Hi, girlies! Today was one of those days where things were just non-stop craziness at work. I was training a new hire and trying to do 20 other things at the same time — not the best conditions to be training someone in — and everything had to be done like five minutes ago. I’m really glad to be home. 🙂
Before I kick back with my veggie burrito in front of the Tivo (I haven’t watched Monday night’s Heroes yet; still lovin’ ya, Peter Petrelli!), here’s the look I wore to work today. I knew today would be a rough day and wanted to wear something colorful (while still safe for the office) and upbeat. It’s a shimmery copper and tan eye with blue accents and features a few different holiday and fall products, including the new Cargo Color Palette in Vienna ($28).
One of eight Cargo eye shadow palettes released specifically for Sephora this fall, Vienna contains four huge pans of uber-blendable, shimmery shadow in copper, beige, tan and slate blue.
Step by Step: The Eyes
- First, I primed my lids with Too Faced Shadow Insurance primer (makes the shadows last longer).
- Next, I applied Vienna’s beige shade on my brow bone with a Sonia Kashuk Large Eye Shadow Brush.
- Then, I swept Vienna’s tan shade into the crease with a MAC 217 blending brush.
- I patted Vienna’s copper shade onto my lids and just barely into the crease with the same Sonia Kashuk Large Eye Shadow Brush from step 2.
- Next, I wet a Sonia Kashuk Angled Eye Shadow Brush with a spritz of MAC Fix+ and swept the wet brush head across the pan of slate blue eye shadow to pick up the color. I applied the wet shadow to my upper lash line, thickening the line as it moved closer to the outer corner of the eye.
- With the same Sonia brush, I applied the blue shade again, this time on the lower water line.
To finish the eyes, I curled my lashes and added one coat of Chanel Exceptionnel mascara in Noir.
And you know I can’t leave home without my blush and lipgloss, so I swept Chanel Les Tissages Blush in Tweed Corail on my cheeks and added a layer of Chanel Creme Gloss in Praline Rose on my pucker before jetting out the door.
I’m lucky the literary agency isn’t so stuffy that I can’t wear a little bit of color … although I can’t really go buck wild either. How about your job? Can you get away with blues and greens, or does everyone stick to neutral makeup?
A’ight, that burrito is calling to me. Time for this tired homegirl to eat her dinner!
What are you up to this evening? 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Hanna says
I just loved your look! Especially the blue liner! I’m going to copycat you today. At my work, you can wear probably anything make-up-wise but nail polish is another thing…
Karen says
Hi Hanna,
Thanks! The best thing about it is it’s pretty easy to do. 🙂 My job is the opposite of yours — I come into work with crazy colored nails, sometimes they are all different colors on days when I do nail posts. My boss is kinda used to it, ha!
Have fun doing this look! What blue are you going to use?
Marisol says
I love that palette. Hard Candy came out with a similar one and I use it often. I love a neutral eye and adding a blue/green/purple liner for pop.
Here is the picture of the palette… sorry for the low quality of it
http://skitch.com/marisolnegrete/2ru5/38047d1198900397-img-0088.jpg-jpeg-image-576×768-pixels-scaled-90
I work in a pretty conservative financial institution but since I don’t work in the public eye, I can get away with it. Also my clothing is more muted and really the only time I use color is in my make up or purses.
Hope tomorrow is a better day!
Marisol´s last blog post..More totes
Karen too says
Love your look, Karen! That palette is gorgeous. I don’t wear a lot of color to work, even though I probably could if I wanted to. The other girls don’t wear a lot of make up, and also I’m very light so it’s very obvious if I wear something bright.
Last night I did a 75-min class of yoga – boy am I gonna be sore tomorrow… 🙂
Have a great Thursday!
Shefali says
Totally awesome! I’m going to have to check this palette out!
Eru says
You look stunning, Karen! 😀
I love the contrast between the blue and the highlighting color on your FOTD. The palette looks very user-friendly for those scared of blue e/s.
Hugs!!
Eru´s last blog post..Beyond Shine and Softness: Redken Gold Glimmer & Overnight Treat
Laura B says
Your sweater is so pretty – I’m loving cute knitwear this autumn. Also, you are rocking that Chanel mascara. It looks great on you.
I’m a lawyer, and the only person under 40 in my office, so it’s up to me to fly the crazy makeup flag! I’ll do purple, green and smoky looks, but obviously it’s neutrals all the way when I’m due at court. Dark nails are also ok, but I think that’s because I have long nails and so it’s not so much of a vampy look.
Things I would never wear to the office: dark lips, red nails and pinks.
Laurie says
That quad is pretty – the colors and the packaging. I saw these in Sephora and they are majorly huge! It’s a lot of shadow!
