A Complete Guide to Fall 2019 Makeup Looks - Looks 2-4

A Complete Guide to Fall 2019 Makeup Looks - Look 2-4

*All products in this post purchased by me.  Not sponsored. 

As promised, this next look will be all about the perfect lip colors for Fall 2019. This post will show three looks in total, all daytime appropriate. All three of them will begin with the same foundation and brow makeup.

For your foundation:

1. Prep your skin.  I recommend a good moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type.  If there are parts of your face that get particularly shiny or oily throughout the day, you may want to add a primer to those sections. 
2. Prepare your tools. Wet your beauty sponge and decide which brushes you will use. This comes down to personal preference, though I will offer guidance along the way.
3. Apply your foundation. Start with the areas of your face that need the most coverage first.  Work in light layers, allowing the product to soak into your skin before adding more. The goal is to even out the skin, but we still want it to look like skin.
4. Add the finishing touches.  Now you can add your liquid highlighter and concealer as needed.
5. Set everything with a light layer of powder. Be cautious not to powder too heavily over the areas that you want your liquid highlighter to shine through. Depending on your skin type, you may want to leave the tops of your cheekbones powder free.  Otherwise, you can add a powder highlight over your powder at the end if desired. 

For natural looking brows:

1. Choose your weapon(s). Decide on a pencil, pomade, powder, wax, gel or any combination that you desire. 
2. Brush your brow hairs up with a spoolie. If necessary you may trim just the tips with a small pair of scissors, but natural brows are in so I recommend doing as little cutting/tweezing as possible. 
3. Start by emphasizing the bottom of your brow with the product(s) you chose in step one above. This will help even out the shape of your brows. 
4. Draw hair like strokes through any sparse areas of your brows with your pencil or brow powder.
5. Give a final brush through with your spoolie to blend in the product and set with a brow gel if desired. 

Now for Look 2

The Trend: Red lips (try crimson or oxblood)

This season lipstick should be worn in a very effortless way.  With your foundation on and brows groomed, all you need is a swipe of lipstick and you are ready to go!  Lipstick can be worn in a stain or glossy (concentrated in the center). For a more casual look, you may want to try a red that leans more gingerbread or even plum in hue. 

Some of my favorites are: Urban Decay in the color Gash, Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick in Designer Blood or Redrum, NYX Pump it Up Lip Plumper in Scarlett, Too Faced Melted Matte Long Wear Lipstick in Gingerbread Man. 

I used Redrum from Jeffree Star Cosmetics, painting it onto the center of my lips then spreading it over the rest of my lips using my pinky finger. 

Here is the final look:

I did end up adding a touch of mascara to my lashes after curling them. However, if you feel comfortable feel free to leave your lashes bare. 

Look 3

The Trend: Monochromatic looks in terracotta and/or mauve

For this look, I used the color mauve throughout the entirety of my face. Again, my foundation and brows were the same as above.  I was inspired by my Cover FX Monochromatic Blush Duo in Mojave Mauve.  This blush is just so stunning and easy to blend. Mauve has always been a color that just works for me. I began by applying the matte side of this blush duo onto my cheeks, and then applied the shimmery side in a light layer over it, focusing mostly on the tops of my cheekbones.  Instead of eyeshadow, I used this same blush duo on my eyes. Using a fluffy eyeshadow brush, I swept a light layer of the matter color through the crease of my eyes, and then tapped some of the shimmery side onto my eyelids. Using a cotton swab, I applied a little bit of the matte color along my lower lash line. For lips, I used a mixture of Urban Decay's glossy pencil in Lovechild and Tarte lipstick in Plummy Rose.  Then I patted just a tiny touch of the shimmery side of the blush duo onto the center of my lips to bring everything together. 

Due to the popularity of monochromatic makeup looks, many brands have eyeshadow and lipstick of the same color.  For example, Jeffree Star Cosmetics has eyeshadow and Velour Liquid Lipstick in colors Androgyny, Celebrity Skin and Dominatrix (to name a few).You may even want to use those eyeshadows as blush for the full monochromatic look!  Have fun and search your stash for colors that will liven up your look but still look good on cheeks, eyes and lips. 

Here is the final look:

As you can see, I skipped mascara for this look.  I did curl my lashes to keep the eyes open and bright. If you must wear mascara, try applying only one coat to the top lashes only. This is a great look for any occasion, and works well in the office, or using a richer color and some liner for evening. 

Look 4

The Trend: Natural makeup

This look is the easiest to pull off, and is suitable for everyday. It is not a "no makeup" type of look, but rather one that sticks to a more natural color palette. 

