I know I look totally spaced out in the picture above, but I’m having one of those days. I feel like every picture I take ends up looking unintentionally comical.
I guess all I can do is smile and keep on trucking, right? Anyhooty, the look above features a few products from last week’s MAC Brunette Blonde Redhead release. I’m adding this peach-brown-purple combo to my “neutral looks for school” file. 🙂
Eyes
The look starts with the mighty MAC Nice Vice Paint Pot (1), a shimmery purple, patted onto the lid and into the crease with a MAC 249 Large Shader Brush. If the 249 leaves any harsh lines, I smooth them away with a finger.
You may recall Nice Vice from last year’s MAC Fafi collection. It was limited edition, but I really think Artifact Paint Pot, a shimmery burgundy from MAC’s permanent collection, would work just as well.
Next, I apply peachy pink MAC French Cuff eyeshadow (2) over the whole eyelid with a MAC 252 Large Shader Brush and sweep MAC Folie eyeshadow (3), a reddish brown plum, into the outer third of the crease with a MAC 217 Blending Brush.
I want this to look a little smokey, so I pat something dark like the matte chocolate brown MAC Handwritten eyeshadow (4) into the outer corner of the eye using a MAC 239 Eye Shading Brush.
Then, I line the upper lash line with MAC Fluidline in Graphic Brown (5), a shimmery brown, using Laura Mericer’s Flat Eye Liner brush.
I was all aboard the insomnia train last night! — which means I have all-star deluxe super fantastic dark circles right now! When my dark circles are bad I won’t use a dark liner or shadow on the lower lash line.
Instead, I’ll line my lower waterline instead with something like MAC’s Eye Kohl in Powersurge (6), a shimmery bronze-gold. It makes the lower lash line more prominent without making my dark circles take center stage.
To finish the eyes, I curl my lashes with the Shu Uemura lash curler, add two coats of Chanel Exceptionnel mascara and fill in my brows.
Cheeks and Lips
Since I’m thinking about using this look for school, time is of the essence. I’ll keep the rest of the look simple.
For the cheeks, all I want is a little color, so I reach for MAC Brunette Mineralize Skinfinish and apply it onto the apples of my cheeks with a Shu Uemura fan brush, which I like to use for bright blushes. Since Brunette’s deeply pigmented and shimmery, I use a light touch and apply just one or two layers.
Now, for the lips… 🙂
What a Do! — one swipe applied straight from the tube. Are you loving this lipstick as much as I am??
I top it off with Soft Wave Lipglass, and TADA!
All done.
What are you favorite products from MAC Brunette Blonde Redhead?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Camellia says
January 12th, 2009 at 6:14 pmthis is my favorite look on you! (: it`s gorgeous
Karen says
January 12th, 2009 at 6:27 pmHi Camellia,
Thanks! Do you get anything from BBR?
Hope you had a nice Monday!
Nosh says
January 12th, 2009 at 6:30 pmYou look 18! In a good way 🙂
NJ says
January 12th, 2009 at 6:45 pmThis look is absolutely stunning on you Karen, love the brown fluidline look over black.
Karen says
January 12th, 2009 at 6:57 pmHi Nosh,
LOL, thanks! Eighteen was a loooong time ago for me so that was such a lovely compliment.
How was your Monday?
Karen says
January 12th, 2009 at 6:58 pmHi NJ,
🙂 Thank you! Graphic Brown is one fabulous Fluidline. Do you have it? I hope so. 🙂
Mariah says
January 12th, 2009 at 6:59 pmGorgeous! Love it! What all did you pick up from BBR? I am SOOO tempted to splurge on this collection, even though Hello Kitty is coming soon.. because, who knows, the descriptions for HK don’t sound great and SPECKTRA has been DOWN!! *cries*
Also, school? Are you going back?
Mariah´s last blog post..Weight Loss Inspiration!
Catherine says
January 12th, 2009 at 7:10 pmHi Karen!! Could you suggest another option for the Nice Vice paint pot or something else?
i love the look i’m going to use my paycheck that i’ll get on friday on the collection =)
Luv J says
January 12th, 2009 at 7:52 pmit’s gorgeous Karen.. love the sexy hair and glowy makeup 🙂
Karen says
January 12th, 2009 at 9:11 pmHi Mariah,
How are you? I hope your new year is off to a good start!
I didn’t end up getting much — just French Cuff, Brunette MSF, What a Do! and Soft Wave. I was kinda tempted by the Brunette eyeshadows at first but I have some Shu colors that look the same. I might go back for the 226 brush and the Redhead MSF, though. We’ll see how long my non-existent makeup will power holds. 🙂 What did you end up getting?
Regarding school, yup, I’m going back starting next Monday. I really want to concentrate on my writing career so I thought a journalism class would be good. Maybe I’ll end up going back full time for J-school, who knows!
What’s new with you?
Karen says
January 12th, 2009 at 9:17 pmHi Catherine,
Woo hoo, gotta love Fridays that are paydays, too.
