Yesterday afternoon I zipped into the city to help my friend Jen shop for bridesmaid dresses. She’s getting married this November, and we’re getting down to the wire. Most of the dresses we looked at were solid pinks or golds, accessorized with sashes of contrasting colors. The sashes created pretty focal points, and that’s the idea I had in mind today when I did my makeup.
Gold dress with pink sash by Simple Silhouettes
I blended together a pink and gold for the color I used on my eyes, cheeks and lips and then added a pop of green to the eyes (a sash) for contrast.
There aren’t a lot products or much blending involved in this look, and the colors are muted and subtle, so it didn’t take a long time to do — about 10-15 minutes. All told, I used products from Chanel, MAC Cosmetics, Lancome and Laura Mercier.
First, since I wanted the green on my eyes to really stand out, I applied MAC Cream Color Base in Pearl on the eyelid and just into the crease. Applying it beneath eyeshadow colors is a quick and easy way to ramp up their intensity.
The eyes…
- Chanel Nomade eyeshadow on the browbone and in the crease
- MAC Warm Chill eyeshadow (from the Cool Heat collection) on the lid and into the crease
- Lancome Noir waterproof eye pencil on the upper waterline
- MAC Powersurge eye kohl (a gold liner) on the lower waterline and lower lash line
I’ve had MAC Powersurge eyeliner — a shimmery golden bronze-brown — in my makeup stash for a while but haven’t really played with it before. I wish I had because I totally dig it on the waterline.
The rest of the look…
Brows
- MAC Concrete Eye Shadow
Lashes
- MAC Mascara X in Black
Dark circles
- MAC Select Moisturecover in NW 25
- Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder #2
Face
- Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation in Suntan Beige
- Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
Cheeks
- Chanel Jouse Contraste Powder Blush in Rose Dust
- Chanel Facettes D’Or Highlighter in Gold Fever
Lips
- Chanel Lip Definer in Pretty Pink
- Chanel Aqualumiere Lipshine in Formentera
- Chanel Glossimer in Astral
What do ya think? Do you ever try to pattern your makeup looks after things like dresses or flowers?
Sigh… I’m bummed the long weekend is over. I totally played hooky today and didn’t do anything productive. The only time I went out was to a bookstore, but even that didn’t count because all I did was read celebrity gossip magazines like Us Weekly, People and OK!
How about you? Please tell me you were more productive than I was.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Girl, you know you can always use more beauty reading. Here are links to some of last week’s most fabulous articles and posts from the ladies of the Beauty Blog and Splendicity networks! 🙂
Beauty Blog Network Reads
It’s summer time! That’s why EyeshadowCult.com recommends having bright paws to look more fun in the sun!
Come aboard The Makeup Divas and set sail for the Mac Naughty Nauticals review!
A Touch of Blusher checks out L’Oréal’s True Match Super-Blendable Powder.
The Muse reviews the latest and greatest from Japan with Aube’s new Summer Collection!.
Beauty Anonymous introduces you to this Fall’s upcoming new mascaras.
In honor of her first anniversary, Bionic Beauty is holding a month of giveaways. This week enter to win one of 3 SpinLash mascara wands!
The Fragrance Fanatic finds the greatest Summer scent for the home: Sun & Sand.
Beauty Junkie in SF tries out the grab and go method of shopping for a powder foundation and has mixed results with Make Up For Ever.
In-office vs. at-home with the TRIA – The Daily Cookie starts her series on laser hair removal by giving you the pros and cons of each option!
Makeup Loves Me gives you the secrets for re-creating audrina patridge’s look from her birthday party!
Splurge or steal with Girl Gloss by checking out the affordable Sonia Kashuk Velvety Matte Lipcrayon that is almost identical to the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil!
Beauty Banter reviews Smashbox’s BLUSH RUSH line – 8 universal blush shades created to work on every skin tone!!!!
The girls over at Beauty in Real Life are having another giveaway! This time it’s a basketful of Olay products valued at over $300!
Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog shows you how to create an orange, gold and teal eye look with Nars Cosmetics.
Rouge Deluxe shows off her makeup haul from her Tokyo trip!
Beauty and Personal Grooming tells you how to use leaves as beauty aid
Elke shares her current fav summer beauty finds
The July Issue of The Beauty Ideal is out full of summer beauty tips and how to’s.
Beauty411 shares her new summer fragrance.
Beauty Blogging Junkie dishes about highlights with Jane at Hiro Haraguchi.
Another pick from The Life of A Ladybug’s Bronzers for Brown Girls Series: MAC’s Bronzer in Refined Deeper Bronze and Loose Iridescent Powder in Golden Bronze!
