Special Event Makeup: Smokey Cat Eyes FOTD.

May 30, 2011 | 30 Responses

It’s almost June, and you probably know someone getting married in the next month or two. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to do your makeup, here’s a look that I wore to a wedding last weekend. It’s enough to make your eyes pop without wearing making the eyes too heavy. The emphasis is on the smokey eye liner and the shape. I loved wearing this look, and it’s something that I’ll probably wear over and over again.

Swatches (from left): MAC All That Glitters, MAC Arena, MAC Soft Brown, MAC Coquette, MAC Brun, Chanel Black Pearl

Get the Look

For the eyes, shade in the lid with a shimmery beige (MAC All That Glitters) and top off with a low shimmer peach (MAC Arena). Mix the shimmery beige (MAC All That Glitters) and peach (MAC Arena) to highlight the inner corner and inner half of the lower lash line. Highlight the brow bone with a shimmery champagne (Urban Decay Sin). Lightly contour the crease with a matte warm brown (MAC Soft Brown). Apply a matte medium taupe (MAC Coquette) to the outer corner to define the eye further.

Using a smudger brush, take a dark cool brown (MAC Brun) and smudge along the upper lash line and wing out on the outer corner. This creates a guide for the black eyeliner liner. Then, smudge using a creamy black liner (Giorgio Armani Waterproof Liner) over the cool brown to deepen it. Apply the black liner to the outer third of the lower lash line. Smudge and drag the liner to the middle, while making sure that the line tapers off at the middle. Line the top and bottom waterlines. Go over the black lines with a shimmery charcoal (Chanel Black Pearl from Ombres Perlées Palette). Apply mascara (Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill). Optional, apply half false lashes to the outer corner (Ardell 120 Demi — cut in half; I used the shorter half because I have short lashes).

For the cheeks, dust a peachy bronzer (Dior Aurora Bronzer) over the high points of the face.

For the lips, apply a creamy nude lipstick (Vasanti Luxembourg).

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Revamping Black Eyeliner: A Recreation of Giorgio Armani Runway Look.

March 23, 2011 | 18 Responses

Giorgio Armani Fall 2011 Fashion Week / Source: style.com

Since I haven’t done a look in a while, I want to get away from the usual smoky eyes or bright lips, and venture into the world of fun eyeliner. My usual eyeliner regimen is pretty boring; I usually just wear black or brown, or maybe some glitter on top. Today, I’m recreating a look from Giorgio Armani’s Fall 2011 Fashion Week, featuring a double winged eyeliner.

Get the Look

For the eyes, start with a golden pink (MAC Expensive Pink) base all over the lid. Tone down the shimmer by adding a peach (MAC Arena) over the pink. Pat a matte beige (Urban Decay Naked) down the centre of the lid. Next, add depth to the crease with a matte warm brown (MAC Soft Brown) and blend out. Deepen the crease further with a darker matte brown (Urban Decay Buck). Highlight with a sheer pearly pink highlighter (Mary Kay Shade 1 Liquid Illuminator).

For the liner, line both lower and upper waterlines (Giorgio Armani La Femme Bleue Waterproof liner). Line the upper lash line with gel liner (MAC Blacktrack) and wing out horizontally on the outer corners. Draw a second line under your lower lash line starting in the centre, leaving a small gap between your lash lines and the liner. Wing it out parallel to the top line. Finish off with mascara (Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill).

For the cheeks, highlight the top of the cheekbones with a sheer pearly pink illuminator (Mary Kay Shade 1 Liquid Illuminator). Run it over the bridge of the nose, cupid’s bow and chin as well. The models don’t look like they are wearing any blush, so no blush for this look. Lightly contour the cheeks with a deep matte brown (MAKE UP FOR EVER #17 Espresso).

For the lips, line and fill in with a neutral lip liner (NYX Natural), then go over with a neutral lipstick (Vasanti Luxembourg).

Read on for more pictures!

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Vasanti Eyeshadow in Stockholm: A Staple for Your Five-Minute Face. You’re Welcome.

March 9, 2011 | 15 Responses

I am not a morning person. I often hit the snooze button so many times that I’m left with 30 minutes to get ready (and not look like a zombie) for work. If I take 10 minutes for breakfast, 10 minutes to shower, and 5 minutes to get dressed, I can’t be bothered to put on some elaborate eye makeup. Meet Vasanti Micronized Silky Eyeshadow in Stockholm ($15), the perfect eyeshadow for a quick 5-minute face.

Vasanti Micronized Silky Eyeshadow in Stockholm

Vasanti Stockholm is a medium shimmery taupe. Whether you are obsessed with makeup or just beginning to get into it, you need a good taupe in your makeup bag. It is a universally flattering colour and a goof-proof way to polish up your look with just a single swipe on your lids.

Vasanti Micronized Silky Eyeshadow in Stockholm

If you are familiar with MAC Satin Taupe, Stockholm is like her fairer twin; these two taupes have the exact same undertones. On my medium skin, Stockholm is a my-lid-but-better colour. Paler peeps can wear this beautifully for a daytime, office-appropriate smoky eye.

Curious how Stockholm compares to other taupes? Here are swatches of all the taupes in my collection. Urban Decay Toasted is more pink. Like I said, MAC Satin Taupe is Stockholm’s tanorexic twin. MAC Smoke ‘n Diamonds (LE) is a lot more grey.

Swatches (from left): Urban Decay Toasted, MAC Satin Taupe, Vasanti Stockholm, MAC Smoke ‘n Diamonds

Today I wore Stockholm as a wash all over my lid. It has a really nice pigmentation and lasted all day without creasing. It is more than twice the size of a MAC eyeshadow (a whopping 3.2g / 0.11oz!), but actually costs a little less. All in all, this is such a fantastic value and is gonna be a staple in my makeup bag from now on.

Wearing Vasanti Micronized Silky Eyeshadow in Stockholm

Talkin’ about Taupe!

How do you feel about taupe? Do you have any favourites? Don’t you dare say you hate it, because then we can’t be friends anymore. I’m just kidding. Sort of.