For many moons, I have struggled to become one with the purple eyeshadow (hello, Barney), and, apparently, I’m a glutton for punishment because this morning I thought I’d give it another try.
I work at the literary agency today, and I didn’t want to look like a purple drag queen, so I decided on a light purple eye with blue accents using a few colors from the MAC Naughty Nauticals collection.
Most of the products I used for this look are by MAC, but I also used a few things by Too Faced, Lancome, Lola Cosmetics, Chanel, Laura Mercier and Becca Cosmetics.
I used two layers for the eyes.
The first eye layer…
- Too Faced Shadow Insurance primer on the entire lid (layered beneath everything else)
- MAC Nice Vice Paint pot in the crease (layered on top of Shadow Insurance)
- MAC Pearl Cream Color Base on the lid
The second eye layer…
- MAC Rice Paper Eye Shadow on the browbone and lid
- MAC Illegal Cargo Eye Shadow in the crease
- MAC Meet the Fleet Eye Shadow in the outer V
- Lancome Noir Le Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner on the upper water line
- Lola Lagoon Socialeyes Gel Eye Color on the lower water line
- MAC Bell-Bottom Blue Pigment on the lower lash line
The rest of the look…
Brows
- MAC Concrete Eye Shadow
Lashes
- Chanel Inimitable Mascara in Noir
Dark circles
- MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer in NW 25
- Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder #2
Face
- Becca Luminous Skin Colour SPF 20 in Nut
- Becca Stick Foundation SPF 30 in Coffee
- Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
Cheeks
- MAC Blush in Blushbaby
- MAC Beauty Powder in Pearl Blossom
Lips
- MAC Cremestick Liner in Pink Treat
- MAC Lustre Lipstick in Buoy-o-Buoy
- MAC Lustreglass in Hey, Sailor
Even though it’s a purple look, I don’t think it’s too obnoxious to wear to work. A fine line exists between pretty/soft purple looks and streetfight/Barney purple looks, and I think this more closely resembles the former.
It even earned the rare straight boy stamp of makeup approval from El Hub. When I exited the bathroom all purpled out he looked over at me and said, “Your eye makeup looks pretty.” Rare words from a man who has been known to say crazy things like, “You don’t need to wear makeup.” Crazy talk, I tell ya!
Well, it’s Wednesday, ya’ll! We’re almost over the hump. Have a great day today, and let me know what kind of makeup you’re wearing.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
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Amanda says
June 25th, 2008 at 8:55 amI love purple eyeshadow, and I tend to wear it a lot. and I venture into brighter purple too (I think since I’m fair it doesn’t look too crazy!)
Your purple eye today is lovely-I’m going to say “neutral with a kick”, and I LOVE the blue on the lower lash line. 🙂
I did pink/maroons today: all stila eyeshadows (a light pink wash and medium pink in the crease, both from a palette so I don’t know the names) then twig (reddish brown) wet as liner. Twig comes off a tad metallic maroon when wet. Cargo catalina on cheeks, stila cherry crush lipstain on lips topped with MAC viva glam VI lipstick.
Amanda says
June 25th, 2008 at 8:55 amI love purple eyeshadow, and I tend to wear it a lot. and I venture into brighter purple too (I think since I’m fair it doesn’t look too crazy!)
Your purple eye today is lovely-I’m going to say “neutral with a kick”, and I LOVE the blue on the lower lash line. 🙂
I did pink/maroons today: all stila eyeshadows (a light pink wash and medium pink in the crease, both from a palette so I don’t know the names) then twig (reddish brown) wet as liner. Twig comes off a tad metallic maroon when wet. Cargo catalina on cheeks, stila cherry crush lipstain on lips topped with MAC viva glam VI lipstick.
i♥makeup says
June 25th, 2008 at 9:35 amAbsolutely stunning, your skin is luminous, and your face glows!!! I love the contrast of purple and blue sooo much
i♥makeups last blog post..Vogue India Speaks to Vimi Joshi
Jess says
June 25th, 2008 at 10:30 amVery pretty look on you K. I like how subtle it is. It’s barely there but still has a hint of purple, another good work look.
