I knew I’d be working closely with the new girl at work today, training her on our filing system and some billing stuff, so I wanted to look as polished and semi-reliable (ha!) as possible. I decided to wear this soft, smokey pink and brown eye. It has just the teeniest touch of sparkle and draws heavily on a few of MAC’s recent collections, including Emanuel Ungaro, Suite Array and Sheer Minerals.
The look was actually my second choice this morning. At first I’d wanted to wear blue, perhaps coupled with high heels, a feather boa and something with sequins, but I didn’t want to end the day thought of as the crazy chick at work, so I went with the upstanding and responsible citizen look instead. 🙂
- First, I primed my lids with a layer of Benefit Birthday Suit cream shadow applied with a fingertip.
- Next, I layered the light pink shade from the MAC Rose Suites Eye Shadow Duo directly on top of Birthday Suit using a Sonia Kashuk Large Eye Shadow Brush.
- With the same brush, I swept MAC Mineral Eye Shadow onto the lid and just barely into the crease, concentrating most of the color on the outer third of the lid (the side closer to the ear).
- Then, with a MAC 239 eye shadow brush, I applied the dark pink shade from the MAC Rose Suites Eye Shadow Duo in the outer third of the crease and, softly sweeping with a MAC 217 blending brush, soften away any harsh lines.
- Using MAC Rave Pearlglide liner, I lined my upper lash line…
- … and lined my lower lash line with Lancome Le Stylo Waterproof in Noir. Sweeping with the Le Stylo’s sponge tip end, I diffused the color until all that remained was a very faint line.
To finish the look, I curled my lashes with my trusty Shu Uemura lash curler and added two coats of Chanel Exceptionnel mascara in Smoky Noir.
Because the eyes were subtle, I thought I had room for a bright pink cheek and berry lip. I went with MAC Dollymix blush and MAC Mineralize Sheersheen Loose Powder in Lucent on my cheeks and one layer of Prescriptives LipShine in Boysenberry on my lips.
Crazy Nightmares
The past few nights I’ve been having all sorts of crazy, sometimes frightening dreams. Last night I woke up in tears after dreaming that my mom had died. I remember going for a walk with my dad in the dream, just he and I. It was somewhere foggy, early in the morning, and we were walking slowly down an empty cobblestone street. “Dad, I miss her,” I remember crying, “I miss her, I miss her.” Needless to say, it was not a restful night. After work today I went and got a book on dream interpretation, hoping it’d maybe help me make heads or tails of this one and my other nightmares this week.
And, to top things off, my tummy’s been twisted in knots lately. I’ve been trying to make an important decision about whether or not I should go back to school. I keep reminding myself not to freak out, but, you know, sometimes you just gotta go through these phases.
I just watched the sun set outside the window by my computer desk…
Tomorrow is a new day. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Tekoa says
Non-makeup wearers do NOT realize how many products/colours we use to get that simple/pretty/subtle look.
Dreams are funny things. Sometimes they mean something, sometimes they’re just odd gibblits strung together. Just don’t look to Freud for an explination. He’s got odd dream ideas.
Marisol says
I really like this look. I am really enjoying the Benefit cream shadows.
Maybe you should stop thinking about whether or not to go back to school for a few days. The answer will come to you but if you keep thinking about it, you will be more preocupied.
Are you thinking of going for your Master’s? My sister decided to go for her Master’s and she is currently studying for the GMAT. I don’t know if I have the stamina right now to go back to school.
Have a great day tomorrow…it will be Friday!
Marisol´s last blog post..Gotta love men with accents
NurseExec says
I love this look on you! I’ve been rocking the Chanel Exceptionel myself lately, and it’s my new HG mascara.
Aurora22 says
Awww, dnt stress about goin back to school or not, there’s always plenty time to get back to your studies. im sure you’ll make the best decision for you!!!
I really admire all the time and effort it takes you come up with such wonderful creations, styles and colour combos.
I on the other hand, and not so creatively blessed. heheh. found these press on eye shadow products from Avon, they look really simple and easy to use.
Keep making us smile with your all your wonderful work!!
