Monday, December 26, 2011

FOTD: Christmas!

You've probably seen a million of these... I'll just add to the pile ;-).





FACE:
- Revlon PhotoReady foundation in Ivory
- Mac MSF Natural in Light Medium
- Maybelline Super Stay Concealer in Cream
- Mac MSF in Semi Precious Crystal Pink

EYES:
- Too Faced Shadow Insurance
- Darling Girl Glitter Glue
- Sugarpill eyeshadow in Goldilux
- Sugarpill eyeshadow in Asylum
- Sugarpill eyeshadow in Junebug
- MUA Shimmer Pencil in Green
- Physician's Formula gel liner set for blue eyes (black)
- Jessie's Girl eye dust in Pixie Dust
- Maybelline The Colossal mascara

LIPS:
- Jordana LOL gloss in ASAP

Monday, December 19, 2011

My First Photoshoot - Pics from Behind the Scenes

My friend from high school, Deanna, contacted me last week about a photoshoot that she was doing this past Sunday. Deanna is a designer and wanted to do a wintery, Nutcracker themed shoot. I got only a little information about it before I accepted, and she was quite busy leading up to it so I went in not knowing what to expect.

I arrived after packing my traincase with what I could, having such little information other than a theme, and found out that we had 10 models... and one makeup artist. Oh, wow. I was suddenly feeling very overwhelmed but I knew that being the only MUA meant that not only was everyone relying on me, but that I'd have a little creative freedom as well.

Here are the pics, I'd expect the pro pics to come out sometime in the next week and I will post them here. I will do my best to remember what I used on everyone but after so many models, it blends together! There was 1 model that I did not work on, so I actually did work on 9 of the 10.


Model #1 had the role of one of the Arabian performers, so I did a 'typical' Arabic eye on her with lots of dark eyeliner. The eyeshadows were gold and copper from the BeautyUK #2 palette, and the black liner was Physician's Formula. It had small flecks of bronze in it and was perfect for the look. I contoured her cheeks with the 88 palette, used Hard Candy Living Doll blush and applied Estee Lauder Radiant Wine on the lips.


Model #2 was one of the Russians. I kept it neutral on her and used the Wet n Wild matte palette with a little bit of the Vanity palette on her eyes, Ulta Halo eyeliner on the waterline, Jessie's Girl Eye Dust in Pixie Dust (I'm going to call this Pixie Dust from now on because it got used a lot) and Sleek Suede blush on the cheeks. I contoured with the 88 palette, including her neck and collarbones. On the lips was MUA lipstick in Shade 9.


Model #3 played the role of the Nutcracker prince and I kept it simple with him. He already had good skin so I just did a little bit of matte skintone eyeshadow on his lids, a shimmery gold on his tear ducts to bring light to his features, dark grey liner on his waterline, and Sleek Scandalous blush on his cheeks. I also added a touch of e.l.f. Ruby Slippers to his lips to give them more definition in photos, and for a rosy look.


Model #4 was the adult Clara, and I wanted something special for her! Her eyes were the Wet n Wild Comfort Zone palette mixed with the Vanity palette and Smashbox Graphite liner. I patted Pixie Dust all over her lids and cheeks. I contoured with Mac Prism and applied Mac Sakura blush for a rosy glow. On the lips was Jordana Cabernet lipliner with Sephora Crush lipstick over top. By the way, that lipstick has SERIOUS lasting power! I never had to touch her lips up.


Model #5 was the child Clara. I wasn't super happy with my efforts on her makeup; I was distracted and had a lot going on. I used Comfort Zone again on her eyes but darkened the outer edges too much for my liking. Her blush was Hard Candy Living Doll and the usual contour. Her lips were Boots Rose Bud lipstick with e.l.f. Fairy gloss over top.


Model #6 was another Russian. I kept her really simple; similar eyes to #2 but changed to suit her eye shape, more contouring, and MUA Shade 9 lipstick to match the other model.


Model #7 was one of three faeries, namely the 'icy' one! I used a load of shadows on her to give depth... a BeautyUK palette (the rainbow one), Ben Nye Ice eyeshadow, and some shadows from the Sleek Bad Girl palette. Her waterline is Milani Liquif'eye in Blue and the upper lashline is Smashbox Graphite. The cheeks are the usual 88 palette/Hard Candy combo. Lips were Mac Hellraiser lipstick with a little bit of Jessie's Girl Secret Weapon loose powder on the bottom lip.


