Winter Wonderland

Face:
Smashbox More Than Primer
KGD Aqua PK-0
BareMinerals Stroke of Light Luminous 1
Nars LRP Loose

Cheeks:
MAC Full of Joy
Sephora MicroSmooth Baked Winter Wonderland swirly luminizer

Eyes:
WnW Fergie eye primer
all eyeshadows from Sephora Winter Wonderland palette
UD Perversion e/l under smudged e/s (uppers)
UD Uzi e/l - waterline
UD 1999 e/l under smudged e/s (lowers)
Stila Stay All Day pen liner (tight line)
MUFE Smoky Extravagant
Blinc Amplified (lowers)
Anastasia brow powder duo Ash Blonde

Lips:
Too Faced Smurf gloss!  (seriously old, but I seriously love that thing)


Let me know if you have questions about the eyeshadows or anything else!

Ellis Faas Bright Red

Face:
Smashbox More Than Primer
MAC Studio Fix Fluid NW10
Illamasqua Concealer 115 (spots)
BareMinerals Stroke of Light Luminous 1 (under eye)
Nars Light Reflecting Powder Loose

Cheeks:
Dior Aurora 01
Tarte AC Flush
Tokidoki Luminosa

Eyes:
Tarte eye primer
Too Faced Natural Eye Palette -
Silk Teddy (lid and inner corner)
Velvet Revolver (through and above crease)
Push-Up (crease and outer corner)
Sexspresso (to darken crease)
Lorac Undercover e/s (brow bone)
UD Rockstar e/l pencil
UD Midnight Cowboy e/l pencil
Stila Stay All Day black pen liner (tight line)
Hourglass Arch Soft Brunette
Dior Iconic Overcurl
Blinc Amplified (lowers)

Lips:
Ellis Faas Creamy Lips L103 Bright Red

I realize that I've titled this post after the lipstick, but I actually don't have a ton to say about it since I didn't wear it for very long today.  I was really having a hard time decided what color lip I wanted and I ultimately felt that the warm red was somehow too clashy with the other colors on my face (although, I have to say that the pictures turned out better than I expected!).  I switched over to Givenchy Le Rouge in Brun Createur.  However, I can and will tell you that I'm not a huge fan of the odd little sponge tipped applicator.  I don't mind that type of applicator for a gloss or even a sheer color, but with such a pigmented color as this, it proves to be quite tricky and even messy!  The texture of the lipstick is very nice and reminds me of Armani Lip Maestros.  It's light and comfortable and has a slight silicone-y feel to it.  The lipstick has a glossy finish, but I can't be certain if that would have stayed around or not.

Today I used my new MUFE foundation brush and I am really pleased with it!  It's the Large 108 brush.  I've used it with various liquids and powders on clients, but have only used it on myself twice now.  I really love it.  It's fantastic!  I'm very happy to have several brushes from their new line and would highly recommend them.

Thanks for stopping by!

Lady at Play

Face:
UD Naked Skin Beauty Balm
MUFE Lift 11
BareMinerals Stroke of Light Luminous 1
Nars Light Reflecting Loose Powder

Cheeks:
Dior Aurora 01
GA Fluid Sheer #6 (blush)
GA Fluid Sheer #2 (highlight)

Eyes:
WnW Fergie eye primer
L'Oreal Infallible e/s "Gold Imperial"
RBR Abyssinian Catbird (crease/outer corner)
Lorac e/s Posh (brow bone, blend out edges)
Illamasqua Liquid Metal Solstice (inner lowers)
UD Smog e/l pencil (lowers)
Tokidoki e/l pencil "Marrone" 
Jordana black pen liner (tightline)
Anastasia brow powder duo Ash Blonde
Hourglass Arch Soft Brunette
Guerlain Maxi Lash
CG Clump Crusher water resistant (lowers)

Lips:
UD Ozone l/l
MAC Lady at Play
I also put a little Fluid Sheer #2 on my cupid's bow

Okay!  I'm starting to fall behind.  This is me making a concerted effort to catch up.  :)  Wish me luck!  And I hope you like this look.  Of other importance - I tried the UD BB, as primer, here.  It was not as orange or scary as I had initially thought it would be.  Yay!  It also did a nice job of keeping my makeup in tact through the day.  

NW10

Recently, I picked up a sample of MAC Studio Fix liquid in NW10 to try out.  Here I am wearing it!

