There’s this great blog I’ve been reading for the past couple years for…let’s just call them “vertically challenged ladies” like myself, called Extra Petite, and Jean, the gal who runs it, is a big fan of something she calls “outfit formulas” — particularly kick-@ss, easily repeatable combinations of colors or articles of clothing, like a white tee and dark jeans, that always go well together.
Hmm… Could this work with makeup??
I mean, I wouldn’t want to follow a formula all the time, because sometimes I like to meander through my makeup and feel my way through whatever I’m doing (particularly when I have time), but there are moments when I don’t want to think, don’t feel very creative, and just want some easy routine of items that I know work well together.
Basically, a formula.
I do them all the time with certain colors and combos, like the combo I’m wearing here, which is comprised of three things — a shimmery golden taupe eyeshadow, a warm red matte lip and a sheer bronzer, but I don’t always think of them as “formulas.”
One of the main reasons I love the one above is because I can get a good amount of color on my face with it (’cause you know I love wearing color!) without doing too much work.
Here I’m wearing an incredibly user-friendly, gorgeous golden taupe taste of perfection called Chanel Talpa that I talked about a while back when it launched. Basically, it’s super creamy and easy to buff out, so you don’t need a lot of blending skills to pull it off. Plus, it’s long-wearing too.
Anyway, oops! I’m getting off topic. My bad!
I’m combining the shimmery golden taupe on my lids with the matte red statement lip to create two focal points that don’t require a lot of blending or other heavy makeup lifting (especially, if you use a liquid matte lipstick like I do here).
I gotta point out how the warm orange-red lippie I’m wearing, NARS Powermatte Pigment in Light My Fire (from the new line of liquid matte lippies coming soon to NARS counters and the NARS website), is an important component of this formula because of how well the golden tones in the taupe eyeshadow go with warmer reds.
But you could also use a tomato red if orange-reds don’t work for ya.
The matte finish is also key, although you could certainly use a red with a creamy finish or glossy finish, too, but I like the way the flat matte goes with the shimmery shadow.
I dunno… I just like to include contrasting elements because I think they make things interesting.
Now, when you’re wearing a good amount of color on your lips AND on your lids, it’s usually a good idea to refrain from overloading your cheeks with pink or peach because it can be too much, so when I do this combo, what I like to do is skip blush and just wear bronzer on my cheeks, and for the bronzer, I recommend going with a sheerer one. The one I’m wearing here is Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Color in shade No. 40.
Because it’s sheer, you’ll have more control over how much you put on your cheeks. (Side note: I noticed today that the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette, which I’ve been coveting for AGES, is now on the US Chanel website, along with what I think are new cream blush shades… SOMEONE, SAVE ME FROM MYSELF!!!).
To tie the look together with the matte lips, I also suggest using a matte or semi-matte bronzer instead of something too shimmery.
I hope you give this makeup math formula a try sometime soon. It’s one of my favorite foolproof combos. If you do try it, please send me a pic, too, and tag me on Instagram @karenmbb. I’d love to see it. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
This makeup look makes you look so radiant! I’m sold on this!
Alexis||https://lidsandtricks.com/
Thanks, I hope you give it a try.
I’ve always wanted to try a orange red lipstick. This makeup look looks great on you!
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Thanks! You should try orangey red lipstick. MAC Lady Danger is a good one.
I love Jean’s site! I too, am height challenged (5’2″). Love the look. Very elegant very quickly.
I think my no-brainer makeup formula for when I want a little daytime dazzle is a shimmery, rose-gold eye look with a pink (with a hint of peach) cheek. It’s neutral but with a twist, and I can wear it with most lipstick shades. Plus, I can pump it up for nighttime with a warm brown or burgundy eyeliner and waterline!
I have a hard time with taupes because eyeshadows with any hint of cool colors (even though it’s not really a cool color) can emphasize my dark circles, so they aren’t a “go-to” for me, as beautiful as they are! I do wear them, though, when I have the time to really conceal and perfect my undereyes.
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I love your simple look. I was curious about the new Chanel eye shadows. I actually have the new cream shadow in Undertone on order since my local L & T were out of stock.
I would love to match it with a red lip though I am not a fan of liquid lipsticks.
I ‘m actually wearing NYX Suede in Kitten Heels and some bronzer today. Kitten Heels is a little like MAC Russian Red, only in a liquid matte lipstick formula. Been lazy this morning, so I’m wearing nothing on the eyes. Any red lipstick combo sounds good to me, especially on lazy days.
I think most of us have these formulas without calling them a formula. I at least have one for these very early mornings after little sleep. Taupe lids, bronzed cheeks and a red lip is what I am wearing today, and I did not put much thought into the look, I was barely awake when I applied my face…
I would love to see more of yours to get some inspiration!
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That’s a great formula! Loving it and soo tempted to try it today! I think it’ll be either that, OR a smokey eye with with Armani’s Eyes to Kill eyeshadow quad in 09 (aka Medusa – love even the name so much… Lately, I’ve been totally obsessed with this thing). Such a tough call!
One more thing – I cannot wait for you to get the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette…! Would love a review and to see what you do with it! As I said before, I think it looks amazing with a red lip. 🙂
I’m going to have to check out that blog! I’m 5’1″ and very slim so finding clothing that isn’t baggy or way too long on me can be a challenge.
Very nice! I do regret reading down to the Chanel part, though. I hope I get a wave of ADD and forget about it quickly. 😉
Good luck with that! I’ve gone back to the page about 100 times the last day and a half, haha!
Ohh I love such no-brainer combos! Would love to try this one out tomorrow :). I’ve to think about which ones I have in case of too-tired to think of great combos days!
Ooh great post! Thanks!