• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To MakeupMakeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
    • Advertising & Media
  • Categories
    • Product Reviews
    • Makeup
    • Skincare & Fragrance
    • Style & Fashion
    • Hair
    • Nails
    • Tips & Tutorials
    • Just for Fun
  • Brands
  • Store

Face of the Day: MAC Smokey Brown and Purple Eye

April 30th, 2008 by Karen 32 Comments

mac-cosmetics-fotd-043008-eye-1

Mama always said, “When life hands you insomnia, hide your dark circles with concealer.”

Okay, my mom didn’t actually say that because she doesn’t wear makeup (I know! The apple fell so far from the tree!).

Anyhoo, I was inspecting the purplish nether regions under my eyes this morning and feeling pretty crappy because of the whole no sleep thing, so I decided to run with it and try a purplish-brown smokey eye. The result improved my sour mood and put a lil’ spring in my step, for sure!

The shadows I used from left to right:

  • MAC Showstopper (matte)
  • MAC Newly Minted (matte)
  • MAC Frisco (matte)
  • MAC Saddle (matte)
  • MAC Retrospeck (lustre)
  • MAC Star Violet (veluxe pearl)
  • MAC Sable (frost) – Whoops! I forgot to swatch this one. Click here to view a swatch.

I haven’t been a regular user of matte shadows in the past, but I went all out with them this time. Thanks to MAC Senior Makeup Artist Jennifer Karsten’s advice, I’ve decided I’m going to work diligently to couple them with shimmer shades to create more depth in my eye makeup looks.

mac-cosmetics-fotd-043008-swatches

The color map below shows where I placed the different eyeshadows…

  1. MAC Frisco – browbone
  2. MAC Saddle – crease
  3. MAC Star Violet – lid
  4. MAC Sable – outer third of lid
  5. MAC Showstopper – outer V
  6. MAC Retrospeck – inner third of lid
  7. MAC Newly Minted – upper lash line (I smudged this on top MAC Technakohl eyeliner in Graphblack)
  8. MAC Saddle and Sable – lower lash line

mac-cosmetics-fotd-043008-eye-3

mac-cosmetics-fotd-043008-eye-2

Trying to balance the look, I kept the lips neutral and the cheeks light.

What I used over the entire eye

  • Too-Faced Shadow Insurance Primer

On the upper lash line and waterline

  • MAC Technakohl eyeliner in Graphblack

Lashes

  • L’oreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara

Brows

  • MAC Concrete eyeshadow

To treat my undereye circles

  • Dior Long-Wearing Moisturizing Concealer in 430
  • Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder #2

Face

  • Becca Luminous Skin Color tinted moisturizer in Nut
  • Becca Stick Foundation in Coffee
  • Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder

Cheeks

  • MAC Feeling Beauty Powder Blush

Lips

  • MAC Honey B. Cremestick liner
  • Avon Glazewear Lipstick in Champagne Glow

What about you? What makeup look did you wear today?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Smokey Brown and Purple Eye - Face of the Day / Originally published April 30th, 2008

There are 32 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Face of the Day (FOTD), MAC Makeup

Previous Post: You Must Choose: Trapped in TV Land
Next Post: MAC Naughty Nauticals Is Here!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dao says

    April 30th, 2008 at 8:49 pm

    Ooh, you use Champagne glow. How do you like it? Nice look, very office-appropriate. I like your top too, is it still cold where you live? You have very nice application, the colors blend so well together. Believe it or not, I don’t have any matte shadows 🙁 Ok I lied, I have 1 but rarely use it since I find matte colors rather boring. I may reconsider that and go get me some of them matte to add more depth to my eyes.

