How the heck did this happen? Someone tell me, please. Heads are gonna roll! How did we get halfway through September so fast? I demand an answer! 🙂
Before you know it, it’ll be fall, then winter, then FLASH! — it’s 2049 and I’m retiring from the blog to live out my golden years in Boca with my harem of cats!
God help me…
But maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. Maybe I should just try and focus on the good things about the end of this month, like the upcoming release of MAC Venomous Villains and how much I Mineralize Eyeshadow duo in She Who Dares ($21).
Mineralize Eyeshadow in She Who Dares
I think I might even like She Who Dares more than I like to shave my big toe, which is oddly, a lot. 🙂 One of two Mineralize Eyeshadows in the Maleficent color story (the other being My Dark Magic), it makes short work of smokey eyes.
On one side of She Who Dares, a blackish myrtle with flecks of green glitter; on the other, a blackish sapphire with flecks of blue glitter. Both are quite sheer in pigmentation (semi-transparent), which I like with colors this dark because it makes it easier to find my sweet spot building the colors with layers.
Speaking of that, I think both sides of the duo are exceptionally easy to work with. Even on sooty smokey eyes, they don’t look crazy heavy.
For my makeup today, a glittery blue and green smokey eye, I used both of the colors in the She Who Dares duo, along with a few other Venomous Villains.
Clockwise from upper left: Magically Cool Liquid Powder in Truth & Light, Lipglass in Revenge is Sweet, Greasepaint Stick in Slick Black, Mineralize Eyeshadow in She Who Dares
Starting with my eyes, I applied a layer of the MAC Greasepaint Stick in Slick Black from Dr. Facilier’s color story (the evil dude from The Princess and the Frog) on my lids as an eyeshadow base.
Then, on top of the base, I applied a few layers of each of the two colors in She Who Dares — the greenish black in the crease and the blueish black on the lid and lower waterline.
Next, to make my eyes POP a little more, I lined both my upper and lower waterlines with the mighty MAC Technakohl liner in Graphblack.
Since the eyes are kinda bold, I tried to keep everything else quiet (shhh). That’s Dr. Facilier’s shimmery golden peach MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder in Truth & Light on the apples of my cheeks and Maleficent’s sheer fuchsia Lipglass in Revenge is Sweet on my lips.
There’s so much eye candy (literally AND figuratively) in Venomous Villains, but if you like easy smokey eyes, you might want to check out She Who Dares when the collection launches on the 30th.
Interested in a life of crime? Try these other MAC Venomous Villains posts…
What should I read next?
Staying up late to read Mockingjay has taken its toll. I haven’t slept well in days, but it’s worth it. The problem is that I can tell it’s not going to have a happy ending, and I’m doing my best to mentally prepare myself for it, le sigh!
If you see me rocking a cat eye tomorrow, you’ll know how the end of the book went. They’re a great way to hide puffy eyes, like the kind that result from lots of late-night crying.
Next on my reading list, maybe Tim Gunn’s new book, Gunn’s Golden Rules: Life’s Little Lessons for Making It Work. Have you read it? I wonder if it’s any good…
I hope you had a great hump day. What are you up to now?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Rachel says
I love this look! It’s a smokey eye without being too heavy! You look amazing!
Karen says
Thanks, Rachel! 🙂
Michelle says
How come I automatically feel like I need everything you have?!! You make a smokey eye look so effortless~~ I’m definitely attracted to Malificient’s collection the most from Venomous Villains!
Karen says
Maleficent’s is gorgeous! Do you think you might pick up the Mineralize shadows?
Michelle says
Scratch Malificient –> Maleficent!!
Michelle says
Oops I meant that on my comment! I think I’ll be getting the pink and purple Mineralize shadow! I’m scared of blues haha even dark and gorgeous sparkly ones!
Karen says
No worries. 🙂
The pink and purple one is GORGEOUS. I’ll try to do a look with it soon…
You should try blue at least once. I was terrified of it a few years ago and then tried it on a whim! It took a while to learn how to work it (and I still feel like I have a lot to learn), but now I love it.
Michelle says
Can’t wait for your look with the pink/purple one! And you know what? I think I’ll try out the blue one tooo! thx!
Heidi says
Ooh, loving the eyeshadows! Since I’m crazy for the Mineralize shadows I’m sure I’ll be getting both of those. I have a greasepaint stick in a navy shade so I’m thinking that would make a cool base for this. Getting ready to watch the Top Chef finale and then the new Top Chef Just Desserts.
Karen says
That’s going to be pretty! You’ll be amazed when you see it in person — the greens and blues looks like a peacock feather in a pan.
Speaking of Top Chef, I just started watching it last week. I wonder who’s going to win.
Heidi says
You’ll find out who wins when you see the episode. I won’t spoil it for ya!
Nina says
not that happy w/ who won. 😀
Karen says
Okay, we don’t have a Tivo anymore so I’ll have to wait until it repeats… Dang, sometimes I feel useless without technology!
