Mermaid Colours with MAC Swimming Eyeshadow.

June 12, 2011 | 38 Responses

MAC eyeshadow in Swimming is my most recent acquisition, and it has quickly become a must-have. I really think it’s a hidden gem in MAC’s permanent line. It’s a gorgeous shimmery sea green that pairs perfectly with blues, teals, golds and purples. I couldn’t wait to show off this beautiful colour, so today I bring you this face of the day. My inspiration is this Fantasea Girl look from Sephora a few years ago. Instead of copying the entire look (which is totally fab by the way), I wanted to make it more wearable by not bringing the colours all the way up to the brows. It’s a fun way to do colour for a summer weekend. Read on to learn how to get the look.

Swatches (from left): Auraline Bright Violet, Sassy Minerals Off Kilter, MAC Swimming, Annabelle Blu-Ray, MAC Soft Brown, Urban Decay Sin

Get the Look

For the eyes, start by patting down a purple eyeshadow (Auraline Bright Violet) on the inner third of the lid going a little bit past the crease, and the inner third of the lower lash line. Layer a glittery lavender pigment (Sassy Minerals Off Kilter) on top of the cream eyeshadow. Next, apply a shimmery sea green (MAC Swimming) from the outer two-thirds of the lid all the way up past the crease. Apply the same green eyeshadow along the outer two-thirds of the lower lash line. Next, apply a thick line of a matte navy blue (Annabelle Blu-ray) along the outer half of the upper and lower lash lines. Blend a warm medium matte brown (MAC Soft Brown) above the crease to add warmth and depth. Highlight the brow bone with a shimmery champagne (Urban Decay Sin), as well as the inner corner of the eyes to brighten.

Line the lower waterline with a teal liner (MAC Undercurrent). Smudge the same teal liner on the outer two-thirds of the upper lash line. Apply mascara (Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill) on the upper and lower lashes. Add a pair of gigantic lashes (Illamasqua No. 23) to finish off the eyes.

For the cheeks, bronze all over the high points of the face with a peachy bronze (Dior Aurora). Then, apply a matte pink (Tarte Dollface) high on the cheekbones, making a ‘C’ shape around the outside of the eyes to make them pop.

For the lips, apply a coral lipstick (MAC Crosswires) to complement the summery look, and top off with a shimmery gloss (Chanel Maline).

Keep reading to see more pictures!

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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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So Winter has Made You Paper White, Huh? Get a Quick Golden Look with NARS Sertao Blush.

February 16, 2011 | 9 Responses

Gold, copper, and bronze are very in this Spring.

‘Kay. I think I’m starting to sound like a broken record here, always talking about Spring trends. But if you live in Canada, you totally get it. We’ve been waiting for Spring for many months, so it’s a pretty big deal ’round here. We even have a ceremonial dance to welcome Spring. True story; look it up.

So, I will talk about Spring trends whether you like it or not.

Let’s talk bronzer for a sec, shall we? What of it? Well, it’s probably not a good idea to douse yourself with the stuff right after Winter has taken away your Summer (sunless) tan. Here are some tips to slowly ease the golden, bronzed look back into your life as we transition into the most beautiful season ever.

#1 — Step Away from a Matte Base.

The bronzy summer glow starts with your base, so pick a foundation or moisturizer with a dewy finish. I have combination skin that’s more on the oily side, and really like NARS Sheer Glow ($55). For reference, I’m a MAC NC40 and my match is Barcelona. I don’t own this yet, but my sample from Sephora was very well-loved. Those with normal-to-dry skin types might love Mary Kay TimeWise Luminous-Wear ($23). It contains hydrating jojoba and and mica that imparts a lovely glow.

If, after reading all of the above, you are totally cursing me because your skin is so. very. oily, I have a solution for you. Apply your matte foundation, then infuse light back into your face with an illuminator like Mary Kay Liquid Illuminator ($23). Read more on these in a future post; they are kinda amazing and also limited edition! Illuminate the high points of your face only (cheeks, temples, nose bridge, chin) to put the dew back onto your skin.

#2 — A Multi-Use Eye & Cheek Product is Your New Best Friend.

NARS Sertao Blush

Here’s where NARS Blush in Sertao ($29) comes in. NARS blushes are well-known for their incredible pigmentation, and Sertao is no different. I recently discovered that it makes a beautiful light golden brown eyeshadow, too. A few quick swipes across the lids, on the cheeks, and temples et voilà — you are golden.

Another great thing about Sertao: it lasts and lasts and lasts. Most of my blushes I put eventually fade as the day goes on, but Sertao’s gorgeous sheen and colour stays on my cheeks until I take it off.

NARS Sertao Blush Swatches

#3 — Softly Define the Eye with a Smudged Brown Eyeliner.

A very monochromatic look may be great for the runway, but in real life it just looks like a lot of yellow. This is not cute, especially if you have yellow undertones in your skin. Break up the yellows by smudging brown eyeliner close to your upper lash line. Keep it soft; we don’t want to see a solid line. I used Urban Decay Whiskey 24/7 Liner from my Naked palette.

You’re 99% done at this point. Add some mascara, and your fave neutral lip gloss (I like Chanel Glossimer in Maline), and you’re set to run out the door.

Wearing NARS Sertao Blush (lid), Urban Decay Whiskey 24/7 Liner (top lash line), and MAC Studio Fix Lash Mascara (lashes)

Wearing NARS Sertao (eyes and cheeks)

Was that quick or what?

Are You Ready for Spring Yet?

What Spring trend are you dying to wear, or are currently wearing? Everybody knows I am crazy about my bright lips, but recently I’ve been wanting to try the brights on my eyes.