On my eyes, I used Urban Decay shadows:  Mushroom on the lid, AC/DC in and above the crease, and Ecstasy smudged into liner on the lowers.  I used UD Perversion pencil liner along both lash lines.  On the uppers, I smudged Perversion eyeshadow into it, under Mushroom.

I applied the Studio Fix using my fingers.  I found that a little goes a long way and also I needed to work quickly as it dries rather fast.  I am very pleased with the coverage and lasting power!  The color match is excellent, as well.  Normally I wear foundations that are a tiny bit darker than this and either bronze my neck to match or can't even be bothered to do that!  It's weird seeing myself in a color that matches my neck closely but also doesn't totally wash me out.

It's pretty hard to tell, but I've used UD Asphyxia pencil along the water line.  In my brows is Anastasia powder duo in Ash Blonde (just the lighter side).  Also, I'm testing out a sample of DiorShow Iconic OverCurl mascara.  It's not super dramatic, but it does get major points for wearing extremely well on both my upper and lower lash lines (most mascaras smudge terribly on my lower lashes).

I'd like to try mixing some radiance primer or something a bit glowy into the Studio Fix to see how that goes.  It's a bit more matte than what I'm used to!

Let's not forget lips and blush!  I'm wearing Illamasqua Katie Blusher and Korres Lip Butter Glaze in Jasmine (I later switched to a brighter rose lip, which I really liked with these colors).  I also used Nars New Order (or did I?  I'm fairly certain I did!) for a shimmery cheek highlight - but it's not evident whatsoever in these pictures.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed this look.

Jungle Eyes

This look started with Laura Mercier's Jungle Caviar Stick.  I used is as a base all over my eyes and blended it with a Sephora Platinum cream eyeshadow brush.  It's also on my outer lower lash lines.

I used Urban Decay eyeshadows in Graffiti (the bright green) and Underground (blended above the crease with my much loved Shu 8HR).  Sephora Prisma Chrome eyeshadow in Moonbeam (the pink version) was my brow bone highlight.  The black liner is Urban Decay Perversion pencil and Stila Stay All Day black pen for tightlining.

The new things I'm trying out?  You know me, I love to try new things.  :)  I'm testing Too Faced's BB cream in Snow Bunny and also used Anastasia's brow powder duo in Ash Blonde/Taupe (the lightest shade only).  I'm not used to using brow powder on myself, but I think I did an okay job.  Hopefully I will get better with practice!

Face:

Too Faced Beauty Balm Snow Glow

Illamasqua concealer 115 (spots)

BareMinerals Stroke of Light Luminous 1 (under eye)

Korres Wild Rose Mineral Setting Powder

Cheeks:

MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Light Year

Eyes:

Nars eye primer

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Jungle (base)

UD Graffiti e/s 

UD Underground e/s

Sephora Prisma Chrome Moonbeam e/s (pink version)

Stila Stay All Day black liner pen

UD Perversion e/l pencil

Benefit They're Real

Givenchy Phenomeneyes waterproof (lowers)

Anastasia Brow Powder Duo Ash Blonde/Taupe

Lips:

Tarte LipSurgence Luster in Buff

Thanks for stopping by!  

Before...and After

So, you have probably guessed that I'm not wearing any makeup in this first picture.  All I have on my skin is Jurlique's balancing oil (which smells absolutely divine, by the way), and I had just previously used the GlamGlow mask, which is really super nice - and intense.  Enough of that and onto some makeup!!

Here I am with everything makeup on my face.  Ta da!  The eye colors were a little funky together, but I think it all pulled together nicely in the end.

I wish you could see more of the mega shimmery sparkliness going on here.  The Shu shadows I used are very sparkly, but you can just barely tell here.  I suppose the overkill glitter of the Urban Decay liner more than makes up for that.  :)

Face:
Smashbox Photofinish More Than Primer Dark Spot Correcting
Stila Stay All Day Foundation with concealer in Bare
BareMinerals Stroke of Light Luminous 1 (under eye)
Korres Wild Rose Mineral Setting Powder

Cheeks:
Givenchy Bucolic Poppy
Nars Hungry Heart

Eyes:
Nars eye primer
Tarte chubby eye pencil in Gold (lid and lowers)
Tarte chubby eye pencil in Champagne (inner corner and inner lowers)
Tarte skinny eye pencil in Black (upper lash line)
Makeup Geek e/s Burlesque (crease)
Lorac Chic e/s (brow bone)
Shu Smoky Velvet palette (sparkly gold - center of lid)
Shu Prestigious Bordeaux palette (shimmery copper above crease and outer lowers)
Stila Stay All Day black liner pen (tight line)
UD Baked glitter liner (uppers, over the black)
Tarte Taupe brow pencil
Laura Mercier Faux Lash mascara

Lips:
MAC Dare to Wear Lipglass Wind Me Up


Thanks for stopping by and feel free to let me know if you have any questions!

