Dramatic Green Eye - Molly

Molly and I had just gone on a makeup shopping spree and of course, that meant it was time to create a new look. Molly usually likes to stick to neutral colors, and typically wears golds, browns, and taupes for eyeshadow. She wanted to come a little bit out of her comfort zone and try something with some color, and this green pops beautifully against her tan skin (jealous). The concept for the look was flawless bronze skin, dramatic green eyes, and a nude lip.

Here are some photos of the look and below I will post all the products used and how I used them. Enjoy!

 

                              

                              

Products Used:


Face:
Rimmel 25 Hour Foundation - 400 (applied with a damp real techniques buffing brush)
Laura Mercier Translucent Powder (applied with a large powder brush all over the face)
Sephora Bronzer - Los Cabos (applied below the cheek bones/on temples/down the nose)
Nars Blush - Casis (applied to the cheeks)
Hard Candy Baked Bronzer - Tiki (applied on top of cheek bones)

Eyes:
Loreal Infallible Eye Shadow - 004 (applied all over lid)
Loreal Infallible Eye Shadow - 009 (applied all over lid and bottom lash line)
Covergirl Eyeliner - Dark Brown (smudged along top lash line, top/bottom waterline)
Lancome Hypnose Mascara - Black (top lashes)
Maybelline Lash Discovery - Black (bottom lashes)
Ardell Fashion Lashes - Black (top lashes, applied to duo lash adhesive in clear)

Lips:
Rimmel Lip Liner - 070  (line top and bottom lip, smudge towards center of lips)
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain - Precious (all over lips)
Nars Lip Gloss - Orgasm (center of top and bottom lip)

Products I've Actually Repurchased...

As a beauty junkie and product hoarder, it's rare I can say I have continuously purchased a product. I find products that I love all the time, so this probably doesn't make any sense to most of you. In my mind, I find a product I love and rave about it until it's gone... but instead of buying it again I look for something better. No matter what, makeup is never satisfying enough. So, when I do repurchase, it is really saying something about the product (assuming you trust my opinion).


Product #1 - Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua ($55)

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in BR10

I almost never repurchase a foundation. I have neutral skin, and I can never find one that matches perfectly and that also satisfies what I'm looking for in texture, finish, etc. This foundation is ahhhh-mazing. The shade I wear, BR10, is a little too pink for me. I make due though because this foundation is worth it. First of all, it has a medium coverage that does an awesome job of covering up redness, discoloration like acne scars, and uneven skin tone. Even though it covers well, it's lightweight and lets my skin show through. The finish is satin, and would be very matte once powdered. I apply this with my fingers for a sheer coverage, and a damp, synthetic buffing brush for a slightly fuller coverage.

Product #2 - Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Setting Powder ($34)

Laura Mercier Loose Setting
 Powder in Translucent

I have oily skin, but don't like the look of a matte finish on my face. Because of this, I never powdered my face, which left me with under-eye creases from concealer and a very oily t-zone after an hour or so. I got this setting powder on a whim, and I must say I absolutely LOVE it. It keeps my makeup from creasing and keeps any traces of oil at bay, while leaving a satin finish that isn't heavy or caking looking. It's also super fine, which helps with the lightweight texture.

Product #3 - Nars Blush in Orgasm ($28)


Awesome, awesome, awesome. This blush is a pink/coral tone with fine gold shimmer in it. It's absolutely gorgeous, and brightens up my pale skin just enough. It's extremely pigmented, and the blush lasts me months to a year. I barely have to touch my brush to the compact to pick up color. This color looks amazing on all skin tones, but is best suited for fair-medium skin. It has a silky texture that applies easily and evenly, and it's very easy to blend out. The gold shimmer is  just enough to bring some light to the face, but not so much that I look like a disco ball. Great line of blushes in general,  but this is definitely one of my favorite shades of all time.

Nars Blush in Orgasm

                                                                                          








                                                                                                                                                                

Guide to Skin Tone/Type - Choosing Foundation

This is going to be a long one, but it's an important basic to fall back on. Before you can dive into makeup, you have to determine what type of skin you have. This consists of your skin tone, and your skin type. Once you know what you are working with, you can better chose a foundation that will work best for you.

Basically, skin tones are split up between cool and warm (pink/blue and yellow). If you're not sure which you are, there are a couple ways to tell. If you find it difficult to tell from these tests, you probably have neutral skin like I do, which can make finding a foundation tricky.

