Chanel l'amoureuse lipstick

Chanel l'amoureuse lipstick is such a rich, velvety deep pink shade.  It's not a fuchsia colour, but rather a more muted version of a darker fuchsia.  It applies very soft and smooth and settles into a nice matte texture.  I wanted to create a look using this shade that works for everyday.

I used taupe and sheer matte mauve shades on the eyes.  I began with MAC Quarry eyeshadow from lid to crease.  I then added urban decay demolition liner and smudged the upper lash line with MAC Copperplate eyeshadow.  For the blush, I decided on Arbonne dusky rose.  The finishing touch was the Chanel l'amoureuse lipstick.  I will definitely be re-creating this look, as it's really great for a day into evening look, as well as for a professional everyday shade.  It's always nice to have a Chanel lipstick on hand :)

Classic Cranberry and Mauve Combination

One of my favourite combination of colours is anything in the purple and berry families.  I don't wear these shades as often as I'd like, but I truly do love them.  MAC Amorous lipstick is the perfect shade of deep cranberry.  It leans slightly more purple, but works really well with any purple, mauve or berry combination.  I decided to create a look using these shades:

I started with my basic concealer/foundation and then applied Quarry eyeshadow by MAC on the lid into the crease.  Quarry is a very muted soft mauve shade.  It works really well with the cooler and softer palette.  I then added definition by using Urban Decay Demolition eyeliner and smudging the upper lash line with MAC Copperplate eyeshadow.  For the blush, I went with Arbonne dusky rose.  The real pop of 'berry' comes in with MAC Amorous lipstick :)  I picked a scarf this morning that is in an interesting blend of deep cocoa-berry, purple, mauve and pink.  I think it really compliments the makeup look well.  What I like the most about this look is how versatile it is.  This could be a polished and professional work look or even an evening look.  Versatility is important for a look.  Berry and mauve shades will never steer your wrong - they are classic!

#UltimateVegasOutfit

I am very excited to write this post!  I was asked to participate in the 'Ultimate Vegas Outfit' challenge.  I of course, wanted to take the perspective of a makeup artist and create a look to go along with a black-gold shimmer pashmina with black dress pants.  Part of the challenge is to respond to the 'dream question': what would I create if I could spend a day in Los Vegas??? :)

When I think of Las Vegas, I most definitely think of lots of bling and fast-paced fun.  However, I also think of the image of an elegant, fun-loving look. When choosing a look, there’s so many different Las Vegas hotels to style for!   Vegas isn't just about getting lost in the casinos, its also about individuality, sensual mystery and 'fun'.  My look is more about a classic, girls night out type of makeup.  I wanted to pair a classic black liner, neutral eyeshadow, pink blush and red lipstick with a hint of rose.  It's a look that says 'Bond Girl' who knows her worth:

For the Ultimate Vegas Outfit experience, it's key to pair this look with a shimmery black pashmina with gold threading.  It's the perfect marriage with a classic red lip.  Diamond studs is the ideal accessory!  For this makeup, it's key to keep your eyeshadow natural.  I went with a shade called Quarry by MAC.  The black liner is the key for this look.  It is the 'ultimate vegas' answer to Chic Eyes.  I used Marc Jacobs highlighter gel crayon.  It applies so well and easy to carry for those vegas party touch ups.  The blush shade is subtle for this look - Bobbi Brown Sand Pink is the ultimate pink blush!  The lipstick is what takes centre stage.  When I think Vegas, I think 'red lip', but I wanted to give it a bit of a 'twist', so I used NARS Jungle Red lipstick, but then went over this shade and created a pretty outline with MAC Nightingale lipliner. If I spent a day in Vegas, this would be my 'Ultimate Vegas Outfit' and makeup look.  Vegas is unforgettable and so is the allure of a woman :) 

Smokey Taupe and Nude-Mauve

I have to admit that I've been playing around with the cooler tones lately and I really like the softer, cooler palette.  Now that spring is around the corner, it's time to consider putting the browns and orange shades away and wearing my soft summer colour palette.  This palette is full of beautiful nude pink/mauve, soft pink, taupe and berry shades.  I recently came across a lipstick in my NARS collection that I absolutely love - Catfight.  Catfight is described as a nude-mauve on the NARS website and it the perfect spring nude lipstick.  I wanted to pair this shade with a subtle smokey 'taupe' eye.  I love the combination of soft mauve and taupe.  It's so pretty and feminine:

For this looks, I started with loreal true match foundation and concealer in C4.  I then applied NARS Angelika blush (a perfect accompaniment to the Catfight lipstick).  For the eyes, I started with Sephora's Dark Taupe chubby-stick eyeliner on the upper lash line.  I then blended Urban Decay Mushroom eyeliner into the Dark Taupe and smudged these shades together.  I then applied the Mushroom liner to the lower lash line before finishing with black mascara.  The Catfight lipstick is the perfect nude for this smokey-taupe eye makeup look :)

NARS Anna Lipstick

I've had NARS Anna lipstick on my radar for a while now and finally decided to indulge myself.  I'm so happy that I did.  The NARS website describes this shade as a smokey rose and I would have to agree.  It's a softer, yet deeper mauve-rose shade.  It reminds me of lipstick shades that Katie Holmes would often wear pre-Bobbi Brown.  I wanted to create a look that would really bring out the rose tones:

This is a great look for Spring/Summer.  I love the petal pink scarf together with this lipstick and look!!!  I started with my basic face of concealer and foundation.  I used Loreal true match in C4.  I then applied NARS Angelika blush (my current everyday go-to).  For the eyes, I decided to pass on the eyeshadows, but instead, I blended Urban Decay Demolition and Mushroom liners on the upper eye lid and smudged this out.  On the lower lash line, I just used the Demolition before finishing with black mascara.  I then used NARS Anna :)
I absolutely 'Adore' this look and this colour palette!!!

The Soft/Rich Look

One of my favourite looks is a soft, subtle smokey eye and a polished, rich lipstick.  I was able to create this look a few days ago and I seem to keep coming back to it as one of my favourite looks.  It combines some of my favourite shades with the perfect balance of soft/deep value.

This look was inspired by Kate Middleton.  She always has that preppy-chic look that I love.  She seems to just get it 'right' all the time.  Her makeup and style really suit her!  I'd trying to do the same for myself - find a look that isn't forced, yet looks polished.  Here, I used MAC Blooz eyeliner and smudged the upper lash line.  Blooz is one of my favourite liners, as the shade really compliments my natural eye colour.  I used Angelika blush on the cheeks.  It also becoming one of my go-to stand-by's in the blush world.  I love how 'pink' it looks, yet how subtly it applies.  It's the healthy glow my skin needs.  Finally, the lipstick is Revlon Plumalicious.  This shade is definitely going on my top 5 list of lipstick favourites.  I'm very comfortable and happy in this look.  I love the shades of smokey blue in combination with pink and plums :)

Bobbi Brown Ruby Shimmer Lipstick

I have a very healthy obsession with lipsticks :)  Bobbi Brown lipsticks are among my favourites, although I don't blog about them as much as I'd like because I usually stick to the basic shades.  Recently, however, I decided to try a new colour and instead of getting my stand-by Sandwash Pink, I opted for the Ruby Shimmer lipstick.  I recall reading somewhere that the late Caroline Bassette-Kennedy wore this as her everyday lipstick shade.  She was such a classic and stunning woman, so I was happy to purchase a lipstick that she used to admire and love.  I wanted to create a very natural eye makeup look, so all I did was use MAC Coquette eyeshadow along the lid and slightly into the crease.  I by-passed the eyeliner and instead just applied some black mascara.  I also used the new Bobbi Brown duo blush.  I went with the Plum/French Pink duo and simply mixed the two blush colours together.  I finished the look by applying the Ruby Shimmer lipstick.  I really love this look to be honest - I can see why the late Caroline Bassette loved this lipstick.  The look is very classic and polished!!!

I am really happy to have this shade on hand, as it's the perfect 'day' red.  It's the perfect tone of ruby - not too bright and not too dark.  The shimmer, adds that additional element of chic because it's not too heavy.  This one is definitely a keeper :)