Hot Winter Days

This was from a really muggy and hot day last week.  It's nearly Christmas...why must I be speaking of really muggy and hot days?!  It's so wrong.

Another extremely simple eye look.  Golds are always a favorite of mine.  Can you spot the pool reflection in my eye?

I much preferred the Illamasqua Skin Base this go around, mixed with Stila's One Step Bronze.  It felt lighter on, looked more natural, and lasted better, dare I say.  It's such a finicky foundation for me!  I was quite glowy all the hot day, but I don't believe it looked melty or less than fresh.

Something is bothering me about these photos and I believe it's the blush placement.  Too far up the temples?  Perhaps too strong in any case?  I'm trying to learn to work with Panic, but it's certainly hard for me not to accidentally overdo it!

Face:
Benefit The Porefessional (tiny bit on the center of my face)
Illamasqua Skin Base 02 mixed with Stila One Step Bronze
Illamasqua concealer 115 (spots)
Korres Wild Rose Mineral Setting Powder (under eye)
MUFE Super Matte Loose 12

Cheeks:
Guerlain Terracotta Light Blondes 01
Illamasqua Tweak and Panic
Laura Mercier Starlight Mineral Illuminating Powder

Eyes:
Nars eye primer
BareMinerals High Shine Gold Medal e/s
Lorac Baked Matte Satin e/s Posh (brow bone)
Stila Stay All Day black liner pen (tight line)
MAC Pure Show Superslick liquid liner
Armani Eyes to Kill Excess mascara
Tarte taupe brow pencil

Lips:
YSL Touche Eclat 1 (blended into lip line)
Shiseido Lacquer Rouge Nocturne


I for sure love the Shiseido Lacuqer Rouge formula.  They are supremely comfortable and decently long wearing.  I wish for more colors!  Also, I've got my eye on the asian exclusive colors, but of course.  If only they were easier to obtain.

Nocturne never looks shimmery or sparkly on my lips, but it amuses me that when I got to wipe my lips off (before or after eating, say), only then do I notice the shimmer bits.  Hidden shimmer!

Feel free to comment about anything - but you may not tease me for my ballerina bun!  It was just too steamy to have my hair down.  :)

Pamplelune

I cannot remember everything on my face from this day because it was more than a couple of days ago.  I'll list what I can!  :)

Cheeks:
Givenchy Le Prisme 24 It-Girl Purple

Eyes:
MAC Paint Pot Let's Skate! (lid)
RBR Veiled Lyrebird e/s (crease)
RBR Alabaster Starling e/s (inner corner)
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Amethyst (lowers and very outer corner of upper lash line)
Stila Stay All Day black liner pen (tight line)
Stila Kajal Pearl e/l pencil (waterline)
Tarte taupe brow pencil
Korres Volcanic mascara

Lips:
Guerlain Shine Automatique Pamplelune


I think I was likely wearing Givenchy Photo'Perfexion foundation here, but I'm just not sure.  Let me know if you have questions about anything and I'll do my best.

Thanks for stopping by!

Black Karat

Oh look!  Another smoky golden eye.  It's quite similar to yesterday's in terms of concept, shape, and placement; however, much more shimmery and sparkly over all.

I used Laura Mercier's Baked eyeshadow single in Black Karat wet on the lid.  It's always fun applying metallic baked eye colors wet because they really sparkle and glisten like you would not believe!  I think they lose a bit of the intense sheen after they dry, though.  The effect is still more intense and metallic than if they are just used dry, though.

Black Karat is basically black with lots of gorgeous gold shimmer, which somehow ends up translating into olive.  What's up with that?!  Still love it.  I used my Sephora Moonshadow Baked Palette "In the Night" for the other shadow colors you see.  The gold liner on the inner lowers is MAC Pure Show liquid liner.

Here is a creepy close up of my lips, so you see the insane iridescent glitters!  I don't think Givenchy makes this one anymore.  It's called Pop Gloss Crystal Glitter Pink.  Or maybe Sephora just doesn't stock it anymore.  It smells super perfumey but feels great on.

