Designer Trunk Show

This past Sunday I was invited by a friend to do the makeup for a fashion show where up and coming designers can show-case their work.  I had a blast being back-stage, experiencing the 'vibe' of working with models, designers, hair stylists etc etc - it was very energic and upbeat.  Here are a few photos I took of the makeup looks I created for the show - the designers wanted somewhat of a cat eye and something that could later be morphed into a subtle smokey eye:

MAC Taupe Lipstick - Take 2

I've been wearing a lot of my Taupe Lipstick by MAC lately - but I've been combining the look with a lot of gold toned makeup to really play up the warmth of the lip colour.  I created a look where golds, golden browns and bronze toned take centre stage:

For this look I started with my basic face prep and used MAC's Gold Deposit as a powder all over to set my foundation and concealer.  I then used Refined Golden bronzer as a contour with NARS Silent Night as a highlight and mixed Makeup Up For Ever #54 Copper shadow and NARS Taj Mahal for a warm, golden blush shade.  I created a natural, warm eye using Silent Night as a base, MAC's Saddle eyeshadow from lid to crease, Teddy eyeliner and NARS Galapagos to smudge into the upper lashline before finishing with mascara.  I then applied Taupe lipstick by MAC! 

I really like this look - I think its a fanatastic natural, warm, golden makeup look that is perfect for everyday and when you want to create a balance between softness and golden-warmth!!!

Rimmel 'Airy Fairy' Lipstick

I've read a lot of great reviews on Rimmel's Airy Fairy lipstick and its a colour I always wanted to try, but just never got around to picking up for myself.  Today I noticed it was on sale and didn't hesitate to grab a tube - as soon as I put it on, I 'loved' it - I decided to create a look that was both natural and warm-neutral to compliment this amazing lipstick shade:

For this look I wanted to create a very warm, gentle effect - I started with my basic primer, St. Moritz tinted moisturizer by NARS, Secret Camouflage #4 as concealer.  I then applied MAC's Refined Golden Bronzer as a powder.  I used Pretty Your World 'Hot and Spicy' blush as a contour, NARS Silent Night as a highlight.  I then mixed MAC's Gold Deposit with Pretty Your World's 'Orgasmic' blush.  For the eyes, I used Silent night as a base, applied MAC's Soba from the lid into the crease and used Teddy eyeliner.  I then smudged NARS Bengali eyeshadow into the upper lashline and used Make up for ever 'Diamond Shimmer' eyeshadow to brighten the eye - in the inner tear-ducts and on the brow bone.  I finished off the look with Rimmel's Airy Fairy Lipstick!!!

Clinique Rosette Lipstick

Thanks to a good facebook friend, I was given a task to go and search for CLinique's Rosette lipstick.  Rosette has been recommended to me as a warm pink shade that is perfect for Autumn women - I kept my makeup the same as in the previous post with MAC's Taupe, but just switched the lipstick shade:

Here is rosette next to a swatch that is said to be a perfect pink for true autumns:

MAC Taupe Lipstick

Taupe is one of those colours that many people probably by-pass because of the name or have the wrong impression about the colour.  There is nothing 'taupe' about 'Taupe' in my opinion.  It is the most stunning reddish-golden brown shade and I am so happy that it belongs to the True Autumn palette.  It is often described as a deep autumn shade and perhaps its the ideal 'cross-over' colour, but there is no doubt that True Autumns can lay claim to this lipstick as well - check it out:

I wanted to create a makeup look where I used Taupe as a natural lipcolour surrounded by golds and bronze shades.  I started with primer, St. Moritz tined moisturizer by NARS, Laura Mecier secret camouflage #4, MAC's Gold Deposit as a face powder and Refined Golden Bronzer as a contour blush shade.  I then applied Make Up For Ever #54 eyeshadow in Copper as a blush shade and used NARS Silent Night eyeshadow as a highlight.  I also used Silent night as an eyeshadow base and applied NARS Bengali from the lid into the crease.  I then used a fluffy eyeshadow brush to blend MAC's Woodwinked into Bengali.  I used Teddy eyeliner and smudged Bengali into the upperlashline before finishing with a coat of black-brown mascara.  I applied Taupe lipstick as my finishing touch:

If you're looking for a deeper natural shade to compliment your warm skintone, Taupe is definitely a colour to try - it works so well with the rich gold and bronze shades of the True Autumn palette!!!

True Autumn Celebrity Collages

I love seeing looks in perspective and in comparison to one another and I really think that one of the best ways to see how you 'fit' into your season is to do a celebrity collage comparison!  Sometimes when you see your own colouring next to someone of the same season, the similarities start to appear - with these collages, I see the warmth really come about - particularily my warm golden skintone, warm eye-colour and the warm chestnut base I have in my hair - check it out:

What is your seasonal type?  Try creating a celebrity collage of women who belong to your season or if your not sure, try comparing your photo to women of various seasons, perhaps this will help you determine your best 'fit' - one thing is for sure, knowing what celebrities share your colour type is really helpful - you get a lot of different makeup and wardrobe ideas!!!

A Lesson in Accepting Your Season

I'm learning that doubting your season at first is really a stepping stone to fully embracing it!  The thought of getting stuck in one palette and not moving beyond its bounderies creates feelings of fear/anxiety - you get that feeling of being 'boxed in' and then you start to question - what about 'x' colour, its not in my palette, but I wear it well - and thats when the doubting begins!!!  I recently experienced this doubting/accepting process and had a light bulb moment so to speak - its not the palettes that are the issue - its how we choose to use them.  Just like with everything else in this world, you can become obsessed and fanatical about something, not seeing beyond your limited perception.  Yes, you can choose to see your palette of colours as the be all and end all, no exceptions.  OR, you can choose to see your palette as your guide to your best colours, using your colours to create an image of harmony.  Your palette is your guide, its where you stop and tell yourself - why look good, when you can look your 'best'?  So yes, 'x' colour may still look good on you and by all means wear it!  Yet at the same time, having the knowledge and power of your ultimate best shades gives you control to look your ultimate best.  Perhaps true red isn't in my true autumn palette, but knowing that chocolate golden brown, warm ivory and camel are my power colours, this allows me to use those shades close to my face, as accessories, perhaps even layered over or under the red - its about knowing how to take any wardrobe peice and making it work for you!!!  So the lesson is to not ever allow yourself to feel or even be 'boxed in' - celebrate the colours you know work for you and celebrate every other colour that you love - work 'with' your palette to look your ultimate best, but don't become so fanatical that you stop looking 'outside of the box', just move forward with the inner strength and knowledge that you have the power to be your best self!!!