Put on your most fashionable thinking caps, gals, because Jessica needs our help. 🙂
Karen!
I’m hoping you’ve got the answer to my major problem!
I work on a cruise ship (I know, tough work) and I wear the TACKIEST red, white and blue tracksuit uniform.
What are some eyeshadow looks that I can wear every day that won’t make me look overdone, but still can help me look put-together and sassy in the world’s worst uniform?
Hi Jessica,
How super cool! I’ve seen every episode of Love Boat and circa 1982 had grand plans to become a cruise ship porter/activities director/bartender-extraordinaire.
Your uniform doesn’t sound too bad (well…). At least it’s stretchy, right?
As for your eye makeup, what about something neutral and work-appropriate that leaves room for flexibility when you’re feeling sassy?
Start with a shimmery neutral
You might start with a shimmery neutral like Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit ($19). It’s a shimmery champagne cream shadow that really brightens up the eyes and looks pretty much fab on *everybody*.
Apply over the entire eyelid with a finger or a synthetic brush (because they aren’t as absorbent as natural fibers, synthetic bristles work well for cream products) like the MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush ($25).
To complete the look when you’re pressed for time (maybe late for bingo on the ship?), just curl your lashes and add mascara.
Consider a black liquid liner
When time isn’t of the essence, sassify the look with some liquid liner along your upper lash line. I like Lorac’s Front of the Line Pro ($22), a new liquid liner pen that just hit shelves this fall. It makes lining a cinch, and the rich black color lasts all day long.
Do a thin line when you want subtle definition or a thicker cat eye line (with a flick at the end) when you want a more dramatic version.
Crank it up with colored mascara
Sassify the look even more by replacing your regular mascara with a tinted shade — perhaps a green, blue or purple. I totes adore Estee Lauder’s Sumptous Color Mascaras ($20). They deliver eye-popping color while adding lash thickness, length and lift.
Have fun on the high seas! 🙂 Drop me a line (or a message in a bottle) once in a while to let me know how you and your makeup are doing.
Ahoy, ladies! What else could Jessica do with her makeup considering her red, white and blue cruise ship uniform? Use your imagination, and share your ideas in the comments.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Steph B says
September 21st, 2009 at 8:51 pmI think I’d embrace the uniform colors and have some fun with them without going over the top — don’t want to scare some conservative, elderly couple. Sheer red lip gloss. Blue eyeliner or nail polish on short nails (no blue talons) to match the uniform’s tone of blue. Just not all at once.
Marisol says
September 21st, 2009 at 9:52 pmI think a neutral eye look and then adding a bold liner like blue to give it some POP!
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… Stepping Out Of My Comfort Zone =-.
Blovet Beauty says
September 21st, 2009 at 10:54 pmI with u on the black liquid liner… can never go wrong with a black winged line!!
.-= Blovet Beauty’s last blog post… Wavy Sexy Soft Curls Tutorials & Makeup Palettes =-.
Karen says
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:59 amHi Blovet Beauty,
Right? It’s a classic look.
amy says
September 21st, 2009 at 11:59 pmI would do a nude eye with MAC Paints in Sublime Nature or Bamboon on the lid; use MAC Kid eyeshadow for the crease; and finish with MAC Fluidline Blacktrack lined thinly to define lashes, wing it out slightly. On lips I would use either a neutral pink or peach gloss or creme lipstick. For face I would use a gel or cream blush. I would go funkier with nails, to compliment the navy in your uniform I recommend OPI Dating a Royal. It is just bright enough without being a blacken navy.
.-= amy’s last blog post… FOTD MAC Rave Pearlglide Eyeliner with MAC Technakohl Full of Fuchsia Liner + MAC Big Bow Lipstick =-.
Karen says
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:58 amHi Amy,
That would be a pretty look! I just discovered Bamboo. I love it for the brow bone or just a simple was over the entire eye.
Tavia a says
September 22nd, 2009 at 4:28 amBecause she has to many colors on her uniform I think she must keep the eye makeup to a natural one and emphasises with black eyeliner (or navy blue) and lot of mascara (black or dark blue is also an option) or she can try some soft shimmery eyeshadows 🙂
.-= Tavia a’s last blog post… Chic Giveaway: Comment to win the 155$ La Prairie Anti-Aging Eye Cream SPF 15 – A Cellular Intervention Complex =-.
Karen says
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:53 amHi Tavia,
Good call on the blue liner!
Sylvie says
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:24 amDefinitely red lips and a contoured face.