The Urban Decay Naked Palettes are a great pick for this look. I used the Naked 3 Palette, but you can use any of the Naked Palettes you prefer. You will want two matte eyeshadow colors (one highlight and one contour) and one shimmery color. I used Strange (an extremely light neutral matte pink), Burnout (matte light dusty rose) and Limit (pinky-peach satin) for my three shadows. 

You can use an eyeshadow primer if desired, then take your matte highlight eyeshadow and apply it from lash line up to just under your brow.  Using a crease brush, sweep your matte contour shadow through the crease of the eye. The colors should be light and blended together to keep everything very natural looking. Pat some of the shimmery eyeshadow on the eyelid to bring light to the look. 

Next, tight line your upper lash line with a brown eye pencil. I used Dominatrix (chocolate brown) Lip Liner from Jeffree Star Cosmetics (eye safe). Coat your top lashes only with mascara.  I used Ilia After Midnight Mascara to add some length. For blush, I used Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed (a very natural looking nude color).  You want something that looks very natural and doesn't lean to pink or peach.  Matte formulas are best for natural makeup looks. If you do want to add a bit of a highlight for the appearance of a dewy complexion, use a fan brush to sweep The Balm's Mary-Lou Manizer on the tops of cheekbones. To keep everything looking as natural as possible, I went over the edges of my highlight and blush with a damp beauty sponge from Real Techniques. 

Finish off lips with a thin layer of gloss that is close to your natural lip color. 

Here is the final look:

I hope you enjoyed these daytime appropriate makeup looks. All three are quite easy to apply and are classic looks that never really go out of style, despite being on trend this season.  I have one more daytime look that is a bit more on the fun side coming up, and then a couple of evening looks to finish out the season.  Sadly, here in Chicago it has been quite snowy already so it does not feel like fall at all!

Thank you for reading, and don't forget to follow me on Twitter @MakeupMatters1

*All products in this post were purchased by me.  This is not a sponsored post. I do not get paid to write reviews or include any specific products in my posts.  All opinions are my own. 

A Complete Guide to Fall 2019 Makeup Looks - Look 1

*All products in this post purchased by me. Not sponsored. 

A Complete Guide to Fall 2019 Makeup Looks - Look 1

Welcome to another requested post from my Twitter family. This is the first look in a series of easy to apply, Fall 2019 makeup looks. I hope you find this series helpful for creating this season's trendiest looks.

The Trend: Dewy skin, natural brows, blue liner and mauve blush


You can wear any of these trends solo, or together as I have done here.  While it may seem like I am incorporating a number of trends into a single look, I think you will find that they work quite well together. The first part of this look, dewy skin, can really be worn with any type of makeup.

To create the appearance of a dewy complexion, you will want to start off with clean skin.  I recommend a consistent skincare routine that is appropriate for your skin type as well as the climate you live in.  Depending on where you live, you may have to adjust your skincare routine depending on the season.  I recommend starting by removing all traces of dirt and/or makeup with a damp microfiber cloth. These are essentially washcloths designed to grab every trace of grime from the skin.  You can find them at bed & bath shops, or online at places like amazon.com. If you wear eye makeup regularly, a good eye makeup remover is essential. Lately, I have been loving the affordable drugstore option from Physican's Formula.

Once your skin is squeaky clean, you will want to apply a liquid highlighter. I recommend Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector.  I used the color Opal here, but choose one that compliments your skin tone. Apply a thin layer of product allover your face and neck using a flat paddle foundation brush.  If this feels like too much glow for you, simply mix a few drops of liquid highlighter in with your usual foundation. No liquid highlighter on hand? Try mixing a touch of shimmery pigment in with your foundation instead for a similar effect.

Next, conceal as you normally would, and set only your concealer with powder.  You can lightly powder the rest of your face if desired, but we want some of that liquid highlighter to shine through so don't be too heavy handed.

Now for the magic, powder highlighter!  There are a number of great options on the market when it comes to powder highlighting products.  I used an old favorite, The Balm's Mary-Lou Manizer.  Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, or Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed (try Rose Gold) are also solid choices. Dust a tiny bit onto the tops of cheekbones, above your brows, cupid's bow and bridge of the nose. Start with just a little bit, and build the product up until you reach the desired amount of glow.

I think the tools you use to apply product are just as important as the products you choose (if not more so). My picks for powder highlighter application are the Real Techniques fan brush, or a small contour/highlight brush (such as Furless Cosmetics BC4 or Sephora Pro Highlight #98).

Now for brows.  You can use your regular brow products, just remember full, natural looking brows are on trend. I used Urban Decay Brow Box to fill in any sparse areas, and groomed my brows with a spoolie.  Natural, full looking brows can also be worn with any type of makeup look.

