Soft CLassic meets Soft Autumn

In the journey of self discovery for a woman, I find there are always two areas where a woman simply shines: 1) when she knows what colours look good 2) when she knows her style.  I've found in talking to many women that either 1) they stick to what they like and know 2) they like to change their style and look often.  However, what stays the same, is the notion of creating a look and style that is all your own.  In my personal journey, its been about embracing and accepting myself and peeling away layers.  I've had an internal notion that I have a soft, delicate look, personality, colouring etc etc - In the past, I've always been somewhat of a rebel, going for bold, in your face colours and styles.  What I've come to understand recently, is that when I really embrace who I am and allow myself to find that inner comfort and inner peace, my look is not dramatic, its not earthy-natural or in your face avant garde - when I try to be like this, I'm actually putting on an act, trying to be something I'm not.  A huge part of self acceptance is really taking a step back, taking 'off' the mask and embracing the person that God created you to be.  For me, this person is not edgy, but classic with a romantic edge. I needed to step back from what I've 'tried' so hard to become (which is the person you think 'others' would like you be) and instead step 'forward' and become the person 'I am'.  To me this is a huge revelation because we live in a society that tells us whats in, whats sexy, whats in style etc etc.  I find that the most inspiring women, don't listen or follow these trends, they stay true to who they really are.  I'm at that point where I'm 'embracing' my soft autumn palette and enjoying my soft classic style.  In doing so, I actually feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders - no more trying to be someone I'm not just to impress 'society'.   Its almost as if one circle of following trends is coming to an end, but a new one is emerging - I'm calling this circle 'self-acceptance'. 

Just for fun, I wanted to share a few collages, one is from Kibbe's 'Metamorphasis' - its a soft classic celebrity collage (I included myself in the collage so you can see how well the soft classic fit is) and the second is me with my soft autumn colours - this new acceptance of softness and classic/romantic style is only the beginning - I feel I am really becoming true and honest with myself - I'm at a good place right now both in mind, body and spirit - I feel 'at home' with my palette my style and my life (what a fantastic feeling this is!!!):

MAC Ravishing Lipstick - Part 2

I am so happy that many of you have taken such a liking to my previous post.  I recieved multiple emails and was so excited to get so many wonderful compliments.  I originally posted that ravishing lipstick was a warm peach/apricot shade, but upon closer inspection and comparing it to my palette, ravishing when mixed with bronzelle liner is more of a soft 'salmon' shade - perfect for that classic day look!  I created a visual so you can see how well Ravishing matches the warm pinks and salmon shades:

Here is another breakdown of the makeup colours I used to create this look:
For this look I started with my basic face - primer, foundation, concealer, bronzer - I then used Pretty your World 'Hot and Spicy' as a contour shade and mixed Navajo and make up for ever #70 (a apricot shade) to create a peach toned highlight.  I used MAC's new mineralize blush in Fresh Honey (my current favourite) and then used warm brown/bronze shades on my eyes: Soba eyeshadow with Smashbox's flamingo on the lid, Teddy liner by MAC smudged with NARS Bengali.  Finally, to create that soft salmon/peach shade, I used Bronzelle liner by Lancome with MAC's Ravishing!

MAC - Ravishing Lipstick

Ravishing is described as a peach-coral shade on the MAC website.  Today I wanted to create a very warm 'peach/apricot' that was still soft and pretty - I decided to layer ravishing on top of my favourite natural lipliner these days 'Bronzelle' by Lancome - I found this created the perfect 'your lips but better' effect.  For the look I created today I tried to find complimentary shades and work with elements of soft golds and browns:

For this look I started with my basic face - primer, foundation, concealer, bronzer - I then used Pretty your World 'Hot and Spicy' as a contour shade and mixed Navajo and make up for ever #70 (a apricot shade) to create a peach toned highlight.  I used MAC's new mineralize blush in Fresh Honey (my current favourite) and then used warm brown/bronze shades on my eyes: Soba eyeshadow with Smashbox's flamingo on the lid, Teddy liner by MAC smudged with NARS Bengali.  Finally, to create that soft salmon/peach shade, I used Bronzelle liner by Lancome with MAC's Ravishing!  I also wanted to play up these soft shades with a soft caramel toned sweater - I love this look - check it out:

My lips but better

I just wanted to share a little collage I put together of my favourite lipshades next to my personal palette.  Its amazing to me that the colours I'm naturally attracted to fit the swatch fan so well!  I'm having a little bit of confusion about this as well - it seems that the more 'spring' like corals, peaches and apricots morph into a warm-pink or soft salmon shade on my lips - does that put me in the spring or soft autumn category? Hmmmm - makes me want to play around with a few more palettes!!!  Anyway - here is a tribute to some lovely coral lip shades:

Warm Apricot Glow

There are many shades of warm peach and coral shades and I love them all!!!  I have to admit that I've been on a bit of a coral craze lately.  Currently, I'm loving ANY and ALL colours in the apricot, peach and coral family.  My most recent fascination is with MAC's Ravishing lipstick because this shade seems to have a very unique 'peachy-melon coral' look.  This shade is so pretty and feminine - I can see myself wearing this colour 'a lot' once the spring rolls around - its perfect for a spring garden party or with a pretty, flowing dress!  Normally I would pair this lipstick with a neutral lipliner, but I wanted to be able to show you the intensity of the colour, so I'm wearing it on its own:

I really wanted to warm up this look and go 'peach-coral' crazy, so I applied MAC's new mineralize blush in 'Fresh Honey' - this is part of their new line and unfortunetly its a limited addition, but its very similar to their blush called 'style' - all I can say is that Fresh Honey is the most beautiful true 'soft apricot' shade I've 'ever' seen - I love it! 

I stayed natural and neutral on the eyes, using Bobbi Brown's Navajo shadow as a base, NARS portabello duo on the crease into the outer corners and MAC's woodwinked on the lid.  I then used Teddy by MAC as a liner and smudged NARS bengali shadow into the upper lashline.  Last but not least. I applied Ravishing onto the lips and voila - warm coral-peach perfection!!!

Revlon's Siren Lipstick

I love the look of coral lips - the colour coral makes me happy and what better way to express a little joy than with sporting a coral lip!
Revlon's Siren lipstick is a bright coral with a hint of red - not for the faint of heart.  I like to soften a bright coral shade by applying a neutral lipliner first - my personal favourite is Bronzelle by
lancome.  Its amazing how you can alter a shade of lipstick with a quick swipe of liner.  Have fun with coral - its such a great 'pick me up' colour:

For this look, I tried to keep my eyemakeup subtle - I used Bobbi Brown Navajo shadow as a base, applied NARS portabello duo in the crease and outer corners and used MAC's woodwinked on the lid.  I then used Teddy eyeliner by MAC and smudged NARS Bengali shadow into the upper lash line.  I really wanted to play up the coral so I used Stila's 'Self Adjust Coral' blush and finished off the look with Revlon's Siren lipstick layered over Bronzelle lipliner.  The one thing I really like about this look is that it works for both day and evening - the perfect combination of softness and a pop of colour!!!

Warm Toned Highlights

I love any level of warmth to my hair, but its especially nice when the look is natural and goes with your skintone.  I've posted previously that I love Angelina's honey toned highlights, but as soon as I saw this photo of Molly Sims, I fell in love with her butterscotch/honey toned highlights:

I think this is very close to what I'd like to do for my next hair-colour change!!!