Elena says
June 25th, 2008 at 10:44 amThis is one of my favorite looks on you, Karen! Thanks for the tutorial! Purple is easily one of my favorite eye colors to wear around. I need to try that blush, too, someday, it always looks great. 🙂
Random question: have you ever tried a cheek/lip stain? I’m thinking of getting one, but I’m not sure if it’s easy enough to use…
Daya says
June 25th, 2008 at 11:08 amVery pretty Karen! The Illegal Cargo looks similar to Clinique’s Rock Violet. I may have to go test out the Hey Sailor lipstick. It’s a gorgeous color on you!!
Elle says
June 25th, 2008 at 11:43 amAnother gorgeous look! The only shadows I have from the NN collection are Submarine and Meet the Fleet…I wonder what other purples go well with Meet the Fleet 🙂 So pretty!
Abby says
June 25th, 2008 at 12:28 pmHappy Wednesday Karen!
Okay, I have to tell you that your eye-shadow layering and color-mapping techniques are stunning, probably the best I have ever seen (and I used to be a makeup artist LOLZ). Today’s look (the blue/purple) is by FAR my favorite, it is seriously stunning. It looks like a beautiful watercolor painting on your eyelid!!
I have studied those “maps” that you do and am going to try my hand at recreating the shadow technique. Thank you so much for sharing all that detail with us. I usually do about two, maybe 3 shadows tops and your techniques are so stunning I have to practice it all out…especially the layering.
Today, my eyes are MAC Nylon (inner third and brow highlight) MAC Jest (it’s DC’d, but I still get it on Ebay bc it’s the phattest shade of shimmery peach) and Woodwinked in the outer V, plus a lil’ Mulch along top and bottom lashes. Waterline is brown kohl pencil from Milani (love! stays all day) and masc. is Cover Girl Lash Exact.
Karen you rock!! I am so inspired and I will let you know how I do. I *think* this means I need new MAC brushes, right? (wink wink) Tell me what is the best MAC brush (or brushes) for the smaller detail on lids? THANKS!!
Have a fab day girl!! =]
Best wishes always,
Abby
Glosslizard says
June 25th, 2008 at 2:15 pmLovely look! I love Meet the Fleet in the outer corner! You’ve inspired me, I’ll have to do one of my signature gold/purple combos tomorrow! 🙂
Today I’m wearing a simple golden-brown eye (Warming Trend over Layin’ Low PP on the lid and NARS Abyssinia over Painterly PP on the browbone) with a pop of Stila Prize at the inner corner and Climate Blue in the outer v! Lips are By Degrees slimshine topped with Fafi Sugar Trance. I’m very happy with the way it all came out, it’s subtle, but not boring!
Happy Wednesday!
Terre says
June 25th, 2008 at 3:58 pmWow! It looks amazing on you. I don’t think I could pull it off but it’s a really great FOTD!
Julia says
June 25th, 2008 at 4:50 pmKaren,
What brush do you use to apply color to your crease, and then also the outer V? Thanks!
Karen says
June 25th, 2008 at 6:15 pmHi Julia,
I used Sonia Kashuk’s Large Eye Shadow Brush in the crease (this is a *fantastic* all purpose brush), and the MAC 224 in the outer V. The 224 is a bit tricky to use. I’ve had this brush for five years and just recently figured out how to use it!
Karen says
June 25th, 2008 at 6:15 pmHi Terre,
Thanks! Aww, why don’t you think you could pull it off? Is it the color? I’m severely purple-challenged, so it was kind of miraculous to me that I did this without looking too Barney!
Karen says
June 25th, 2008 at 6:15 pmHi Glosslizard,
Ah! You know, I haven’t tried the gold/purple combo in a while. I’ll have to revisit that soon.
I’m glad you picked up Climate Blue. Do you love it?
Happy Wednesday to you too. 🙂
GOOOO ZELDA! LOLOL!
Karen says
June 25th, 2008 at 6:16 pmHi Abby,
WOW! What a great comment/letter! Thank you so much. 🙂
When you were a makeup artist, did you work for a certain brand, or did you freelance? I always like to hear about artists’ favorite products, so what are/were yours?
Your eye of the day sounds really pretty. BTW, I had no idea Jest was discontinued. I’ve played with it before at the counter but never got around to buying it. *pouts*
And girrrrrl… you can never have enough brushes! For small detail on the lid I like the 239 because you can use it with both wet and dry products. The mighty 217 is also a great detail brush on the lid (as well as an all purpose brush for blending, application). For smudging I like the 219 pencil brush! Which ones are your faves?