Model #8 was the Sugar Plum Fairy. She was wearing plum and gold so I reflected that on her eyes. I intensified the makeup later on but this is how it looked initially. The gold was from the #2 Beauty UK palette and the purple was MUA Shade 9. I also used Pixie Dust to give an intense shimmer. On the lips was Boots Rose Bud with clear gloss over top.


Model #9 was my personal favorite for the makeup. I really got to go crazy with her as the hair stylist gave her an awesome punk rocker hair style. I felt she could rock a smokey eye so I used the Sleek Bad Girl palette (mostly the greys) and brought the color to her hair line. I used the Physician's Formula liner on all waterlines and lashlines, and applied Ardell lashes (I'm not sure of the number!). Heavy contouring and Mac Sakura on the cheeks. Milani Black Cherry lipstick on the lips with Jordana Cabernet underneath.

Pfew! I'm tired just trying to remember what I used! What do you guys think?! I am so happy that it went well!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Hunger Games Inspired: Rue

This look was requested by Robyn so I was much obliged... I mean, how could I not? Rue is awesome!


Rue is from District 11, whose specialty is agriculture -- specifically, orchards, grain and cotton. I went with the orchard theme and did my look with mostly greens. I used a light matte pink on my waterline that you unfortunately can't see in photos, but in person it looks like a flower blossom amongst the green or something. I also used a glowy blush to give a youthful look (Rue is only 12) and a pale pink lipstick, again for a younger look. As a side note, I wore an apple printed shirt, just to be quirky ;-).

The photos really don't do this look justice -- 412P from Inglot is a REALLY intense shimmering green with gold flash and it made the entire look shine. 





FACE:
- Cover Girl Aqua Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer in Fair to Light
- Mac MSF Natural in Light Medium
- Maybelline Super Stay Concealer in Cream
- Hard Candy blush in Living Doll

EYES:
- Too Faced Shadow Insurance
- NYX Jumbo Pencil in Horseradish (quite a thick layer)
- BeautyUK Eyeshadow Palette in Soho, lighter green all over the lid and lower lashline
- Inglot eyeshadow 44AS to darken crease and lower lashline
- Inglot eyeshadow 412P to blend out the crease, and on the inner corner
- Sleek PPQ Palette, eyeshadow in Pink Beret on lower waterline
- e.l.f. Shimmer Pencil in Precious Pink (lower waterline base)
- Wet n Wild Color Icon liner in Green (upper lashline)
- Maybelline One by One mascara (Black)

LIPS:
- Clinique Long Last Lipstick in Silvery Moon

Monday, December 12, 2011

Hunger Games Inspired: Cinna

Today I did a look inspired by Cinna! He's Katniss' designer and counselor before the Games. There isn't much description for him, other than that he has short brown hair and mentions of gold eyeliner. There's no description on the eyeliner so I did something more subtle than dramatic, maybe even as a guy would wear?


Here's the look, I'm not 100% pleased with it as the gold liner ended up being more silvery and light than I wanted. I used a pale gold as an inner corner highlight and brought it under my eye in an attempt to make my eyes look bigger, but it just look like fallout, haha.







FACE:
- Cover Girl Aqua Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer in Fair to Light
- Mac MSF Natural in Light Medium
- Maybelline Super Stay Concealer in Cream
- Mac MSF in Semi Precious Crystal Pink

EYES:
- Too Faced Shadow Insurance
- Revlon matte eyeshadow in Vintage Lace
- Matte medium brown eyeshadow from Wet n Wild Vanity Palette
- Pale gold eyeshadow from Wet n Wild Vanity Palette
- Mac eyeshadow in Espresso
- Physician's Formula Gel Liner Set for Blue Eyes: Brown
- Physician;s Formula Glam Gel Liner Set for Brown Eyes: Gold
- Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara in Black Brown

LIPS:
-Mac Lipglass in Nymphette

Stay tuned for more intense looks -- the "girl on fire", President Snow and a 2nd Katniss look! I will also be doing a look for Rue, as requested by Robyn :)

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Top 10 Favorite Lipsticks!

I recorded a video for The Makeup Heroes on my top-10-cannot-live-without lipsticks. Here's the video:



I also took swatch pictures so that you can see the colors a little easier than in the video.


Cover Girl Lip Perfection in Siren. $5-$8.


Maybelline Color Sensational in Pink Please. $4-$7.


Mac Amplified in Up the Amp. $14.50.


Mac Matte in Lady Danger. $14.50.


