular foundation brush.  I blended Illamasqua Seduce onto cheeks with fingertips and set with Guerlain Les Voilettes.  For lips, I applied Giorgio Armani #602 mixed with Hourglass Imagine.

Check out more photos!

Challenge: Wear Colors You’re Afraid Of

I’m actually not technically, technically afraid of any color, but I don’t usually reach for red eyeshadows because I don’t think they work well with me and take more effort than I usually can handle to work.  I’ve had the best success combining it with golds and oranges for a sunset-like eye.  I remember the first time I ever wore a pinky-red eyeshadow; my mom saw me not a minute after I had finished the look and asked if something was wrong and if I had been crying.

Is there a color you’re “afraid” of?  Maybe you can’t find a way to make it work or you really don’t think you can pull it off…

While I don’t think I look like I spent the past hour crying my eyes out, I didn’t love how it came out–the purple I picked for the lid color was too dark, and I think I’d opt for something with some shimmer to open up the eyes more (which is why I ended up adding a shimmery mauve to the inner tear duct area–there was just too much darkness on my eyes).  So, I’m still working on finding a way to wear red eyeshadow that’s not just gold/orange/red (because that combo I can do!).  I almost, almost tried green with Christmas just around the corner but held myself back!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (eyeshadow primer), Inglot #325 Eyeshadow (eggplant purple), Inglot #382 Eyeshadow (red), Inglot #450 Eyeshadow (cranberry), Inglot #420 Eyeshadow (mauve), Inglot #353 Eyeshadow (beige), Make Up For Ever #7 Aqua Liner (purple), Tarina Tarantino Glitter Mist Eyelicity Glitter Eyeliner (iridescent glitter), Hourglass Film Noir Mascara (black), Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash Mascara (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (130), Le Metier de Beaute Coral Nymph Cream Blush (peach-coral), Guerlain Les Voilettes Mineral Powder (03)
• Lips: Giorgio Armani #602 Gloss d’Armani (semi-sheer plum)

For eyes, I applied a light layer of NARS Smudgeproof on the lid as an eyeshadow primer from lash line to brow bone with a firm, flat brush.  The first eyeshadow I applied was Inglot #450, and I used a fluffy crease brush to lay down the crease color to help provide a good blended background for the intense red I planned to use.  Next, I applied Inglot #325 onto the lid with a small eyeshadow brush.  With a firm, domed crease brush, I applied Inglot #382 into the crease and blended just slightly outwards so the red would also peek through with my eyes open.  Using a large eyeshadow brush, I softened the crease color with Inglot #353 and applied it to the brow bone.  To lighten the look, I applied Inglot #420 on the inner tear duct with a fluffy angled brush.  On the lower lash line, I first applied Make Up For Ever #7 and layered Tarina Tarantino Glitter Mist on top.  Finally, I applied a coat of Bare Escentuals Buxom to lengthen lashes and then thickened with Hourglass Film Noir.

For face, I applied Make Up For Ever HD with a circular foundation brush.  I blended Le Metier de Beaute Coral Nymph onto cheeks with fingertips and set with Guerlain Les Voilettes.  For lips, I applied Giorgio Armani #602.

Check out more photos!

Yellow, Orange, Coral with MAC Big Bounce & Fashion Flower

This is a look I did last week to test out the MAC Big Bounce eyeshadow for twelve hours.  For reference, you really don’t need Fresh Daisy in this look.  I initially wanted to use it in the inner corner (and you can see a very little bit), but it was just too stark against my skin tone so I covered most of it with Bright Sunshine.

You will need the following…

• Eyes:  MAC Reward Yourself Big Bounce Eyeshadow (olive green), MAC Fresh Daisy Eyeshadow (warm white), MAC Bright Sunshine Eyeshadow (bright yellow with shimmer), MAC Rule Eyeshadow (orange), MAC Free to Be Eyeshadow (coral), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (highlighter), Urban Decay Bourbon 24/7 Liner (brown), Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Burberry Pressed Powder (03)
• Cheeks: MAC Springsheen Blush (pinky-peach)
• Lips: MAC Ever Hip Lipstick (coral-pink), Cle de Peau #2 Lipgloss (pink-peach)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 222 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pencil brush), 188 (small, circular stippling brush)
• Substitutes: Fresh Daisy = Nylon; Ever Hip = Crosswires (not a great dupe!)