    Reply
  2. rachel says

    April 30th, 2008 at 9:18 pm

    that look is absolutely gorgeous and i wanna buy all the colors. today was actually very minimal for considering finals are coming up. just a little dior undressed beige on the lids and some mascara…oh well. sometimes you have those days

    Reply
  3. Lehea says

    April 30th, 2008 at 10:33 pm

    Nice! I loooove Sable. That was the first eyeshadow I ever purchased from MAC. I use Graphblack too sometimes. I’m still trying to get used to lining the waterline, but I have yet to find something that goes on and stays on. 😛

    Reply
  4. Karen says

    April 30th, 2008 at 11:00 pm

    Hi Dao,

    I like it a lot! It’s a great nude color, just ike you said it would be. Thanks for the complement on the top! It’s a dress I got on sale a few months ago in the fall (I wore it the Paris interview, hee). It’s been very chilly over the last few days because the fog moved in…how is the weather round your way?

    I feel (felt?) the same way too about mattes. I didn’t realize that the trick is to mix it up (before I would just try to use all mattes together…really hard to blend).

    Reply
  5. Karen says

    April 30th, 2008 at 11:01 pm

    Hi Rachel,

    I have my minimal makeup days too! Your look songs simple and pretty. How is the studying going? Are you ready for your tests?

    Reply
  6. Karen says

    April 30th, 2008 at 11:02 pm

    Hi Lehea,

    Thanks! It was one of my first MAC purchases too! What do you pair it with?

    Have you tried Fluidline on your waterline? For me that doesn’t budge. Some people love Liquidlast but I don’t like the finish and I find it too hard to use.

    Reply
  7. Eru says

    May 1st, 2008 at 4:15 am

    Karen!
    You look definitely cute~~!!!(I love the top you’re wearing, girl!)
    I don’t have problems with dark circles, I usually don’t have any! But I do hate when concealer sinks into my fine lines…I’m still looking for my perfect concealer 🙁
    Hugs! 😀

    Reply
  8. rachel says

    May 1st, 2008 at 6:00 am

    haha the finals are for calculus, chemistry and biology
    i’ll never be ready

    Reply
  9. Karen says

    May 1st, 2008 at 7:02 am

    Hi Eru,

    Thank you hon (on both the makeup and the shirt complements.) 🙂 You are so lucky that you don’t have dark circles. I am very jealous. Oh! Concealer sinks into my fine lines too. Have you tried putting primer on first? How is the weather there in your neck of Spain today? I hope it’s getting warmer.

    Reply
  10. Karen says

    May 1st, 2008 at 7:03 am

    Hi Rachel,

    “I’ll never be ready.” Girl, I feel this way about my life ALL THE TIME.

    Good luck on your tests! You’ll do fine. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Tonya says

    May 1st, 2008 at 7:56 am

    Very nice Karen. I picked up Newly Minted myself resently. I love your color combination.
    I’m going to MAC tomorrow is get my make-up done with the Naughty Nautical line. I’ll let you know how it goes.
    Hope you’re having a great week!
    Tonya

    Reply
  12. Glosslizard says

    May 1st, 2008 at 8:12 am

    Happy Thursday, Karen!

    You always look so fab, I’m not even sure I believe the part about you having dark circles! 😉

    That eye map is astonishing! It’s like Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Sultry Eye Makeup! You use so many colors and yet the overall effect is never overdone! Great technique!

    I’m heading over to MAC to eyeball Naughty Nauticals today! I saw Meet the Fleet before and loved the color, so I think your recent comments will have me caving on a matte shade after all! 🙂

    Reply
  13. Megan says

    May 1st, 2008 at 8:21 am

    Very nice K…way too many steps for a weekday though 🙂 LOL Ummm I wore the pinks and purples from the estee lauder gwp again today because I like them so much.

    Reply
  14. Dao says

    May 1st, 2008 at 8:50 am

    You know, Avon is rocking my world these days. I’ve been using their Clearskin cleanser in the morning and my zits are pretty much under control. I also use the oil cleansing method to deep cleanse and remove makeup at night. It removes dead skin cells and makeup pretty well, even waterproof mascara. My skin is as smooth as a baby’s bottom now, a thing that I’ve never had for a long long long long time. I also use Neutrogena Acne Stress Control 3 in 1 lotion like Glosslizard mentioned and it works very fine too. Thank you Gloss for mentioning it, I had it in my stash for a while.