Top to Bottom: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua BR20 (cool/pink), MAC Face and Body N1 (neutral) Revlon Colorstay 150 Buff (warm/yellow)

1) Check your wrist - if your veins appear more green you are probably warm.
                                if your veins appear more blue, you are probably cool.


2) If you find that gold jewelry is more flattering, you are probably warm.
    If you find that silver jewelry is more flattering, you are probably cool.


3) If you find that earth tones (browns, creams, dark green, eggplant) are more flattering
    clothing wise, you are probably warm.
    If you find that jewel tones/pastels (light blue, bright pink) are more flattering
    clothing wise, you are probably cool.

Right to Left: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua BR20 (cool/pink), MAC Face and Body N1 (neutral) Revlon Colorstay 150 Buff (warm/yellow)

One you've determined your skin tone, the next step is to figure out what type of skin you have. Skin types are broken down into different categories, which can vary depending on who you ask. If you ask me, those categories are normal, combination, oily, and dry.


Check your skin mid-day:

1) If your skin feels smooth, and comfortable, without very visible oil or dryness, your skin is normal (and you're lucky).


2) If your skin feels oily in your t-zone (nose/forehead) and dry on your cheeks, your skin is combination. You might also have enlarged pores around your t-zone.


3) If your skin feels oily all over and you have enlarged pores on your nose, chin, and/or forehead, your skin is oily. You're the most susceptible to acne, though any skin type can breakout.


4) If your skin feels tight all over and you have rough patches, your skin is dry.


Also consider if your skin is sensitive, which can apply to any of the other categories. If your skin breaks out in any type of rash or redness after using products with fragrance, etc, that is something to consider when choosing makeup and skincare.


Now that you know whether you're cool, warm, or neutral and have determined a skin type, you can better chose a foundation and skincare routine to suite your needs.
When looking for foundations, look into companies that make foundations suitable for your skin tone. For example, Bobbi Brown is notorious for formulating foundations with strong yellow/warm undertones. MAC is notorious for having a generous range of shades for cool, warm, and neutral undertones (NC, NW, N).

Foundation Types: Liquid, Cream, Powder, Tinted Moisturizers/BB Creams

1) Normal: most formulations are suitable for normal skin, but if you have nice skin without much to cover, you're probably best to invest in a good tinted moisturizer/BB cream.


2) Combination: with combo skin, you want to find a foundation that isn't too drying or too moisturizing. Creams will be too heavy, and powders can be too drying. You're best off to look for a liquid foundation with a matte/powder finish.


3) Oily: stay away from heavy liquid foundations, and steer clear of cream formulas. Look for non-comedogenic powder foundations, either pressed or loose.


4) Dry: if you don't need much coverage, go for the tinted moisturizer/BB cream. If you need fuller coverage, go for cream foundations which provide moisture and heavy coverage.


    

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy

For my first official blog posting, I want to review a product I recently purchased and immediately fell in love with. It's the YSL Volupte Sheer Candy lipstick/balm. At a whopping $30 per tube, this stuff has a pretty hefty price tag. That being said, depending on which shade you get, I think it's worth the investment.

This product comes in 10 colors, ranging from very sheer to moderately vibrant. The color I picked up is 04 Succulent Pomegranate. My lips are pretty pigmented to begin with, and this shows up as a bright pink with red undertones. This color, while bright, isn't too warm or cool and would probably work well on most skin tones.

On the left is about the amount I put on my lips, on the right is a heavy swatch for true color.

Anyway, I'm completely obsessed with this lipstick and keep finding myself reaching for it over other products. It hydrates my super dry lips while providing the pigment of a sheerer lipstick, and on top of that the color fades beautifully. Instead of bleeding or fading unevenly, it almost stains the lips even after the "balmy" effect has worn off. Of course, the extravagant packaging is pretty to look at as well.

Tip- if you really wanted to wear this as a lipstick instead of a balm, try lining and filling in your lips with a lipliner matching the lipstick or your lips, and then use the Volupte Sheer Candy overtop. The lipliner will work as a base, like primer under foundation, to keep the color from fading.

Pros: Extremely hydrating, lasts longer than most tinted balms, provides color (depending on shade), pretty packaging, good color selection

Cons: Super expensive, lighter colors may not be worth the price, doesn't provide a very long-wearing color

Possible Dupes: Revlon Lip Butters