To me, simplicity is key in makeup, Even when I go bold, I like to keep it fresh and youthful. It really helps that I am blessed with pretty good skin! I hydrate my skin really well with moisturizer and frequent face masks. Since I use a lot of liquid foundations which range from dewy to matte finishes, it always helps when the skin is supple and well-hydrated.
I did use a fair amount of products to create this look. First, for the base I mixed two of my favorite foundations--Urban Decay Naked Skin in Shade 9.0 and Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation in New Guinea (Med/Dark 5). I used my Sephora Pro Liquid Foundation Brush in 63. After buffing it all in, I made sure it looked like my skin but better--which was the goal. I am very particular that my foundation never looks like its caked on or fake. I like to make it look as close to skin-like as possible. On top of it, I lay my favorite blush. I prefer cream blushes to powder blush. MAC Cremeblend Blush in Ladyblush. I always like to use my finger to warm the product up and pat it in place. In case I do go overboard (which tends to happen when I'm doing too many things at he same time!), I'd just use the foundation brush to soften it.
I used a combination of two eye shadow palettes-- Laura Mercier Sleek & Chic Eye Color Palette (on the left below) and Bobbi Brown Eyes University (on the right below). First, I used Ginger and antique rose together and laid it down over my eyelids to remove any discoloration on them. I do this mainly due to the fact I prefer not to use any primers because I don't like how they feel on my skin! Next I used my fingers and applied a wash of a combination of Cedar and Bronze glow. I prefer using my fingers since it gives a more imperfect application and the color applies as a wash of color which can be built up as I want. I laid just a smidgen of Steller on the inner corner of my eyes to open them up. Then, I dipped my brush in Espresso Bean and Plumfique in the outer corner of my eyes. Since I wanted it to be a little more matte than what it had turned out to be, I then used my fingers again to overlay it with Black Plum on the outer corner, till I was happy with the result. What I got in the end was a very subtle and soft smokey eye effect!
I finished the look with my favorite lipstick from Tom Ford in Pussycat. I used my finger to lightly push it in and pat the color on my lips. I think this gives the illusion of it being your lips but better.
It's probably obvious that I like to use my hands with the application process more than brushes or sponges. I just feel that this gives you a result which is just a little bit flawed, which to me is more endearing and human than a flawlessly done application. When you do your makeup, you're telling the world a story about yourself. I am the farthest thing from perfect. Why would my makeup be stunningly perfect?
I would love to do these kind of in-depth posts about different looks and different products quite often! It's a lot of fun. Maybe, someday in the future I'd be okay about doing video of a look too!
Cheers! Madhu x
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