The beginning of the new year is always an optimistic time for me where everything just seems brighter, and I always feel renewed as a result! When Nordstrom reached out to work with me to create a look, those feelings inspired me to use different textures and finishes to brighten and add dimension to each feature. I went for a glittery, smoky eye with a pop of teal (you know me, when there’s a way to incorporate teal eyeliner, there’s no stopping me) paired with more neutral, subtle colors on cheeks and lips. You could easily make the look more dramatic by going for a deeper contour or substituting in a berry or plum blush. Similarly, any pop of color (or even a metallic silver!) would pair well with the eyeshadow colors, but I’m partial to teal, blue, and violet. If you want to be even more daring, try a plum or reddish lip instead; with the sparkle and lighter inner corner, it’s not a heavy smoky eye, and deeper lip colors could definitely pair with this look.

EYES: For the majority of the eyeshadows, I used Charlotte Tilbury The Rock Chick Eyeshadow Quad, which is a mixture of grays (review). I began by applying the lightest shade (top left) from inner lid to just before the outer third of the lid (so about two-thirds) and buffing lightly above the natural crease. Next, I patted the medium gray shade (top right) to the outer third of the lid and lightly faded it above the crease. To add depth, I tapped the dark gray shade (bottom right) into the crease and blended. For sparkle, I patted Urban Decay Moonspoon Moondust Eyeshadow, which is a sparkly silver-gray (review), onto the middle of the lid with my fingertip. I went back with the lightest shade in the quad (top left) and lightly blended it with the sparkly section. I highlighted the brow bone, and diffused the crease color, by applying Burberry Trench Sheer Eyeshadow, which is a satin-matte beige (review). On the lower lash line, I applied Estee Lauder Emerald Volt Double Wear Eye Pencil, which is a rich teal. To brighten and lift the eyeliner, I also patted and smudged the lightest shade in the quad (top left) along the inner tearduct and below the inner third of the lower lash line. I added fullness and definition to my brows by using an angled brush and filling in with MAC Brun Eyeshadow, a deep brown, and then running MAC Clear Brow Set through the hairs to keep them in place.

FACE: For my base, I opted for a lighter coverage, natural finish with Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Foundation with equal parts 02 and 03 (review), which I mixed with Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight The Celestial Skin Liquid Emulsion, a liquid highlighter that I prefer to mix in with a liquid foundation for an all-over glow (review). To set everything in place and diffuse the skin, I dusted and patted Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Powder in Medium Light all-over (review). I defined the cheek bones by contouring and highlighting with Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow (review). To add a little color to the apples of the cheeks, I went with Chanel Jersey Joues Contraste Powder Blush, a neutral shade (review).

LIPS: I applied Guerlain Galiane Rouge G Lipstick, a rosy beige (review) all over lips. Then I topped the lip color with Bobbi Brown Bare High Shimmer Lipgloss, a sheer, sparkly warm beige (review) to add warmth, glossiness, and of course, sparkle!

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Look: Sparkling Smoky Eyes & Dazzling Lips

Look: Sparkling Smoky Eyes & Dazzling Lips

Look: Sparkling Smoky Eyes & Dazzling Lips

Look: Sparkling Smoky Eyes & Dazzling Lips

Look: Sparkling Smoky Eyes & Dazzling Lips

Look: Sparkling Smoky Eyes & Dazzling Lips

Look: Sparkling Smoky Eyes & Dazzling Lips

I haven’t done a smoky eye in awhile, so I wanted to try it with some of the products I had tested recently as well as with some shades I’ve worked with in the past. Then, I wanted to experiment with pairing a warmer lip with a smoky eye, as my typical go-to is something cooler-toned, like a rosy beige or more bubblegum-like pink.

Eyes

I first applied Makeup Geek Rockstar Eyeshadow on the inner third of the lid and blended upwards over the tear duct, towards the brow bone. Then, I patted on Makeup Geek Prom Night Eyeshadow to the center of the lid to brighten and create a gradient towards the outer lid. I used Makeup Geek Corrupt Eyeshadow to darken the outer corner and crease, which created a smoky effect. I softened the crease color’s edge by applying Burberry Trench Eyeshadow to the brow bone. I defined the lower water line with Marc Jacobs Beauty Blacquer Highliner Gel Crayon, and then I used bareMinerals Skinny Dip Eyeshadow smudged on the lower lashine.

