EYES

I applied the eyeshadows using two MAC 242 brushes (flat, synthetic eye brushes), Makeup Geek Small Crease Brush (small, tapered synthetic), and IT Cosmetics All-Over Shadow Brush (fluffy, synthetic).  I applied ColourPop Puppy Love Super Shock Shadow on the inner half of the lid with the 242 brush, and then I layered ColourPop So Quiche Super Shock Shadow over the middle third of the lid.  I used the second 242 brush to apply ColourPop Ibiza Super Shock Shadow on the outer third of the lid and lightly buffing into the crease (but not past it).  Next, I applied ColourPop Kimono Super Shock Shadow in the outer crease and smudged along the outermost corner of the lid with Makeup Geek Small Crease Brush.  I applied Stila Mint Julep Smudge Stick Eyeliner on the lower waterline and between lashes, then I applied Sephora My Boyfriend’s Jeans Contour Pencil on the lower lash line.  I layered ColourPop Ibiza on the inner half and ColourPop Kimono on the outer half of the lower lash line.  I wore Dior Diorshow Mascara on lashes.

FACE

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 ColourPop Santos Super Shock Cheek on cheeks as a blush with fingertips.  To set and buff everything in (I also toned down the cheek color I had on) with Guerlain Les Voilettes Loose Powder in 03.

LIPS

I applied Guerlain Garance Rouge G Lipstick all over lips, and then I patted on MAC Spanking Haute Vamplify Lipgloss (mostly for warmth; the lipstick was pinker than I wanted for the look!).

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Neutral with a ColourPOP! of Teal

Neutral with a ColourPOP! of Teal

Neutral with a ColourPOP! of Teal

Neutral with a ColourPOP! of Teal

Last week, a few readers said they missed seeing looks posted on the blog (as in, cohesive ones!), so I’ll try to post some periodically–depending on whether there’s time for a more “free” day.  Sometimes there are so many products to test, I can’t give up the facial real estate  On Saturday, we spent all day with my husband’s family, which is usually a 14-hour minimum, so it’s a day where I prefer to just go with something that works.  I remember several readers wanted to see Stila Smudge Stick Mint Julep in action, so I thought this might a good opportunity to showcase that as well.  Going forward, I will try to post looks using recently reviewed products, but this was a very “for me” look more than anything, so hopefully you can forgive the excess of older products in it.

Eyes

A lot of the times if I’m not specifically testing something for wear, then I’ll reach for products that I really, really love that are, more-than-likely, discontinued or long ago limited editions. I love the two shades of cream eyeshadow Tom Ford released a year ago so much that I keep them in my basics/regular routine drawer, and I always take them with me when I travel. I’m so used to not using primer these days, but when I know I’m going out and about all day and am not testing, then I’ll still start with a primer!

I used NARS Smudge Proof spread all over the lid to the brow bone with a finger tip. I also like to take a little and apply it to the lower lash line for extra hold for the eyeliners I’ll use as well. Next, I applied Tom Ford Escapade Cream Eyeshadow to the first two-thirds of the lid, starting from the inner lid and moving outwards. Tom Ford Pink Haze Cream Eyeshadow was applied to the outer third of the lid and into the crease, blending outwards and upwards. To soften the edge of the crease eyeshadow, I applied Burberry Trench Eyeshadow to the brow bone (this is my go-to highlighter). For the lower lash line, first I applied Marc Jacobs Beauty Ody(sea) (62) Highliner Gel Crayon, and then I applied Stila Smudge Stick Mint Julep underneath the inner two-thirds of the lower lash line and along the water line. The effect made it look as if the eyeliner was glowing–I was quite in love with it! For lashes, I used a mascara fan brush to apply MAC Opulash Mascara.

Face

Normally, I find primer an unnecessary step with my skin type (normal-to-dry) for regular, everyday wear, but yesterday was going to be a longer, 14+ hour kind of day, so I started by applying Hourglass Mineral Veil all over my face. Then, I mixed two shades of Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation with half of a pump of Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Skin Liquid Illuminating Emulsion as my base. For blush, I applied Troy Surratt Duchesse Blush  on the apples of cheeks. I set with Urban Decay Naked Loose Finishing Powder and finished with Guerlain Wulong Pressed Meteorites Powder.