For eyes, apply a very thin layer of your favorite eyeshadow primer to your eyelids, being sure to stay close to the lash line (try Milani Eyeshadow Primer). Grab a navy blue eye pencil, and trace along your upper lash line.  I recommend doing one eye at a time, and going slowly.  Use a smudge brush (I used one from Urban Decay) to smudge out the color slightly, then draw over the line again, winging it out slightly. You can use a cotton swab to correct any mistakes. For the look below, I used Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in the color Ransom. You can tight line with the same pencil if desired. If this feels a little bit too out of your comfort zone, you may want to tight line with your usual brown or black eye pencil instead. 

For blush, mauve is the color for Fall 2019. I used Cover FX Mojave Mauve Monochromatic Blush Duo. You can use just the matte side, or layer the shimmery side over the matte depending on your personal preference. This blush from Cover FX is truly fantastic. It is pigmented, and blends like a dream.

Keep lips neutral, by applying a neutral lip liner and a little bit of lip balm if desired.

Here is the final look:

What do you think? Try this look? I would love to see it! Show me on Twitter @MakeupMatters1.  Make sure you are subscribed so you don't miss the next look in this series (it is all about the perfect lip colors for Fall 2019). 

*All products in this post were purchased by me. This is not a sponsored post. I do not get paid to write reviews or mention products in my posts.  All opinions are my own. 

5 Eyeshadow Looks We Love Inspired By Nature - Look 5 Snow

5 Eyeshadow Looks We Love 

Inspired By Nature - Look 5 - Snow

Welcome to the final post in my series of eyeshadow looks inspired by nature. Love it or hate it, snow looks so beautiful when it is freshly covering the trees. The way it glistens in the sunlight has an almost magical quality to it. Many have memories of sledding as a child, or skiing as an adult. Snow days off from school or work can mean time snuggled by the fireplace with a warm cup of cocoa. Urban Decay used to carry an eyeshadow called Bobby Dazzle, and they described the glitter particles in it as having the appearance of freshly fallen snow. I had this very image in my head as I created this eyeshadow look.  While I did add some sparkly hair pins and extra highlighter for these photos, I still think the look is wearable. I did in fact wear it out and about over the weekend. 

Here is how to get the look:

• Prep skin based on your skin type with a moisturizer and primer if needed. I used Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentrate to hydrate and plump the skin. I also used this time to moisturize my lips so that everything is smooth.  
• We are starting with the eyes for this look because of all the glitter and pigments being used. Cleanup will be much easier if you apply your foundation after. Apply an eye primer such as NYX Eyeshadow Base in White to the eyelids. This creates the base color for this eye look, and also gives the pigments and shadows something to stick to. 
• Tightline upper lashes with a dark eye pencil. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils come in a large variety of colors, so pick something that will enhance your natural lash color and make your lashes look thicker. 
• For your waterline, use a warm beige or light color eye pencil such as Urban Decay Venus or Yeyo. If you really want to make your eyes look bigger, try a stark white eye pencil instead. The Body Shop & NYX have great options. 
• Now comes the fun part....glitter!  I highly recommend using a glitter glue. Too Faced Glitter Glue is my go-to for finer glitters and pigments.  If you really want to get your sparkle on, Lit Cosmetics has the best selection of colored cosmetic glitters and they also sell an adhesive that makes glitter much more user friendly. I honestly just pulled out a variety of white, silver and iridescent loose eyeshadows, pigments and glitters from my collection and began layering them on to my eyelid over a dab of glitter glue. I started with Tarina Tarantino Sparklicity Pure Nude Sparkle Powder, and Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Loose Color in Platonic (both discontinued). Then, I moved onto to a mixture of white and silver glitters from Shany Cosmetics.I painted on a bit of Stila's Moonlight Eye Shadow, highlighting my eyelid and brow bone. 
• You will want to define the crease of your eyelid with a matte shadow a few shades darker than your natural skin tone. I used Celebrity Skin (soft matte brown) from the Jeffree Star Cosmetics Blue Blood Palette. 
• To darken the area around my lashes, I used a combination of Cremated (dark matte gray-green) and Undertaker (deep matte blue) from the same palette. I applied them as eyeliner using an angled brush on top and bottom lash line. I then used a fluffier flat brush to smoke out the lower lash line a bit. 
• Over the dark shadow on my lower lash line I placed Urban Decay Moonspoon (metallic silver) for added shine. I highlighted the inner corner of my eye with Urban Decay Space Cowboy eyeshadow, and just under my brow with Cullinan (Icy white with a metallic finish) from the Blue Blood Palette. 
• Once all of my eyeshadow was on, I applied my base, opting for IT Cosmetics CC cream. I concealed with Jeffree Star Cosmetics Magic Star Concealer, and set everything with a dusting of Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light.
• For blush, I used NYX Mauve blush and a bit of Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Mood Light. 
• To highlight my cheekbones and the bridge of my nose, I used Urban Decay 8-Hour Highlighter in Aura (on cheeks), and Jeffree Star Cosmetics Supreme Frost in Snow Globe over It Cosmetics Hello Light Creme Illuminator.  To add to the iridescence, I tapped on just a touch of Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Highlighter in Iridescence.  I chose a few different highlighters in a number of textures and worked in light layers to achieve the desired effect. 
• I finished off the eyes with Ilia After Midnight Mascara. 
• For lips, I used Urban Decay Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Color in Lovechild topped with Jordana Cosmic Glow Holographic Lip Gloss in Crystalized Pink. 
• I added some texture to my hair with Paul Mitchell Re-Works Texture Cream and added in some sparkly hair pins.

