I guess it’s true — you can take the girl out of the city, but you can’t take the city out of the girl! Even here in the tropics beneath a canopy of banyan and coconut trees (we’re just a few miles away from where they film Lost, FO’ reals!), I can’t stop myself from thinking about San Francisco…
As a matter of fact, the colors I used for my makeup today, with products from the NARS Habanera Duo ($32), are making me think of the City by the Bay.
Habanera, a powder duo belonging to NARS’ permanent line, has a gorgeous shimmery slate blue on one side (color reminds me of a wet and foggy San Francisco morning). The other side houses a deep plummy purple with tiny flecks of slate blue glitter that shimmer like the city from across Bay at dusk.
At first glance, I wasn’t sure I’d like the way Habenera would look on me. I’d seen and loved the shades on lighter-skinned beauties but was afraid they’d look a little too light and cool on me (as shimmery pastels can sometimes look quite frosty on darker skin tones).
I think I worried for nothing, though. I get the feeling that women of a wide range of skin tones are going to like the way Habanera looks on them. 🙂 It’s a color that I’m guessing a lot of women can wear.
If you’re curious about Habanera, I hope you give it a try. Today I was in the mood for something light and fun, so I went with a wide-eyed, shimmery pale blue and plum eye look with long lashes, a sheer plum cheek and a neutral lip.
I used a mix of makeup from NARS, Benefit and MAC, but I bet you could do a similar look with any icy blue and plummy purple.
On my eyes, that’s NARS Habanera along with Benefit’s Stay Don’t Stray Primer (a neutral beige), Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero (a deep, dark black) and three layers of Benefit Bad Gal Mascara. 🙂
For light, flushed cheeks I went with Benefit’s new blush, Sugarbomb. It’s a shimmery blush that reminds me of a sheerer, uber-plummy version of NARS’ Orgasm. To quote J. Timberlake, “I’m lovin’ it!”
Last, but not least, le lips! That’s MAC Cremestick Liner in Gingerroot (a creamy neutral) beneath NARS Greek Holiday (a shimmery golden, peachy pink gloss).
One last thing: I used LOTS of mascara for this look, but I bet it’d look amazing with some falsies. 🙂
Can you think of any interesting variations on this look? Let’s brainstorm ideas in the comments.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
martan says
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:15 pmYou are so beautiful 😉
Sara says
December 23rd, 2009 at 4:52 pmYou look gorgeous!!!
Aimee says
December 23rd, 2009 at 4:55 pmHabanera is one of my favorites and it looks amazing on you!
DonnaN says
December 23rd, 2009 at 4:56 pmwhoa mamma! That’s a great look for you!!
Rae says
December 23rd, 2009 at 5:58 pmOkay, girl — you need a new tagline. “Makeup and Beauty Blog: so pretty it should be illegal!” You, Habanera, and the tropics (!!!) are all absolutely stunning. In that order.
.-= Rae’s last blog post… The “R” in Christmas is for “red lipstick”. Duh! =-.
Paris B says
December 23rd, 2009 at 6:15 pmI’m liking your new hair and Harbanera looks awesome on you! Makes me want to kick myself for failing to check it out while in Bangkok 🙂 Merry Christmas Karen!
.-= Paris B’s last blog post… Salon Spy: Clarins Facial Institute @ Suria KLCC =-.
Solé says
December 23rd, 2009 at 6:37 pmYou look fantastic! The hair, the eyes, everything! I think the islands agree with you.
Okay this is totally random, but the word habanera is Spanish for a lady from La Habana (aka: Havana). Granted, Cuba and Hawaii are in different oceans, but they are both pretty close to the equator, so I’m guessing similar weather patterns. Maybe these colors were handpicked for the islands (although the SF analogy makes sense too).