Karen says
June 25th, 2008 at 6:16 pmHi Elle,
Thanks, girl! Those are both pretty colors! What have you paired ’em with so far?
Karen says
June 25th, 2008 at 6:16 pmHi Daya,
Thank you. 🙂 Illegal Cargo is very beautiful. You’re right… it does look similar to Rock Violet. It would look fab on top of it, me thinks!
Hey Sailor is a Lustreglass (a different formula than Lipglass — it’s less sticky) and both the color and texture are all sorts of fabulous. 🙂 It was a limited edition so I hope that they still have it available!
Miss QQ says
June 25th, 2008 at 6:53 pmThanks for the tutorial. It looks very nice and you have given me some ideas on how to use Illegal Cargo.
Michelle says
June 25th, 2008 at 7:23 pmWow, that looks great! Love the lip color too. Hope your day was great too. Here’s what makeup I wore:
Clinique Bronzing Gel for face, Clinique All About Eyes Concealer, i.d. bare Minerals foundation in fairly light, Stila Convertible color in lillium, Revlon ColorStay 12 Hour Eye Shadow in Berry Bloom (I rocked a purple eye too!), Mary Kay eyeliner in Violet, Jane max lash2 mascara, & MAC tendertone lip balm SPF12 in Pucker.
Marisol says
June 25th, 2008 at 7:43 pmI really like that look. Subtle enough for work but also great for a night out.
I was running late this morning so I only wore the essentials today – Browzings, mascara, foundation, concealer, blush and lip balm.
Marisols last blog post..Finally seeing myself
Karen says
June 25th, 2008 at 8:41 pmHi Elena,
You’re welcome! You’re so lucky that you can work the purples. I find it so challenging. Do you have a favorite purple that you think is really easy to work with?
Ahh, Blushbaby will always be my first MAC blush love. 🙂
Regarding cheek and lip stains, I’ve used several in the past, like Benefit’s Benetint, Tarte Cheek Stain, etc. I prefer solids, like Tarte’s to liquids, because they are easier to control. They are great to wear underneath powder blushes to give an additional pop of color and extra dimension, but on their own I find they tend to slide right off my skin during the warmer months (primer helps alleviate this to a degree). Honestly, I think powder blushes are the easier to use because you have so much control! Hope this helps… 🙂
Karen says
June 25th, 2008 at 8:41 pmHi Jess,
Thank you, girlfriend. It’s a subtle way to get some color into your work day life, yes? If you try it you’ll have to let me know how it turns out. 🙂
Karen says
June 25th, 2008 at 8:41 pmHi Iheartmakeup!
Thank you, hon. You know I loves me some Barbie Beauty Powder!
Karen says
June 25th, 2008 at 8:41 pmHi Amanda,
You definitely have to give me the scoop on your favorite purples! What shades in your stash do you think are easiest to work with? You know I can’t handle advanced purple right now, LOL. With some practice though, maybe I will be able to in the future… we’ll see! 😉
Speaking of stila palettes, I’m lemming this one called “emeralds” big time!
Karen says
June 25th, 2008 at 8:46 pmHey Miss QQ!
You’re welcome. 🙂 What other shades have you paired Illegal Cargo with? I need more ideas!
Karen says
June 25th, 2008 at 8:46 pmHi Michelle,
Yay, great minds think alike. 🙂 How do you like that Jane mascara? I have to go to Longs Drugstore tomorrow to buy some stuff and I think I’m gonna do a mini drugstore haul. Tonight I’m going to draw up my list… let’s just hope I stick to it, OY!
Karen says
June 25th, 2008 at 8:47 pmHi Marisol,
LOL, running late in the morning is the story of my life, girl!
My running late essentials are basicially the same as yours (I have one more thing on my list, though — LM Secret Brightening Powder). 🙂
How was your day?
Glosslizard says
June 25th, 2008 at 10:55 pmOh, I do love Climate Blue! I’m so glad I went back and bought it! I want to try it wet as a liner and see how well the pink sparkles show up!
Hee hee. Zelda rocks!