Boots Natural Collection in Rose Bud. £1.99.


e.l.f. Matte Lip Color in Coral. $3.


Milani Lip Flash in Hot Flash. $4-$7.


Mac Lipglasses in Nymphette and Sonoran Rain. $14.50.


NYC Lipstain in Forever Mine Wine. $2.99.

All of the lipsticks together now:


Hope you enjoyed! What are your favorites?

Monday, December 5, 2011

Hunger Games Inspired: Effie Trinket

I decided to take some inspiration from The Hunger Games series as I just finished reading all three books. I have reviews up on Goodreads (if you want to be friends, here's my profile: http://www.goodreads.com/cydonianmu). Anyway, onto the makeup!

 
Effie Trinket is a bit of an odd character, you never really know who's side she's on. She's characterized by often wearing shades of pink and even having a light pink hue to her hair. I saw some photos from the upcoming movie and didn't want to copy her makeup exactly, but instead take some inspiration from the idea of the character and what I would wear if I happened to have light pink hair. Here's what I came up with:






One more to show the glitter:


FACE:
- Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Base
- Mac Studio Fix Powder in NC20
- Maybelline Super Stay Concealer in Cream
- Mac MSF in Semi Precious Crystal Pink

EYES:
- Too Faced Shadow Insurance
- Inglot eyeshadow in 14AS (lid and lower lashline)
- Inglot eyeshadow in 441P (outer crease)
- Inglot eyeshadow in 491DS (to darken crease and lower lashline)
- e.l.f. Shimmer Pencil in Precious Pink (lower waterline)
- Prestige Total Intensity Eyeliner in Powerful Purple (smudged on upper lashline)
- MUA Glitter Liner in Shade 6 (hot pink glitter, on the upper liner and inner lower tear ducts)
- Jessie's Girl Eye Dust in Secret Weapon (inner corner)
- Rimmel Sexy Curves mascara in Black

LIPS:
- Cover Girl Lip Perfection in Siren

What do you think of this series? Are there any characters you really want to see? Let me know!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Kat Von D Angeles Palette Review + FOTD

I picked this palette up during the Sephora Friends and Family sale. It was reduced down to $15, plus the additional 20% off so quite a snag!


I believe this was the most recent palette she launched before the remakes of the original palette. The packaging is really nice -- it's got black rosaries on a white background with the Kat Von D emblem in blue. Kat's makeup line always pays nice attention to detail on the packaging and this is no exception. The white will get dirty relatively easily, but not as badly as those slightly rubberized material palettes.


The names of the shadows and the ingredients appear on the underside of the palette on a sticker.


Inside, you get 8 eyeshadows, each 0.05oz in weight. There's 7 powder eyeshadows and 1 cream shadow. The palette consists of half brown/bronze tones and the other half is blue tones. The cream shadow is on this side.

A closeup of the shades:



I swatched each color over bare skin with no primer:


Venus is a shimmering copper with intense golden undertones.

Leather is a matte warm brown. (The only matte in the palette)

Specimen is a warm taupe.

Rehab is a pale champagne.


Peggy is is a medium teal with slight hints of gold.

Bukowski is a sea blue, very shimmery.

Bellbottom is a violet-blue duochrome; this has some pigmentation issues.

Morphine is the cream shadow, it's a shimmering white with blue shift. Think Sugarpill Lumi in cream form.

The shadows all have a nice consistency, even the matte brown. They are smooth and pigmented without being gritty. The only problem child was Bellbottom, and I think that would work best over a violet or blue base to bring out the color, anyway, or to blend out the other 2 blues from the crease. I think some may be disappointed in the single matte shade, but the other colors are not over the top shimmery. Venus and Bukowski are the most shimmery out of the group, and even they aren't as over the top as say, Urban Decay shadows. The others are more like a satin texture. The cream shadow is a bit thick and awkward to use. It doesn't show up much on my tear duct but it does work decently as a cheek highlight. I would say that excluding these creams from future shadows would be a good idea, especially with the idea of contamination from the other powders.

Overall, I think that this is a nice little palette and I've been using it for quick, every day looks. The original price of $34 puts me off a little as it doesn't come with anything additional other than a few tiny plastic brushes that are essentially useless. But for $15? Sold.






For this look, I used Rehab on the lid, Specimen and Leather mixed into the crease and Peggy to blend out the crease. I also used Sephora's Waterproof Liner in Flashy Brown on my lower waterline. I don't remember what else was used on my face, unfortunately.