    I looked at the price of Avon in Amazon.com and at Avon website and there’s a difference. Avon has more sales going on and you can save more by ordering from their website. Plus if you google for free shipping code, they sometimes have them as well. I will definitely buy some matte colors the next time I order. Jilian Dempsey, Dr. McDreamy’s wife, is the global beauty advisor of Avon and people are raving about the new blushes she made. Ok, enough of the obsessive gossip. Hope you have a nice day.

    Reply
  15. Eru says

    May 1st, 2008 at 12:58 pm

    Hey Karen 😀
    Yep, I’ve tried with primer. It does make the concealer look a bit better but it ends skinking into my lines. I’m still waiting for someone to make the perfect concealer!! (Hope you have some cosmetics-maker readers, Karen!)
    Spain is getting warmer, in fact! We had sun today, but I stayed home 🙂 I’m trying to choose a good sunscreen but I’m a bit lost.
    Hugs! :3

    Erus last blog post..Olay Aqua Hydratation Relaxing moisture mask ~Review

    Reply
  16. Karen B says

    May 1st, 2008 at 1:13 pm

    Lovely FOTD.
    I played around with my eyeshadow this morning as well as I had a day off.

    Eyes:
    Stila Icon – lid & crease
    Stila Barefoot Contessa – crease
    Chanel Garden Party Quad peach – browbone + middle of my lid
    Chanel Garden Party Quad light green – top and bottom lash line
    taupe kohl pencil – waterline
    brown-black mascara
    concealer

    Lips:
    Stila Lipglaze in Apricot

    Face:
    Guerlain Terracotta 01

    Wow, that’s quite a lot of products/colour for one look.

    Karen Bs last blog post..Icon meme

    Reply
  17. Karen says

    May 1st, 2008 at 3:00 pm

    Hi Tonya,

    Nice! Have you worn your Newly Minted yet? What did you pair it with.

    Have fun tomorrow at the counter… can’t wait to hear about your look and your loot. 🙂

    This week has been busy (as usual) but good. I’ve been a little disheveled but hey, what can you do except roll with it. How’s your week been?

    Reply
  18. Karen says

    May 1st, 2008 at 3:02 pm

    Hi Glosslizard,

    Happy Thursday to you too!

    Ha! I hide those suckers well, thanks to the miracle of modern makeup.

    LOL, maybe I should’ve put an “x marks the spot!” on that map. I was kinda tempted, I can’t deny it! After I did I couldn’t believe I used so many colors, yowza.

    Glad to hear about your mini loot. I am trying to become one with my mattes, too!

    Reply
  19. Karen says

    May 1st, 2008 at 3:03 pm

    Hi Megan,

    Oh girl I knew you were gonna bust that palette out today. I do the same thing when I find shadows I like (it’s kinda like playing a song over and over again!). Did you wear your Tuberose Gardenia?

    Reply
  20. Karen says

    May 1st, 2008 at 3:06 pm

    Hi Dao,

    Avon seems to be way less old lady than they used to that’s for sure. I will be getting a bottle of that Acne Stress Control when I finish up my tube of BHA (whenever that is). Neutrogena’s got awesome face stuff…

    I heard those blushes were quite nice! I will look on the website when I have time to browse at home tonight. McDreamy is in that new movie, Made of Honor. I think I might watch it, because I like cheesy flicks like that.

    Hope you’re having a good day, too!

    Reply
  21. Megan says

    May 1st, 2008 at 3:10 pm

    LOL I so did…I’ll probably be wearing it for the next week at least. You know how you really love something…you just want to wear it all the time? I’m so there. I’m afraid my other fragrances are just going to have to chill out for the moment. 🙂

    Reply
  22. temi says

    May 1st, 2008 at 4:06 pm

    Really pretty, Karen. Nice work.

    Reply
  23. Karen says

    May 1st, 2008 at 4:31 pm

    Hi Eru,

    Aww, shucks! That happens to me too and primer seems to make the settling into the lines less obvs. If I find something I’ll be sure to share it with you!