I like the blue in this look – it’s a pretty sapphire. I can get away with colors at work as long as it isn’t over the top. But I’m not really an over the top with bright colors kinda gal anyway. I do like my dark nails though in the winter and fall – which I’m able to do as well:)
Laurie´s last blog post..What’s for Dinner, Part Two
jojoba says
i have to say that you wear blues very well. i still remember your FOTD with Clarins latest quad. because of your FOTD, i have placed an order on that quad! LOL.
beautiful as usual!
jojoba´s last blog post..Review: Cle de Peau BEAUTE Eye Color Quad #1
KatieC says
Very cute! and i love your sweater – great color on you. Can I ask where you got it?
jessica says
This is my fav look on you. You look so bright and fresh! =)
I agree with Jojoba– you do look fab in blues. I think I’m a smidge too pale to pull it off.
gio says
That palette is beautiful.
You look gorgeous, I love the blue liner.
gio´s last blog post..Inside Ellen Pompeo makeup bag
Glosslizard says
I love the eyes (and the sweater), but I must confess… it’s the cheeks and lips in this look that are making me swoon! Oh Chanel, could I love you any more? That Creme Gloss looks like it makes such an easy and understated lip look, I must add it to my list!
Miss QQ says
Hi Karen. Very beautiful, your eyes are twinkling! The blush looks very good on you too. Chanel Creme Gloss is not sold here. I think I can’t resist the blush much longer.
Paula says
WOW!
That blue eyeshadow is sooo gorgeous. I’d always wondered if the Cargo eyeshadows were any good, and now that I’ve seen your swatches I’m totally lemming that palette.
jenna says
OOO! karen you look gaw-jus! I’m going to have to try that look out sometime! I’ve been dying to figure out a way to wear my dark blue eyeshadow to work! I’m surprised at how many girls at work DON’T (gasp! don’t!) wear any makeup to work! I wore purple the other day and felt scandalous! =)
-Jenna
yadiQ says
i love the blue
i think its a brown eyed girl thing blues just always seem to look so good on people with brown eyes
i only in the last year began playing with blues and i am so glad i did i never realized how good the blue brings out the natural flecks in a brown eye!
i am lucky enough that i can wear whatever on my face an no one will say a thing – of course i wouldn’t wear anything as loud as if i were going out but i also don’t have to be conservative – jeans environment here lol
this week i forced myself to dress like a real person going to work and wore slacks and knits tops and blouses
today i am back to jeans – i commend you ladies who have to dress for work everyday – my behind is toooo lazy for that !
Indian Girl says
Karn, that blue looks great on ya ! Ive seen it before on some other looks on you and the blue is your color.
What foundation/ powder are you wearing in this pic? Its just flawless…
Indian Girl´s last blog post..MAC Shadestick Dupe
Dao says
You look really good with this look, I like it! Do you find the new season of Heroes confusing? They tend to make the episodes not in chronological order since season 2 and this new season, the episodes are a bit illogical as well. Nevertheless, I’m still lovin’ the show. Can’t believe Sylar (aka Gabriel) is a good guy now 🙂
Dao´s last blog post..MAC Did It Again: MAC for Manish Arora
Okami says
I can get away with pretty much anything at work, as far as makeup goes. We’re really casual – people dress in everything from skirts or slacks to jeans to track suits or sweatpants. I wear only lipgloss, but I could wear colorful makeup and nails if I wanted. I’m going to go with a dark blue nail next week. The only time we have to watch what we wear at all is when the VP is in building for a meeting with our department. Other than that, it’s all good. 🙂
jot says
Love this, i’ll be giving it a try with similar colours i have at home and using my new pearlglide liner for the blue
Megan says
Ooh pretty! And my office…well most folks stay pretty neutral with makup…although we have one admin and a couple other folks who occasionally go a bit out there. I have on occasion worn lime green and blue in the office…I just make sure to tone other things down and not go overboard…and not to do that when I have client meetings. 🙂
Karen says
Hi Marisol,
Thanks, hon. It looks like it’s gonna be nuts again today, but at least tomorrow is Friday.
Your Hard Candy palette is CUTE! What lovely colors!
Karen says
Hi Karen Too,
Nice! What kind of yoga did you do? I haven’t been to class in *months*. I really love how my body feels after a good yoga class, though, so I have to go back soon.
You have a great Thursday, too!
Karen says
Hi Shefali,
🙂 I hope you like it… it’s a good one!
Karen says
Hi Eru,
Well put! It is indeed a very beginner-friendly blue.
Hope you’re having a great week so far!
Karen says
Hi Laura B.,
Thank you! 🙂 Exceptionnel is a pretty good mascara. The brush is tricky, but after a few practice sessions it gets easier to use.
That’s so fab that you can wear green and purple to work in a law office. Work it, girl!!!
Karen says
Hi Laurie,
Yeah, the pans are really big. It’s a ton of product for the price!