Remember when people would use the VCR to tape their shows?
Elle says
This whole collection looks great. I’m wondering how quickly it will all sell out though…le sigh!! I’m curious about those powders too, and I lurve the dark mineralize shadows!
Karen says
They feel really neat going on… the cooling sensation is brief, but noticeable.
What are you thinking about getting?
Elle says
I want to get this eyeshadow because it looks AMAZIING on you, and the Cruella lippies–again, because of how it looked on you! 🙂 Can’t wait to see what else you do with the collection.
Karen says
I think you’re gonna find a LOT to love in this release!
MAC fall always gets me in the gut, I tell ya. 🙂
Brandy says
Darn it, I want the entire darn Venomous Villains collection! I haven’t been this enthralled with a collection in years… But Disney and MAC, those are two of my favorite things! My poor wallet…
Karen says
This one is gonna have the Disney fans in a tizzy! 🙂
What’s on your wish list?
Jenn says
I RSVPed to see the unveiling at MAC Valley Fair. I want Wicked Ways! Trying to embrace bolder colors these days, lol.
Karen says
How fun! When is it?
Andrea says
Hey Karen, which powder do you like better? I thought I should get Cajun since it’s the darker of the two, but now that I see Truth & Light on you I am reconsidering… I don’t actually know what my MAC foundation shade is, but I use Medium Dark MSF Natural if that helps..
Thanks so much! This look is gorgeous!
Karen says
Hi Andrea,
I think you could do either. Were you planning on using it as a blush?
Andrea says
I was thinking Cajun could either be a bronzer or an all over powder, depending on how dark it actually is. I was surprised how nice Truth and Light looks on you, since I thought it was super light.. I guess not!
Shanda says
very pretty!!! I’m puting a star next to this one on my list.
Karen says
Hi Shanda,
Awesome! Let me know if you end up getting it. 🙂
Connie says
That’s such a beautiful color upclose! I think I have a similar color somewhere. I’d love to give this look a try!
Karen says
I hope you do! It’s actually really easy to do. Yay for lazy smokey eyes, LOL!
Kristen says
Love this look! I can’t wait until this collection comes out. Sadly I’m only able to afford 2 things at the moment 🙁 How long do LE products stay with MAC?
Karen says
A lot of it depends on how quickly it sells out. Some products have a lot of hype built around them and can be gone within days, while others can stay on shelves for months.
gio says
I didn’t plan to get anything from this collection but now you make me want to get the She Who Dares duo. It looks gorgeous on you!
Karen says
I think you’d like this a alot! You can totally ramp it up so that it looks bold… and I know you love your bold eye looks.
Kim says
The blackish sapphire with flecks of blue glitter is so pretty! Thank you for sharing
Karen says
Sure thing, Kim!
Do you plan on picking up anything from this release?
gina says
you look absolutely gorgeous, i think i need this venomous villian thingy!! maybe i can look almost as good as you do hehe
<3 gina
Karen says
You could totally work this, Gina!
Kajal Couture says
I love this look! You’re tempting me to give in to the venomous villain madness!
Karen says
Give in! You know you wanna. 😉
Amy says
I love that duo on you!
Only thing is, I am not in love with the packaging. I don’t know if I feel comfortable whipping out a lipgloss in public with Disney characters on it. Is that bad? They are beautiful colors, though.
Karen says
I totally know what you mean… it’s something you’re into or not. I have a friend who works for MAC and she commented on how she wasn’t sure how she was going to sell something with cartoons on the packaging to grown women!
Rachel Taninecz says
That smokey look is GREAT on you!
Karen says
Thanks, Rachel. 🙂
Lisa S. says
Oooo I was already planning on getting this and you just cemented it for me
Karen says
Yay! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. 🙂
Nina says
Temptress!!!! I was priding myself on only wanting 3-4 things from the VV collection. I had not been looking at the mineralized eyeshadows but … ohmyawesomesauce, Karen, that is pretty! 🙂
Karen says
Okay, it just occurred to me that this would look AWESOME layered on top of Strut!
Nina says
Girlfriend, you know me! I think everything is awesome on top of Strut – which is the only creaseless cream I own that has a significant dip in it. I use it THAT much.
I revised my list to include the MES you used in this look. Heaven help me – the bank will cry on Sep 21 when I go to the launch LOL …
Those lipglasses are pretty too! 😀
Kelly says
That is gorgeous Karen, I love it!
Karen says
You could totally rock this in a hot second! I’m betting you could also work My Dark Magic (the other MES duo) too. It’s an awesome pink/purple combo. 🙂
Taffy says
Those are great colours on you! I swear its getting harder and harder to decide what I should get from this collection…
Karen says
There’s a LOT to choose from, for sure.