Lips

I mixed two shades of OCC Stained Gloss in Aurora and Dune (reviews are forthcoming).

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Neutral Eyes with Teal Eyeliner

Neutral Eyes with Teal Eyeliner

Neutral Eyes with Teal Eyeliner

Neutral Eyes with Teal Eyeliner

Neutral Eyes with Teal Eyeliner

Look: Illamasqua Human Fundamentalism Eyeshadows

• EYES: Illamasqua Hype Eyeshadow (yellow) on inner half of lid, Illamasqua Fledgling Eyeshadow (green) on outer half of lid, Illamasqua Burst Eyeshadow (blue-teal) in crease, Illamasqua Pivot Eyeshadow (chartreuse) above inner crease and on lower lash line, Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (beige) as a highlighter, Tarina Tarantino Spark of Envy Hyper Dream Eyeliner (teal) on lower lash line and waterline, and Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Stretch Mascara on lashes.
• FACE: Hourglass Veil Fluid Foundation, Guerlain Les Voilettes Mineral Powder, Korres Natural Blush (brown) on cheeks
• LIPS: Cle de Peau #2 Lipgloss (peach-pink) layered over Cle de Peau T9 Extra Rich Lipstick (pink-coral)

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Look: Pop of Color for Spring

This was a recent look I used to test out the wear of several products–the newer MAC eyeshadow quad (because it had a very stubborn shade in it), MAC’s Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner (because it was worth re-testing), and Becca Damselfly (had not tested the wear before).  I haven’t worn either the lipstick or gloss on its own, so I haven’t finished testing either of those, but I thought they might work well with this look so at least I could get a lip swatch out of it!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (eyeshadow primer), MAC Colour Eyeshadow Quad (yellow, dark blue, gray, beige), MAC Undercurrent Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner (teal), Hourglass Film Noir Mascara (black)
• Face: Chanel Vitalumiere (B30), Guerlain Les Voilettes Mineral Powder (03), Becca Damselfly Mineral Blush (orange-coral)
• Lips: Make Up For Ever Folk Rouge Artist Natural (coral), Le Metier de Beaute Orange Juiced Sheer Brilliance Lipgloss (sheer tangerine)

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.  First, I applied Self-Serve to the crease with a pencil brush and used a blending brush to attempt to diffuse the color. Next, I applied Colour Added all over the lid with a fluffy eyeshadow brush.   I used another pencil brush to apply Pre-packaged to the outer corner and into the deep crease.   To highlight the brow bone, I used Laudry Daze applied and blended with a fluffy blending brush.  On the lower lash line, I applied MAC Undercurrent and then patted Colour Added on the inner half of the lash line and Pre-packaged on the outer half of the lash line.  Finally, I applied a coat of Hourglass Film Noir to lengthen and thicken lashes.

For face, I applied Chanel Vitalumiere with a circular foundation brush.  I blended Becca Damselfly onto cheeks with a dense blush brush and set with Guerlain Les Voilettes.  For lips, I applied Make Up For Ever Folk and layered Le Metier de Beaute Orange Juiced on top.

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Look: Guerlain Holiday 2011

This is a look I did to test out Guerlain’s holiday collection!

You will need the following…

• Eyes:  Guerlain Les Ombres de Nuit 4-Colour Palette (silvery pewter, teal, navy blue, black), Lancome Doll Eyes Mascara (black), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (highlighter)
• Face:  Guerlain Lingerie de Peau (02 & 03), Guerlain Les Violettes Mineral Powder (03), Guerlain Perles de Nuit Meteorites (illuminator, on my left cheek), Guerlain Parure de Nuit Pressed Powder & Blush (illuminator, on my right cheek)
• Lips:  Guerlain Nuit d’Amour (plummy red)

For eyes, start by applying the silvery-pewter shade on the lower half of the lid with the 239.  Next, apply the teal shade to the upper half of the lid and into the crease with the 239.  Apply the navy blue shade into the crease and diffuse with the 222.  Then apply Trench on brow bone to highlight with the 272. Next, apply the black shade on the lower lash line with a dampened 208 brush. Coat lashes with Doll Eyes mascara to finish the look.

