Proof That Nature Inspired Makeup Looks Can Be Wearable (series) - Look 1 Water

Nature Inspired Makeup Look (Water)

This post was requested by my Twitter followers. It is the first in a series of looks inspired by nature.  What comes to mind when you think of nature? There are so many visuals, sounds, scents and textures that come to mind for me, but none more prominent than water. Water cleanses.  It is refreshing, beautiful and evokes a sense of calm that soothes even the most anxious mind. This sense of calm is the exact reason I chose water for my first post. I also feel it when I am applying makeup. The practice of sitting down and gently blending my eyeshadow is almost like meditation for me.  There are so many beautiful and creative makeup looks online.  With my series, I aim to share looks that re not only nice to look at, but also very wearable in real life. 

To get started, I rummaged through my collection and pulled out a number of blue and green eyeshadows, pigments, and pencils.  To capture the reflective property of water, I chose wet looking highlighter and shiny lips. 

Here is how to get the look:

I began by priming my eyelids with Milani Eyeshadow Primer, applying a thin layer with a synthetic brush. Next, I opened up my Jeffree Star Cosmetics Blue Blood Eyeshadow palette.  This really is the perfect palette for this look. I applied a light beige colored eyeshadow (Wealthy) from the palette allover my eyelid up to the brow.  Using a Sigma E48 blending brush, I swept Blue Monday (matte blue) through the crease of my eye.  I must say, the Sigma E48 is a very underrated brush when it comes to creating a diffused eyeshadow look.  The main reason I wanted to use this palette is because of the color Ocean Ice (metallic royal blue).  It has to be my favorite color in the palette because it is so vibrant and unique. Using a flat brush, I patted this color onto my eyelid, focusing on the outer two thirds. 

Using an angled brush, I drew the color Undertaker (deep blue with a matte finish) along my upper lash line.  To intensify the blue in this look, I used OCC Royal Blue Pure Pigment, blending it into the crease and pulling it up slightly.  However, to keep the look wearable I wanted to keep the inner portion of the lid light and reflective, like water. I picked up the Urban Decay eyeshadow single in the color Kiddie Pool and mixed it with some eye drops on a Furless Cosmetics PRO7M (angled) brush. This technique of applying a shimmery eyeshadow with a wet brush is called foiling. It helps intensify the metallic qualities of the eyeshadow. I find the angled brush helps in reaching the inner corner of the eyelid and makes it easier to draw following the shape of my natural eyelid, painting on the color to the inner third of my lid.   

I didn't want this look to simply be a blue eyeshadow look.  When I think of water in nature, I am reminded of the many shades of green and teal that can be seen in the ocean as well. So I incorporated a bit of OCC Loose Color in Nori (seaweed green) along the outer corner of my eyelid. I simply tapped a bit on, and blended it into the blue with a fluffier brush, allowing the colors to meld together in a wave of seamless color.  Then I dipped back into Blue Monday, patting and blending it just above my crease with a slightly more dense fluffy brush.  It helps to take a separate fluffier brush to blend the color out further. 

You will notice that I went right in to the eye look, and did not begin by applying any foundation.  The reason for this is that I anticipated a heavy amount of fallout from the pigments and eyeshadows.  It is often a good idea to start with the eyes when using dark eye colors as it makes cleanup much easier. After, I had my eyeshadow blended, I took a makeup remover cloth and wiped the fallout off of my cheekbones.

Once all of the excess pigment was off of my face, I applied moisturizer with a duo fiber brush. Then I applied a light reflecting primer to my face.  Now is the time to perfect the base makeup. Use your normal foundation or CC cream. I used my favorite CC cream from IT Cosmetics, followed by Jeffree Star Cosmetics Concealer under my eyes, and around the center of the face as a highlight.  Blend it in with a makeup sponge.  For brows, I used Urban Decay Brow Box in Bathwater Blonde, applying it with my Morphe X Jeffree Star Brow Brush.      

To add to the reflective nature of this look, I highlighted heavily with Jeffree Star Cosmetics Supreme Frost Highlighter in Snow Globe using my Sephora PRO Highlight Brush #98 for a wet look to the cheekbones. Next, I applied NYX Matte Bronzer over the highlighter with a Kelley Quan #5 Blush Brush, using it as blush. 

To finish off the eye look, I applied Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Electric (cool-toned dark teal) to my top and bottom waterline, smudging it along the lower lash line with a pencil brush. Lashes were then coated in ILIA After Midnight Mascara. 

For lips, I used Flower Lipstick in a high-shine cream texture and topped it with a transparent clear blue gloss from IT Cosmetics. For my hair, I smoothed in Paul Mitchell Texture Cream through damp locks. 

Here is the finished look:

What do you think? I hope you enjoyed this look.  Make sure that you are subscribed so that you don't miss the next look in my nature inspired series!