The look I did for work today draws heavily on products from the Lancome Color Design Artist Palette in Couture Warms ($70). Lancome knocked it out of the park with Couture Warms, ladies. It’s an amazing palette, but you can always duplicate this look using similar products from other lines.
Couture Warms
Top colors from left to right
- Strut – jade green shimmer
- Designer – moss green shimmer
- Pose – gold shimmer
- Positive – beige matte
Bottom row from left to right
- Couture – reddish-brown matte
- Model – bronze shimmer
- Vue – peachy pink shimmer
- Daylight – white matte
Products I used for this look…
- Too Faced Shadow Insurance primer
- Lancome eyeshadow – Positive
- Lancome eyshadow – Vue
- Lancome eyeshadow – Couture
- Lancome eyeshadow – Strut
- Lancome Le Stylo Waterproof eyeliner – Noir
- MAC eyeshadow – Concrete
- Lancome High Definicils mascara – Black
- MAC Select Moisturecover – NW 25
- Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder – Number 2
- MAC Cremestick Lip Liner – Sublime Culture
- Chanel lipstick – Leopard
- Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation – Suntan Beige
- Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
- MAC Loose Beauty Powder – Natural Flare
Brushes and tools I used…
- Shu Uemura eyelash curler
- MAC 239
- Sonia Kashuk large eyeshadow brush
- MAC 224
- MAC 217
- Sonia Kashuk angled eyeshadow brush
- MAC 226
- MAC 194
- Billy B Paintbrush 13
- Sonia Kashuk powder brush
- Shu Uemura 20 brush
Here’s the basic layout of the eye products:
- Too Faced Shadow Insurance
- Positive eyeshadow
- Vue eyeshadow
- Couture eyeshadow
- Strut eyeshadow
- Noir eyeliner
The eyes
Begin by blending an even layer of Too Faced Shadow Insurance onto the surface of your eyelid with a MAC 239 brush.
Using the Sonia Kashuk large eyeshadow brush, apply Positive eyeshadow to the browbone.
Next, apply Vue eyeshadow to the lid with the same brush.
Now, take your MAC 224 brush, and, with a circular motion, add Couture eyeshadow to the outer V. Blend away any harsh lines with a brush like the MAC 217.
Using the Sonia Kashuk angled shadow brush, apply Strut to the lower lash line.
Carefully apply Lancome Noir eyeliner to your upper water line.
You’re almost there! Define your brows by filling them in with Concrete eyeshadow and a MAC 266 small angled brush. Curl your lashes, and then apply two coats of Lancome High Definicils mascara.
If you’re trying to fight the good fight against dark circles, then clean up excess eyeshadow with a MAC Wipe before applying MAC Select Moisturecover concealer with a MAC 194 brush. Using a fluffy brush like Billy B Paintbrush No. 14, add a light dusting of Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder #2 to set your concealer.
Kiss me, you fool!
Now, let’s get those lips ready. Line your kisser with a pencil shade that closely matches your natural lip color. I’m a fan of MAC’s Sublime Culture Cremestick liners.
With a MAC 316 covered lip brush, add one layer of Chanel Leopard lipstick and blot. Add a second layer if you want to ramp up the color intensity.
Last two steps
Apply Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation in Suntan Beige using your fingers, setting it with Laura Mercier Translucent Powder applied with a Sonia Kashuk Powder Blush. Finally, dust MAC Natural Flare Loose Beauty Powder to your cheeks with a Shu Uemura 20 blush brush, and you’re out the door!
Brrr! It’s so cold here in the office today. The air conditioning is blasting, and my desk is right in front of the vent. I’m also drinking (eating?) a Jamba Juice for lunch, which isn’t helping, LOL. 🙂 When I get outta here I’m making a bee line for my hair salon because the hair color/roots situation has officially hit critical mass. Plus, I’m itching for something new. Should I go dark? Stick with the highlights? Decisions, decisions!
I hope your hair is looking extra cute today. Got any plans for tonight?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. If you liked this post, subscribe to my updates by email.
Eru says
Hey Karen,
That tutorial was cool!!! 😀 I’ll try something similar myself.Hope it comes out as cute as yours <3
Hugs!
Aleks says
Looking lovely as always! 🙂
My hair is terrible today. I REALLY should get my roots done and I’m also in a desperate need of some highlights. As for your hair I do suggest keeping the highlights. Highlights brighten up your face and your hair always looks more alive and they look great especially in the summer, IMHO :)Good luck and enjoy the luxurious time spent at the hair salon!
Alekss last blog post..A Little More Shopping
Dao says
I have a Vue/Coutoure duo in one of those GWPs back in the day and that little duo lasts forever! I love Lancome e/s very much and $70 for 8 colors is actually cheaper than MAC. You look awesome! I think you should try highlight/lowlight combo to enhance your natural colors. Don’t do a monochromatic dye, it doesn’t work on Asians. Have fun and drink something hot to combat the cold!
Daos last blog post..Cover Girl LashBlast: Bambi Eyes in a Flash
Karen says
Hi Eru!
Thanks, girlie. What colors do you think you might use? This would look great with Chanel Emerald Coast if ya have it. 🙂
Karen says
Hi Aleks,
I’m still waffling back and forth with what to do. I will probably decide last minute when I’m in the chair. I like having highlights but they are just so high maintenance, ugh!
When do you think you might hit your salon up? Whatever you do, don’t wait till critical mass like I did, LOL!
Karen says
Hi Dao,
Lancome shadows are great, yah? Gosh I love ’em.
I might do lowlights. Really, I wantto do whatever doesn’t require four hours of coloring. My hair takes that long sometimes because there’s so much of it.
How’s your day been so far?
Holly says
Hi Karen,
Im so glad I bought concrete eye shadow it is so useful I think ive used it almost every day since!!
How do you rate too faced shadow insurance? Ive been using Urban Decay Primer Potion recently and really like it how would you compare the two?
Im heading out with the girls for a big night on the town on friday so am planning ahead for my makeup look but cant decide on an outfit so its pretty difficult haha!
Nosh says
oh my goodness… I think I have all of these colors from Lancome gift with purchase sets. I used to use their foundation so I got a lot of gift sets! Designer is a grade color for a simple smokey eye.
I am getting my hair cut this weekend! I am trying to grow it out more and right now it’s split end city! I’m excited to see what you do with yours!!
Karen says
Hi Holly,
OMG, Concrete is one of my staple colors, for sure. I’ve hit the pan twice with it. 🙂
I really like Shadow Insurance. I think it’s easier to blend colors on top of it (my big issue with Urban Decay Potion Primer). Here’s a link to the review I did a while back.
Aww, how fun! I like that you plan so far ahead. It never hurts to be prepared. 🙂 What looks are you thinking of doing?
Nosh says
btw, I am loving that jade green on you!! I just recently started getting into greens!
Karen says
Hi Nosh!
That’s super cool! You’ll be able to do this look in a snap. 🙂 What do you think of the Lancome foundation? Which one do you use?
Yay, haircuts for everybody. 🙂 It’s such a pain to grow it out – I soo feel you on that one.
Karen says
Awww, thanks, girlie! Green is a recent thing for me too. It’s actually really easy to wear once you figure it out a lil!
Brittany says
That palette is amazing! I totally love all the colors, especially strut and pose.
As for your hair dilemma, I would go darker, or get low lights. They’re so much less maintenance than highlights. I had highlights for years, and I just got sick of seeing roots all the time, so I gave it up and just dyed my hair a shade much closer to my natural one. It was so much better than sitting at the salon for four hours every three months waiting for my hair to double process…blah, blah. That’s just my opinion though 😛
Karen says
Hi Brittany,
It’s is a wonderful palette, and seriously one of the most versatile ones I’ve seen in a while. 🙂
I hear ya on the maintenance. I think I’m getting too lazy to keep up the roots; plus every single time I go in I end up spending hours in the chair. Sure, it gives me more time to read People and Us Weekly, but that’s time I could be playing with makeup. 🙂
How’s your day been? What does your hair look like, btw? Just curious!