Here is the finished look:

A closer look.  All pictures are with flash, but without a filter applied.

I had such a hard time narrowing down which products I wanted to use. You can easily recreate this look with products from any number of brands. Some other choices that work well for loose eyeshadow and glitter are: Sugarpill Loose Eyeshadow in Lumi, Lit Cosmetics Love Me Tender Size #2, Glamour Doll Eyes Cloud Coverage, and/or Sugarpill Tako (matte white). 

For face highlighters, I also really like NYX Born to Glow! Liquid Illuminator, and Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal.

If you recreate this look I would love to see it! Send me a picture on Twitter @MakeupMatters1. Don't forget to check out my other posts for more eyeshadow looks inspired by nature.

Coming up next: A Complete Guide to Fall 2019 Makeup Looks (by request)!

*All products in this post were purchased by me. I do not get paid to write reviews, or mention products on my site. All opinions are my own. This is not a sponsored post. 

5 Eyeshadow Looks We Love Inspired By Nature - Look 4 Mountains

5 Eyeshadow Looks We Love

Inspired By Nature - Look 4 - Mountains

One of the many visual pleasures nature has to offer is the breathtaking view of mountains. Snow covered mountain tops and deep sloping valleys are such a sight to behold that they are commonly a subject for paintings and other artwork.  Capturing the picturesque beauty is no small feat.  We may think of folks like Bob Ross, or Thomas Kinkade who attempted to paint a scene reminiscent of the crisp mountain air.  While no artist can truly capture what Mother Nature has, we can draw inspiration from her work as a reminder of that sense of awe we feel each time we are in the presence of her work. 

This look is a little bit different than the others in this series.  I did not pull inspiration only from nature, but also from other artists. For example, the work of @IllanaIII on Pinterest (@makeup.licious on IG) creates numerous makeup looks inspired by different landscapes.  Her photos juxtapose an eyeshadow look with the scene which she drew her inspiration from as I did in the first photo above. I did not want to copy her work outright, but would be amiss if I failed to mention her as a source of inspiration for mine. 

Here is how to get the look:

• Select the eyeshadow colors that most closely match the landscape being used for inspiration.  I used two palettes that I custom created from Colourpop and Makeup Geek. 
• Curl your lashes with a lash curler.
• It is important to have properly groomed brows for this look. Complete your normal brow routine, which will be different for everyone. I used Urban Decay Brow Box in Bathwater Blonde as well as a brow pomade from Milani. 
• Prime the eyelids with your favorite eyeshadow primer, or concealer.  I used the Milani Eyeshadow Primer that I had handy, applying a very thin layer from lash line up to just beneath my brow. 
• For eye brushes, I recommend choosing a flat eyeshadow brush with a tapered tip and a few fluffy eyeshadow brushes of different sizes for applying and blending color. Try to opt for brushes that you can use for more than one purpose to cut down on the number of brushes you will have to clean later. For example, a flat eyeshadow brush with tapered bristles can be used to apply pigment with the flat side as well as using the tip to brush shadow along the lower lash line. 
• I also made sure I selected a shimmery eyeshadow to highlight just beneath the brow and the inner corners of my eyes.  However, any face highlighter can also be used for this step. 
• After the eyes are primed, begin by sweeping a dark metallic blue eyeshadow onto the eyelid with a fluffy brush. Stamp and blend the color to achieve a hazy effect. I used Colourpop Quantum Sleep (metallic cobalt blue) for this step. 
• Next, I applied Bassline Pressed Powder Shadow from Colourpop (metallic periwinkle) to the inner third of the lid. I stamped it on with a fluffy brush, blending it into Quantum Sleep. 
• To define the crease, I wanted to create a hazy blend of grayish brown with a hint of yellow. I accomplished this by sweeping a mixture of Colourpop's I Owe You (a warm-toned matte orange), Tiki (matte warm yellow with flecks of gold), and Take Flight (bright canary yellow) into the crease of the eye. I added Urban Decay eyeshadow in Naked (matte nude) and a touch of Makeup Geek Faux Fur (matte soft mink brown) to get the perfect color combination. 
• Taking I Owe You, Naked and Faux Fur, I smudged this mixture of shadows along my lower lash line with a pencil brush. 
• I went back in with a Sigma E54 Medium Sweeper Brush to apply some more Quantum Sleep to the outer third of my eyelid, and a touch more Bassline to the inner third. 
• To highlight the inner corner of my eye and just below the brow, I used Makeup Geek's Shimma Shimma (light pinky beige with a shimmery finish). 
• Finally, line the waterline with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Hustle, and tight line with a chocolate brown liner.  I used Dominatrix lip pencil from Jefferee Star Cosmetics (eye safe). 
• Apply a couple of coats of your favorite black or brown mascara. I used Tarte Cosmetics Lights, Camera, Splashes because it provides amazing length and is waterproof. 

