Tribute to Mahogany

I've been so inspired by my recent Mahogany lipliner purchase from MAC.  It got me thinking about what an awesome colour Mahogany is.  I wanted to learn more about the beauty of this colour - its definitely on the brown side of the colour family, but after looking it up, I kept on coming across the definition as: 'a moderate reddish brown'.  Here are a few visuals:

I decided to take the last makeup look I did using Mahogany lipliner and Mocha lipstick and create a collage around the makeup colours I used for the look - I simply love this!  I'm also thinking about adding more of a mahogany/reddish brown base to my hair -

The mahogany lipliner swatch is found on the right hand side of the collage.  I think that Mocha is the perfect neutral shade to blend with Mahogany, but since the colour mahogany is a reddish-brown, you can really play around with various colours, creating a look that has more red or brick toned undertones.  Similarily, you can also add a warm berry or spicy pumpkin shade, as these will compliment Mahogany really well!

MAC Mahogany Lip Liner

How have I lived without this lipliner for so long???  Mahogany is a shade I used to wear 'way-back' in my high-school years and since then gravitated away to softer, more natural looking liners.  I had totally forgotten how rich, warm and sophisticated this colour really is!  Here is a look I created with a natural eye, Mahogany lipliner with a touch of MAC's Mocha lipstick on top - check it out - I'm loving this look:

Here is a breakdown of the makeup I used for this look:

For this makeup look I started with my basic face (foundation, concealer, bronzer as powder - Mineral Fusion Foundation in Warm, MAC NC 30 concealer and Refined Golden Bronzer). I used NARS Madly blush and did a natural eyemakeup look with Brule as a base and Soba lid to crease (by MAC) - I lined my eyes with Teddy and smudged NARS Bengali into the lashline. I then used Loreals voluminous mascara in black. On my lips, I applied Mahogany lipliner and topped with Mocha lipstick (both MAC)

Keira Knightly Inspired Makeup - Part 2

I've come to realize how helpful collages can be to recognize colour patterns, so I decided to create a collage of the makeup colours I used in my previous 'Keira Knightly Inspired Makeup' post - this way if you're interested in the look, you have a better idea of the shades I used - it also gives more of a visual comparison between Keira's makeup look and the one I created on myself - Keira has a very delicate, light complexion, while my complexion is more medium-warm - its important to remember that if you want a particular look to work for you, you may need to tweek it to work with your skintone.  I also added in a pic of diamond stud earings, simply because they are so elegant and go with this look so well:

Makeup show in this collage:

Chanel Boy Lipstick (I used this lipstick with Soar Liner for this look)

Chanel Tweed Rose blush

MAC Soar Lipliner

MAC Coquette and Carbon eyeshadows

Chanel Nude lipliner

Chanel Organdi Rose lipstick (one of current favourite lipsticks for everyday - I pair it with Chanel's Natural Lipliner and the combination is divine!)

Keira Knightly Inspired Makeup

SInce my last two posts have been about how much I adore Keira Knightly's look and makeup, I decided I would try her elegantly smokey eye with a more natural-rose lip.  I've recently gone on a Chanel makeup shopping spree (their products are expensive, but there is nothing like them - the lipsticks feel like a second skin on - creamy, luxurious and the colours are so unique and second to none - actually the makeup artist said that Chanel's colours are ICONIC - with other makeup companies trying to re-create similar colours, but nothing compares to the original).  Before I post my pics, here is a list of the makeup I used:

I started with my 'basic face': foundation, concealer and bronzer as powder. I then used Tweed Rose blush by Chanel as a contour, Borjouis 'rose' highlight and MAC's Dame blush in the centre of cheeks. For the Smokey eye look, I started with the rose highlight all over, used MAC's Coquette on the lid into the crease and Woodwinked on the lid. I then used a black eyeliner from Lancome and smudged MAC's Carbon into the upper and lower lash lines - I really smudged out the bottom lash line (something I don't normally do) - I finished with Loreal's Voluminous mascara. I then used the rose highlight again in the brow-bone and in the inner tear-duct! On my lips, I used MAC's Soar lipliner with Chanel Boy Lipstick (my current favourite lip colour)!

Chanel Allure - Part 2

I love creating collages!  I could do it for hours - I literally get lost in images, colours, harmonizing patterns etc etc - its like scrapbooking, but via the computer!  I have been mesmorized with Keira Knightly's makeup looks and have taken some time to study the elegant colours of the palette that she wears - so I decided to create a collage!!!  Here is a great visual of the type of colours that are used to create a timeless, classic makeup look - not all the shades are Chanel, but many are - I will list all the shades/swatches I used in this collage below:

Blush: NARS Madly, Chanel Tweed Rose
Eyes: MAC Brule, Soba, Coquette and Smut shadows
Chanel Brun and MAC Coffee eyeliners
Lips: Chanel Nude and Rose Cuivre lipliners, MAC Soar lipliner
Chanel Boy, Organdi Rose and Vendome Lipsticks
* All these shades are represented in this collage in one way or another (some as colour swatches, some as photos of the actual product)

Chanel Allure - Timeless!

Regardless of what is in fashion or what trends are currently making the rounds, the look of Chanel will always be timeless, alluring, stylish and elegant.  Not only is Chanel's style and fashion timeless, but Chanel cosmetics and the looks created for each season are just as elegant and classic.  Kiera Knightly's look has really changed since joining the Chanel team - her look has gone from natural tom-boyish charm to uber elegant, feminine and charming.  Here are some of my favourite makeup looks inspired by Chanel:

What I love about these looks is how the makeup is perfectly balanced - a defined/smokey eye, natural rose-infused lips, subtle colour on the cheeks - nothing is 'too' nude or pale, the colours are in the neutral palette, giving off a quality of rustic warmth together with shades of pink, mauve, rose - the look is truely 'timeless'! 

Bronze Autumn/Divine Diva Archetype

I have written many times about David Zyla and his concepts about finding your best 'power' colours and style archetype.  I've been on a mission to discover my ultimate best palette and have spent quite a lot of time creating a collage that I feel is the most accurate to date of my Zyla power colours - I'm very excited to share this one with you - I hope that you like it: