Colorama!!

As Illamasqua quotes, "makeup for an altered ego!", its about experimenting. I get a bit persona-change when it comes to creative makeup and with a colored palette at disposal its not a big feat to achieve!
I love color blocking and color placement especially with vivid colors placed side by side to create this ultra-alluring fantasy of reflective light and then adding some dark drama (with false lashes et al) to absorb the much radiated energy.

With my new BH Cosmetics 120 Eyeshadow 2nd Edition palette, doing such looks would be any easy task. Btw with the number of eyeshadows present, I will just be featuring the palette and that all and doing nothing more than describing the conventional names of eyeshadows used. I will surely describe other products keeping the palette as highlight!

( Please note, there was a camera error on the fuchsia pink as Canon could not capture that truly vivid colors, so please pardon!)


FACE

• Clinique Superbalanced Makeup
• YSL Touche Eclat
• Clinique Blended Face Powder
• MAC Blush in Hipness
• Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Nectar

LIPS

Clinique Lipstick in Beach Coral with MAC Dazzleglass in Phiff!

EYES

• BH Cosmetics 120 Eyeshadows 2nd edition palette
• UD primer potion (from the Naked Palette)
• NYX Cosmetics Jumbo Pencil in Purple
• Kryolan False Lashes (Uroparis are much better and 1/3rd the cost cheaper)
• Estee Lauder Sumptuous Volume Mascara
• MAC Brow gel
• Bourjois Chrome pencil in Green (forgot the name and misplaced it in the stash)

Brushes used were: -

MAC 217, Smashbox Small Dome brush, Shiseido Small eyeshadow brush, Essence of Beauty Duo brush and Clinique Blush brush with Benefit Fan Brush

Get the Look!

This is the palette with marked colors that I used. I swear I used all those colors and blended them very well. Please ignore the camera error in the open eyes picture.

Start with UD primer potion all over the lid and on the lower lid too. Apply Purple Pencil for better adherence of the eyeshadow on the upper lid. Place the colors shown below individually with clean brushes and blend at the corners. Place complimentary colors and analogous colors next to each other or as desired. You have many colors to play with so enjoy the melange.

This is what I managed to do. I stuck the false lashes after curling my real lashes and applying mascara. Since there is no black liner involved you may see the spine of the false lash which I believe is fine.

More pictures...........

Do get inspired to create unforgettable picture perfect masterpieces like this for fun! I am going to play with the BH cosmetics palette to create some halloween looks as well which I will post as soon as I create them. Just need to get inspired.

Please let me know, if you would love to see more of these fantasy looks!!

Till then,

CiaO

Thanks to ALL!

Dear Readers and all my dear friends,

I love your comments and love them when they pour even more but unfortunately I am not able to respond as I work the whole day and come home really late. That doesn't mean, you dont comment as your comments and positive feedback stimulates me to feature better posts.

Lately I have been doing a lot of eye looks and I am sure you loved them. To take the makeup to next level, I am in constant search of models who I can feature on my blog (plus they get a free makeover.) In case anyone shows the remotest interest, please mail me your 'watermarked' pic on neerajnavare@yahoo.com and if you live in a reachable location, I would love to hop in and do makeup, click photos and do a free makeup masterclass for you.

Another reminder is please do not write 'Anonymous posts'. Even if they are the nicest ones you could frame, I am not going to publish them although mentioning your name underneath could be a considered option. Please keep in mind before commenting.

Thanks and do keep encouraging me. Psst....breakdown of this look is coming soon....I did use my newly purchased BH Cosmetics palette for this. This palette was solely purchased for its wide choice of colors and amazing true color payoff...They didnt send me anything and neither did I ask them!

Hope you like that too!!

Till then,

Ciao

Terra Pink!!

This post is truly dedicated to my new friend Camya from www.thebeautybar.in . She was the one who got me the best of Urban Decay Eyeshadow palettes and got me introduced to the brand as its a rarity to get it in India. I wouldn't have imagined the effort she took for retrieving these rarely in stock palettes and she deserves million accolades for the same.

I have used the UD Naked Palette and UD 15th Anniversary palette along with Girlactik Eyeshadow called Satin, just in her honor.
Terra-pink is a look inspired from the deserts of Rajasthan and the colors from them. Its intermingling the earthen sandy hues with pops of attire that those rustic women wear (imagining Dimple Kapadia from Rudaali)

FACE

• Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15
• Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer
• Kryolan Loose Powder in TL 14
• Benefit Hoola Bronzer
• MAC Blush in Trace Gold

LIPS

• Clinique High Impact Lipstick in 04 Pure Posh

EYES

• Urban Decay Primer Potion
• UD Naked Palette Buck (matte soft brown), Hustle (cooler medium dark brown), Toasted (rusty taupe)
• UD 15th Anniversary Palette color junkshow (lilac-y fuchsia)
• Girlactik Beauty Eyeshadow in Satin
• NYX Jumbo Pencil in Black Bean
• Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara
• Uroparis no.53 lashes
• MAC Brow Gel
• Brushes used: - MAC 217, Estee Lauder Brush no.25, Sigma Makeup Brush SS217 and UD Good Karma eyeshadow brush.

Steps: -

1. Apply UD Primer Potion all over the lid and also the lower lid too (for the concealer to stay put)
2. Starting from the lash line apply BlackBean and blend it with fingers upto the outer half of crease.
3. Fuse it with BUCK in the entire crease to add definition and dimension.
4. Apply HUSTLE on the outer corners and outer crease. Also apply on the outer third of the lower lid.
5. With TOASTED blend HUSTLE in to the lid and then apply TOASTED with a crease brush on the higher side towards the brow bone. Blend it higher if you have small lids like mine. Apply TOASTED on the inner half of the lower lid too and smoke it in.
6. Highlight with SATIN and tame the brows with Brow Gel. Also highlight the inner corners with Satin.
7. Apply JUNKSHOW on the middle and inner thirds of the upper lid. Pat to get the brightest color impact or apply with a damp brush.
8. Finish with mascara........Add false lashes to create the drama. (Rajasthani Camels have big lashes LOL)

TIP: - The higher crease you, better this look gets....

More pics.........

This look has an earthy appeal and is very rustic. Wear it for functions and occasions to see how heads turn.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

The Naked palette from Urban Decay was always been talked about and my hands were itching to lay hands on it. I got mine from Kamya @ www.thebeautybar.in and if you are in Mumbai or anywhere else in India and want to look for brands like Nars, Urban Decay, Too Faced cosmetics, Girlactik Beauty etc then hers is the place to go to.

Here is the description of the colors in my way as I know there are millions out there who have reviewed this palette. What I am also looking forward is to do easy breezy looks with the palette with infinite combinations of looks that can be done effortlessly.

The Naked palette maybe overhyped but its really worth the penny you spend and has the most flattering 12 shades of neutrals you would love to have and have been looking for.

(The pictures will come later as this article is from my Blackberry)


Virgin - is a soft muted light beige with soft pearl. This shade is a good highlighter for cooler and neutral toned skins.

Sin - its a soft frosted peachy beige and quite sophisticated.

Naked - is a light matte brown fantastic for day wear and to add definition to brows of lighter skins as well as a good eyeshadow base color.

Sidecar - medium taupe with glitter that falls everywhere.

Buck - a buckwheat brown that is matte and contouring. Maybe a brow color for medium skin tones too

Half Baked - an amazing gold metallic shade with an added glamor quotient.

Smog - bronze brown pearl

Dark horse - dark blackened brown with golden pearl and so far my favorite shade from the palette.

Toasted - reddened frosted light brown reminiscent of terracotta tiles. It has a rustic edge to glam up your white outfits.

Hustle - mauve undertoned medium brown with gold and peach pearl.

Creep - soft grey brown with silver micropearl like a night infused with silver moonlight.

Gunmetal - silvery grey metallic shade with a graphite finish. Ultra modern and irresistibly chic.


The first three shades are lovely highloghters and then are midtone shades and a mish mash of smoky colors with amazing metallics like Gunmetal, Smog and Half baked.

The UD Naked Palette is one of my all time favorite palettes especially in the times of emergencies and functionality and when I am inspired to do nudes and neutral flesh colors.

It also inspired me to do a 'giveaway' in coming months and I will purchase another for the same (if there's luck in grabbing another one) while doing a contest. So please keep reading.


Till then,

Ciao


PS. Do 'subscribe' by entering your email ids to keep watch on declaration of the giveaway. I am sure you don't want to miss the upcoming contest.

Greener Side of Yellow!

Greens when infused with golden canary yellows add sufficient warmth to a cool funky summer look. Such lemon and lime colors can perk up tiredness and look fresh. Its just going and opting for brighter colors to cheer up the mood.

Color therapy is something I staunchly believe in and can see how colors can modify our life. Btw this look was also inspired by the Acid Green Sony Viao laptop my younger brother owns.


FACE

• Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer
• Benefit Boing Industrial Strength Concealer
• Clinique Blended Face Powder (Loose Powder)
• MAC Mineralize Blush in Gleeful ( Dirty Brown Rose colored blush with soft gold pearl)

LIPS

I loved the Clinique Buttershine lipstick in Pink Toffee to compliment the warmer eye makeup.