Karen says
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:50 amHi Sylvie,
Thanks for chipping in. How have you been? Things alright in your neck of the woods?
Jill Mendoza says
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:26 amI would go for a more natural look, with a bit of soft reds to bring out the patriotic colors 😉
Sylvie says
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:49 amHi Karen
Thanks for asking. I developed a blood clot in my leg 3 weeks ago from a 13-hour flight so there’s anti-coagulating medicine to take for 3 months as well as daily injections that lasted two weeks (which are thankfully over). It’s a messy business. You never think you’re a candidate for DVT until you’re it. Bottomline: never wear tight jeans for a long-haul flight.
Karen says
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:43 amHi Sylvie,
Oh no. Well, at least you’re on the road to recovery. And I’m glad that the daily injections are at least over with, yikes. Noted: nothing but stretchy pants for long flights from here on out.
Katy says
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:14 amI’d go for a golden shimmer shadow. You can blend well and make it look more neutral, but I’ve found it works wonders when I’m wearing blue…and it isn’t matchy-matchy (which I’m not into). Also, to top that off, I’d go with Stilla’s “Kitten” shadow on the inner corner of my eyes and on the brow bone for hilighting. It’s a super-great neutral and will blend well in the crease with the gold shadow. Brown liner and mascara to top it off and a neutral (or red) lippie- depending on your mood. Fun! 🙂
amy says
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:34 amHey Karen,
I just recently discovered Bamboom too and I used to be all about Sublime Nature. I think Bamboom would make an excellent nude eye for your complexion!
.-= amy’s last blog post… FOTD Medusa’s Makeup Desert Storm, Full Moon, MAC Kid, Fluidline Blacktrack and MAC High Def Lipstick =-.
Glosslizard says
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:36 pmI’d go for a neutral eye, probably gold-based, Birthday Suit is a perfect suggestion! Then play with either lipstick or eyeliner… even though I don’t try to match my clothing, wearing red reeeeaaaallly makes me want to reach for a good, red lippie! Sheer red gloss would be pretty too! Then black eyeliner is fab, or a pretty navy would be nice too. Shu Uemura’s eye pencil in metallic blue is very pretty without being too in-your-face! Probably you could also find some great looks playing with Lancome’s Declaring Indigo collection, it seems right up this alley! 🙂
Amanda says
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:24 pmlove karen’s suggestions as a starting point. I love to mix up the looks (and I’m always kinda matchy…) so here are a few more ideas:
-red lips! nothing says sass like red lips. do a matte one for night, or sheer red gloss for day.
-subtle smokey eyes w/ navy and lighter blue, peachy nude lips
-rosy cheeks, your lips but better lipstick, shimmery pinkish gold eyes (something like urban decay X)
-a bronzey look, you are on a cruise ship! assuming you are somewhere warm. 🙂
Solé says
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:39 pmHm, I think it’s best to work with the uniform, as opposed to despite the uniform. You can try to include elements of the red, white and blue nautical theme without going overboard (pun intended) with the matchy-matchiness. 🙂 I can think of two looks I would try. I would probably do a neutral metallic (but subtle) gold or champagne eye shadow, with a pinkish or peachy blush (depending on whether you have cool or warm undertones) and a bold, yet classy red lipstick. And for another look, I might do a navy smoky eye with a nude or beige lipstick and same type of blush as the previous face. Hope this helps. 🙂
Alexis says
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:46 pmOoh, this is fun :). I would go with MAC’s Grand Entrance on inner corner of eyelid, Style Snob on rest of eyelid, & Satin Taupe in the crease. Go with a matte or satin highlight – something like MAC Vanilla and then black liner. One of my favorite looks EVER :).
penelope says
September 22nd, 2009 at 4:49 pmblack eyeliner, neutral eyeshadow and some bold red lips
ezzie says
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:39 pmthat estee lauder mascara is soo amazing!
my aunt had a tube of the green one and i was just playing with some of her makeup and tried it on, not expecting much.
but once that miracle mascara was on my lashes, it proved me wrong! it’s absolutely brilliant.
Eva says
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:28 amI would go with a classy neutral eye, light, satin-y e/s (nothing too shimmery), navy blue liner (maybe line with an e/s instead of a pencil or gelliner, it creates a softer look)and transparent red lipgloss or a nude lipstick/gloss.
Red or blue nailpolish to match the uniform sounds like a great idea, too. And I second Steph B – short nails are a must! I think blue polish tends to look tacky or cheap on longer fingernails.