Smokey Eyes

When it comes to eye makeup, there is nothing sexier than creating the smokey eye look!  The smokey eye in the 90's was all about dark grey/black shadows and liners.  Since then, the smokey eye can retained its appeal, but there is more variety and choice.  The smokey eye can still be dramatic or it can be subtle and soft.  Here is my tribute to the smokey eye look:

I love the smokey eyes on this model - its deep and dramatic, but still subtle - the earthy tones add warmth, while the black liner on the bottow lash line, adds drama - beautifull!!!

Arabic and Middle Eastern Women are known the world over for their sexy, almond shaped eyes - which are the PERFECT canvas for smokey eyes (just think Kim Kardashian) - Also, the olive skin tone of most middle eastern women allows black liner to look stunning versus over-done and goth like - instead, the black is sexy and stunning!!!

I think this look is amazing on women with a cooler skin-tone - the blue-grey shadows looks very striking against cool blue and grey eyes or a cool hazel eye (i.e. grey-green-blue combinations).  Using blues for a smokey eye can get tricky with some skin-tones, you don't want to look like someone punched you out - instead, you want your eyes to look striking and cat like.  If blue is not your colour, try going for an earth-toned smokey eye (check out the first picture)!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this makeup - the magenta and fuchsia tones are so exotic and dramatic against this models skintone - she is obviously a winter and looks fantastic in the cool, clear colours.  The smokey eyes are played up with the fuchsia toned blended into the dark liner and shadow!!! Amazing!!!

No matter what type of smokey eyes you choose, remember that the key element of the smokey eye is to 'blend' and 'smudge' - these are two code words every women should remember - the smokey eye is not about distinct lines - its about creating a smoldering, smudged look!!!

The smokey look is about confidence and saying to the world that you are not afraid to show off your sexy eyes, because, as the saying goes, the eyes are the seat of the soul and beauty is in the eyes of the beholder - so go sultry - enjoy playing around with creating different smokey eye looks and don't be afraid to play around with colour!!!!!!

Cool Winter

Ever since I embraced colour analysis, I've been drawn to learning as much about my season as possible - its always nice to have celebrities that you can compare yourself to, especially when it comes to choosing clothes and makeup options.  Some 'Cool Winter' celebrities are Jennifer Connelly, Shania Twain, Lauren Graham, Sophia Bush, Brooke Shields and Catherine Zeta Jones.  I want to post some of my favourite pictures of these celebrities to show what type of makeup really makes a cool winter stand out and sparkle- if you suit the 'Cool' toned colours, this post is for you:

Jennifer Connelly:
Jennifer is a true winter, with the darkest ash brown hair and striking cool-green eyes.  She looks amazing in the cool winter colours and looks especially good when she wears her power colours: red, emerald green, all different shades of blue, pure white and black.

Jennifer looks so fresh and vibrant in the true white.  Her makeup is really natural in this picture, but still using the cooler light pinks and taupes.  Her skin-tone really shines with the pure white sweater!!!

I love the smokey eyes on Jennifer - she's wearing the true dove grey shades on her eyes and her lips are a soft fucshia shade - perfect for cook winters - This is the perfect going out look for Jennifer - very classic and sexy!!!

Cool winters 'Rock' the Fucshia/True Red lipstick look - here Jennifer shows how easy it is to wear a deeper fucshia shade, especially when you keep the rest of the makeup more natural - this is a true 'classic/sophisticated' look - very chic!!!

Lauren Graham:

Lauren is another classic winter that verges on the 'Clear Winter' border - her eyes are quite clear, but she looks really stunning in the cool and true shades of winter:

I 'Love, Love, Love' this makeup look on Lauren - its soft and elegant - her eyes are rimmed with black and her lips and cheeks have that healthy light mauve/pink tone to them - this is the perfect 'natural' look for cool winters!!!

Red lips look fantastic on a cool winter - Red and Black is one of my all time favourite combinations (ever since I was a child, i loved this combo - be it for clothes, makeup or decorating) - I think that the red lips and black dress combo is 'Uber' Sexy!!!

I think that this is a very striking photo of Lauren - the look is a very elegant urban-chic!  I love the diamond studs and the thicker collar on the jacket.  Soft White or 'Winter' White is one of my favourite colours and its a great neutral shade for cool winters - I think every 'winter' woman needs a soft white sweater or jacket in her closet.  One of my favourite aspects of this photo is Laurens lipstick - its a true raspberry shade - reminds me of YSL #9 (rose stiletto)!

Shania Twain:

When I think of Shania in the music video 'Up', I automatically think 'Cool Winter' - her makeup in that video is a classic example of a trendy look for cool winters - I love it!!!