What are you thinking about picking up?
knownever says
Oh no! you’re hyping up the one thing I desperately need from this collection! More people to beat in the inevitable MAC-off. lol
Karen says
LOL! You are so funny. I totally know what you mean, though. 🙂
Kim says
Those eyes are totally Peacock meets Disco – and I mean that in a fantastic way. You know my terror of bright colors (and the dreaded smokey eye, which I know would make me look like, well, not so good) will keep me from trying this myself. I do appreciate how awesome it looks on you though!
I’m *so* with you on Mockingjay. I haven’t had time to get past the first few chapters, but the dread of what awaits our characters has already taken a firm hold on my little mind.
I don’t know anyone who’s read the new Tim Gunn yet, so I’ll wait for your review! 🙂
Karen says
Okay, I’m ALMOST to the end. I’ve got about 15% of the book left… I had to force myself to put it down and go to bed early last night. To quote my magic eight ball, the outlook is not so good. 🙁
Brights can be intimidating, but seriously, YOU CAN DO IT! Maybe start slowly, with a sheer shadow like this one. You could do something simple, like applying a little bit of this with a fluffy brush like the MAC 217 on your lids, curling your lashes and then applying lots of mascara!
Kim says
Oh, I’m about halfway through and have had my share of “Oh, Peeta!” moments too. I predict that we’ll have similar answers to the first question of Le List on Monday: heartbroken. 🙁
I’m totally down with the tranny lash part of this and will eventually work up the courage to do some color. I swear! You’ll be the first to read it if anyone calls me Mimi. 🙂
lo says
Gorgeous! I need to start getting more comfortable with darker colors like that, because they’re just so dang pretty. And I might need that lipglass… yum.
Karen says
Ya know, it took me a while to get comfortable with darker eyeshadows, but after many, many practice sessions it got easier. I still feel like I’ve got a lot to learn, but now it isn’t as intimidating.
This duo might be a good one to start with because the sheerness makes it very easy!
Amber says
You look amazing. I really want to give this a whirl, but alas, I have bought more shadows in the last 6 months than I know what to do with!
Karen says
Aw, c’mon! A girl can never have enough eyeshadow. 🙂
elwoods17 says
Love it!
Karen says
Thanks, Elwoods!
I gotta ask… is your handle a shout out to Legally Blonde?
Phyrra says
Very pretty eye look!
Karen says
Thanks, Phyrra.
Give Phaedra a snuggle for me!
Liz! says
That look is amaaaaaaazing! I especially love the eyeshadow, I think I may be scooping some up from my MAC counter soon!
Karen says
The release is just around the corner! 🙂 What else do you have your eye on?
Gems says
New foundation? You glow!
Erin says
OK well I wasn’t going to get Revenge is Sweet but I think I will now!!! Have you tried the other magically cooling powder? I can’t decide which shade to get… or do I need both??
Advah says
Ok, now I just NEED that eyeshadow duo. I love the way it makes your eyes look darker, I just, you know, NEED it. Added to my shopping list for the end of the month. 🙂
As for books, have you ever read “Empire Falls” by Richard Russo? It’s one of my favourite books ever, it’s beautiful!
Sherri says
Is there a lot of fallout from the mineralized eyeshadow? It’s so pretty but seems to have chunky glitter in it.
Trisha says
You look amazing! I love that smokiness on you. I could totally see you going to a modern disco (is there such a thing?) like that.
Lindsay says
Such a pretty look!!!
Ditte K. says
Pretty look and I like that your brows are always neat, Karen 🙂 I am currently sitting in my couch, with my cat by my toes, drinking tea and reading a true horror story about human traficking by norwegian author Herbjørg Wassmo (Title: Et glass melk takk=one glass of milk, please).
Karen says
I’m kind of a freak about my brows, LOL. 🙂
How is your book? It sounds terrifying, but also very eye opening.
Marian says
That combination looks beautiful on you, Karen!
Nikki says
Your eyes look so gorgeous! I’m tempted to buy!!!
Audrey says
Wow you look stunning, especially in the first picture! Beautiful eyes and skin! 🙂
Tina says
You look stunning Karen! Btw, is the blue shadow on the mineralize duo anything like Dark Rinse from BB Denim and Roses palette? I love that shade but dont want to spend so much on an entire palette I would hardly use
Yanna says
U convinced me! This one I just got to have!
Beautiful look, but a little 2 subtle for me, I would’ve made it more intense..otherwise, great job, once again;)
xoxo
Joey Chong says
Gorgeous..
This look is stunning, Karen!!
Millie says
Love this look! Really stunning! What foundation are you wearing here? And what shade? Thanks!
Aurora's Nails says
WOW that is a gorgeous look, especially that eye make up!
Jenny says
Hey did u apply these wet? Do they look etter?
Theresa says
Karen, Help me! These looked so gorgeous on you that I had to get them! I LOVE the colors, but when I tried them out I just of got a muddy black mess! What am I doing wrong? Any tips for using the mineralize shadow that I don’t know about? Thanks!
Laetitia says
Awesome! but i’m very sad! i can’t find the in She Who Dares in mac website, not available in US or in France 🙁 do you think that i can still find them in store? ??