For face, apply Lingerie de Peau all over face with the 109.  Lightly dust on either illuminator (listed above) with the 165 or 188 on cheek bones.  Set with Les Violettes with the 134.

For lips, apply Nuit d’Amour on lips straight from the tube.

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Teal & Yellow Look with MAC Surf Baby

Quickie look I did to test out some of the new products from MAC’s Surf Baby collection.

You will need the following…

• Eyes:  NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (eyeshadow base), MAC Surf USA Eyeshadow (teal), MAC Sun Blonde Eyeshadow (golden mustard yellow), MAC Short Shorts Eyeshadow (white gold), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (highlighter), MAC Blue Moon Powerpoint Pencil (teal), Hourglass Film Noir Mascara (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Burberry Pressed Powder (03)
• Cheeks: MAC Billionaire Bronze Powder (bronze)
• Lips: MAC Bust Out! Lipstick (purple)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 222 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pencil brush), 188 (small, circular stippling brush)
• Substitutes: Surf USA = Shimmermoss; Sun Blonde = Goldmine + Arena; Short Shorts = Nylon; My Paradise = NYX Menage a Trois; Bust Out = Up the Amp

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof all over the lid and above the crease with the 242 to lay down your eyeshadow base.   Lightly press Surf USA eyeshadow onto the lower half of the lid, going horizontally, with the 239.  Then apply Sun Blonde eyeshadow on the upper half of the lid and above the crease with the 239.  Apply Short Shorts eyeshadow underneath the arch of the brow, and then mix with Trench eyeshadow to highlight the brow bone.  Next, apply Blue Moon liner on the lower lash line, and then smudge with Short Shorts eyeshadow.  Coat lashes with Film Noir mascara to finish the look.

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

For lips, apply Bust Out! lipstick for a complementing lip.

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Wearing Gold Go Lightly Careblend on cheeks instead

Bronze & Blue Look with Estee Lauder, Giorgio Armani, & Urban Decay

I’m trying be more organized and do things more methodically, which means trying to review products more timely!  I wanted to test out a few products from Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess ’11 edition, while also trial the wear of a new tinted moisturizer (this is the fifth time I’ve worn it, though).  I hope to review several of the products I tested here today and tomorrow

You will need the following…

• Eyes:  Estee Lauder Pink-Teal Shadow Stick (peachy-pink/teal), Giorgio Armani #6 Eyes to Kill Intense (bronze), Urban Decay Flipside Eyeshadow (green-teal), Urban Decay Haight Eyeshadow (blue-teal), Hourglass G*psy Eyeshadow Duo (beige), Giorgio Armani #13 Eyes to Kill Intense (black), Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara (black)
• Face: theBalm BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer (Light/Medium), Guerlain Les Violettes Mineral Powder (03)
• Cheeks: Estee Lauder Sea Star Bronzing Blush (pink bronze)
• Lips: Guerlain Mitsouko (140) Rouge Automatique (pinked peach)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 222 (fluffy crease brush), 263 (angled eyeliner brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Pink-Teal = use an eyeshadow base (for this look); Sea Star = Bobbi Brown Nectar

For eyes, start by applying Pink-Teal shadow stick as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249–take the teal side and apply it to the lid, then apply the pink side above the crease and lightly on brow.  Apply #6 eyeshadow to the inner third of the lid with the 239.  Next, apply Flipside eyeshadow to the middle of the lid with the 239.  Apply Haight eyeshadow to the outer third of the lid and into the crease with the 222.  Use G*psy eyeshadow to highlight the brow bone and diffuse the crease color with the 217.  Apply #13 eyeshadow on the lower lash line, and then smudge with #6 eyeshadow using the 219. Finish by sweeping lashes with Inimitable Intense mascara.

For cheeks, apply Sea Star blush on the apples of the cheeks and pat towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Mitsouko lipstick for a complementing lip.

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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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