Amanda says
June 26th, 2008 at 8:33 amfor purples, one of my favorite looks is to use mac violet pigment on the lid then line with stila cassis (deep royal purple). kind of simple to do, but looks dramatic. 🙂 a favorite light/lilac-y purple one of shu’s–but I’m at work and can’t remember the number!! (darn numbers, names are so much easier). I think it is an “IR” finish though. and I’m drooling over shu ME purple 700, which I don’t own but think would go fab with the lighter purple.
tatiana says
June 26th, 2008 at 12:19 pmKaren, I just got to say you’re the bomb because you’re pinay with brown skin which means any shades/colors you use will probably work good on me too because our skin tones are similar. You’re a tad bit darker (I’m jealous) but it’s so helpful for me to see how it looks on you first! You’re also the bomb because you’re in the Bay Area! I work in SF, I’m still waiting for a Karen sighting.
I tried the purple last night…not so much but you give me hope. I’ll give it another whirl tonight!
Karen says
June 26th, 2008 at 2:19 pmHi Glosslizard,
Wow, that sounds like it would be really pretty. I think I’ll bust out my 266 and see what happens. Pink sparkles, here I come (hopefully)!
You know what’s funny? A few months ago my dad actually saved our ancient Nintendo (remember the one with the robot?). He set it up in the living room and I played Super Mario Brothers. Seriously, it was like riding a bike. I could remember most of the secret tricks, LOL.
Karen says
June 26th, 2008 at 2:22 pmHi Amanda,
Is your Cassis matte or shimmer? Hmm, I’ll see if I can replicate the look during the weekend. 🙂
I think this weekend it’s all going to be about eyeshadow experiments. I have an dark orange shadow from NARS, and I am not quite sure what to do with it, but I think I’ll figure something out!
Karen says
June 26th, 2008 at 2:32 pmHi Tatiana,
Nice to meet you! I just got back from Hawaii, which is why I’ve got a lil’ bit of color. That’s great that we can wear the same shades! Now you have to tell me which ones are your favorites… 🙂
The purple takes a lot of practice (well, for me, at least). Some colors are easy for me, but purple certainly isn’t a slap it on and go shade. Just keep at it and you’ll get it!
Elle says
June 26th, 2008 at 6:48 pmHey Karen!
I’ve only done a bit of Slate with Meet the Fleet…probably going to use some of my Cool Heat shadows with Submarine, but I haven’t figured that out yet. There’s not enough time to play with all of the goodies I have!! 🙂 Plus I went a little nuts at the family and friends sale…I’m too embarassed to admit how much I spent!
(Haha, sometimes I read over these comments and it’s funny how all of us MAC addicts speak our own language…”Woodwinked!” “Veluxe Pearl!” “LE!” Cracks me up! )
Karen says
June 26th, 2008 at 9:43 pmHi Elle,
I feel the same way, especially with lipsticks and eyeshadows. I joke that eventually I’ll have to just start wearing several different looks in one day, like how the stars change into five different dresses during awards shows. 🙂
The MAC jargon is fun when you are in the know! I remember being really confused when I was just starting out… it sounded like MAC-Latin or something! VP, LE, VGV… LOL, this could go one forever. 🙂
Elena says
June 27th, 2008 at 1:12 amThanks for your response! That does help. 🙂 I was thinking of replacing my Neutrogena blush with a stain, cause my skin is going crazy in this weather and nothing will stay on my face for more than a few minutes! I was thinking since liquid foundation stays on me longer, liquid blush might have a fighting chance, too, but you’ve got a good point about the control part. 🙂
For eyeshadows, I just wear whatever is on sale, lol. They never stay long on my lids, so I don’t spend too much money on them. 🙁 This may sound strange initially, but Hot Topic carries some pretty decent eye make-up at a good price. I go there sometimes, and they have some pretty fun cosmetics all around. You should check it out sometime! 🙂
Jaime says
June 27th, 2008 at 6:22 pmI came to your site from a link on bellasugar. I love this look. I’ve never actually done a different color on my lower lid. I really need to try this.
Apple Diva says
June 28th, 2008 at 8:21 amHey Karen,
Lovely look… very soft and pretty.
Is that Bell Bottom blue pigment beautiful.. I love it (have not purchased though)
How does the TooFaced shadow insurance compare to UDPP, Paint Pots, CCBs, etc? (If you have previously answered this question, please refer to me appropriate link.) Thanks 😉
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Lydia says
June 28th, 2008 at 10:06 amHey Karen,
I love purple makeup!