You could switch it out for anything purple or burgundy. A few products to consider:
Artifact Paint Pot
Prunella Eye Kohl
Macroviolet Fluidline
If you are interested in other brands, Benefit makes some really wonderful cream shadows, too. Aubergine might be a good one to try with this look.
Hope this helps. 🙂
Karen says
January 12th, 2009 at 9:18 pmThanks, Luv J!
I hope you had a nice Monday!
Gloria says
January 12th, 2009 at 10:10 pmBe ready to get hit on by a bunch of young freshman boys!
Gloria´s last blog post..Review: Hanskin Super Magic BB Cream – Before and After Pix
Elena says
January 12th, 2009 at 11:42 pmHey Karen,
You look gorgeous here! I love What a Do! lipstick, I was going to not buy any more makeup until Hello Kitty, but I might just sneak that one in if I can find the dough. I _totally_ had “one of those days” today, complete with insomnia last night, so I hope that tomorrow will be a brighter day for us both. 🙂
Faye says
January 13th, 2009 at 3:20 amGreat look! Very fresh and pretty. And good luck with going back to school. It can be challenging (I know whereof I speak — I just finished my M.B.A. while working, and I thought I’d never go back!), but it will be worth it.
What degree are you pursuing, if you don’t mind my asking?
Miss QQ says
January 13th, 2009 at 6:11 amHi Karen. This look is very pretty! I’m still waiting for BBR to launch here. 😉 I’m living in the tropics so it is hot and humid most of the time. I guess so, the liquid must be evaporating, thanks!
YadiQ says
January 13th, 2009 at 6:43 amgirl i dunno what your talking abt
lol your pics are cute so if your having one of those days i wouldnt have known it unless you had mentioned it
great functional and cute eye combo!
Neen says
January 13th, 2009 at 6:57 amKaren,
This eye makeup looks absolutely brilliant. It’s my all time favorite day combination for you.
Cheers!
Elle says
January 13th, 2009 at 7:00 amI love it!
I checked out BBR in person and wasn’t too wowed by it. I’m still waiting to be inspired to pick something up. The MA who tried some of the redhead shadows on me kinda messed up and just…didn’t do a very good job. I was also psyched about Chignon, but it made me look like a corpse–waaaay too purple on me, and I like to wear a lot of purples/plums on my lips. Weird.
Karen says
January 13th, 2009 at 8:44 amHi Gloria,
Awww, thanks, girl. That’s really nice of you to say. 🙂
Karen says
January 13th, 2009 at 8:45 amHi Elena,
I hope your day is off to a good start, and that you got a good night’s sleep, too!
I wasn’t sure about What a Do!, either. I saw my fave MAC mua wearing at the counter and I was like, “UM, okay, I love that!”
What do you think you’re going to pick up when Hello Kitty launches?
Karen says
January 13th, 2009 at 8:45 amHi Faye,
Congrats on finishing your MBA! That’s so awesome that you managed to go to school and work at the same time, too. 🙂
Right now I’m just taking a journalism class to brush up on my skills. I haven’t decided if I want to pursue a graduate J-school (journalism school) program yet. I’d really like to write full time so, hopefully this step will get me closer to that goal.
Karen says
January 13th, 2009 at 8:45 amHi MissQQ,
Ahhh, I’m guessing that’s the reason why the shadow is thickening on you. I guess all you can do is make sure the lid is on tight and keep it in a cool, dry, room.
Karen says
January 13th, 2009 at 8:45 amHi YadiQ,
LOL, it was a challenging equipment sort of day. I dunno… sometimes I think my cameras have a mind of their own.
Anyhoo, did you end up getting any BBR stuff?
Karen says
January 13th, 2009 at 8:45 amHi Neen,
Thanks! What’s your favorite day eye makeup combo?
Karen says
January 13th, 2009 at 8:45 amHi Elle,
Thank you!
I’m surprised you didn’t pick up at least a MSF… well, the good thing with MAC is that there’s always a new upcoming collection to swoon over. 🙂
Karen too says
January 13th, 2009 at 8:55 amIs it the pondering of kinetic energy and applying of makeup at the same time that is spacing you out today? LOL
Love the pink top you have on the photo BTW! I have similar ones, both in peach and mint green.
Have a great tuesday!
Karen says
January 13th, 2009 at 10:42 amHi Karen Too,
HA! I was wondering if anybody would eventually pick that equation up, LOL!
Did you get your tees at House of Old Navy? That’s where I got mine!
Brenda says
January 13th, 2009 at 11:34 amLove Love this look!!
MiMi says
January 13th, 2009 at 12:31 pmHola! Karen
You look very beautiful and your hair is getting longer right?
Tammy says
January 13th, 2009 at 12:46 pmBeautiful.
I bought a few things from BBR..my fav is the highlight brush and MSF in Brunette
Tammy´s last blog post..Mitsuwa Trip for You!!