Makeup Moxie reviews Cushion Lips by Vincent Longo.
Spoiled Pretty wants you to protect your peepers. Enter today for your chance to win a pair of limited-edition Etnia Barcelona N°00 sunglasses valued at $295. Two runners-up will win a $50 gift certificate to Margot & Camille Optique. What are you waiting for?
15 Minute Beauty Fanatic has swatches of the Fall 2008 Bobbi Brown Mauve Collection!
Splendicity Network Reads
From the Splendicity community, comes this week best in beauty, fashion and shopping.
BEAUTY
Aging Fabulous tried out some anti-aging products from L’Oreal’s Skin Genesis Line. Stop by to see what they were and what she thought.
NY Spender pampers herself with two new products that won’t break the bank.
Beauty Bento Box tells us how important it is for us to give our bare legs a sleek, sexy and glowing look that’s perfect for this summer.
Beauty Secrets Revealed shares a Homemade Lip Plumper Recipe
See how Beauty and Fashion Tech made her own mineral makeup using a Bramble and Berry Mineral Makeup Kit complete with pictures and swatches!
Viva Woman takes a look at ingredients that can cause your skin to become more sun sensitive.
All That & a got a fresh new design and has a review of Not Just a Pretty Face, a book about the dangers in our makeup and skincare.
Krizia from Beauty Match meets Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City.
FASHION
Style…a work in progress proves that hope springs eternal and finally gets her sticky little fingers on Heimstone’s Perfecto jacket…
Tops 2 Bottoms lets you in on the latest swimwear trend.
Would you wear a red wedding dress? Just A Formality features this gorgeous Justin Alexander Red Bridal Gown.
Kim at Indie Style File needs to be more graceful to be a ballerina, but at least can look like one with a tutu tank dress by ouma.
Her Accessories wonders why we need camouflage Louis Vuitton? Pardon me, it’s called “Monogramouflage” – for the urban jungle perhaps?
Style Manila talks about a current styling project.
SHOPPING
CelebLOOK found some hot zebra print bikini’s that will have you looking as hot as Lisa Rinna in hers.
Enter to win this M Z Wallace handbag valued at $335 at Glamour Gift Guide.
Shoe Blitz features an assortment of Prada boots that are perfect for fall.
Shopalicious is pining over these to-die-for python heels — and they’re on sale!
ShopDiary says you can pre-order Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusives now before the sale officially begins on July 18.
TUPRNUT says
You’re the cutest! I have never used a cream color base on my eyes before (the only
TUPRNUT says
**stupid touch pad**
…one I have is Hush and I love it). So, I may try this tomorrow with my Chanel Spices quad.
I wish I could tell you that I was productive this weekend, but I wasn’t. I spent most of the day in bed today… a mix of migraine and allergies. But, it’s nice to have those lazy weekends every once in a while, right?
Karen says
Hi Tuprnut,
Aww, thanks! 😉 The CCB’s are on the lids… just be careful about packing on too much. It tends to be a slippery product and can slip right off if ones lids are too oily. I’ve used Pearl with Chanel shadows before and it really intensifies the payoff, so I hope your experiment with Spices turns out well.
Oh no, I’m sorry that you aren’t feeling too great. When I get migraines I end up in bed, too (I get really sensitive to sound). I hope you’re feeling better and that you’re rested. Have a great week!
Shefali says
Hey Karen! Totally pretty look and I like that it’s quick and easy. I’m happy to report my day was super productive – did 8 loads of laundry (my in-laws are visiting from India and staying with us, hence 3 extra loads), washed and cleaned both of our cars inside and out, went to the gym, and got my nails done. It was a busy productive day! Now I need some time to relax…I’m gonna be hating Monday.
Karen says
Hi Shefali!
Wow, 8 loads… you officially rock! Four is my maximum laundry load limit. 🙂 How long will your in-laws be with you guys? Is it going well? I hope so!
BTW, what color are your nails?
Elena says
Karen!
You look great! I love the summer looks you’ve been posting here. I’ve heard so much about Powersurge eyeliner, but I can’t wear it effectively on my pale skin.
In terms of productivity, I did a couple loads of laundry, some light reading for my classes, and surfed makeupalley.com. Nothing too productive, all in all. 🙂
I can’t wait until you post the final dress picks! Are you going to do your friend’s make-up for her wedding?
Asta says
What a great inspiration! I love the idea of a sash, one band of contrasting color.
I was very productive today. I cleaned my entire room and closet (in preparation for moving out of my parent’s house). It took 11 hours! On the plus side, I found all the little eyeshadow compacts I’ve misplaced over the past few months.
