Ya know, this whole “makeup in 30 minutes or less thing” I’ve been doing all week long has been VERY liberating. To think, there was a time when I didn’t want to try anything beyond basic makeup because I thought that any looks worth doing would take at least 45 minutes to an hour (or sometimes two).
This look took 20 minutes and — get this! — only one brush. I used an angled eye brush to take out the edges of the cat eye.
Oh, and a BeautyBlender, if we’re being really picky.
To blend the makeup on my eyes, cheeks and lips, I just used my fingers! I’ve been inspired by a makeup artist a friend of mine named Fieran (hey, Fieran!) introduced me to, violetta_fr on YouTube. She’s this impossibly chic French woman who lives in New York, and she does most of her application with her fingers and a handful of products (only what she can fit in her cross-body Chanel purse).
It’s refreshing to see makeup out there beyond the hyper-glam beat that dominates social media, ya know?
Anywho, I call this look “Gilt and Gloss” because I used a mix of sparkly glitter, golden shimmer, and matte taupe and beige eye gloss on my lids.
I wanted to play with finishes and textures, and I wanted to do it in a messy, grungy way that still looks somewhat “lady like.”
For my eyes, I drew thick cat eye liner with a taupe matte shadow stick (Nudestix Magnetic Matte Eye Color in Slate). Then I used my fingers to smudge the edges on my lids.
Next, I took a shimmery neutral gold shadow stick called Gilt (also by Nudestix) and layered that on top of the taupe (quick! — say “top of the taupe” five times fast) on my lids, blending it with my fingers. I wanted to keep the flicks and my lower lash line dark, so I didn’t layer the gold on those parts.
Then I grabbed a pan of Urban Decay Diamond Dog Eyeshadow, a delicious glittery golden brown, and dabbed it on my lids with a finger, and then loaded my lashes with HELLA mascara (MAC In Extra Dimension Waterproof).
Lastly, I applied highlighter in my inner corners using a shiny beige eye gloss called Milk Makeup Eye Vinyl in Bridge.
I kept everything else on my face clean and un-fussy to help the glitter and gloss stand out more, and I evened out my skin with Milk Makeup Sunshine Tint, MAC Matchmaster Concealer and MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural.
For some color on my face, I blended a bit of Kjaer Weis Sun Touched Cream Blush on my cheeks, then highlighted my upper cheekbones with the rose gold powder highlighter from the BECCA X Chrissy Teigan Palette, and I used my fingers to apply both the blush and highlighter.
After I patted on the Kjaer Weis Blush, I had some extra left on my finger, so I rubbed it on my lips and added a layer of Hourglass Girl Lip Stylo in Peacemaker on top.
TWENTY MINUTES! And it feels so good!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. TGIF! And happy bday to…moi! 🙂
Jane says
June 9th, 2017 at 7:04 amHappy Birthday! I love your eye look! A little shimmer and glitter do the trick. I am also for any makeup look that uses brushes at a minimum. i get lazy when it comes to cleaning them. I have only been using three these days ( 2 for my eyes and one for face, I only use bronzing powder and blush). I have been loving the champagne shimmer shade of the Nars Old Church Street on my lids. It has a peachy-champagne tone on me.
Have a wonderful birthday and enjoy Hawaii!
Karen says
June 9th, 2017 at 7:17 amHi Jane,
Happy Friday and thank you for the birthday wishes! 🙂 I’m so happy that you’re enjoying your NARS duo. They make so many beautiful shadows! If you haven’t already, try applying the shimmery champagne with a finger. It turns it up a notch. It also doubles as a highlighter, too.
Is your baby boy (who I know isn’t a baby, but he’ll always be your baby!) out for the summer yet?
Syah says
June 9th, 2017 at 7:46 amI’ve been bingewatching violet_fr’s videos for the past few weeks. So amazing.
Karen says
June 9th, 2017 at 7:56 amHow can one lady be so effortless and chic? I want her to tell me all her secrets. LOL!
Kim says
June 9th, 2017 at 8:37 amI hope you have a Gilt and Glossy, GREAT Birthday! And just gilt, no “guilt” – eat a bunch of cake and your favorite things and enjoy your day. I’m sure El Hub, Connor Claire and Tabs will make it extra special. Congratulations on another wonderful year gone by (and still looking fabulous), my friend!! xoxo!
Karen says
June 9th, 2017 at 8:47 amAww, thank you, sweet friend! Lots of “gilt” but no “guilt” over the Nutella toast I had for breakfast this morning (I ate it with a huge bowl of strawberries, yum!).
I hope you have a fabulous Friday and that your Chanel Malice is looking fierce today. 🙂
What are you guys up to this weekend?
Kim says
June 9th, 2017 at 12:29 pmGood for you! I think you should have at least a couple of treats from TJ’s today, too. 🙂
Boys have baseball tomorrow and a sleepover, then soccer on Sunday. I actually have a charity dinner with an 80s theme tomorrow night (the Hubs is out of town but there is a group of 7 of us). We’re doing a Revenge of the Nerds thing and I’m a Pi Delta Pi girl – not the cheerleader outfit – the blue visor outfit, thankfully. I’ve never seen the movie but have checked out pics online and thought I’d be doing some big hair and blue/pink eye makeup. Sadly, not. HAHA!
Chelsea says
June 9th, 2017 at 9:35 amI love this look! I’m really into makeup like this right now, I want an eye gloss now!
Happy birthday! Hug Tabs and Connor Claire for me!
Karen says
June 9th, 2017 at 9:46 amThanks, Chelsea!
Eye gloss is so much fun… But sticky. Don’t wear them on windy days. Oh, and it helps to tie your hair back, too.
Just hugged the babies for you. 🙂
Chris25 says
June 9th, 2017 at 9:59 amHappy birthday, my dear! I wish I could bake you a cake. I make a mean chocolate cake.
I think you’ve sold me on Diamond Dog. I love glittery brown eyeshadows.
I’m so glad the weekend is here. The apartment is a mess. We’re hoping to get some of it in order.
Shannon says
June 9th, 2017 at 11:20 amHAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAREN!!!!
Love this look, and the idea of quick, easy, but sylish/glam makeup! <3
Sandy P says
June 9th, 2017 at 12:18 pmWill definitely check her out on YouTube…..if you ever have YouTube suggestions for the over 60 crowd please share. Your look is so pretty and I sure hope Sweet Pea via Daddy presents you with a great birthday gift ????
Sherry says
June 9th, 2017 at 8:57 pmHope you have a wonderful birthday Karen!! You look fabulous!!
Carmen says
June 9th, 2017 at 10:13 pmHappy Birthday, Karen!
Have a good flight and a great time!
LindaLibraLoca says
June 10th, 2017 at 5:21 amHappy Birthday, enjoy your trip. And really don´t tell me that you really did this look in 20 minutes? I thought I was fast, but I couldn’t do that in 20 minutes.
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