Faye says
January 13th, 2009 at 12:47 pmHi Karen,
Thanks for the congrats! I think the hardest part was just getting myself psyched to go back to school. For years I took crazy amounts of classes to stay “on track” (I got my bachelor’s and Ph.D. in 7 years), so I thought I was done with school. It was hard to talk myself back into it but I’m glad I did. I know you will be, too! A journalism class sounds fun. Maybe you’ll even find a way to work the blog into an assignment.
Karen too says
January 13th, 2009 at 2:17 pmLOL, I’m such a science geek. 🙂
No, I got mine at H&M. I’ve used them a lot in the summertime!
Elena says
January 13th, 2009 at 4:28 pmHey Karen,
I am having a good day today, thanks. 🙂 I’m really looking forward to the accessories from the Hello Kitty line. I just recently got into Sanrio (a store just opened near me) and love their pens and pencils, so that make-up bag and mirror compact are going to be nice to add to my collection.
What are you most looking forward to from that line?
Tavia says
January 13th, 2009 at 4:43 pmKaren you look really great with this makeup. I love your skin tone, mine is quite white and I’ve always wanted to look a bit tanned…..but summer is so far away:)
Tavia´s last blog post..Accessories – finishing touches
lesley says
January 13th, 2009 at 7:10 pmThis is such a great look on you and I love the hair. I can’t believe I haven’t made it to a MAC counter yet to see BBR! I really will have to put that on my To Do before the end of this week 😉
Hope you’re having a great day! I hope there weather is great on your part of the bay, San Francisco is going through some ‘freak’ hot spells–heeey, I don’t mind~
Karen says
January 13th, 2009 at 9:35 pmHi Brenda,
Thank you! 🙂 Did you snag any BBR?
Karen says
January 13th, 2009 at 9:35 pmHi Mimi,
It’s getting crazy long, but only because I’ve been too lazy to cut it! I am also not sure what the heck I want to do with it, so I’m just kinda letting it do it’s own thing. 🙂
Karen says
January 13th, 2009 at 9:36 pmHi Tammy,
OMG, isn’t the Brunette MSF pretty? Question for you — is the color very intense on you? I find I have to use a very light touch… if I don’t I end up looking like Homie the Clown.
Karen says
January 13th, 2009 at 9:36 pmHi Faye,
Wow, girl! You’ve accomplished so much. What are your plans now?
I am very psyched to go back. I really enjoyed school (and was decent at it) so I think it’ll be challenging and fun. Yikes, I still have to go and buy books for class. Now that’s something I haven’t done in a looooong time. When I was in school last people carried pagers, LOLOL. There were no such things as cell phones and wireless internet in the lecture hall.
Karen says
January 13th, 2009 at 9:36 pmHi Karen Too,
LOL! I had to kick my way through physics. I kinda enjoyed those pendulum problems, though, I can’t lie.
H&M is the shizz. Do you ever hit up the accessories section? It’s the best!
Karen says
January 13th, 2009 at 9:37 pmHi Elena,
The lipsticks! When I was a kid I had Hello Kitty makeup so it will kinda be like I’m coming full circle. 🙂
How fun that a Sanrio store opened up near you. I still enjoy going there. I made El Hub go with me to one when we were in Hawaii and he actually liked it too, ha ha ha!
Now if I could only find my old Hello Kitty lunchbox from second grade… my world would be complete!
Karen says
January 13th, 2009 at 9:37 pmHi Tavia,
Oh, but you can pull off those lovely pale shades that I could never get away with! Plus, you can do the “Snow White” look — that’s so hot!
Karen says
January 13th, 2009 at 9:37 pmHi Lesley,
Girl, you better head on over! You cannot ignore the siren call of BBR… 😉
It was really nice up here today! I wrote with the windows open, *gasp*. And yesterday I ran outside (shorts and a t-shirt!) and for once it didn’t hurt to take in deep breaths. I hope this keeps up! When the rain starts it’s gonna be rrrrrrough…
How was your day? Did you catch any sun?
Karen4 says
January 14th, 2009 at 1:00 amHi Karen!
Love your photo! The whole look is beautiful, and I especially LOVE the lip! Great look for school.
Hope you have a great day.
Elle says
January 14th, 2009 at 8:53 amHaha, Karen, there is still time for me to go back and look at those MSFs again. I really wanted to like the eyeshadows, but alas…
Karen says
January 14th, 2009 at 9:01 amHi Karen4,
Thanks! That duo was a really nice surprise. I didn’t know if I’d like it when I first saw it on the tube, but then I went to the counter and one of the MUA’s was wearing it. I was SOLD! 🙂 If you like neutrals/nudes you might love it.
How is your Wednesday going? I’m ready for Friday already, LOL.
Karen says
January 14th, 2009 at 9:01 amHi Elle,
Yah, I think that ultimately a lot of the shadows are dupable. But hey, you just never know with the MSF. Might be worth giving them a second look.
Or you just always hold out for Hello Kitty, which a lot of ladies seem to be doing.
Happy Wednesday!
Sophia says
September 25th, 2010 at 11:46 amhey! that’s the formula for the average kinetic energy of molecules!
love it 🙂