Amanda says
Hey Karen,
What a great post-love all the in depth steps, so helpful. 🙂 But that must have taken you a long time to prepare. I too love the pop of green liner with the otherwise neutral eyes.
Holly says
Hi Karen,
I just love how concrete is a real black i find so many blacks turn a greyish green colour one I start blending them in but concrete is really good!
Thanks so much for that link it answered all my questions, I totally agree with what you say about UDPP making blending really difficult! The staying power is literally AMAZING but i find i have to work really really quickly to make sure i blend enough and end up piling lots of shadow to cover up lines! Did you look at the too faced lash injection btw?? Im loving how nice it makes my lashes look still but have noticed a little bit of flaking from time to time 🙁 so the hunt for the perfect mascara continues! Chanel are bringing a new one out soon though so I have my fingers crossed for that one!
Glosslizard says
Another beautiful look! You have such talent! 🙂
I love Strut and Vue (I know your makeup sense told you I would), I think they’d make an amazing duo!
Lilan says
So easy and flawless – I love the touches of green and the pop of color on your lips!!
Hope you’re having a Happy Hump Day!
Lilans last blog post..Cool Off w/ Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray
lindsay says
I love the look, and I’m so jealous of how you’re always so tan! I get pale so easily! 🙁
Karen says
Hi Amanda! Yeah, it took a bit of time which is why I ended up posting so late today. I am using a new lens, too, which is taking time to figure out. Do you think you might try this look? If ya do you better send me a picture!
Karen says
Hi Holly! I think I know which mascara you’re talking about! My friend let me take a peek of the Chanel fall releases and I remember seeing that. I am all over the blush duos!
I haven’t tried the lash injection yet because I want to get it from Sephora, which has a good return policy! I hope it doesn’t flake on me.
Karen says
Hi Glosslizard! How are the orange/yellow shadow experiments going? Did you get to play today?
I am so jealous that you are leaving for vacay soon! You are gonna have so much fun!
Dao says
My day has been productive. One of my magazines arrived and I knitted a little egg cozy. Can you believe they have cozies for eggs? It must be an English thing.
Daos last blog post..Cover Girl LashBlast: Bambi Eyes in a Flash
Karen says
Hi Lilan, Why thank you, miss! Stay cool in this heat, girlie!
Karen says
Hi Lindsay,aww, well I have to say that I am jealous of you, too. I can’t wear a lot of the shades that flatter pale beauties! How’s your day been? Anything exciting going on with you?
Karen says
Hi Dao, I never knew there was such a thing as an egg cozy! Are they for hard boiled eggs? It’s been forever since I’ve knit anything; the last thing I made was a cozy for my ipod! Anyhoo, I’m glad you had a productive day. Those are the best.
Kate says
Hi Karen!
I was searching for wedding make up and came across your site! So much more helpful than all those other sites! I greatly appreciated your tutorial about eye shadow, especially how you divided the eyelid into sections. I’ve always wondered how to make my shadow dimensional. I’m quite a purist when it comes to make up — I don’t really wear any on a daily basis. Do you think it’s worth it to hire a professional make up artist for my wedding or have a go at it myself?
Thanks a bunch! Keep the advice coming!
Kate
Brittany says
My day has honestly been pretty miserable. My grandma was hospitalized last night and I just found out this morning. She’s had 4 strokes in the past 6 months and she ended up going in because she went blind in one eye last night. That definitely made my day a little blah.
I have fairly long hair. It goes down to like the middle of my back. It’s layered a little and kind of wavy. I just got it dyed a pretty chocolate brown color last week. I’ve been thinking a lot about hacking my hair off lately though. I think I just wanna switch it up for awhile and have shoulder length hair or something. I can never decide, which is probably why I haven’t cut it yet.
Miss QQ says
Hi Karen. Thanks for the tutorial. Do you do your foundation last? Is this because the left over eye make up can be easily clean off the temples and cheeks?