    What are you looking for in a sunscreen? Is this for your face, or body?

    It was actually pretty warm here today… I am wearing just a t-shirt and jeans and flip flops! It feels great. 🙂

    Reply
  24. Karen says

    May 1st, 2008 at 4:32 pm

    Hi Karen B.,

    Thank you! Don’t you love those mornings where you have more time to play with makeup? Your look sounds really pretty. I have Chanel’s Garden Party quad, too, and I love it.

    Guerlain is sooo on my list! 🙂

    Reply
  25. Karen says

    May 1st, 2008 at 4:35 pm

    Hi Megan,

    Yup! I totally do that too. Especially with fragrance. In January all I wanted to wear day in day out was Chanel Mademoiselle! That’s my last big fragrance crush.

    I think you won’t be able to resist that big bottle for much longer.

    Reply
  26. Karen says

    May 1st, 2008 at 4:35 pm

    Hi Temi,

    Thank you girl! Happy Thursday. 🙂

    Reply
  27. kia says

    May 1st, 2008 at 8:57 pm

    great look.. the eye was nice, but seeing the whole face look really wow-ed me! frisco is a gorgeous highlighter, and gosh darn that loreal voluminous! it is smoking!!! your lashes are hot!

    kias last blog post..Yummy411: MAC Naughty Nautical Launch

    Reply
  28. Mrs. Lynne, MakeupFix.net says

    May 1st, 2008 at 9:16 pm

    OMG! Hollar at yo’ mom!! WOOOT. You look so seeexay 😉 Btw, your skin is looking so glowy and great.

    Mrs. Lynne, MakeupFix.nets last blog post..MAC Product Releases: Naughty Nauticals Swatches And The Stroller-LESS Voyage

    Reply
  29. Shiny says

    May 1st, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    I love the look, I try and go for something pretty similar usually although yours is better pulled together. I’ve been working on dupes lately because I am trying to save up for some long term investments… how do you feel about NYX brand? Also a lot of the colors you used are similar to a Bonne Bell eyeshadow set I have… which despite the $5 price tag has some really nice shimmer shades in it.

    p.s. as for movies, I did enjoy Baby Mama. Love me some Tina Fey

    Reply
  30. Karen B says

    May 2nd, 2008 at 12:56 am

    Garden Party for the win.
    And that Guerlain terracotta bronzer is fabulous. I love love love it, and that’s after only three days of wearing it..

    Karen Bs last blog post..Icon meme

    Reply
  31. hlee says

    April 27th, 2009 at 12:17 am

    wow. you look so pretty in this. i have a dark skin tone so i find it hard to put on lighter makeup and i think i look scary with dark makeup on, but this might work. haha you look great. :]

    Reply
    • Karen says

      April 27th, 2009 at 8:38 am

      Hi Hlee,

      Thanks! You have to try browns and purples. A smoky eye always look classic when it’s executed well. It takes some time and practice but you’ll get there!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

SHOP THE STORE


Long Live Lipstick Tee 💄



Blush Is My Crush Tee



Mascara & Kitties Tee



Thank You For Being a Friend Tee



You Hair Me Tee


Recent Posts

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 643

window bed balcony

Saturday Surfing, Jan. 23, 2021

briogeo at ulta

Briogeo Now at Ulta!

duri when in rome

I’ve Found the Perfect Pale Blue Denim Nail Polish, and It’s Only $8

duri when in rome

This Matte Brown Classic Eye Makeup Goes With Everything

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Featured Posts

Lady Unicorn

Weird Things I Like to Do

brows fill out beforehand

Before You Pluck or Wax Your Brows, You Must Do This

current bare skin status

What’s One Thing That Drastically Changed Your Skin for the Better?

red brown smokey eyes tutorial top pic 2

A Glamorously Grungy Makeup Tutorial: Smoky Reddish Brown Eyes and Vampy Matte Lips [MODERATE SKILL LEVEL]

Copyright © 2020 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.