Would you say the lighter shade is more of a green or a blue? The NARS site calls it mint frost, you described it as icy blue, and from the pics it looks like a pale teal on you. If it’s on the greener side, I think I may splurge for this duo…
Tiffany says
December 23rd, 2009 at 6:40 pmSo pretty! I need to check out this duo next time I’m at sephora!
amy says
December 23rd, 2009 at 6:48 pmThat is a gorgeous eyeshadow duo. I don’t think it looks too frosty or light at all. In fact, I like the contrast.
.-= amy’s last blog post… Bling Bling Nails NOTD Sephora OPI Nail Lacquer Absinthe Makes the Heart =-.
Sarah says
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:39 pmI love habanera and totally forgot about it… I’m so glad you did this post. I’ll be pulling it out and rocking it tomorrow. Have a lovely Christmas.
.-= Sarah’s last blog post… Golden Goddess =-.
Lisa says
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:41 pmOoooo, might have to try, I usually can’t wear that type of color (bluey-minty frosty) I’m really dark haired and dark eyed with pretty fair skin. But this might be doable they way you’ve worked it.
And just want to say the Island seems to agree with you!…… you look Mah-vo-lous!
Vonvon says
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:00 pmWow!! Nice EOTD. Love the purple shade….And can’t wait to try out the new stuff from Benefit!
Merry Christmas to you! 🙂
.-= Vonvon’s last blog post… theBalm Makeover – Part 2, By Jenn & Josh =-.
Maggie says
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:01 pmI kinda sorta LOVE the look! You’re gorgeous, girl! 😀
Hope you’re having fun in the lovely tropics! I’m still braving the cold up here in New England.
.-= Maggie’s last blog post… Review: The Body Shop’s Nature’s Minerals Foundation Brush =-.
NC says
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:23 pmLooking Pretty !! , Have fun !! Merry Christmas …
Glosslizard says
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:39 pmI love Habanera, although the lighter shade definitely pulls a minty green on me! My favorite way to wear it is with a pop of pale pink or peach on the inner corner, the green/blue Habanera shade on the lid and the plummy brown shade smokin’ up the outer V and along the lower lash line!
It’s beautiful, wish I was there! 😉
Citrine says
December 23rd, 2009 at 11:01 pmI love Habanera as well, it’s time to dig it up again to see how it works with other eyeshadow…
.-= Citrine’s last blog post… Mini Mascara Round Up =-.
Karen B says
December 24th, 2009 at 12:08 amLove this look. Actually Sugarbomb on you reminds me on the tiny splurge I gave myself yesterday: Chanel powder blush in Tea Rose. It was love at first sight 🙂
gio says
December 24th, 2009 at 3:59 amThat’s a beautiful duo, I love the purple shade.
You look gorgeous!
.-= gio’s last blog post… QOTW: Do you buy beauty products on Ebay? =-.
Marina says
December 24th, 2009 at 5:07 amI am so jealous that it’s so warm there! I like your hair 🙂
.-= Marina’s last blog post… About Holiday Cards and Gifts =-.
Suji says
December 24th, 2009 at 7:32 amyou look so pretty! the shadows are gorgeous. that’s awesome that you’re only a few miles from where Lost was/is filmed. I’ve ALWAYS wanted to visit Oahu! I’m hoping I can book my honeymoon there 🙂
Beauty Product Reviews says
December 24th, 2009 at 10:17 amThe makeup looks lovely on you! I love the lip colour!
.-= Beauty Product Reviews’s last blog post… L’Occitane Extra Gentle Soap ReviewP =-.
Marce says
December 24th, 2009 at 12:58 pmHey Karen, how are you? First of all, Merry Christmas! Secondly, darn I’m jealous you’re in Hawaii! Third, love the look. Habanera is super pretty. I imagine a hot damn smoky eye with the purple all over the crease and the lighter blue placed on strategic highlighting spots. And green eye liner, don’t know why, but I’m in the mood for green! 😀
.-= Marce’s last blog post… Feliz Navidad – Feliz Natal – Merry Christmas – Joyeux Noel – Natale Allegro =-.