I’m looking forward to seeing your new hairstyle! My hair is super messy today and I forgot to bring my comb again! I forgot to put it back in my bag since I took it out last weekend. Grr…
Marisol says
Great tutorial! The jade certainly adds a pop to your eyes without it being inappropriate for a work look.
So what did you decide to do with your hair? I am sure whatever you decide to do you will look fab!
I am packing up tonight because I am going to Sacramento for a seminar tomorrow and then driving to Marin for an extended weekend. I am hoping to hit Nordstroms, Sephora, Benefit in Mill Valley (need to get my brows in check) and the Apple store to see the new iPhone. I am a current iPhone owner but I like pretty, shiny new gadgets so I am going to check it out.
Marisols last blog post..Sera Beak – The Red Book
Glosslizard says
I did a look this morning (the flower-inspired look) with yellow (from a Max Factor trio) on the inner corner shading out to light then darker pink (from the MAC Heatherette Trio). I ended up toning down the yellow a little by smudging some cream shadow (Lemon Sugar by Shiseido) over it and lined the lower lash line with Black Jade liner (Chanel). Then I used Cover Girl Lash Blast in black brown and tipped it with Chanel’s Emeraude mascara.
I liked it, but it was easily within my classic pink/gold comfort zone. After I get back from Ashland (early next week) I’m going to push the envelope a bit more, but for now me and NARS Bridal palette are hittin’ the road together! 🙂
Elle says
Ooh! I have this palette! I LOVE IT! 🙂 Never tried this combination though…looks gorgeous on you (as usual!) *And* I had some Jamba Juice today. Haha, we’re on the same wavelength today. I’ll have to try this combination this week…when I actually wake up with enough time to do some good makeup. Have a good night Karen!
Asta says
Oooh, this is the first tutorial I’ve seen since I started watching your blog! I love it, especially seeing the brushes and products all laid out. I really like this look. I actually just ran out of a pretty green similar to strut that my mother gave me a million years ago (part of a Lancome duo, with a pale pink shimmer). I may have to pick up this palette eventually…or at least grab another pretty green.
My hair was loose all day, then I put it in pigtail braids to keep out of my face at dinner. My hair’s been great (super shiny!) lately but it’s really long (the first time I’ve ever grown it out)…sometimes I have no idea what to do with it! I like your highlights, but I bet you’ve already made a decision by now, so I’ll wait and see what you decided.
Asta says
Kate,
I helped one friend with her makeup for her wedding last year. If you practice beforehand you should be fine doing it yourself, or ask a friend to help you. You could go to a department store or Mac or Sephora and have them help you choose a look, then go home and do it until you feel comfortable with it. Whatever you choose, make sure you love it and feel wonderful! I let someone else do my makeup for that friend’s wedding, and I hated it. At least the bride looked gorgeous!
Karen B says
OMG. Okay, this palette is now my n°1 on the want list. Those colours are gorgeous! (and I can get it right here in my home town, a big bonus I might add… lol)
Karen Bs last blog post..Meh
Eru says
Uh, Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of greens. 🙁 You think this could work with Sub Green by MAC?
Karen says
Hi Kate,
It’s great to meet ya, girl! Congrats on your upcoming wedding — when is the big day?
Regarding getting a wedding makeup artist, ultimately I think it depends on how comfortable you are with application, your budget, and how much time you have before the cermony. Makeup for photography is different from makeup you’d wear in everyday life, so you have to know which products to use and how to apply them so your pictures look good.
Based on my experience, I always recommend that brides get a makeup artist for the day of the wedding along with a makeup trial before the ceremony. On the day of the wedding things end up getting hectic, no matter how much you plan ahead. I could’ve done my own makeup, but I knew having to worry about it looking just perfect for pictures would’ve made the whole process take a long time. Having a professional do it took less time and was one less thing I had to worry about on the day of the cermony.