Meesh says
ooohh i’m going to have to try this one out. i love it, very fresh!
btw karen, where did you and your friend look for dresses in the city? i’m getting married next year, and i need to start looking around (i’m not feeling david’s bridal at all)!
Karen B says
It looks great! Just the kind of look I’d do with a colour.
I usually match my make-up to the colours I’m wearing. Blues with blue, greens with green ,etc. I do have my staple of gold and plum as a neutral look.
Laurie says
Very pretty and soft. A perfect Sunday look! I went with a bare face and sat on the couch watching Law & Order SVU all day! Productive – not so much.
Today I might take a lunchtime trip over to Saks to sneak a peek at the NARS bridal palette. Ever snce you mentioned it, I’ve been lemming pretty hard. I’ve wanted to get Albatross and Roman Holiday for some time now too – and this just seems perfect. Have you checked it out yet?
Lauries last blog post..If It Happened on the Internet…
Brittany says
Green eyeshadow makes me nervous. I won’t lie! You make it look totally wearable and awesome though.
I love that bridesmaid dress. It’s plain and pretty. I was in a wedding last fall and I had the worst dress ever. It was orange (supposedly burnt cinnamon, but it was totally orange), a little on the poofy side, and my look was completed by matching dyed shoes (chunky square heels) with rhinestones. Sigh. The things we do for friends 😛
Glosslizard says
Beautiful! I love the idea of eyeshadow as a sash! The lip look is amazing, BTW, drat that Chanel! 😉
My weekend was fairly unproductive, we had a bunch of social engagements including two kids’ birthday parties! Hubby, however, likes to stay home and work on chores while I take the imps out to their parties, so he got a lot done around the house! I did some web research and we’ve determined that we’re going to buy a French coffee press! Perhaps this will ramp up my productivity! 😀
Sylvie says
Your first picture looked pretty forlorn. I thought something had cropped up. but well, how’s powersurge with dark brown eyes? I’ve been obsessing about getting a golden pencil (i’ve been using heirloom since forever which is largely silver with some purple) and I’ve been loving it but it sort of looks old and tired from far away.
Susanne says
Very pretty look!
otterkat says
I really like that eye look – I love playing with dashes of colour [in fact I was afraid of neutrals until I was about 35]. Powersurge & CCB Pearl are both on my wish list & I have totally different colouring … gotta adore the MAC!
LOVE the bridesmaid dress idea – very original and classy. I had only one bridesmaid when I got married, she wore a lilac shimmer dress with a deep purple wrap – sounds a bit odd maybe but looked stunning [I wore ivory chiffon as white’s not my colour even if traditionally it was out … hee]
Love from Australia!
Karen B says
This is so the kind of look I’d do with bright colours 🙂
I usually match my make-up to my clothing. Not too obviously but still.
ooh and Nadal won Wimbledon! the Spanish are on a roll apparently
Karen Bs last blog post..You have GOT to be kidding me
Amanda says
I love this combo Karen….I’m writing it down on a post-it and I’m gonna totally copy it this week! 🙂 Can’t wait to hear about dress shopping….I love hearing about wedding stuff in general.
Dao says
So cute! I love the first picture, you reminded me of that “You Eated My Cookie” kitty 😀 (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb109/RYMMYISAAC/cookies.jpg)
I’ve matched my makeup to my dress before and I think it’s better that way. Not totally matchy matchy though, just enough coordination. That’s a nice dress, I like the sash. So is that what you’re going to wear?
tatiana says
Ooh I love the pink mixed with the green, niiice! You look kinda kawawa in the top pic!
tatiana says
Oh yea question for you, I have Luna, I think it’s a highlighter. It’s a bit frostier than Pearl, do you think that I could use my Luna as a base? Have you tried that? The gal at MAC said to not use it in the crease. I’ve tried it and I thought it was supposed to bring out the colors of my eyeshadow more, perhaps I was doing it wrong.
bagaela says
OMG, it looks gorgeous on You! The combo reminds me a little to a promo-makeup from shiseido, I didn’t think it could look so great!
bagaelas last blog post..at least…
i♥makeup says
Karen,
The dress is stunning, and u look flawlessly beautiful. I love how the colors compliment each other…
You’re beautiful than ever!
i♥makeups last blog post..Fall 2008: Lancôme Maharani Jewels
J-Money says
First off, I love the shadow combo!! Second, I’m so excited!!!! I’m going to have to find a reason to borrow your dress. You were soooo pretty in it. My mom kept telling me how pretty you are. She realized that she hasn’t seen you in a very long time.