Face

Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation (002 and 003) set with Guerlain Les Voilettes Loose Powder. I applied Stila Kitten All-Over Shimmer on the tops of cheek bones.

Lips

I applied Guerlain Gaetane Rouge G Lipstick all over the lips, and then I topped it off with Bobbi Brown Citrus High Shimmer Lipgloss for added shimmer and shine.

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Makeup Geek Smoky Eye Look

Makeup Geek Smoky Eye Look

Makeup Geek Smoky Eye Look

Makeup Geek Smoky Eye Look

Makeup Geek Smoky Eye Look

Summer Makeup with Chanel

You can’t review new products without actually testing them, right?  Here’s a look I put together to test out some of the products from Chanel’s summer collection!  Reviews/swatches to come

You will need the following…

• Eyes:  NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base, Chanel Lilium Eyeshadow Quad (beige, chartreuse, blackened green, mauve-taupe), Make Up For Ever #17L Aqua Eyes (chartreuse), Hourglass Film Noir Mascara (black)
• Face: Ellis Faas SkinVeil (S104), Guerlain Les Violettes Mineral Powder (03)
• Cheeks: Chanel Bronze Corail Soleil Tan de Chanel (bronze with coral)
• Lips: Chanel Sari Dore Rouge Coco Lipstick (coral orange), Chanel Pensee Glossimer (sheer coral)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 222 (fluffy crease brush), 184 (fan brush)

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye with the 249.  Apply the chartreuse eyeshadow to the lower half of the lid from inner to outer with the 239, just patting it on.  Next, apply the mauve-taupe eyeshadow above the crease with the 222, blending outwards.  With the 239, apply the blackened green eyeshadow into the crease with the 239, blending slightly downwards to cover the remaining portion of the lid and softening with the chartreuse eyeshadow.  Highlight the brow bone with the beige eyeshadow with the 217.  Apply 17L liner on the lower water line, and then smudge the blackened green eyeshadow against the lower lash line with the edge of the 239.  Finish by sweeping lashes with Film Noir mascara.

For cheeks, apply Bronze Corail bronzer on the apples of the cheeks and sweep towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Sari Dore lipstick first, then top with Pensee glossimer for a complementing lip.

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Smoky Brown Eyes with Lancome Taupe Craze

I did this look yesterday, as I was testing several new products (as you can tell!), all to be reviewed soon.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), Lancome Taupe Craze Eyeshadow Palette (pale beige, muted copper brown, muted medium brown, shimmering taupe, blackened taupe brown), Urban Decay Perversion 24/7 Liner (black), Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash (black)
• Face: Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer (Medium), Burberry Pressed Powder (03)
• Cheeks: Hourglass Flush Aura Sheer Cheek Stain (pinky-red)
• Lips: Hourglass Scarlet Aura Sheer Lip Stain (deep red)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 222 (fluffy crease brush), 263 (angled eyeliner 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 222, apply the muted medium brown eyeshadow into the crease and blend upwards.  Then, apply the blackened taupe brown eyeshadow with the 219 directly into the crease, and blend using the 222 to give it a gradient effect.  Apply the shimmering taupe eyeshadow on the outer half of the lid with the 239.  Using the 239, apply the pale beige eyeshadow to the inner half of the lid, and then highlight the brow bone with the same shade.  Bring everything together by applying Perversion liner on the lower lash line and blending the pale beige eyeshadow underneath. Finish by sweeping lashes with Buxom Lash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Flush cheek stain on the apples of the cheeks and pat towards the temple with fingers.

For lips, apply Scarlet lip stain for a complementing lip.

