Question for you… How do you feel about formula dressing?
LOL! Pardon me for a moment, but I had to laugh there, because “formula dressing”? Sounds like something you put on a salad.
But I digress…
If you’ve flipped through the pages of a fashion magazine in the past decade, you may have read talk of having an “outfit formula,” something you can always turn to when you want to look sharp. Maybe it’s a white t-shirt, high-waisted jeans and a black blazer, or maybe it’s something else.
Once you figure out a formula that works for you, then you can tweak it ever-so-slightly (perhaps by replacing the black blazer with a black motorcycle jacket), but essentially, you go back to the same formula over and over because it works.
I’m a HUGE fan of translating this idea for the realm of makeup, and I do “makeup formulas” all the time.
I’m wearing one of mine in these pics — cat eye flicks and bright lips.
It’s quick and easy and gives you a lot of bang for your makeup buck, IMO. Also, crucially, it doesn’t make me think too hard, and I’m not reinventing any wheels, because I know that both of the main elements in the look work for me. Still, there’s plenty of room within the look to jooj it up in different ways.
Basically, I was in the mood to wear purple, so I started with a smudgy purple cat flick (which I did with a matte dark purple eyeshadow and an angled brush).
I like the whole smudgy/diffused effect because the imperfect edge leaves lots of room for error. I can fudge it a little (or a lot), and even though it might not look perfect, it’s usually passable, which is good enough when I’m in a hurry.
Next, I matched it with a bright matte purple lipstick, and side note: I just thought of another version of this I could do… How about layering a shiny purple gloss on top of this lippie? I think that would be super cool too!
This is just one of the makeup formulas I use often. Apply, lather, rinse and repeat! 🙂
Makeup worn in this look
Eyes: MAC Art Library Nude Model Palette (Sugar Plum and Dance in the Dark as liner, Nude Model and L.E.S. Artiste on lids, and Outre in crease), ESUM Dual Eye Pencil in Rose and Aubergine (tightline), MAC Extended Play Perm Me Up Mascara (lashes) ESUM Brow Defining Pencil and MAC Brow Set (brows)
Cheeks: Charlotte Tilbury Ecstasy Blush
Base: Make Up For Ever HD Concealers in Y41 and Y31 mixed with MAC Strobe Cream (foundation), MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Golden Tan, Estee Lauder 24H Concealer in Medium Deep (under eyes), Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist
Lips: MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Tailored to Tease
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Kim says
November 20th, 2019 at 9:39 amI don’t know what kind of wrangling you’re doing with your hair but I always think you’re having a good hair day! I was going to comment that it’s getting long! 🙂
My makeup formula is easy since it’s exactly the same products worn exactly the same way every day. HAHA! I should definitely get a fashion formula that doesn’t involve athletic wear. 🙂
Happy Wednesday – it’s still snowing! I like to make you feel better about your own weather when I can.
Michelle says
November 20th, 2019 at 11:27 amOh my goodness this is perfection on you!! Love everything about it! 😍 I need to break out some purple shadow again desperately…
Ruchita says
November 20th, 2019 at 11:34 amI love the idea of makeup formulas! Some days I like to sit down and do an in depth look, but other times it’s nice to have something I can do without much thinking. I love the color combination in this look!
Denise S says
November 20th, 2019 at 12:25 pmBright and pretty makeup look especially love the bright lip!
Chelsea says
November 20th, 2019 at 2:47 pmI wear similar clothing most days – dress, tights, boots in colder weather, dress and sandals in warmer weather. My makeup looks are always variations of winged liner and a lip!
Diana says
November 20th, 2019 at 4:08 pmI could wear this beautiful look every day, it is perfection on you. Love the tonal formula it’s very a vibrant yet look. Your hair is getting long! It grows fast, looks very healthy.
Karen says
November 21st, 2019 at 4:40 pmThanks, Diana! Oh gosh, my hair… I’ve been too lazy/cheap to cut it, LOL. I thought I was going to get it done this month but apparently that’s not happening. I wear it up most days because we have to have our hair up at work, and so it’s just growing and growing and growing.
Anyway, thank goodness it’s almost the end of this week. I’m ready for the weekend! Got any fun plans?
Diana says
November 22nd, 2019 at 3:34 pmIn this case, being lazy is working out great 😊 i have taken your photos so many times to my hair stylist saying i want karens hair! I love my ponytails and buns it’s just so easy when you have longer hair. I rescued a feral kitty yesterday from under my porch, this one is about 10 weeks so I knew I had to get him asap. Boy he is not happy with me today! Waiting for his foster mom to get him, she is so good rehabbing ferals. Tomorrow I’m trying a salt cave then browsing the bookstore… Its a Rainy, cold weekend in CT. Hope you have a great weekend! Monday poll, fill us in if you tried any new baking projects.
Karen says
November 22nd, 2019 at 6:42 pmIt sounds like your friend the foster kitty mom has a gift; I hope the feral boy eventually finds a happy home.
So I had to google “salt cave!” I hope you leave feeling relaxed and chilled out. 🙂
Eileen says
November 20th, 2019 at 6:39 pmFor me, makeup formulas are for those times when I’m traveling and I’m limited as to what I’m willing or able to take with me. If I’m going to be gone a week or more, I usually take one warm neutral eyeshadow quad, one cool neutral eyeshadow quad, a black eyeliner pencil, a black mascara, and one mid-toned MLBB lipstick. If there are any important evenings events on my schedule, I’ll include one sparkling shadow that can dress up either the warm or cool palette for evening wear and I’ll take a sparkling lipgloss.
Karen says
November 21st, 2019 at 4:39 pmSounds like you’ve got your travel makeup routine down pat. Making a note to myself because I still have to pack for Hawaii next week!
Anne says
November 21st, 2019 at 6:38 amI think I have more makeup formulas than I have outfit formulas – they save a lot of time in the mornings!
Anne recently posted … pixi Hydrating Milky Cleanser Review – the best foam ever
Karen says
November 21st, 2019 at 4:35 pmOh for sure!
Michele DiCola says
November 21st, 2019 at 7:29 amHi Karen ,
I love the white streaks in your hair .
My white comes along the sides and it isn’t flattering .
I used Aubergine this am .
And black eyeliner from Mac .
It’s really my formula .
And O Mac lipstick which had been discontinued.
No worries 😉 I have 6 of them .
Karen says
November 21st, 2019 at 4:35 pmAww, thanks Michele! I’m still getting used to my silvers. It’s nice to get a complement on them!
Karen Carbiener says
November 22nd, 2019 at 8:40 amI love this look – you look fabulous (said in a Sex in the City Samantha tone). Now I must know; where did you get those meowolicious earrings?! I need them!
Karen says
November 22nd, 2019 at 6:44 pmHi Karen!
I’m pretty sure I got them a few years back at Anthropologie. If I ever run into them again, I’ll certainly let you know. MEOW!