As with all of my posts, you should use whatever eyeshadows you have handy to recreate the look. I only include the specific products that I use to make it easier for you to find a dupe and achieve a similar look. Depending on your skin tone, you may have to adapt the colors to better meet your needs. Colourpop and Makeup Geek both offer affordable, high quality shadows. I only used a few different eyeshadow brushes to create this look. If you clean off your brush in between colors, you can probably get away with only three brushes; a fluffy blending brush, a pencil brush and a flat eyeshadow brush. 

I did tend to use fluffier brushes for most of the lid work here. I wanted to create a heavily diffused effect by stamping on the shadow, then blending it across the lid. It is also important to use brushes with a size that matches the area you are working on. For example, when applying color just beneath the brow, I used a smaller flat brush, that allowed me to get up close just under the brow. 

To get into the inner corner of the eyelid, I held a small brush at an angle, to paint the color on, highlighting the corner more easily.

Here is the finished look:

Another look (left with flash, right without):

When working with pigmented eyeshadow, I recommend doing your eyes first. This allows for easier cleanup. You can use any lip color that you would like. I opted for a neutral tone to stick with the earthy vibe of the look.  

Make sure that you are subscribed so that you don't miss look 5 in my inspired by nature series!  The next look is inspired by winter snow.  It will be my final look in the series, and I am very excited about this one!

Don't forget to visit my Inspired by Nature Board on Pinterest: https://pin.it/phksdp5cuv5lyr

*All of the items in this post were purchased by me. I do not get paid to write posts. This is not sponsored in any way.

5 Eyeshadow Looks We Love Inspired By Nature - Look 3 Autumn Leaves

5 Eyeshadow Looks We Love Inspired By Nature - Look 3 Autumn Leaves

Autumn is a favorite season for many makeup lovers.  The rich colors and textures of the season make way for fuller coverage and nature inspired hues.  It is the time of year where we put away our tinted moisturizer and bronzer for the season and opt for foundation and blush instead. 

Like my previous posts in this series, the focus is on the eye makeup.  I chose Colourpop Yes, Please! palette and the Naked Petite Heat palette from Urban Decay.  Just looking at the colors in these palettes make me think of autumn. 

Here is how to get the look:

• Line the upper lash line with a plum toned eyeliner.  I used Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-One Eye Pencil in 1999, a plum with flecks of scarlet colored glitter. 
• Apply a soft nude matte eyeshadow to the eyelid as a base. I used Urban Decay Vibrate from the Naked Petite Heat palette. 
• Highlight just beneath the brow and on the inner corner of the eye with a satin cream colored eyeshadow such as Urban Decay Inhale. 
• With an angled brush, draw over the 1999 eye pencil with a rich reddish brown eyeshadow like Strike from Urban Decay. 
• Using a pencil brush, smudge a matte cayenne eyeshadow along the lower lash line. I used Heist from Urban Decay following it up with a clean pointed, but fluffy brush to smoke out the color. 
• Emphasize the crease with an orange eyeshadow. Wild Thing from Urban Decay is what I used, but the Colourpop Yes, Please has many similar colors to the Naked Petite Heat palette, so use what you have in your collection.
• Switching to the ColourPop Yes, Please! Pressed Powder Shadow Palette, I dipped a flat eyeshadow brush into the matte yellow.  Gently pat the color on the inner two thirds of the eyelid, building up the color until you reach your desired intensity.  
• Pick up a tiny bit of the shimmery light gold color in the Colourpop palette and pat a thin layer over the yellow eyeshadow you just applied. 
• Darken up the outer corner of the upper eyelid with Strike from Urban Decay Naked Petite Heat, or a similar color from the ColourPop palette. 
• Use a clean brush to blend all of the edges together, applying more eyeshadow where you need it. The key to this look is applying thin layers that effortlessly blend into one another like a freshly fallen autumn leaf. 

