FOTD: Classic Makeup
30 DecSometimes you just wanna wear makeup without looking extremely made up. This is one of those looks…
The key to pulling off your own classic makeup look is to find neutral eyeshadows that complement your skin tone. Whether you’re ivory, caramel or mahogany complected, look for shadows that are within 2 shades of YOUR foundation or pressed powder. Use a combination of lighter & darker colors to create depth on your eyelid. Hey! If you prefer, you can even use your pressed powder as an eyeshadow. And finish does matter! While there’s nothing wrong with using frosty and/or shimmery shadows to re-create this FOTD, I believe that eyeshadows with matte finish will produce the most natural-looking results. They tend to give you that airbrushed, flawless look that will make people question whether or not you’re wearing makeup. *cues Beyoncé* Here’s what I did to create my classic FOTD…
FOTD & Review of TBN Blackened Violet
8 DecTwo Christmases ago I purchased a few samples from The Body Needs’ Blackened Collection. I’m not a huge smoky eye girl, so I’m just now getting around to using them. I opted for loose shadow, but TBN also sells BV pressed into a 26mm pan or a “crush pot” – NOT to be confused with Coastal Scents’ “hot pots,” LOL! The sample size costs about $2 and is about 1/2 tablespoon of loose e/s encased in a 0.5 gram sifter jar. This is the perfect size for someone who is interested, but not willing to make a commitment to the full size product.
What’s interesting about BV is that it takes on a different cast depending on what color base you use underneath the pigment. See for yourself…
Although the price & packaging of Blackened Violet are great, I was pretty underwhelmed by the actual performance of the product. I felt that I had to pack it on to get a decent color payoff and found that it had a lot of fallout.The color is so dark that you’ll need makeup remover or a wet wipe to keep from looking like you have dark circles under your eye or you got TKO’ed last night! I also discovered that blending out Blackened Violet will remove most of the shimmer, which is what makes it so pretty in the swatches on my hand. I even used a metallic base to help the shimmer translate, but the finished product was quite demure. For that reason, this s e/s was a fail for me (Overall score: 4). But if you’re in the market for a blackish-purplish e/s with a little bit of shimmer, then this may be the one for you. *kanye shrug* ONTO the FOTD…
Halloween FOTD: Z-Kitty
9 NovHEY Y’ALL! I know it’s been forever, but this was my FOTD for Halloween 2013. One of my friends threatened bodily harm if I refused to share it with you, so here I am… late as hell, but obediently sharing 😉 This look is very similar to the Zeta Love FOTD, so if you haven’t seen it, you can watch that video here. I did use different products to achieve the look below, but the general concept is the same. Enough chatter… onto the makeup!
PRIMER: NYX HD e/s base
BASE: NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk
SHADOW: I started by applying a piece of tape to the outer corners of my eyelid, for a nice, crisp line. Then I applied CS Hot Pot in Cornflower Blue (a matte light blue e/s) to my crease. The Cornflower Blue served as a transitional color to blend the deeper shades of blue into my skin color. Next I applied the darkest shade of blue, Indigo, to my outer v. Then I faded the e/s from dark to light, going towards my nose. From Indigo into Electric Blue, Electric Blue into Cornflower Blue and Cornflower Blue into Powder Pink (which is actually a matte white e/s with slight pink undertone). I blended the upper edge of my crease using Oatmeal Tan (a matte camel e/s). BTW, all of the aforementioned e/s are matte ones, from the Coastal Scents Hot Pots collection (pictured below). Finally I used the frosty champagne e/s from the L’Oreal Studio Secrets Professional e/s quad in Canyon Stone to highlight my brow bone.
OTHER DETAILS… I used NYX Cosmetics Slim Lip pencil in Espresso (820) & a matte dark brown e/s from my 88 warm palette to fill in my eyebrows. Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal mascara in Glam Black on my lashes. I defined my upper lashline & waterline & created a wing on the inner & outer corners using a tiny liner brush dipped in Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black.
FACE: For spot correction I used, Ruby Kisses 3D face creator in Level 11. Then I dusted a light layer of L’oreal True Match Powder in Nut Brown (C7) over my face.
CHEEKS: Ulta single e/s in “Sparks” on the hollows of my cheeks & Black Radiance sheer finish blush in Soft Honey on the apples. I dipped my finger into the frosty champagne e/s from the L’Oreal Studio Secrets Professional e/s quad in Canyon Stone to highlight the highest part of my cheekbones.
LIPS: I filled in my lips using NYX Cosmetics Slim Lip pencil in Nude Beige (857) & topped it off with Femme Couture Super Juicies Lip Gloss in Creamy Pink.
Cattify Yoself Boo!
