I feel like every girl (and every boy who loves makeup; yes, I know you’re out there, and I love you!!!) has a default makeup look they turn to whenever they need to feel just straight-up pretty…and that’s definitely what I needed this morning because I woke up tired today, dude!
For real, I got like two seconds of sleep last night. The wind was crazy loud and howled all night long (“Awooooo!”), which fired up Tabs, who consequently spent the entire evening running circuits around the bedroom, knocking stuff off the dressers, climbing all over my boobs and generally doing naughty tabby things.
That darned cat! If he wasn’t so adorably squishy, I’d be raging mad at him right now. 🙂
Needless to say, I needed a pick-me-up this morning, so I figured, heck, why not do something makeup-wise that I really like to wear, so I ended up doing my favorite look to wear in the whole wide world — brown smokey eyes, pink cheeks, pink lips.
Yep, mah standby. 🙂
Key products…
- NARS Lipgloss in Turkish Delight
- Ardency Inn Lipstick in Kids in America
- MAC Lip Pencil in Edge to Edge
- Rimmel Natural Bronzer in 002 Sun Bronze
- Sephora MicroSmooth Baked Sculpting Trio in Sublime
- NARS Dual Intensity Blush in Adoration (I mixed the two shades together)
- theBalm Nude Dude Volume 2 Palette (Fearless as a base all over the lids, Flawless in the crease, Fabulous in the inner corners and Fine on the lids; I also mixed in some warm orangey brown MAC Eye Shadow in Texture in the crease to warm things up a little)
Question for you: what’s your go-to makeup look — the one you turn to when you need a boost and/or want to feel like the best version of yourself? Inquiring minds want to know!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Kwmechelle says
February 27th, 2015 at 2:21 pm1) You look strikingly beautiful, per usual. 2) I am DYING FROM LAUGHTER at that palette because the men are nakey. Yes, NAKEY!! Teheheheee! Clearly you see I’m easily amused
Karen says
February 27th, 2015 at 3:56 pmHi Kwmechelle,
Haha! I love that they are in the buff as well. That may or may not have been the reason why I wanted to wear the shade “Fine.” 🙂
What makeup did you wear today? I’m about to touch up my lips because I gotta run some errands.
Agata says
February 27th, 2015 at 2:26 pmYou look so pretty! I love nude looks on you and to be honest, as much as I love color, brown smokey eyes are still my favorite! If I want something that I know I can’t go wrong with I just use my Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics palette. Although it’s just mattes, I absolutely love it!
Have you started taking your pictures in a different way? Did you use a backdrop before?
Anyways, where is this necklace from? I don’t think I have seen it before on you. Or maybe my memory is just failing!
Agata recently posted … Voluminous Hair in 1,2,3…
Karen says
February 27th, 2015 at 3:55 pmHi Agata,
Good eye! It’s the Audrey Necklace by Kristin Perry. Here it is on Tabs! Also, I’m sitting down in these pics. I usually stand up. It’s fun to mix things up sometimes.
Happy, happy Friday!
Kim says
February 27th, 2015 at 3:38 pmYou look so pretty! I love that the smokey eye is a bit more cool toned.
Karen says
February 27th, 2015 at 3:50 pmHi Kim,
Thank you! I love a cool-toned brown smoky eye too. Adds lots of depth to the eye!
What is your go-to look, by the way?
Kirsten says
February 27th, 2015 at 3:55 pmI really like that Nude Dude palette. I may have to pick that up.
My go-to is plums. I use the Tarina Tarantino compact in Magical.
Karen says
February 27th, 2015 at 4:09 pmHi Kirsten,
It’s fun, especially if you like cool-toned browns. 🙂
TGIF! What’s the plan for the weekend?
Kirsten says
February 27th, 2015 at 4:17 pmI’ve got to work a bit on Saturday and make a post office run, and then some cuddling up and reading. Maybe I’ll catch a movie on Netflix if I can find something I want to watch. 🙂 Nothing too fancy.
Karen says
February 27th, 2015 at 4:32 pmThat sounds like a relaxing and lovely day! Have fun. Are you a House of Cards fan, by the way? Season 3 is now available on Netflix!
Kirsten says
February 27th, 2015 at 9:45 pmI haven’t seen House of Cards. I’m more of a cheesey sci-fi gal. Although I do have The Wire DVDs that I haven’t even started…
Katherine M says
February 27th, 2015 at 4:00 pmYou look stunning, as always 🙂 I think you can rock any makeup look, whether you wear makeup or not, and look awesome!
