10 posts tagged “neutrals”

I have amassed quite a bit of FOTDs lately as I have been either too lazy or too tired to post them. As a result, I think (I hope not) I have forgotten some of the products I used for these. I remember vividly though the foundations I used for these looks: Joppa, DreamWorld, and Meow (with a layer of Oceanmist underneath). I love these brands as they control my oilies and yet do not make my skin super dry. I am always amazed by the ultra-smooth finish these foundations give.

For this first look, I used my limited edition and rare MAC eyeshadow in Sunplosion for the first time. Yes, the first time. I'd wanted to really pack it on so that the beautiful vividness of the coppery orange could be seen, but I didn't have the time. Also, I didn't want to wear a very bright eye look for work, so this would have to do. I did commit a cosmetic mortal sin, though - I totally forgot to put on (the horror!) - mascara! I was such in a hurry that it completely slipped my mind. I know, eye makeup without mascara looks funky to say the least - but hey, nobody's perfect!

(Click for complete FOTDs, EOTDs and list of products used)

As I turn a year older, I chose simple, neutral colors mainly because I was running late. I also used the photo op to feature DreamWorld's creme topping in Butterscotch. This is exactly how I want my finished face to look - not flat-out matte but not uber-glowy either. Butterscotch may look pretty dark in the container but it looks sheer and natural when applied. I had the mistake however of ordering the creme topping in the silk formula, as I realized that it didn't do such a good job of absorbing oil on my greasy t-zone. I had to apply my Milan Minerals Oil at Bay primer on my t-zone using my concealer brush to combat the oil. Oil at Bay is a terrific product, but I want to eliminate that step in order to simplify my routine. That said, I am going to order creme toppings with clay and silica from now on in order to eliminate the extra step of using Oil at Bay. I can't wait to try out my other variants of the creme toppings as they are gorgeous as well.

As for my birthday celebration, the family went out yesterday evening for dinner instead of today because the hubby has work tonight. Co-workers and friends treated me out for lunch, and I received a slew of text messages, e-mails, calls and PMs from family, friends and well-wishers. Hubby is sending me off to New York next week to see my closest cousins and to enjoy the city that never sleeps as his birthday gift for me, and I cannot wait! To everyone who remembered and who sent their greetings, thank you so much, you made this day truly extra special (you know who you are guys!).

(Click for FOTDs)

Last Saturday, I trekked to my local MAC free-standing store and exchanged my 12 empty MAC containers for two shadows. I had to drive all the way to the store because my MAC counter at Nordstrom only accepts the empties in exchange for lipsticks. Anyways, I picked All That Glitters and Passionate shadows as my freebies, and I couldn't get any happier with my choices. I also got the 222 and 224 brushes, and although I have a whole barrage of eye brushes in different shapes and sizes, I understand why these two brushes (together with the 217 which I have) are the stars of eye makeup application. These make eye makeup application and blending a lot easier and fool-proof. I sure hope they accept MAC empties for brushes (fat chance, I know), because I wanna stock up on these babies! I also used MAC Backlit 3D glass and I thought it wouldn't be that pigmented, but it actually showed up against my Viva Glam V lipstick.

For my look, I used Bare Study paint pot as base and I love the neutral shimmer it imparted. I used the All That Glitters eyeshadow that I just got on the lids, Satin Taupe shadow on the crease and outer lid, Embark shadow on the crease and outer V, Stila Jezebel shadow on crease and above crease and to blend into Satin Taupe, Vex shadow to highlight, Graphic Brown fluidline, black mascara.

(Click here for photos and other products used)

*As a side note, I'm now a member of The Beauty Blog Network, yay!

Here are some recent eye looks that include a more vibrant purple, and the Gryffindor colors, just in time for the launching of the new book (haha). I really didn't make the colors very vivid because I wanted to keep my shadows as office-friendly as possible, so I had to make do with subtle washes of color. I just love the gold and maroon/cranberry combination. As always, I love my MAC shadesticks as base for the pigments. I used Beige-ing all over the lid and Corn shadestick on my lower lid, for maximum gold effect. I love how my shadows stay a whopping 12 to 14 hours on my lid without creasing and fading, with very vibrant colors to boot, thanks to my MAC shadesticks. I won't trade these babies for anything.

Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing primer
Meow Flawless Feline mineral foundation in Naughty Abyssinian
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Bare Escentuals mineral veil
NARS blush in Mata Hari

Lips:
MAC lipliner in Whirl
MAC lipstick in Touch
MAC lipglass in Crescent

Eyes:
MAC Beige-ing shadestick as base
MAC pigment in Vis-a-violet inner to mid lid
MAC pigment in Violet mid lid to outer lid
MAC pigment in Entremauve on outer lid and crease
MAC eyeshadow in Ricepaper to highlight browbone
Almay Amazing I-liner (liquid liner)
Maybelline XXL mascara

Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing primer
Meow Flawless Feline mineral foundation in Naughty Manx with a little Pampered Puss in Fierce Manx
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Bare Escentuals mineral veil
CARGO blush in Polynesia

Lips:
MAC lipliner in Whirl
MAC lipstick in Hug Me
Lumiere Lumi Lips lipgloss in Holy Grail

Eyes:
MAC Beige-ing shadestick as base all over lid/browbone
MAC Corn shadestick on lid
MAC eyeshadow in Gold Mine over lid
MAC eyeshadow in Cranberry on crease
MAC eyeshadow in Greensmoke on outer V
MAC eyeshadow in Ricepaper to highlight browbone
Almay Amazing I-liner (liquid liner)
Maybelline XXL mascara

Here's one of my favorite neutral looks. I used MAC Beige-ing shadestick as base, MAC pigment in Subtle mixed with MAC mixing medium on lid, MAC eyeshadow in Mulch on crease and outer V, MAC Graphic Brown fluidline to line upper lashline, Maybelline XXL mascara

For the life of me I can't think of any prose to go with these looks tonight. So let's just have the pictures do the talking, shall we?

Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing primer
Meow Flawless Feline mineral foundation in Naughty Abyssinian
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Bare Escentuals mineral veil
Meow blush in Europpa

Lips:
Rimmel 1000 Kisses stay-on lipliner in Wild Clover
MAC lipstick in Honey Moon
MAC lipglass in Crescent

Eyes:
MAC Beige-ing shadestick as base
Shu Uemura eyeshadow in ME Blue 638 on lid
MAC pigment in Azreal Blue inner to mid lid
MAC eyeshadow in Blue Edge on crease and outer V
MAC eyeshadow in Shroom to highlight browbone
Almay Amazing I-liner (liquid liner)
Maybelline XXL mascara

Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing primer
Lauress original mineral foundation in Creamy Yellow and Delicate Yellow (mixed)
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Bare Escentuals mineral veil
Meow blush in Orgasmic
NARS blush in Oasis

Lips:
Rimmel 1000 Kisses stay-on lipliner in Wild Clover
Wet 'n Wild Glassy Gloss lip gel in Mocha Glaze

Eyes:
MAC Beige-ing shadestick as base
Valerie Beauty multi-purpose mineral in Miranda foiled with MAC mixing medium on lid
Valerie Beauty pan mineral eyeshadow in Dolce Vita on crease and outer V
MAC pigment in Vanilla to highlight browbone
MAC Graphic Brown fluidline to line upper lashline
Maybelline XXL mascara

I didn't want to experiment with colors today so I took the easy route of using neutrals. However, I used a different eyeshadow application, veering from my usual technique. I got this new style of application from a makeup board. I really loved how this girl did her shadows that I asked how she does them. She enumerated the following steps (all brushes MAC):

- primer (MAC paints or shadesticks)
- apply medium color with the 224 brush in crease
- apply light color on inner lid with the 239 brush
- apply medium color on outer lid with the 239
- blend everything together with the 217 and a little of the medium color on it with little strokes in one direction
- apply dark color with the 219 in the crease and blend it with the 222
- do outer v also with the 222 and the dark color
- highlight browbones

It took me longer to achieve my eye look using this technique because, simply put, it isn't mine. The result somewhat looked the same as my other EOTDs, but it took longer to achieve it.  Lesson learned: if you already have a tried-and-tested application method, stick to it, especially if you're pretty much satisfied with the results. For those looking for tutorials on eyeshadow application, though, you might want to try the above-mentioned technique. Practice makes perfect, I guarantee that.

Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing primer
Meow Flawless Feline mineral foundation in Naughty Abyssinian
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Bare Escentuals mineral veil
J.Lynne Latin Rhythms mineral blush in Paso Doble
MAC Golden Refined bronzer to contour

Lips:
MAC lipliner in Whirl
MAC lipsticks in Hyper and Galvanize
MAC lipglass in Pas-de-deux

Eyes:
MAC Beige-ing shadestick as base
MAC pigment in Goldenaire foiled with MAC mixing medium on lid
MAC pigment in Coco on outer lid and crease
MAC pigment in Coco Beach on crease and outer V
MAC eyeshadow in Ricepaper to highlight browbone
Almay Amazing I-liner (liquid liner)
Maybelline XXL mascara