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Look:  MAC Venomous Villains – Maleficent

I used all of the mineralize eyeshadows wet, and these photos were taken at least a half hour after applying (do you know how terrible I am at applying lashes?!), so the color stayed quite vibrant well after they dried.  I went for a greasepaint stick as a base, as I felt like it might be a little tacky and keep fall out to a minimum (true!).  Half lashes look so wonky so close-up – because you can see clearly where the lash ends and the natural lash begins, but at a normal viewing distance, I think they worked really well.  More drama but not the heaviness of a full lash!

And yeah, I paired bold eyes with bold lips.  Don’t you think that’s what Maleficent would have done?

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC French Quarter Greasepaint Stick (dirty, dark antique gold), MAC She Who Dares Mineralize Eyeshadow Duo (blackened forest/emerald green), MAC My Dark Magic Mineralize Eyeshadow Duo (blackened purple, blackened violet-blue), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (highlighter), Urban Decay Graffiti 24/7 Liner (grass green), MAC Nocturnal Superslick Liquid Eyeliner (metallic silver), Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara, MAC Hello Kitty Lash
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (translucent)
• Cheeks: MAC Briar Rose Beauty Powder (pale pink)
• Lips: MAC Violetta Lipstick (fuchsia-purple), MAC Revenge is Sweet Lipglass (sheer, jelly fuchsia-pink)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: French Quarter = Bobbi Brown Antique Gold Cream Shadow; She Who Dares = NARS Night Porter (not a great dupe); My Dark Magic = Urban Decay Purple Haze (layered over black) / Parfait Amour (layered over black); MAC Hello Kitty Lash = Sephora Flutter Lash; Briar Rose = Pin Swoon; Revenge is Sweet = Flashmode (not a great dupe)

For eyes, start by applying French Quarter greasepaint stick as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249.  Spritz the 239 brush with a little water, and then pick up the emerald green side of She Who Dares and apply to the inner third of the lid.  Repeat but apply the blackened purple side of My Dark Magic to the outer two-thirds of the lid.  With the 272, lightly spritz with water, and then apply the violet-blue side of My Dark Magic into the crease, gently blending upwards.  Blend Trench eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone.  Line the upper lash line with Nocturnal liquid liner and lower lash line with Graffiti liner.  Apply Hello Kitty Lashes on the outer half of each eye.  Finish by sweeping Inimitable Intense mascara on lashes.

For cheeks, apply Briar Rose Beauty powder on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Violetta lipstick first, and then layer Revenge is Sweet lipglass for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!

Look:  Urban Decay Black Palette

Can you tell that I used four eyeshadows in this look?  If you can, you earn a merit badge for excellent, discerning sight!  Despite looking and even swatching relatively distinctively, when used, the eyeshadows look rather similar.  Just kind of looks like an all-black smoky eye to me!  Review to follow shortly.  This was a really quick look really just done to test out just how much color would show through when used in practice.

I added all that glitter to give this look more va-voom… it was just rather one-note beforehand.  I will say that Distortion over Deviant is stunning–more so in person as the glitter flashes.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Urban Decay Eden Primer Potion (matte beige base), Urban Decay Cobra Eyeshadow (black with antique gold), Urban Decay Libertine Eyeshadow (black with green), Urban Decay Black Dog Eyeshadow (matte black), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (highlighter), Urban Decay Deviant 24/7 Liner (medium blue), Urban Decay Distortion Glitter Liner (iridescent), Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (translucent)
• Cheeks: MAC Desert Rose Blush (muted pink)
• Lips: MAC Liquid Lurex Lipstick (iridescent antique gold glitter), MAC Pink Poodle Lipglass (bright pink)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Liquid Lurex = Tanarama

For eyes, start by applying Eden as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Cobra eyeshadow on the lower half of the lid and pat on horizontally.  Lightly blend Libertine eyeshadow on upper half of the lid, patting lightly, all the way across with the 239. Next, apply Black Dog eyeshadow into the crease with the 226, lightly blending onto the outer lid. Blend Trench eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Deviant liner on the lower lash line, then lightly pat on Distortion glitter liner on top. Finish by sweeping lashes with Inimitable Intense mascara, and then use Distortion glitter liner brushed onto lashes.

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

For lips, apply Liquid Lurex lipstick first, and then layer Pink Poodle lipglass for a complementing lip.

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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!