I did not record a video of the cattification process, but you can find a plethora of YT videos dedicated to this endeavor here. You’ll need a thin liner brush, some black cream or gel eyeliner w/ tremendous staying power & some black liquid eyeliner. I applied Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black to my nose using a liner brush. Then I dipped a sharpened pencil into the same eyeliner to create the whisker follicle dots. To create the whiskers I used Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Ink Pen Liner in Blackest Black. I purchased the blue leopard ears from Walmart for under $2 (last year). It came with a mask, but who needs that when you’ve got great makeup?! HINT: the time to buy Halloween supplies is the 1st week of November, so go make your preparations for next year. Por ejemplo, I nabbed an INCREDIBLE Mardi Gras-esque mask w/ peacock feathers & sequins for under $5. I’m not sure how I’ll use it yet, but the Mobilian in me just couldn’t say no.
FOTD: Election Fever
6 NovNot much to say about this one. I was feeling extremely patriotic this morning. That sentiment gave birth to a red, white & blue FOTD. Enjoy 😉
Notice something new? This is my “new” 28 pan of Coastal Scents Hot Pots. I will discuss it in greater detail in the near future.
PRIMER: NYX HD e/s base
BASE: NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk
SHADOW: I applied Powder Pink Hot Pot (a matte white color with slight pink undertone) e/s to my entire lower eyelid. I used a mixture of Blue My Mind (a pearly royal blue) by Milani & Indigo Hot Pot (a matte royal blue) to define my crease. I used Electric Blue Hot Pot (matte true blue) to blend the outer edges of the blue crease. On my brow area I used Oatmeal Tan Hot Pot.
OTHER DETAILS… I used Palladio eyeliner pencil in Dark Brown (EL193) to fill in my eyebrows & L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black on my lashes. I defined my upper lashline & waterline using Sephora waterproof smoky cream liner in Must Have (matte black). I traced a thin line under my eye using the Milk pencil. I used a pencil brush to apply Vibrant Red Hot Pot (true red, matte finish) directly on top of Milk.
FACE: For spot correction I used, Ruby Kisses 3D face creator in Level 11. Then I dusted a light layer of Estee Lauder pressed powder in Deep (05). I skipped blush.
LIPS: Carmex + Wet N Wild Mega Last lip color in Red Velvet
Just in case you were wondering…
FOTD: Berry Burst
7 JunIn case you’re wondering, I am trying my best to post my backlogged FOTDs in the order they were taken (hence the retroactive dates). I apologize for any confusion this may cause. 😉 Enjoy…
BASE: NYX Jumbo Pencil in Cherry
SHADOW: I applied a matte pastel pink e/s (from the Wet N Wild Lust palette) to my tearduct area. I blended the light pink into Neon Red (a matte pinkish red e/s) from my Coastal Scents Hot Pots palette. Then I used my Sonia Kashuk large crease brush to apply Maroon Berry (a matte burgundy e/s, also by CS) to the outer portion of my lid. Finally I used Puce (a matte pinkish tan e/s, also by CS) to highlight my browbone & blend out the reds.
OTHER DETAILS… I used CoverGirl single e/s in Smolder to define my eyebrows & L’Oreal Collagen Mascara in Blackest Black on my eyelashes. I defined my upper & lower lashline using L’Oreal H.I.P. cream liner in Teal.
CHEEKS: Black Radiance sheer finish blush in Soft Honey
FACE: Estee Lauder pressed powder in Deep (05)
LIPS: Lancome Le Rouge Absolu lipstick in Pink Diamond + CO Bigelow lip gloss in Pink Mint
FOTD: Peacocky
28 FebDid you just have a feathergasm? LOL… Me too!
PRIMER: NYX HD e/s base
BASE: L’Oreal H.I.P. cream liner in Teal
SHADOW: All e/s used in this look come from my Coastal Scents Hot Pots palette (shown above).I applied Brandeis Blue (frosty cerulean w/ purple iridescence) to the center of my lower lid. Then I used my Sonia Kashuk large crease brush to apply Shamrock Green (matte teal) to the inner corner & outer v. After blending the blues & greens, I applied Oatmeal Tan (matte camel) to my browbone area.
OTHER DETAILS… I used CoverGirl single e/s in Smolder to define my eyebrows & L’Oreal Collagen Mascara in Blackest Black on my eyelashes. I defined my upper lashline using Wet N Wild cream liner in black & my waterline with Wet N Wild eyeliner pencil in white.
CHEEKS: Ulta single e/s in “Sparks” on the hollows of my cheeks & Black Radiance sheer finish blush in Soft Honey on the apples.
FACE: Estee Lauder pressed powder in Deep (05)
LIPS: Lancome Color Design lipstick in Trendy Mauve + Maybelline Shine Sensational lip gloss in Peach Sorbet