Both of these eye palettes contain very pigmented shadows.  They may stain the eyelids, so you may want to start with an eyeshadow base.  I did not use an eyeshadow primer for this look, because I wanted the colors to look more hazy than bold.  A good eye makeup remover should help to remove all trace of color at the end of the day. 

I did not use a ton of eye brushes for this look.  Sometimes having a little excess color on the brush can help blend one color seamlessly into the next. 

Finish off the eyes with a healthy coat of mascara on top and bottom lashes.  For lips, I created a custom color mixing together Too Faced Melted Matte in Gingerbread Man with Urban Decay Lipstick in Gash. I lined my lips with Dominatrix from Jeffree Star Cosmetics, a chocolate brown. Blending the lip liner with the lipstick is key to avoid a harsh look. I used a small pointed lip brush blending the lip liner color toward the center of the lip.

Here is the finished look:

Below is a closer look at the eyes:

What do you think of this eyeshadow look inspired by autumn leaves?  What is your favorite season?

Another look in different lighting, and with the eyes looking down:

Make sure that you are subscribed so that you don't miss look 4 in my nature inspired series!  My next look is inspired by mountains. This series was requested by my Twitter followers. If you aren't following me on social media, I can be found on Twitter @MakeupMatters1.

*All of the items in this post were purchased by me. This is not a sponsored post. I do not get paid to write reviews or include products in my posts. 

5 Eyeshadow Looks We Love Inspired By Nature - Look 2 Flowers

5 Eyeshadow Looks We Love Inspired By Nature - Look 2 Flowers

I hope you are enjoying my nature inspired eyeshadow series. The first look I did focused on colors inspired by water. I used reflective blues and teals to create a look that was fun, yet wearable.  Today, I was inspired by flowers. There are so many colors and types of flowers to choose from that I did have some difficulty narrowing down what makeup I wanted to use.  I opted for mauve tones, being sure to bring color into the cheeks and lips as well.  

For the eyes I used the Naked 3 Palette from Urban Decay. This palette has beautiful floral tones in it. I paired the eyeshadow with Romantic Rose Powder Blush from Milani, and a brightly pigmented lip gloss from Armour Beauty in the color Hello.  This lip gloss is an opaque bubblegum pink.  For a slightly more sheer formula, Jeffree Star Cosmetics The Gloss in Candy Drip is a beautiful choice.  

Here is how to get the look:

• Prime your eyes with your favorite eyeshadow primer, or a little bit of concealer. I used Joer long-wear eye brightening primer, because it really helps make my eyeshadow last longer than any other primer that I have tried. 
• Draw on eyeliner close to the upper lash line.  You do not have to be neat with this part, as it will serve as the base for the eyeshadow look. I took a dense brush, and smudged the color out along my eyelid, keeping the color concentrated closest to the lash line.  For this step, I used Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in the color 1999, a lovely plum color flecked with scarlet glitter.  

• Apply a metallic copper eyeshadow over the eye pencil you just applied. I used a fluffy brush, and gently patted the eyeshadow over it. The color I used is Trick from the Naked 3 palette. 

• Define the crease with a matte eyeshadow. I used Nooner from the Naked 3 palette, a matte mauvey plum. Bring the shadow right up to the bridge of the nose to create depth and shape the eye. 

• Highlight the eye lid.  I used a single eyeshadow from Urban Decay called Space Cowboy. This is very glittery, but really looks so pretty on the eye. It reminds me of morning dew glistening on flower petals.  

• Highlight the inner corners of the eyes. Taking a tiny bit of Dust eyeshadow from the Naked 3 palette, I applied just a very small amount to the inner corner of the eyes for a brightening effect.  Dust is a very pale metallic pink.

• Line your waterline with a metallic white eye pencil.  I used Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Yeyo. 

• To finish off the eyes, I applied a few coats of Ilia After Midnight Mascara to top and bottom lashes. 

For the rest of the face, I used Hourglass Skin Tint as my base.  Use whatever foundation you normally use.  However, I recommend doing the skin after your eyeshadow. Using glittery eyeshadows will likely create fallout, and it is much easier to clean before you have applied your skin makeup. On top of my Milani Romantic Rose Powder Blush, I used a large fan brush to sweep on Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Amber Nectar. If you prefer to use a lip liner under your gloss, try something in a dusty mauve to compliment the look. I like Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Crayon in Glace. 