I really think having a trial done beforehand is important because you want to make sure that you and the makeup artists are on the same page regarding the look you want. One thing you can do is to schedule your trial on the day of your rehearsal dinner (if you’re having one). That way you look super cute during the dinner!
I hope this helps. 🙂 BTW, did you get your gown yet? The white dress is my fave part, LOL.
Karen says
Hi Brittany,
I’m sorry to hear about your grandma. 🙁 Are you two close?
Hmm, you probably shouldn’t cut your hair until your 100% sure you want to chop it. I bet it took awhile to get it that long, and it sounds really pretty. On the flip side, if/when you do decide to get it cut at least you know it always grows back. When you cut it off, I swear it’s like losing weight. I got a trim the other day, and I feel like I lost five pounds on my head.
I hope your day gets better today. I’m sending you and your grandma good vibes …
Karen says
Hi Miss QQ,
Yup, that’s the main reason. I’m kind of clumsy so stuff ends up all over the place. 🙂
Regarding the hair, I ended up making a big change. Even El Hub was really shocked. I like it, though!
Did you remember to put your comb back in your bag today? 🙂
Karen says
Hi Marisol,
Thanks! That green is really pretty and super wearable. I have a big time crush on it.
Well, it was hotter than Hades up in the salon, and the thought of sitting under the dryer with foils for a long time really stressed me out, so I ended up going darker. I like it, but it’s gonna take me some time to get used to it.
Stay cool in the triple diget SacTo heat (I don’t miss that at all). I’m gonna be checking out the iPhone this weekend too! Yay, gadgets!
Karen says
Hi Glosslizard,
Oh, pretty! BTW, I’m totally lemming that Black Jade liner. I want that, and the Emerald Coast duo BADLY!
Hope you’re having fun on your trip and that you and the Nars palette are making sweet makeup music together. 🙂
Karen says
Hi Elle,
SWEET! You need to tell me your favorite combos! How do like to wear that lighter green?
Mmm, I’m so getting another Jamba tomorrow. It’s been hot here, and they’re just so refreshing.
Karen says
Hi Asta,
Thanks! It’s so easy to do and you can just whip it out in a few minutes. Dunno if you’re a Chanel fan, but there is this green duo they’ve got called Emerald Coast which I’ve got on my “To Buy” list for next month. It’s a very pretty jade green that’s just a touch lighter than Strut. I’m lemming big time. 🙂
Regarding your hair, it sounds really pretty. I’m jealous of your natural shine! How long did it take you to grow it out?
Karen says
Hi Karen B.,
Yay! I hope you try it out. The colors are a nice mix of neutral and edgy. And the greens are to die for…
Karen says
Hi Eru,
Oh yah! Just as long as it’s a green that looks flattering on you. If you feel like it needs more punch then you can always pop liner underneath it and then smudge the green on top.
Guess what! I’m going to my first Chanel class, ever, at the end of the month. I’m so excited. 🙂
Have a wonderful Friday and a fabulous weekend!
Glosslizard says
Black Jade is hawt! It also has better staying power than one would expect for an eye kohl!
Ha, now I gotta go and make some sweet makeup music with my palette! Happy day to ya!
Lehea says
Looking great as always! I got a sample of Shadow Insurance from a visit to Sephora during my Vegas trip. Can’t wait to use it! I gotta hair sitch to take care of myself. I’m due for a rebonding. By the way, love the new look!
Karen B says
Yeah, I hope so too. I went by our dept store yesterday and they didn’t have it yet. Hopefully they will in the near future.
Ooh and I bought a new summer fragrance. I planned to get the Very Irrisistible summer coctail but I thought it was too… heavy for me (it sounds weird I know) It just wasn’t right for me so I got the original pink one 🙂 And now I smell of roses bigtime. hihi
Karen Bs last blog post..Meh
lexi says
i haven’t used lancome in like a 100 years =) but I am curious about this pallet! i love your tutorials and especially when you show what products you have used – it makes me wonder if you ever featured a blog with all of your make-up products – i’m sure you got a mini Macy’s make-up counter in your bathroom! HA!