My go-to makeup look for feeling and looking good on a blah day is this:
1) Physician’s Formula Organic CC Cream – it’s really made some improvements to my skin, adds a nice little glow to winter pale skin, and is mostly natural ingredients.
2) NARS Orgasm blush – I know it’s not a color for everyone as it is advertised, but it’s been my personal go-to for almost 10 years now. I sometimes wear different blush but I swear by my NARS for the most part. The name “Orgasm” is so cheeky and always gives me a little giggle every time I wear it, and for me it adds just the right “just exercised” flush.
3) For eyeshadows/eye makeup this is a tough one for me. There are many different eye looks that I love to wear. But one of my simple, easy to do faves is using Benefit in Birthday Suit with Laura Mercier in either Black Violet or Stormy Grey smudged for a natural, sexy eye. I love topping off my eye looks with a good mascara – my fave lately is L’Oreal Butterfly Intenza.
Karen says
February 27th, 2015 at 4:08 pmHi Katherine,
Thank you for sharing your fave look! You mention many of my faves (Birthday Suit, Black Violet, Stormy Grey!).
Happy Friday to you. What’s the plan for the weekend?
Chelsea says
February 27th, 2015 at 4:04 pmYou look great! What a naughty tabby! If it makes you feel better, winter has skewed my perspective so much that temperatures in the teens are quite balmy!
Brows, neutral eye shadows, big lashes, and peachy nude lips are my favorite! Speaking of big lashes, my Nordies order just arrived, and I bought Le Volume de Chanel in a waterproof! I also picked up my typical Inimitable Intense, but I’m excited by the new mascara!
Karen says
February 27th, 2015 at 4:07 pmOMG. I saw that. I need to know if it’s difficult to remove. Let me know… ‘Cause if there’s no drama I am so there!
Fancie says
February 27th, 2015 at 4:17 pmI so know the feeling of sleepless nights lately. I’ve been dealing with a crazy toothache that’s been keeping me up and my dog decided to wake up at 4 in the morning. Lol if he wasn’t so darn cute I’d kick his little butt! I can definitely see why this is your go to look. You look beautiful and very natural! I especially love the eyes. My go to look is pretty simple. I love a dramatic wing liner with lots of lashes, a killer highlight and bold lips
Fancie recently posted … Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum Review
Chelsea says
February 27th, 2015 at 4:23 pmI’m testing it out tomorrow for my aerial performance!
Karen says
February 27th, 2015 at 4:31 pmBreak a leg! I know you’ll do great. 😀
Kwmechelle says
February 27th, 2015 at 5:18 pmI wrote, like, a thesis. But half of it was cut off. Grr! And I can only be witty in a blog post once a day before the magic wears off. 🙂 Anywho, no makeup today, sadly. We’re on day 7, yes, SEVEN of snow days. And I’ve been keeping two teens & a 6 year old. Pretty sure that if I dropped the 6 yr old off up the street, I could get away with it. I’m also out of my beloved Spike brow crayon. I tried to improvise with my NYX brow gel, which is the perfect color & wonderful texture. However, I’m not that great with it. Unfortunately, my brows look like Magnum PI mustaches above my eyes when I’m done. So I wiped it all off & decided I’d try again tomorrow….with my NEW brow crayon in Spiked. 🙂
nai says
February 27th, 2015 at 5:56 pmTheBalm is FINALLY back in Honolulu! They were nigh impossible to find here when they left Sephora. A random trinkets/makeup store in Waikiki or two sold a few of their items up until last year but other than that, nada (as far as I knew). But there is now a gigantor Walgreens with a HUGE beauty section that includes Victor Longo, TheBalm, and Demeter (which I loved in the 90s when Sephora carried them). It’s on Keeaumoku/Kapiolani, behind Ala Moana Center. It even has an Essie/OPI nail salon set up. I think the nearby Walmart, Longs/CVS, and Sephora are all a little concerned.
I’d lusted after this palette, and now that I’ve seen it in person, I’m trying to concoct reasons why I *NEED* it because I certainly *WANT* it.
Vanessa says
February 27th, 2015 at 7:28 pmLove!! My go to look is half baked with buck in the crease and winged liner – peachy bronzey cheeks and peachy pink lips!
Rachel R. says
February 27th, 2015 at 9:23 pmYou look lovely. I really like how you look with your bangs pulled back. The Nude Dude palette is too cute. 🙂
When I want to feel pretty, I usually go with purple shadow, with Deadfire (purply-red-wine, hard to describe). Or I go with nude/brown eye, black winged liner and bright red lips.
Erin says
February 27th, 2015 at 11:33 pmIt’s a good look! The new formula on TD looks much less lip line-y.