Here is the finished look:

I tried to include both sides of my face, as I have had many comment that I only show one side of my face in photographs. I do tend to favor the right side of my face, but recognize that many individuals want to see the look from different angles. 

What do you think of my floral eyeshadow look? Make sure that you are subscribed so that you don't miss look number three in my series of eyeshadow looks inspired by nature. Next up, is something just in time for the autumn season, an eye look inspired by leaves/trees! 

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!

The Secret to College Makeup

It is almost time to go back to school. If you are heading off to college for the first time, you are probably feeling excited and a little nervous.Don't worry! I have some secrets to share with you that take the guess work out of college makeup. Instead of focusing on what makeup to bring to your new dorm, just follow my guide below so that you can focus on more important stuff (like your classes).  

Step 1: Assemble your college makeup kit. This may be slightly different for everyone, depending on what you normally wear. The general idea is to pack products that have more than one use, and help you feel both comfortable and confident. 

I recommend the following products:

• Powder
• Foundation / BB Cream / Tinted Moisturizer 
• Eye pencils
• Brushes
• Blush
• Lipstick
• Mascara

Keep your makeup minimal & affordable! School is expensive, but looking your best doesn't have to be.

Step 2: Define your makeup goals. For example, you may want to wear makeup that helps you look cute without it taking all day to get ready. Show the world you have beauty and brains.

Step 3: Apply your products.  

Late night study sessions (or too much partying) can leave your skin looking blotchy or dehydrated. Even out your skin by applying a tinted moisturizer, BB cream or foundation. I like products that do double duty. For example,  Aveda Mineral Tinted Moisturizer adds hydration to the skin with enough coverage to help you feel confident. If you are someone who needs a heavier coverage,Milani 2-in-1 Foundation & Concealer can be worn solo or layered on in targeted areas as a concealer. 

Mid-day can leave you looking oily. Adding a light dusting of loose powder can help keep your skin looking matte. Jeffree Star Cosmetics Magic Star Powder is a great option. If your skin is naturally more oily try Beauty Bakerie Flour Setting Powder.  Both brands offer good color choices and work for most skin types.  

Rather than bringing all of your eyeshadow palettes to school, eye pencils are the smartest choice. They are portable, and come in a ton of colors and finishes. Opt for the double sided chubby kind like Milani Brow & Eye Highlighters.  Use the Natural Taupe side to pencil in brows and the Vanilla side on your waterline to help you look more awake. If you want something more adventurous, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencils come in a lovely array of jewel tones, metallics and neutrals. Pick up a few so you always have options to change up your look. Use your finger or a cotton swab to smudge out your eye pencil for those campus parties. 

I love makeup brushes, but dorm life isn't conducive to constant brush washing. Bringing a ton of brushes, especially when skipping eyeshadow doesn't make sense. Instead, pack a good foundation brush to apply your base, and a fluffier brush to tap on your powder and sweep on blush. Real Techniques has some of the best, most affordable makeup brushes and they are very easy to find. 

Blush is one of those products that is seriously underrated. After applying foundation and powder, you have to add some color back into your face or you will look washed out, or just plain sick. Choose something with shimmer in it, such as Milani Baked Blush in Corallina. Glowy blushes add a healthy radiance to the skin and eliminates the need for a separate highlighter. 

Lipstick can liven up any look, plus it doubles as a cream blush! I recommend a color and formula that makes you feel the most like yourself.

Milani offers superior quality makeup at affordable prices. Their Color Statement Lipstick in the color Tropical Nude has a nice sheen to it, and allows a little bit of your natural lip color to peek through. These lipsticks are infused with vitamins that nourish the lips, so they always feel comfortable. Matte Innocence from the brand's Color Statement Matte Lipstick line, is the perfect everyday nude for those who don't like glossy lips.  The formula is not only cruelty-free, but also vegan. If you like your lipstick to double as a conversation starter, Jeffree Star Cosmetics plays with words by shaping the lipstick packaging on their Lip Ammunition lipstick like an actual bullet. While the packaging is super fun and different, the color selection has very practical options like my personal favorite Celebrity Skin (soft brown nude with a satin finish).Lip Ammunition Lipsticks are much more pigmented than your average lipstick, and you only need one swipe of color to achieve full opacity.  The formula is cruelty-free and vegan. 