EYES

• Urban Decay Primer Potion as base for the makeup to stay put.
• I used Girlactik beauty Star Eyeshadow in Satin as highlighter for its subtle beige pearl.
• On the lids apply MAC eyeshadow in Bitter or Sweet and Punchy (the Sun blonde eyeshadow, a mustard yellow from Surf Baby collection of MAC would be fabulous too)
• On the outer corners, crease and lower half, apply MAC Eyeshadow in Sassy grass (green) which has this amazing matte bright green finish.
• On the upper lash line and inner rims apply Clinique Brush on Cream liner in Deep Brown and apply lots of Estee Lauder Sumptuous volumizing mascara.
• Tame the brows.

Here is the final look!

and this!

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial. Do keep a watch for the "Giveaway" coming soon!

Proud to HaUl!

This is my new haul and I felt so happy that I shared it.

I am also going to do some looks with this and maybe if I get one more and afford it I may do a "GIVEAWAY" yaaayyyy.

Since this is a post done from BB I am not able to put some pictures.

Hope you enjoy the looks..

Till then,

Ciao

The Touch

We have six sensory organs and one of them is "skin". Skin is gifted with sensations that brain understands beyond vision and hearing. Slightest touch is soothing and relaxing and emotionally recharging for our body.

"Touch" is a primitive sensation and has one of the utmost importance in our life. It creates a sensation of endearment, love, affection, sympathy, warmth and can calm down anxious mind. Our ability to touch and respond is associated with a plethora of emotions and makeup is one of them.

I call it the 'midas' touch', touch anything and it shines like gold. Your skin does shine like gold with a touch of love, care and makeup.

Today's article is about using your fingers to apply makeup and still get a flawless well blended look and about where you should and should not use fingers.

Before all this comes "hygiene" and it is the most important step to prevent contamination, cross contamination and decrease in the shelf life. Any handwash or no rinse gels are good enough to kill 99.9 percent of germs. Btw did you know the commonest germs seen on eyeshadows on cosmetic counters and where they come from??

. Staph. Aureus from nasal secretions and any form of pus in a localised wound. It is very resistant and can cause serious illness including blindness etc.

.Herpes virus coming from phlegm

. The worst is E.Coli which is an intestinal bacteria that contaminates the makeup products when people don't wash their hands after doing the duties and come to the cosmetic counters.


So "touch" should come with cleanliness and sanitation.

MY FINGERS ARE BEST

Well, everyone does not have long slender fingers. Some are stout, some are chubby and so many variations. To eliminate this factor the thumb rule is, "wherever your finger cannot reach,use a brush!!" So makeup brushes can come handy at such places.

Blending with fingers makes makeup look ultra flattering and natural. This is due to the warmth of our body and the friction fingers create on the facial skin that creates enough heat to blend silicones and emulsifiers into our skin. Also "touch" is another important factor that adds to the emotional quotient of the makeup service. So let's see which finger could do what: -

( You can use whatever fingers you like, but this is my idea of using hands for makeup)

1. Thumb - thumb is very good for blending on larger areas like cheeks and all. Ruby Kendall once said, " apply on flesh (apples) but blend on the bone (cheek bone)". Thumbs up if you can blend foundation for a seamless air brushed finish.

2. Index finger - one of the stiffest to put pressure index finger can also be used to apply foundation. Also you can use for applying concealers, cream blushes, highlighters, shimmer eyeshadows and all.

3. Middle finger - I like it as it has maximum length compared to all other fingers and is very good for blending in the corners whether it is sides of the nose or in the inner corners of the eyes.

4. Ring finger - weakest finger of the hand, this gives the slightest touch and feels amazing to do absolutely all sorts of blending. Right from under eye concealer to lipgloss it has the widest spectrum. Try applying shimmer based crean or powder eyeshadows and see how the fillers melt while allowing the shimmery eyeshadow to stay put and look vivid on the eyes. Finger application also sets the shimmer and glitter particles flat on the surface giving hgih impact. I apply MAC lustre eyeshadow finishes and brow bone highlighters with my ring finger.

5. Little finger (Pinky) - virtually no use except applying eye liners in the inner rims and acts as a pivot to apply lip liners thanks to the birth of Estee Lauder's Pinky-pivot signature method.


Overall our hands when used rightly and lightly can themselves be excellent brushes and give a human touch to our makeup. So when you want to buy a brush next time and if you are on a budget see whether you need one??