This is the most makeup I’ve worn in weeks.
OK…two months.
I KNOW! For someone who lives, breathes and dreams about this stuff, I haven’t been doing too well in the actual “putting on makeup” department.
It’s just a phase, which happens sometimes, and I’ll get through it. Maybe my makeup today will be the first step. I’ll start with this warm reddish smoky eye and MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande dark plum lips, then build up to false lashes tomorrow. Then, on Friday, it’s global makeup domination! Er…or something like that.
Lips
Even though El Hub says that this lipstick makes me look “vampiric,” I love it. If you’ve had your eye on this one (and, seriously, it’s so gorgeously matte and darkly plummy, how could you not?), it just arrived on counters and the MAC website today with its cute cohort, MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande Lipglass ($15).
I’m wearing the Lipstick here, by the way, with MAC Cyber World Lip Pencil, because, for the life of me, I just can’t do this color directly from the bullet. It’s too dang hard, homie! Something like MAC Nightmoth Lip Pencil would totally also work if you happen to have it around.
Eyes, Cheeks and Skin
I swear, one of these days I’ll swap out the Tartelette In Bloom Palette that’s been chillin’ in my makeup bag for the past two months, but it’s still up in the mix for now…
I’m wearing some of the shades from the bottom row — orangey reddish brown Sweetheart, matte reddish brown Rebel and dark reddish brown Leader — on my lids and lower lash lines.
The black kitten flick (it’s so tiny that I don’t think I can call it a cat eye flick in good conscience, meow!), I did with Clinique’s Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen, which you might like if you’re into super skinny, shiny black lines and don’t want to work too hard.
For my skin, since there was already so much matte up in the mix on my eyes and lips, I went the glowing route with the new BECCA Aqua Luminous Perfecting Foundation set with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural for contrast, and then I swept a luminous plummy blush on my cheeks (Hourglass Mood Exposure). Then I highlighted my upper cheekbones with soft beige Hourglass Ambient Powder in Luminous Light.
Honestly, I could’ve spent a little more time blending everything together…but you know how it is. Sometimes you just wanna hurry up and put on your vampire makeup so you can go to Target and buy some nipple cream and a nursing bra.
Wait — or is that just me? 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
MJ says
Love the eyes and the dark lips! The luminous finish is a little too luminous, though!
Allysa says
Love this look so much. Ariana’s lipstick is gorgeous on you!
Karen says
Thanks, Allysa! I’m not always into dark lips for daytime, but this one I’m totally feeling. 🙂
Kiss & Make-up says
Yeozwa, you look super sexy with this lippie, Karen!
jessica says
ooooh i LOVE it!!!!!!
Melissa says
Hum… I don’t know what could be going on in your life lately lol… ? But you just look absolutely stunningly gorgeous in EVERYTHING. In ever color, look etc!! ????❤️???????
Mary says
You look gorgeous!!
Karen says
Thank you, Mary! I hope you had a wonderful day today and that your makeup was flawless!
Sandy P says
Karen , you look stunning. I love this look on you. You can carry it off…something I can’t do it at my age!
Karen says
Hi Sandy P,
I think you could do this! Maybe modify the lip a little if it’s too much for you? You could dab the lipstick lightly to create a stain, that would be pretty.
Lulle says
The kitten flick with the dark, vampy (not vampire, what’s up with El Hub??) lips make you look so sexy Karen! Gorgeous date look!
Karen says
LOL, Lulle. I think he’s used to me wearing neutrals 24/7 lately and the lips were a bit shocking. Eh, he’ll get used to it. 🙂
Hope that things are well on your end. It’s been so rainy here and I’m soooo over it!
Lulle says
We had a full week of rain last week, and that’s very unusual here! We even had a tornado warning! The basement in my house got flooded, so the owners are having work done in the yard to redirect rain water.
Luckily now the storm has passed and we have some sun again! I’m so not excited about this El Nino winter…
Rachel R. says
You look damn sexy. I love the luminous skin with the vampy lips. The black cherry lipstick color really works on you.
Karen says
Aww, thanks friend. That’s a really nice thing to hear when you’re about a million weeks pregnant and feel massive, LOL!
Suzanne C says
The dark, plummy, matte lipstick looks great on you, but I just can’t do it. I lived through the 90’s once already and it was not particularly enjoyable the first time around. Besides, it’s January in Florida, which means our one week of Spring will be here in about 6 weeks. I’ve got to start thinking of pastels and flip-flops. You know, before the 10,000% humidity sets in.
Karen says
Hi Suzanne,
At first I resisted the dark matte ’90s lipstick revival, too, but textures and formulas have gotten so much better since then! Some are even downright comfortable. I know, so crazy. Remember wearing all brown everything in the ’90s? Brown eyeshadow, brown lipstick and brown blush… And all of it was matte! I seriously don’t miss that.
Suzanne C says
Guuurrrlll, yes! But all the brown went so well with my Nirvana t-shirt and construction boots. **rolls eyes**
Karen says
Those boots are baaaaaack! I saw them at DSW and came *this close* to buying a pair out of nostalgia, HAHA!
Tatiana says
Love this look. Chic, sexy, ready for a glamorous evening out. El Hubs should take you out on a really nice date before baby girl arrives.
Karen says
I’m going to show him your comment, Tatiana. Maybe he’ll get the hint for Valentine’s Day. 😀
Tatiana says
Do it! You deserve it. Once baby girl arrives you’ll have to arrange for a sitter to go out and it gets more complicated. I was always wondering if she was OK while we were out, at least for the first three months or so, then I started to relax.
Bebe says
Agree with Kiss & Make-up lady , you look super sexy, hot!!!
Karen says
Thank you, Bebe! I hope your makeup was fierce today. 🙂
Erin says
I’m loving the 90’s vibe I’m getting here! SO tempting to get a lipstick in that shade. I think I might bust out Revlon Black Cherry in homage!
Vanessa C says
Looooove this! I just purchased the Becca foundation online yesterday and cannot wait for its arrival tomorrow. It looks amazing on you, although you’re already glowing ?
Karen says
Oh sweet! I have to say that it’s *very* luminous. Feels great on the skin, too (so lightweight). What shade did you pick up?
Marissa says
That’s a super good look for you… Beautiful picture ☺️
Renee says
Stunning! Such a beautiful night time look. I’m afraid my hubby would react the same way. 🙂
Chris25 says
Honestly, I wouldn’t have guessed that you were out of the swing of things if you hadn’t mentioned it. This vampy look was a great reintroduction. You look fab! 🙂
Stephanie says
I’ve been loving the Tartelette in Bloom palette, everything works so well together. I really like this look, do you find that the lipstick goes on patchy? I have some serious problems with dry lips and mattes often cling to the dry parts, usually not until I’ve been at work for about an hour or so.
zVintageFashionizta says
Ohhhh…..lemme find out that you are a sexy mama already!
Jess says
DAMN GIRL! That is the most badass lipstick evah. Way more vampiric than Target can handle, haha.
Eesha says
This dark lipstick look super sexy on you and I agree with your hubs that look a bit vampirish (but, in a good way) xx
LindaLibraLoca says
Quite a look to buy a nursing bra, but a girl has got to do, what a girl has got to do. You look very vampy, but not vampiric.
Kim says
Oh, El Hub. Such a silly goose, sometimes. 🙂 You always look awesome in dark lipstick. Keep rocking it!!
Carol in a Page says
Damn gurrrl, you’re smoking hot!!! 🙂
Jennifae says
You’re making me want this! I wish I looked that good in vampy colors.
Emme says
What undereye concealer are you wearing here?…it’s flawless!