"nude lip"

MOTD: Smashbox Dark Room Photo Op Eye Shadow Trio

Last year Smashbox launched their new eye shadow trios called Photo Op.  These eye shadows are a new formula with new colors added and some favorites from their past trio eye shadows.  In the beginning there were 11 trio shades to select from now there are 16 with 4 from the original collection. The colors range from neutral nude, soft subtle colors to the favorite celebrity inspired smokey eye. 

 I love how each pot has 3 coordinated shades that all work together, no more guessing work!  You get a highlighter, crease and base/lid shade all in one compact.  The colors also work great on their own and you can pair them with existing colors that you already have in your makeup collection. The shadows go on velvety smooth and the pigment is very strong.  To make the shadows last longer I would suggest using an eye shadow primer of your choice. 

For this MOTD I used Dark Room  - Opal (opalescent pale pink), Granite (shimmery silver grey), Blackout (matte jet black).  The swatches on the top row are with a primer (Smashbox Photo Finish Eye Primer).  I even tried rubbing the shadows with the primer and they did not move! This is a great collection of shadows for a classic smokey eye and the colors are so versatile that they will work with any skin tone.

Products used:

Smashbox Dark Room

Opal - Highlight and Lid Color (for the lid use wet)

Granite - Crease (use a fluffy blending brush and really buff this color all over the crease and little bit above.  Blend in a circular motion back and forth.

Blackout - Detailed crease (this is best applied with a detailer definer brush or a slanted eye liner brush does the trick also.  Really emphasize this area by "carving" out the crease, do not blend.

Lip: Smashbox Pixel Lip Enhancing Lip Gloss.  This is one of my favorite nude lip glosses. 

I will be doing more looks with the Smashbox Photo Op Trios, since I have the whole palette that I received for Christmas.  The Photo Op Mega Palette is exclusive to QVC and it contains 16 of the trios plus 2 limited edition 4 eye shadow palette,  cream eye liners, blushes/highlighters and lip glosses.  Your whole complete set, you really don't need anything else.  You can still find it at QVC. Click the link

Photo Op 78 Shade Mega Palette

I am so behind in my blogging, there's so much I want to share with all of you! Hopefully I can get in the routine to post every day!!! :)

Tutorial/MOTD: Naked2 Palette - Cool Toned Smokey Eye

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I cannot get enough of my Naked2 Palette, it has now replaced my original Naked Palette.  I have been getting a lot of questions about which palette is better and what is the difference.  Personally, I like the cooler toned colors better as they are colors I would tend to gravitate more for my skin coloring.  If you like more warm/golden hues then the original Naked Palette would be better for you.  Think of the two Naked Palettes as gold and silver jewelry.  You wear one for particular looks that match your outfits, the season, or even your mood.  It’s really up to you. 

I wanted to create a MOTD (makeup of the day) that would showcase some of the cooler toned/taupe colors from the palette.  Many of my beauty followers have been asking me for NYE looks and I thought this would be perfect to add a touch of glitzy glam. 

A tip I always share with my clients is that you really need to make sure to blend blend blend!! As a makeup artist, the technique to blending is important to make the colors fade into each other.  A blending brush will be your own personal makeup artist.  MAC #224 brush is my personal favorite, but if you can’t afford this brush and want affordable brushes try

SIGMA TAPERED BLENDING BRUSH

Cool Toned Smokey Eye using shadows from the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette.  Add a hint of glitter to turn this look into a festive look for the holidays and for New Years.

Eye Shadow – Booty Call, Tease, Pistol, Blackout and Verve

Lips – Revlon Colorburst Color Icon in Cupcake

False Lashes – Model21 3T 

My Favorite False Lashes

Blush and Bronzer – E.L.F. Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder

Tutorial/MOTD: Naked2 Palette - Booty Call, Suspect, Busted and Verve

I have been slacking big time with the tutorials, but FINALLY I have uploaded one.  I dislike doing videos because it takes forever to edit but I found some shortcuts which will help me get these up and going again.  I decided to do a tutorial on a basic look with the new Naked2 palette.  Which I am LOVING!!!

Makeup Of The Day featuring neutral toned eye shadows from the NAKED2 Palette

-Eye Shadows - Booty Call, Suspect, Busted and Verve.

- Lips Naked Lip Gloss included with the Naked2 Palette

-Eye Lashes 40T http://www.villabeautifful.com/2011/11/my-favorite-false-eye-lashes.html

MOTD: Smokey purple with a touch of glitter

I always love purple eye shadows, it is my favorite color to wear.  Today I decided to focus on a smokey look since I have been doing some neutral lids with a brighter lip look.  I am always very picky about my blending and placement of colors.  Blending is so important because you don't want to see harsh lines around your colors, the colors should just fade into each other.  I also added a little bit of glitter on the bottom lashline,  just for an added glam effect for the holidays. 

Eye shadows

- MAC Satin Taupe (lid), MAC Nocturnelle (crease) MAC Beauty Marked (outer corner) MAC Brule (highlight)

Glitter - NYX Crystal Pink Liquid Crystal Liner

Lip - MAC Stripdown Lip Liner with Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Sugar Frosting

Blush - MAC Melba Blush

Nude Lips Are Always A Favorite

 My all time favorite look is a smokey eye with a nude lip which you can always find celebrities wearing.  There is just something about a nude lip that always grabs my attention. I always get asked about how to achieve the perfect nude lip.  If not done right a nude lip will may you look like your dead.  Here are some tips to keep in mind when shopping for a nude color that will fit you.

  • find a shade that is about 2 shades of your natural lip color or 1 shade lighter.  If you go too light it will make you look washed out.  If you go darker than it's really not a nude lip anymore 
  • Before applying your lipstick apply a lip balm for the lipstick to glide on your lips better.  Also exfoliate by using a little bit of sugar to scrub off some of the dry skin. 
  • A lip liner is a must when wearing a nude lip color.  You want your lips to be defined and not to blend in with the rest of your face.  When choosing the right lip liner find a shade that is close to your natural lip line.  Line your lips to create shape and definition and softly fill it in.  When your lipstick begins to fade it will fade evenly and at the same time prevent feathering.
  • Blush

Here are some of my favorite nude (either beige or pinky) lipsticks that work for me. (NC40-42 MAC Foundations med/dark skintone)

  • MAC Nude Beige Lipsticks use with MAC Oak Lip Liner
    •  Siss (MAC stores only), Viva Glam Gaga 2, Creme d' Nude, Myth, Frenzy 
    • MAC Nude Pink Lipsticks use with Subculture Lip Liner 
      • Creme Cup, Angel, Shy Girl, Modesty, Blankety, Cherish, Hue, Viva Glam Gaga, Hug Me 
  • MAC Lipglosses/Lustreglass/Creme Sheen
    • C-Thru, Underage, Florabundance, Viva Glam Gaga2, Prrr
    • Instant Gold, Luminary, Sinnamon
    • Fashion Scoop, Partial to Pink, Boy Bait, Fashion Whim
  • Smashbox  use with Light Nude Pencil 
    • Charming, Splendid Lipsticks
    • Pixel, Aura Lip Enhancing Gloss 
    • Enduring, Infinite and Limitless Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss
  •  Revlon - Soft Nude (more nude than pink but deff not totally nude) with Peach Petal Lip Gloss.  I really love this combination for a drug store brand nude lip. 
  • Wet n Wild - 901B and  903C)