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When It Comes to Eye Makeup, Are You Adventurous, Where You Frequently Try New Looks, or Do You Generally Stick to One Safe Look That You’re Really Comfortable Doing?

by 42 Comments

Well, I’m adventurous when I have time and really no place to go (other than the living room), but if it’s for a work thing or a family get-together or some other event where I kind of want to play it safe, I’ll usually do some form of neutral brown, bronzy gold cat eye, and lashes if I have the time.

That’s my safe-bet look. I’ve probably done it about a million times before.

How about you? When it comes to eye makeup, are you adventurous, where you frequently try new looks, or do you generally stick to one safe look that you’re really comfortable doing?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. I know I’ve been unusually quiet this week. Between the trip to Nashville, entertaining the parents last weekend (which, ya know, I love ’em, but they can be work sometimes) and all of the big collections coming out, I kind of just needed a mental health day, so I slept in, did some laundry, actually finally unpacked from Nashville (only been a week!) and spent some time with my husband.

We went to see Oculus last night, and it was enough to keep me out of antique shops for the next, oh, rest of my life, actually!

Great horror movie, but seriously, if you don’t want to develop a fear of antique mirrors, stay away from Oculus.

Hope you are doing well out there. Your nephew says “meow.” He’s been getting more emails than I am. I am so not kidding.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. You look like a bronzed goddess, no wonder that is your go-to look! Im looking forward to the posts on the big collections but happy you’re taking a breather before the grind 🙂 I know those must be a ton of work. Writing is exhausting for me. I thought I had escaped it by going into the sciences but nope… also my go-to look is Too Faced champagne eye shadow primer with a shimmery taupe or bronze added to give it some dimension. Super easy and pretty. And mascara of course. I never walk out the door without it!

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  7. WHOA you are looking amazing!!! The jewelry really sets off your look..Can you share details I am LOVING that ear cuff!!

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  8. Welcome back, Karen! I hope this doesn’t sound creepy, but I was a little worried when you didn’t post for a while. I’m glad you’re feeling well-rested!

    To answer your question, my beauty resolution this year was to get more creative with my eye makeup, but I’m realizing that my skills need a lot of work (my usual look is a sheer wash of one or two neutral colors). I’ve been practicing my application techniques in the evenings, but I have a long way to go before I feel comfortable putting together an elaborate smoky eye!

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  9. I am the same; safe neutral or at most metallic neutral looks if I’m going to be seen; the occasional experiment if I’m just playing! I wish I could do the bronzes, browns and golds like you though!

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  10. Well, this is a very relevant topic for me! I am naturally very adventurous when it comes to make-up! I love experimenting with different looks and I am not afraid to go bold or bright with my eye make-up. Today for example I am wearing bright yellow, orange and red eyeshadow, for a fiery smokey effect. But. My work place recently changed a lot of the rules regarding the employees’ appearance, and they now only allow us to wear brown or black mascara, brown or black eye pencil and sheer lipstick anymore. And hair longer than shoulder length isn’t okay anymore either. Ridiculous of course, even for the food industry (I work for Laduree). Not to mention very difficult for a make-up and beauty lover like myself. I gave the new rules a chance, but I just feel like I’ve lost a part of myself. You spend a lot of time at work, so I don’t have much time left to ‘have fun’ with my make-up and really be me and express myself creatively. And that is why I gave my boss my one month’s notice this week. He doesn’t understand why I have such an issue with the new rules, but I just need to be able to be me and have the freedom to express myself through the way I look. I feel relieved that I made the decision. Five more weeks and I’ll be free to be myself again, all the time.
    Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Review | Fan di Fendi Blossom

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  11. I’ve got so much make-up (developing hobby :p) and I have to admit, I don’t know where to start… i’m always afraid that I do it the wrong way and it looks ridiculous. Still developing, so normally a nutural eyelook.

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  15. I wear safer eye looks (but not too neutral) on weekdays. I go crazy on weekends XD.

    On another note, it’s nice to see you posting again! 🙂

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  16. I was worried about you as well! Your beauty blog is my daily dose of beauty-goodness + cosmetic fix. Glad you’re taking a breather. I now own both the UD Naked 1 & 3 palettes so I’ve been more adventurous lately. Well, as adventurous as one can be with a neutral, smoky eye.

    But, I LOVE them both & they are doing the most for my complexion & almond-shaped eyes. And because of your blog, I bought my first CC cream from Smashbox- which is my foundation on the special occasions that I wear it.

    I’m now going to venture out into the world of highlighters. To be honest, I didn’t think that brown beauties could wear it but you’ve changed my mind! Enjoy your rest. It’s the BEST beauty item!

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  17. I got a little worried when I noticed you didn’t post yesterday, I always look forward to them! I’m glad you had a chance to detox, I can’t wait to do the same (I’ve had a crazy last couple months at work!)