Erin recently posted … AmLactin Alpha Hydroxy Moisturizing Body Lotion
Kiss & Make-up says
February 28th, 2015 at 3:19 amOh Karen, I love this look on you! <3 You look so fresh and youthful! Beautiful.
Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Recent rebuys | Coola Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Natural BB Cream & Coola Liplux SPF 30
Poo@beautyandmakeupmatters says
February 28th, 2015 at 6:26 amYou looks splendid in neutral looks.. so pretty and glowing <3
that Nude Dude palette looks great, even better than Nude Tude 😀
For me it will be a color eye pencils in shades of Blue/Green and heavily kohled eyes. The color not only brighten up my eyes but my mood and day as well 😉
Poo@beautyandmakeupmatters recently posted … Finally Finished – February 2015
Cyndi says
February 28th, 2015 at 5:17 pmGirl you looking fine!!! I love this look on you!! So pretty and glowing!! And I do love me a brown smokey eye, but lately I’ve been rocking that almost nude eyeshadow (with maybe a touch of shimmer) and a dramatic winged liner, peachy pink cheeks, and a neutral lip.
barbara allison says
March 1st, 2015 at 12:09 ami LOVE your Blog and beauty tips , i LOVE makeup.i have always worn makeup even with a cold or flu. i wear it when swimming. everyone thinks i am crazy. too bad, it makes me feel good. i LOVE how artistic you are with application. who pays for all the expensive products, if i may be so nosey???????? anyway where can i purchase NUDE DUDES< so clever!!!!!!!!!!?????????????
barbara allison says
March 1st, 2015 at 12:22 ami LOVE your blog and beauty tips. LOVR your artistic application and stories. i LOVE makeup, even wear it if i have a cold or flu or swim. everyone thinks i am crazy. 2 friends quit wearing makeup many many years ago and one only uses it if we go somewhere nice. NUDE DUDES!!! SO clever!!! where can i purchase it??????? If i may ask, who provides all the expensive beautiful products?????????????? Juat nosey???
Gina Bullard says
March 1st, 2015 at 1:34 amKaren,
You look amazing as always, and I’ve got to try dressing my Gracie in such wonderful attire. Where, oh where did you get that necklace? OH my, that is so beautiful!!! I would only hope to blend my eyes as beautifully as you — I’m working with the Nakeds – 3 and the new Mabelline Nudes quite a bit. I can never sit on one look. I also use “The Truth” by Bare Minerals, I love, love, love that pallet! Love your hair pulled back like that, so fresh and youthful too, showing that beautiful skin. Happy blending!!!! <3
Martha Nelson says
March 1st, 2015 at 8:30 amYou look amazing!! You pulled out good looks very easily!! you have a gift
sakura says
March 1st, 2015 at 2:57 pmMy go to look is gold shimmer(fine) eyeshadow, cat eye, golden highlighter and a bit of bronzer as a contour, with a coral or pink lip depending on the season.
Connie Zhou says
March 1st, 2015 at 3:25 pmHi Karen!
My go-to look will always be a gold halo eye or just really intense lips.
Anyways, could you do a tutorial/walk through on how you do you brows? Mine kinda have the same shape-ish as yours, but filling them in just makes them look weird.
Thanks!
JennySue Makeup says
March 2nd, 2015 at 6:49 amthis is pretty much my exact go to makeup look also when i’m struggling to feel it! i love this thebalm palette and turkish delight is the bomb. you look gorgeous gorgeous here. and tabs is so fab with that bib necklace!!
JennySue Makeup recently posted … 3 Steps To Successfully Cover A Blemish
Kim says
March 2nd, 2015 at 8:10 amNude Dude totally made me laugh. And the color names are so cheeky (ba-dum-DUM). 🙂
Alyssa Melanie says
March 2nd, 2015 at 9:21 amMy go-to makeup look is pretty simple. Lightly shimmery eyeshadow paired with a cat eye plus falsies if I’m not in a hurry. Light pink blush and a pink lippie. Can you tell that I love pink? 😀
Alyssa Melanie recently posted … Chanel & The Face Shop International Giveaway (March 2015)
Savannah says
March 2nd, 2015 at 5:54 pmMake up perfection!!!
Iris says
March 7th, 2015 at 6:01 pmAwesome look. My “boost” makeup look is a smokey eye and red lips.
Sana Nurani - Vancouver Bridal Makeup Artist says
March 7th, 2015 at 9:55 pmokay you must think i’m nuts, but i’m in LOVE with this necklace too!! please share where you bought it from 🙂