I love dark colors on nails, too. Do you have to change your polish often? Mine chip all the time because I work with so much paper.
Karen says
Hi Jojoba,
🙂 Thanks, girlie. I am a certified blue eyeshadow convert!
BTW, I am going Clarins crazy. I am currently using a foundation from them and I really like it.
Karen says
Hi Jessica,
Thanks! Hmm, maybe give this blue a try next time you are in Sephora? When you don’t apply it wet it looks quite a bit softer…
What colors do you usually wear on your eyes? 🙂
Karen says
Hi Gio,
Thank ya, hon! It’s a great palette, and it’s a pretty fab deal for what you get.
Karen says
Hi Glosslizard,
I know! Honestly, I’m starting to suspect they lace their Glossimers with some sort of addictive substance. 🙂
Karen says
Hi Miss QQ,
Welcome to my world, girlfriend. I can never resist a good Chanel blush, either.
That’s too bad they don’t have the Creme Gloss in your neck of the woods. Gold Shine gets pretty close to Praline Rose… you could probably mimic the color by adding a pink lip liner underneath it.
Karen says
Hi Paula,
The shadows are fabulous. They remind me of Lancome and Shu Uemura — very finely milled with lots of payoff. You can really pack them on without them looking cakey. Plus, the pans are HUGE! The quad is a really great steal!
Karen says
Hi Jenna,
LOL! I know how you feel. I am probably the most made up person at work, but they know it’s my thing, and I never really go too OTT.
What purple did you wear?
Karen says
Hi YadiQ,
I just figured out the blue shadow recently, too. I never realized until last year that it really does wonders for brown eyes.
Sometimes I make myself wear my old uber conservatie corporate clothes just for the heck of it, LOL. It gives me an excuse to switch it up.
Karen says
Hi Indian Girl,
Oh, thanks for noticing! I am testing a new combo from Clarins this week for review. The foundation is their new Instant Smooth Foundation and the powder is their Loose Powder. So far, I really love them both as the foundation does an amazing job with evening out the skin and pores (seriously, it’s like magic). I am keeping my fingers crossed that they don’t break me out. So far, so good. I’ll let you know all about it next week when I put up the review! What foundation and powder are you using right now? Do you like it?
Karen says
Hi Dao,
YES! Thank gawd I am not the only one.
Honestly, my favorite out of the seasons so far was the very first one. They blamed last year’s mess on the strike; this year the writers are back and it’s STILL a hot mess.
Karen says
Hi Okami,
Lucky you! Having the option to show up in a track suit is always good. To be honest, I’d probably end up in stretchy pants most days if I could get away with it, LOL. 🙂
Blue nails! What shade are you going with?
Karen says
Hi Jot,
Thanks! 🙂 Let me know how your looks turns out and what other shades you end up using. I always like to hear about how people interpret the looks in their own way.
Have a *fantastic* Thursday!
Karen says
Hi Megan,
Thanks! I am so jealous that you can rock the line green to work. I wonder if I could get away with that, too, hmmmmm….
Kinda random, but I know you’re a purse girl, so I thought I’d share this with you:
Cole Haan Hayden Purse
It’s WAAAAY out of my price range, but at least looking is free!
Crystal says
Hey Karen,
Gotta say I love your site…Anywho, I’m doing my last internship before I graduate with a Master’s in Occupational Therapy. I gotta say therapists are the most unfashionable people on the planet. I feel like I’m the only one that cares about my makeup. Because of that, I have to keep my makeup neutral or else I’ll draw some stares. Sucks cuz I’m a total closet makeup freak!
Pia says
I love the blue liner you had on. And i seriously envy your blue top. Was that a jacket? A dressy top? Envious mind needs to know.
Karen says
Hi Crystal,
Congrats on your upcoming graduation! When is the big day? Are you going to walk?
LOL, I dunno about therapists being the *most* unfashionable… I’ve seen some pretty tow up writers (myself included). 🙂 Do you rock your makeup on your days off? That’s what I end up doing!
Happy Friday!
Karen says
Hi Pia,
Hey girlie! That’s a sweater. It’s pretty old — I got it from bebe three (?) years ago.
How’s your Friday going?
Dao says
Yeah, the first season was awesome! Then came the 2nd season with one heck of too many new characters to make the show more hard to grab. Now I think they are not introducing any new faces and focus on the main ones. But still, there are 15 frequent characters now, my goodness.
Anyways, I still love the show and Hayden’s new look with the smokey eyes and leather jacket is so hot. Can you believe after 3 episodes and we still don’t know what’s going on?
Crystal says
Yep! I sure do rock big makeup on my days off…but I have so much makeup that I’d love to wear it everyday so I can experiment with different looks consistently. Thanks for writing back! Have a good weekend!