    I like to think that I’m pretty adventurous with eye makeup. Eyeshadows, specifically Urban Decay, were my first love when I started getting really into makeup in high school. I got the Electric palette a couple weeks ago and I still haven’t gotten a chance to play with it, so I’m looking forward to diving in this weekend. When I’m at work, I tend to keep it a little more simple but my job has a fairly laid-back dress code, so I’ll play around with colored eyeliner or a bright shadow especially if I’ve been having a tough week!
    Kalli recently posted … Revlon’s Legacy Collection Lipsticks

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  19. Glad to hear you took some time for yourself! You’re constantly working/serving up wonderful treats for everyone out here on the internet – I really appreciate you and your style of blogging, and I’m glad you take the time you need when you need it! We want our Karen to be a well-rested and happy Karen 🙂
    I tend to vary my eye look, doing about the same thing for 2-3 days and then changing it. I’d say I have about… 3 or 4 standard eye looks these days that I use for work (one neutral color on the lid w/ mascara; bare lids w/ mascara – I’ll usually swipe a tiny hint of blush over my lids, on those days; 1-2 neutral shadows + lined outer corners w/ mascara; and full-on lined eyes in a mellow color like gold, w/ mascara) and then I’ll vary it further if I’m feeling like I have time or it’s the weekend. I’ll only do cat eyes if I feel like I have a LOT of time and a steady hand – I tend to make my wings uneven 🙁 boo! Working on that. Love changing things up, though!

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    • Hi Shannon,

      Thank you for this. 🙂

      Also, you’re not the only one who has challenges with cat eye wings. Sometimes I need to redo mine a few times too.

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  20. I suppose I have a lot of little rules I follow internally, at my old IT job I did whatever the heck I felt like (we never saw clients and rarely did the executives come over to the stinky old IT building ;). At home or when we’re going out and about, also no surprises it’s whatever. If I’m seeing my in-laws I won’t do something completely wacko like neon but still will do purples or blues etc, just a little more subdued. Same will apply to the rest of my family (I just don’t get to see them very often!). For events with people I don’t know or I’m trying to make a good impression, I go for very clean and natural. Something to give definition and brightening, contouring, but within the neutral spectrum.

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  21. KAREN!!!! You are so gorgeous. love this look on you!!! Your face is flawless. Can you share your skin care secret? 🙂

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    • Hi Tasha,

      Thanks, hon. I swear by Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, Sunday Riley Good Genes and Kate Somerville Anti-Bac Clearing Face Lotion. I also try to avoid eating too much dairy (it aggravates my acne). I also drink a TON of water. If I don’t have enough in my system I can see a big difference.

      Reply

    • Hi Carolyn,

      Thanks! I’m wearing:

      MAC Mulch and Saddle Eyeshadows on my lids with MAC Reflects Antique Gold Glitter patted on top with a finger
      MAC Warm Soul Blush on my cheeks
      NARS Black Valley Paint with MAC Carbon smudged along the edge
      Urban Decay Naked Lipgloss in Liar on my lips

      Reply

  25. I like to switch things up! Colors, different eye tecniques and I live trying new makeup! Nars, mac, etc!!
    Otherwise it gets boring! I enjoy playing with my makeup:)))
    Thanks, Karen I live your different looks!

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  26. You look gorgeous! It’s good to take a mental break once in a while. I am adventurous with my eyes typically on weekends, when I don’t have to be somewhere that requires me to have a more neutral and put together look. For job interviews, I love the Naked 3 palette or any other neutral I can get my hands on. I love Naked 3 for anything because it’s so easy to dress it up or down. My fave adventurous look is a well blended watercolor effect with blue and purple. I also love a good purple smokey eye since my eyes have a lot of green in them.

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  28. Sad to say I rarely wear any eye makeup these days. I’m 44 and I’ve spent too much time in the sun so I’ve got crow’s feet and under eye bags so I feel like eye makeup is just going to draw attention to my aging 🙁

    I do have eyeliner that I’ll put on occasionally if the husband and I are going out. And I have a ton of mascara samples from Sephora. I feel like I really should be at the very least, curling my lashes and wearing a bit of mascara.

    But my other problem is that my eyes are very sensitive and tend to be pretty moist so when I was wearing eye makeup, it only lasted for a couple hours at the very most.

    Do you have any eye makeup suggestions for your middle-aged subscribers? Surely, I’m not your only one…

    Has Tabs forgiven you for leaving him for a week? Or did he come with?

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  30. Yay! Your posts are treats, I love your blog 🙂 I felt a little wave of sadness when I saw you were away, I hoped you were ok :] I did feel a bit like a wilted plant because you were gone, hahaha :{D but you truly need those times away, you deserve it!

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  31. You deserve a break, Karen! Love your bracelet, by the way! I don’t wear bracelets too often but that one is gorgeous.

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  32. HI Karen!!
    WOW!! I wish I could make my brown eyes look like yours. What did you use?

    As for Tabs, he looks so puurrrttty!! It looks like he has bedroom eyes. I wish I could just hug him. Karen, please give a big squeeze for me.

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  33. Hi Karen! Glad you are rested – LOVE your jewelry, my first thought was, “wanna rip the jewelry right off ya! BEAUTIFUL!”

    I like to be adventurous with my makeup. I can’t go as crazy now being 54 but it didn’t stop me from picking up the UD Electric Palette. LOVE IT. I even put pink and orange highlights in my slightly older mentor’s hair the other day. (She loved it, LOL)

    BUT, for special occasions, I always seem to be running late so I go for good foundation coverage, bronzer, highlighter, a light brightening neutral on my eyes and simple black liner and red or some other bright lips. If I have time for a neutral smokey (brown, grey, black) then I’ll use a more nude lip.

    Please give Tabs a head butt and rub the fur right above his nose a little. And I do beleive he does get a LOT of mail. LOL

    Thanks again for all your posts and the daily chuckle you usually provide.

    Reply

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