For eyes, start by applying Reward Yourself eyeshadow all over the lid and above the crease with the 242.  Apply Fresh Daisy eyeshadow to the inner tearduct with the 239.  Next, apply Bright Sunshine eyeshadow to the middle of the lid with the 239.  Gently blend Rule eyeshadow to the outer third of the lid and into the crease with the 239.  Darken the crease with Free to Be eyeshadow using the 222.

For cheeks, apply Springsheen blush on the apples of the cheeks and sweep towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Ever Hip lipstick and top with #2 lipgloss for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!

New Year’s Eve Look with MAC Peacocky

Though I spent New Year’s Eve at home playing with makeup (err, I mean, reviewing Peacocky!), I still felt like I needed to get a little dolled up–at the very least! It was actually the first New Year’s Eve that my boyfriend and I have spent together, just him and I. I wanted something soft but still a little glitzy, and the new Mega Metal Eyeshadows were obviously the way to go–get to test them out, get my glitz!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), MAC Dalliance Eyeshadow (pewter gold), MAC Sex-pectations Eyeshadow (pewter gold), (burgundy), MAC Centre Stage Eyeshadow (chocolate brown), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow,Urban Decay Perversion 24/7 Liner (black) Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Burberry Pressed Powder (03)
• Cheeks: MAC Sur Blush (neutral pink-brown), MAC Gana Blush (champagne beige)
• Lips: MAC Scandelicious Kissable Lipcolour (dark pink)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 222 (fluffy crease brush), 263 (angled eyeliner brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Dalliance = Urban Decay Maui Wowie; Sex-pectations = Cranberry; Centre Stage = Bronze; Sur = Prism; Gana = Soft & Gentle; Scandelicious = Korres #54
  

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Dalliance eyeshadow all over the lid. Lightly blend Centre Stage eyeshadow into the crease and blend into the outer corner with the 222. Next, apply Sex-pectations eyeshadow into the lower crease with the 239 (horizontally), lightly blending with Centre Stage. Blend Trench eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Perversion eyeliner on the lower lash line and pat Dalliance eyeshadow on lower lower lash line with a dampened 219 to brighten. Finish by sweeping lashes with Inimitable Intense mascara.

For cheeks, apply Sur blush on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116, then highlight with Gana blush using the 165.

For lips, apply Scandelicious lipcolour for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!

Look: LORAC Private Affair

I just finished up testing LORAC’s Private Affair palette (review coming soon), and this is a finished look I did using the palette. The burgundy shade is so disappointing, because it looks so lush and pigmented when swatched and when initially patted on, but it fades away so quickly to this dirty mauve pink. More on all that soon, I promise!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), LORAC Private Affair Palette (first shade — champagne, fourth shade — metallic taupe; fifth shade — burgundy; sixth shade — blackened purple), Make Up For Ever #4L Aqua Eyes (plum), Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara (Rouge Noir)
• Face: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation (Punjab), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (translucent)
• Cheeks: Rock & Republic Lust Blush (dirty red-pink)
• Lips: Vincent Longo Aurelia Lipgloss (plum)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush)

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply the taupe eyeshadow on the inner half of the lid and pull upwards along the inner crease. Lightly blend the burgundy eyeshadow on outer half of the lid with the 239. Next, apply the blackened purple eyeshadow into the crease with the 226, lightly blending onto the outer lid. Blend the champagne eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying #4L aqua eyes on the lower lash line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Inimitable Intense mascara.

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

For lips, apply Aurelia lipgloss for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!

Bobbi Brown Black Velvet Look

Here’s a quick look I did using some of the new shades from Bobbi Brown’s Black Velvet Collection! I wish the photos turned out better, because I actually liked how this look worked out in the end! It was this peek of smoky eyes that wasn’t overwhelming but not quite subtle either!

I’m so mad — my favorite foundation, Guerlain Parure Gold, is now too dark for me!  Here’s hoping that #02 matches… love that foundation so much!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), Bobbi Brown Black Berry Eyeshadow (blackened burgundy), Bobbi Brown Black Velvet Eyeshadow (glittery blackened purple), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (highlighter), Bobbi Brown Black Plum Eye Kohl (dark plum), Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara (black)
• Face: Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation (03), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (translucent)
• Cheeks: Rock & Republic Tease Blush (cool pink)
• Lips: Bobbi Brown Black Chocolate Lip Gloss (sheer burgundy)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush)

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Black Berry eyeshadow on the lower third of the lid patted horizontally above the upper lash line. Lightly blend Black Velvet eyeshadow across the lid and slightly above the crease with the 239. Blend Trench eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Black Plum on the lower lash line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Inimitable Intense mascara.

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

For lips, apply Black Chocolate lipgloss for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!