Brooke Shields:
I think that Brooke has always looks fantastic in the cool colours of winter - red, greys, pure white and black have always suited her - check out this photo (notice that the background of the photo is a beautiful shade of fucshia, another cool winter colour - it compliments Brooke's Makeup and Charcoal top)
:

Sophia Bush:
Sophia always looks great in the 'One Tree Hill' episodes - she has that 'cutsy' look and her winter shades really bring out her best features.  Sophia is a classic example of someone who can get away with some warmer shades as well, but the cool toned colours really make her 'glow':

Check out how the lavender/plum eyeliner really bring out the cool sparkle in her eyes!

The top Sophia is wearing in this photo is a classic 'winter' two-toned top - the silver/black combo is amazing against her skin-tone and her makeup is beautiful - smokey eyes with a light pink lip - the perfect winter makeup combo!!!

Catherine Zeta Jones:
In many ways Catherine should be the poster woman for 'Winters' - she looks absolutely 'Stunning' in the Cool Winter shades, making her a 'True' Winter:

I love the light grey tones on Catherine - it softens her look while still being in the 'cool-toned' family - this is a terrific neutral shade for her and her soft makeup compliments the grey perfectly!!!

Catherine looks phenomenal in the jewel toned colours - I love how her face shines in this bluish-purple top!!!

My favourite look on Catherine is the smokey eyes and deep, dramatic red lips.  Most women are cautioned to do a more neutral eye when they wear red lips, but Catherine is one of those lucky women who looks amazing with a very dramatic look - in fact, the more dramatic the better for Catherine!!!

I hope you enjoyed this post - if you're a true winter or look great in cool toned colours, I hope this post inspired you to try some different colours and looks!!!

Tribute to Burgundy Lips

Burgundy lips are sexy and seductive!  I will always remember the scene in 'Moonstruck' where Cher comes out of the taxi to meet 'Johnny' at the Opera - her hair is raven black, her dress is stunning and her lips are oozing with burgundy sexiness - in the movie she has just had a makeover and this is her 'Ta-Da' moment:

Every since watching Cher having her self-realization moment in this movie, I've been a fan of Burgundy lipstick - the best thing about this shade is that there are many different variations of it - everything from a deep/blood toned burgundy to a lighter plum/orchid burgundy:

Jessica Alba looks fantastic in this burgundy shade!

Kiera sports the deep, dramatic burgundy look!

Even though this is a computer-graphic picture, I love the burgundy harmony of the hair, lipstick and sweater!!!

This is the perfect burgundy shade for blonds or women with lighter skin tones - its more of a raspberry/plum burgundy shade!!!

Olive skinned women look stunning in a deep fucshia type burgundy!!!

Women with deeper skin tones look great in a deep blue toned orchid shade - MAC makes a great colour called 'Amourous'

This is one of my favourite shades of burgundy - a deep brownish-burgundy looks stunning on brunettes and women with a medium skintone

If True Red is not your thing, but you still want that deep, dramatic look for lips, give Burgundy a try, you won't be disappointed!!!

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian has the ultimate hair, makeup, body - everything!  Men love her for her curves and volumptuous body and women love to copy her smokey eyes!

Kim has that middle eastern 'allure' - she has great almond shaped eyes and looks fantastic in her deep winter shades!  I love when Kim wears the cool, crisp colours of winter!!!

I love this picture of Kim - she looks so 'glam', just like a 1950's pin up girl - Usually Kim goes for the smokey eyes and pale lips, but this look really works for her too!!!  I think there is something very seductive about red lips - she looks 'amazing' in this true blue-based red - it really works well for her complexion!!!

 

This close up picture of Kim really shows how stunning she looks with smokey eyes and pale lips - I love how the colours she uses are soft, even with her deep colouring.  For some reason, the intensity of the eyes balance so well with the soft pink shades of blush and lipgloss that she wears.  FYI - numerous websites have states that Kim loves the following MAC products:

Pink Swoon Blush
Print and Carbon eyeshadows
Angel lipstick
Stripdown and Subculture lipliner

I love how Kim's skintone is really tanned in this photo - her coral lipstick colour choice is 'Perfect' for her tanned skintone.  Coral is a fantastic colour, but it is extra stunning on women with a deep olive skintone - its the perfect combination of pink and peach!!!

Kim really knows how to "work it" - she's got the walk, the talk, the seductive glance!  I enjoy seeing Kim experiment with different makeup looks - she suits many different looks, styles and colours (but looks particularily great in her deep winter colours).  Cheers Kim!!!