Dao says
Karen, you look gorgeous! Love this look a lot! Did you find the meaning of your dream yet? I’m not a dream interpreter or anything but Chinese people always say whatever in your dream is going to be opposite in your life. So you are doing fine, maybe you just miss seeing your parents? (ha, that’s me tryin’ to sound like Dr. Phil :D)
Ah, going back to school is a big decision but it’s never too late to do what you want. If it fulfills you then go for it!
Dao´s last blog post..Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser: Basic Face Wash for Everyone!
Brittany says
Love the look. Very pretty.
I start having nightmares whenever I become waaay too stressed. Maybe you’ve been contemplating school a little too much. I, too, am contemplating grad school. Last week, I finally just said screw it and sent in my application. I still need to get some other stuff like letters of recommendation done, but other than that it’s a simple process. It only cost me $30. I don’t even know if that’s exactly what I want to do, but I think I would like to know if I get accepted into the program so it’s even a possibility to consider after I get done with my Under Grad stuff. It’s a hard decision, but don’t stress too much 🙂
Amanda says
well, you do look polished! 🙂 this is one of my go-to looks: pink and brown. Love the glowy cheeks.
Sorry you are having a rough time! If it helps any just my small experience with returning to school….I havent’ but the hubby did. He was out for about 10 years, and just went back (full time, eek). He’s about halfway done right now. It’s definitely hard and a BIG change, but we just have to keep reminding ourselves that it will be worth it in th end….and overall he’s much happier that he made this decision.
Heidi says
i love your look! You’ve got great eyes to pull off such off-beat colors. i wish i could do that…I fantasize about dabbling with green and even blue eye shadows, but I’m too scared.
Karen B says
Great look 🙂
How did the training of the new girl go?
Karen B´s last blog post..Top 200 my ass
Daya says
I really like the lip color you used..goes great with your subtle look 🙂
Going back to school is a big decision. But, if it’s something want to do, I encourage you to do so! I was 25 when I went back. While the process has been slow, I’m just a class short of a Journalism/PR degree. Best of luck on your decision! 🙂
yadiq says
hey K
i hope you are doing ok i totally know the feeling you are talking abt!
i have been feeling the same as if i should make some sort of change but in my field any more education just isnt going to guarantee me anything more 🙁 boo
any change is good change even if it seems rough at first and you will have the support of so many ( like us all here that read your blog religiously)
this is a very trying time in this world in terms of economy and work ethics. our generation and those beneath us are expected to work miracles and still somehow live balanced lives etcetc
girl i know the struggle all to well especially in big city life i say start a little schooling part time – hey like the lotto says you never know!!!
hope your feeling better at this point today this look is so BAD @ss
Karen says
Hi Tekoa,
So true. It’s funny how the “natural” look often requires at least four eye products, minimum.
Well, last night was the first night where I managed to not dream of something frightening. The only semi-exciting thing was the cat waking me up at 4:30 because he wanted to party.
Karen says
Hi Marisol,
I am thinking of taking some classes for journalism. Dunno if it will lead to wanting to go to J-school, but we’ll see.
Thank you for your kind words… I will try to just let it simmer for a bit and hope that the universe will send me a sign soon.
Hope you are having a wonderful day! 🙂
Karen says
Hi NurseExec,
Thanks! I agree — it’s fab!
Glosslizard says
I’ve been loving the Benefit cream shadows! I just got RSVP and it’s such a fab base shade! I also have Strut and Skinny Jeans, and if I had a coupon for a freebie I’d grab Gossip! 😉
My mom says that dreams about death are actually positive, more about motivation and change! So I hope the scary dreams end soon, but maybe you can just take it as a sign that things will rearrange and then be ok! And yeah, I can definitely relate to these tummy-churning freak out phases! They happen from time to time, but invariably smooth out after a while! I’m pondering the back-to-school route myself! Hang in there, girl, you know you’ve got plenty of people pullin’ for you! 🙂
Martha says
wow, so pretty! love the earrings!
Beth says
I can give you another spin on the dream thing if you like?
I went through a phase of having really strange dreams and my wonder counsellor suggested I try and look at it from the Gestalt perspective (the word is german for whole). Looking at it this way means you have to imagine that everyone and everything in the dream is you or parts of you. So kind of like it wasn’t your mom who died, but maybe a part of you?
I don’t know if that helps, but I hope you’re feeling better and manage to get a good nights’ sleep soon!
Bxx
Beth´s last blog post.."So What are you Trying to Say?"