Face:
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15
Koh Gen Do Aqua PK-0 (applied with my Sephora I.T. brush!)
Illamasqua Concealer 115
Smashbox under eye primer
BareMinerals Stroke of Light Luminous 1 (under eye)
Korres Wild Rose Mineral Setting Powder (under eye)
MUFE Super Matte Loose 12

Cheeks:
Guerlain Terracotta Light Blondes 01
Tarte AC Frisky
Nars Hungry Heart (gold side)

Eyes:
Nars eye primer
Laura Mercier Baked Eyeshadow Black Karat (wet on lid)
Sephora Moonshadow "In the Night" palette - Onyx in the crease, Black Gold smudged into lowers, Light Gold in the inner corner, White Gold for the brow bone, and Gold Metal in the inner corner/crease area
Urban Decay e/l pencil Uzi (lower lash line under Black Gold shadow and outer part of upper lids)
GA ETK black waterproof pencil e/l (tight line and waterline)
Stila Stay All Day black pen liner (upper lash line)
MAC Superslick liquid e/l Pure Show (inner lower lash line)
GA ETK Excess mascara
Givenchy Phenomeneyes waterproof (lowers)
Tarte Taupe brow pencil

Lips:
Givenchy Pop Gloss Crystal Glitter Pink

Something feels off about this look and I can't quite put my finger on it.  Either the eyeshadow shape needs to be bigger and more dramatic or I need a bolder lip color.  Or I'm just used to doing things dramarama and have no clue what looks good anymore.  I did end up putting on an orange lip color at work and I think that maybe looked better (why yes, it was another Lip Maestro and why yes, I did buy it!).

Here are some pics of the Sephora Moonshadow palette for anyone who is curious.  I've been using it a lot lately and really enjoy it.

The swatches below aren't terribly impressive but as you can well see in my FOTDs, they are great shadows!  I particularly love "Onyx" for a soft matte black/gray in the crease and "Gold Metal" is just off the hook.  "Black Gold" sort of looks similar to LM Black Karat, but turns out to be more gray and a little less sparkly.

The dark brown blob off to the left is Sephora Glitter Eyeliner and Mascara in Chocolate Brown.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Gilded Bronze

Face:
Armani Fluid Master Primer
Becca Radiant Skin foundation Porcelain mixed with Illamasqua Skin Base 2
Illamasqua concealer 115
Smashbox under eye primer
BareMinerals Stroke of Light Luminous 1 (under eye)
Korres Wild Rose Mineral Setting Powder
Guerlain Meteorites du Dragon

Cheeks:
Guerlain Terracotta Light Blondes 01
Illamasqua Lover
Nars Hungry Heart (gold side)

Eyes:
Nars eye primer
Belmacz Blitz (lid blended into crease)
RBR Bejewelled Skylark e/s (crease)
Makeup Geek Corrupt e/s (outer corner)
Sephora Moonshadow In the Night palette (gold on lid and lighter gold on inner crease)
MUFE 2L e/l (outer corner lowers)
MUFE 10L e/l (main portion of lowers)
Stila Sandstone e/s (smudged into 2L on lowers)
Stila Gilded Gold e/s (smudged into 10L on lowers)
Stila Champagne e/s (inner corner)
Too Faced In the Buff e/s (brow bone)
Stila Damsel Smudge Stick e/l (smudged into upper lash line)
Stila Stay All Day black pen e/l (tight line)
GA ETK black waterproof e/l pencil (waterline) <3
Illamasqua Liquid Metal Solstice (inner lowers)
Tarte taupe brow pencil
Fiberwig D.J.V. Beautenizer Volume Lash
Givenchy Phenomeneyes waterproof mascara (lowers)

Lips:
MAC Ruffian Gold lipstick


Okay.  I really struggled with the shape of the eyeshadow on this one.  I'm not sure I got it to where I wanted it (I actually tweaked it immediately after taking the pictures, too), but I was happy enough to stop obsessing!  I have a droopy crease on my left eye, coupled with an oddly high brow arch on my right eye, which is double trouble, if you ask me.  In any case, it's just makeup.  I tell myself that.  :)  It's not supposed to be perfect (and neither is my face).

I love how these colors make my eyes look super blue.

All in all, it was a great makeup day.  Everything wore exceptionally well on me, I am pleased to say.  The lipstick was probably the most finicky bit, but not in a major or truly annoying way.  I just had to check ever so often to make sure that the gold shimmer bits weren't wearing unevenly or bunching up in funny spots.

I realize that I used an absurd amount of things on my eyes.  Some days I just get lost in doing it and keep finding things I want to add in.  So I do.

Thanks for stopping by and let me know if you have any questions or comments.  :)