Last, but not least is mascara. Nothing on the market adds drama quite like the combo of Milani Lash Trifecta Mascara with Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara (both waterproof). The Milani mascara curls, separates and lengthens, while the chubby wand on the Covergirl tube adds volume and locks everything into place. I get so many compliments when I wear this combination that it really makes me wish I discovered it sooner! 

In reality, the most important thing about going to college is coming back a better person than you were when you went in. Go and learn, read, make friends, fall in love, have fun, and be safe.  Then come back and spread your new found knowledge out into the world. You are the future, and you are going to college! Always remember that there are people who didn't have the opportunity to go to college (for many different reasons). Never take anything for granted, and live your best life. I will be here, writing about makeup and giving you advice on how to make your outside match your inside. Be kind, stay open and know that while college will expose you to many new and exciting things, you may also face new challenges and fears. That is okay! Overcoming challenges is how we grow as people. I am really looking forward to seeing what kind of person you grow into. Even when you finally graduate and are finished with school, never stop learning. Everything in life is an opportunity to learn something new. Sometimes it is the hardest lessons that yield the most beautiful results. 

Good luck in your new school. 

Connect with me on Twitter @MakeupMatters1. 

*This is not a sponsored post. All of the products in this post were purchased by me. All opinions are my own.

Getting Smart With Makeup!

As a makeup artist and makeup lover, I get asked a ton of questions about makeup application. While each person has some unique concerns, there are a handful that are common despite age, skin type or budget. 

The below list covers the top five questions that I get asked the most:

1. Why does my foundation look orange?
Answer: I recall the late 90s when tanning beds were all the rage. Some people overdid it, giving their skin an unnatural orange hue. Unfortunately, I still see some individuals wearing foundation that sits on their face like an orange mask. The issue is likely that the foundation is the wrong undertone or the foundation oxidized. For example, if your undertone is more yellow, but your foundation has too much of a pink hue to it, this can cause your skin look orange. 

If you find that your foundation changes color midday, the formula may be reacting to the natural oils in your skin. To prevent this, opt for a primer which will act as a barrier between your skin and your foundation. A couple of primers that I love on my skin are Becca First Light Priming Filter Instant Complexion Refresh ($18 for 0.5 Fl. Oz. - Travel Size), and Hourglass No 28 Primer Serum ($65 for 1 FL Oz/30 ML or $22 for 8 ML - Travel Size). 

2. Is there an easy way to do a smokey eye?
Answer: Yes! You will need three eyeshadow colors to achieve this look. Grab a dark base color, a lighter highlight shade, and a transition color. Start with your single, dark base color and apply it to your eyelid. I find this technique especially helpful for beginners. Next, use your highlight shade (try matte light beige or ivory) and apply it just under your brow. Finally, grab your transition color. This shadow should be one or two shades darker than your skin. Using a fluffy brush, blend this color between your lid color and highlight color. Finally, take a clean blending brush and blend all three colors together until you don't see any harsh lines. Charlotte Tilbury The Sophisticate Luxury Palette is a great choice for this look because it has all of the colors you need. Fluffy eyeshadow brushes are available at all price points and a staple for beautiful eyeshadow application. Try the Real Techniques Bold Metals #203, Bdellium Tools #776 or Furless Cosmetics PRO2E for the perfect blend. 

3. What order should I apply my makeup in?
Answer: There are no rules! However I recommend applying eyeshadow first for the easiest cleanup. This way any fallout can easily be wiped away with a makeup remover wipe. I always apply lipstick last. This helps prevent smudges. 

4. How can I prevent mascara from smudging?
Answer: The easiest way to prevent smudges is to wear a waterproof formula. Try Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes. If you really don't want to use waterproof, then after all your eye makeup is on, blot your lashes with a piece of blotting paper.

5. How can I make my bronzer appear more natural?
Answer: Choose a color that is not too dark for your complexion. Start with just a light dusting on the tops of your cheekbones, nose and forehead. The right brush is key to a naturally bronzed look. I prefer something fluffy, with a flat top so that I can apply product and blend with the same brush.
Examples: Cover FX Powder Brush ($21), Marc Jacobs The Face I ($48), Bdellium Tools Yellow or Green Bambu Finishing Brush #955 ($8.40)

The style of brush you decide on comes down to personal preference. However, of the three that I have listed above, the Bdellium Tools Finishing Brush will give you a lighter application. 

Here is my final look using all of the techniques listed above:

What are your makeup questions? Ask me below so that I can help! Know some makeup tips that you want to share? Please do! I love learning new things, and find that even those without a ton of experience have valuable insight to offer. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @MakeupMatters1

As always, thanks for reading. 

*This is not a sponsored post. I do not get paid to write reviews or mention any products in my blog. All opinions are my own. All of the products mentioned in this post were purchased by me.