Cool/True Summer Palette

Usually people of warmth as comforting, but I also think that soft blue-greys, lavenders and soft greys also carry a level of comfort to them.  To me, this palette brings a sense of elegance and ease that is very unique.  Not everyone can pull off the blue-muted greys, in fact, I'm not even sure that I can, but regardless, I wanted to play around with these shades and create a look that is smokey, cool and summery.  I hope you like it:

For this look, I started with my basic face (concealer, foundation, no bronzer this time or warm blushes).  I used Navajo by Bobbi Brown as a base, then used a very heavy hand to create a thick layer of eyeliner - I used MAC's Phone Number for this look.  I then took an angled brush by MAC and smudged Bobbi Browns Lavender shadow into the liner and smudged up into the crease. I then took a big, fluffy eyeshadow brush and used lavender in the crease and blended in onto the lid.  I used a lighter hand to apply Phone Number to the lower lash liner and finished with black mascara (I used DiorShow).  For blush, I used NARS Dolce Vita (a dusty rose) and then used MAC's Gentle mineralize blush as a pop of colour.  For my lips, I used Magenta lipliner and filled them in with Pervette lipstick by MAC.

This is definitely a look I would sport if I have a nice shimmery grey evening dress or blouse - I'm wearing a vivid magenta top in this photo to bring out the cool undertone in my skin!

Flash vs No Flash

Its amazing to me how different makeup can look depending on lighting - I decided to do a little experiment using vivid and bright shades and comparing the same makeup using flash photography vs non-flash photography.  It really makes you think about magazine ads and those touched up photos - half the time you wouldn't be able to wear the same makeup during the day.  I remember once reading a fashion magazine where they provided the makeup shades used in every photo.  I loved this one lipstick and ran out to get it, only to be very disappointed to find out that the shade looked 'nothing' like it did in the photo.  Just to show you what I mean, look at the following photos:

This photo is taken with a flash with a neutral background (I'm standing behind a white fall) with no competing colours.  I'm wearing a taupe/stone coloured jacket and basic diamond stud earings.  I wanted to keep the clothes jewelery neutral so the focus would be on the makeup and the effect on lighting on the makeup.  In terms of makeup, I'm wearing MAC's Magenta lipliner with Impassioned lipstick, NARS Exhibit A Blush and Clinique's Black-Brown liner with MAC's Copperplate smudged very well into the liner and extended into the crease.  I tried to stay away from a defined liner look and went more for a smokey effect.

This is the EXACT same makeup, background, jacket etc but this time with no flash!!! 

I have always posted photos on my facebook Makeup Album and now its making me think about the impact that flash plays in altering makeup in photos. Its also making me think twice about actually taking the plunge and getting officially 'Drapped' to find out my true season.  I want to take the "Guess Work" out of makeup - I've been doing some research about people in the Toronto area who do the seasonal analysis drapping and I hope to make an appointment soon - stay tuned!!!

Bright Winter - Take 2

Yesterday I posted a photo of myself in very natural light wearing a true red lip colour.  Today was day 2 of the Bocce tournament, so I decided to wear a warmer red thats in the Bright Winter palette, just to compare.  I layered So Chaud lipstick over Cherry lipliner (both by MAC).  I kept the blush the same (NARS Exhibit A) and went more neutral on the eyes - I used Bobbi Brown's Navajo as a base, Cement in the lid into crease.  I then used Smolder eyeliner and smudged NARS lola-lola into the upper lash liner:

I'd love to hear what you think about the orange-red in comparison to the true red!!!

Bright Winter

There is one colour missing from the Clear Spring palette that I love and admire - True Red.  I've blogged about this incredibly feminine and sensual shade before and I keep on coming back to it as one of my favourites.  After a few amazing recommendations and conversations, I decided to give bright or 'clear' winter shades a try and much to my surprise, I really like this palette.  Today I did my makeup using colours from this palette and had an opportunity to take a photo outside is very natural light - I'm at my schools football field/track setting up for an 'Bocce Tournament' my school hosted.  I snaped this photo early this morning and I really like the effect of the makeup:

For this look I used Exhibit A blush, a mix of NARS ashes to ashes and lola-lola eyeshadows on the eyes with Marcelle's Cabaret in the crease/outer corners.  I used MAC"s Blooz as a liner and smudged Cabaret into the upper lash line.  For my lips, I used MAC's Cherry lipliner and Russian Red Lipstick.

Warm Pink Vs Cool Pink

I was recently asked to do some colour drapes between a warm pink and a cool pink to solidify my final suspision of the clear spring palette as the best for me.  Clear Springs really suit a warm pink, while Winters look better in a cool, magenta-like shade.  I decided to take these photos in as natural light as possible, no flash, no makeup - I'd love to hear your feedback:

Cool Pink:

VS

        Warm Pink:                                                                                                  

And the verdict is?????????????

Rose and Amber

Creating new and interesting colour combinations is always fun - its especially interesting when you find two shades that really compliment one another and create an exotic, yet romantic feel.  Rose and Amber seem to have that affect - the rose is elegant and romantic and the amber is warm, rich and spicy.  I think this is a truely sophisticated combination:

For this look I used NARS Isolde eyeshadow duo on the eyes with Teddy eyeliner (MAC), Dolce Vita blush by NARS with Amber lights shadow by MAC as a pop of colour blended into the blush. I lined my lips with Beet liner by MAC, applied Impassioned lipstick and then blotted Amber lights shadow onto the lips (all MAC products) and blended it into the lipstick! I love the comination of deep rose and warm amber - its such a unique and interesting combination!

The brighter the better!!!

Clear Springs need bright, clear, warm shades and nothing says this better than a Bright Golden Yellow shade.  "They" say the Proof is in the Pudding, so here I am wearing uber-bright lips and an even brighter golden-yellow top:

For the makeup in these photos I used Isolde eyeshadow Duo by NARS, Teddy eyeliner with Cover Girl's Swiss Chocolate shadow smudged into the upper lash liner.  I'm wearing Exhibit A as a blush with Smashbox's Flamingo shadow as a pop of colour.  For my lips, I'm wearing Impassioned lipstick by MAC!!!

I am so in-love with this palette and these shades!!!