Adriana's Makeup

What I used on Adriana for this look:

bareMinerals READY Eyeshadow 2.0 'The Promise' 

featuring Aspire + Vow (buttercream sheen/brownstone)

$27.95 AUD

The buttercream sheen was used as a base for her eyes.

The brownstone was used darken the outer eye corners.

Nars Eyeshadow Duo 'Jolie Poupée'

(Vibrant Violet / Pearlescent Purple)

$55 AUD

I used the Vibrant Violent as the main middle tone colour for her eyes. I applied it from the middle to outer corner.

The Pearlescent purple was used to darken the purple on the outer edges. I also used a little bit on the bottom lash line (from the middle to outer corner).

bareMinerals READY Eyeshadow 2.0 'The Grande Finale'

featuring Standing O + Climax (brilliant gold/deep royal blue)

$27.95 AUD

I went over the matte light yellow with this brilliant gold (from the inner corner to the middle of the eye).

I applied the royal blue with a dampened brush and used it as an eyeliner base on top lash line. I also applied little bit on the bottom lash line (from the middle to outer corner).

bareMinerals Pigments 'True Gold' 

(medium golden nugget)

$17.95 AUD

This was used to add more shimmer, intensity and dimension to where I originally placed the yellow/gold eyeshadow colour (from the inner corner to the middle of the eye).

I also placed a little bit on the bottom lash line in the inner corners of the eye.

Smashbox Limitless Eyeliner 'Onyx'

(Black)

$28.95 AUD

I used this all the way through on the bottom waterline. This is perfect for the waterline as it's waterproof and won't smudge.

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner 

(Black)

$32 AUD

I used this to go over the blue eyeshadow on the top lash line and did a bit of a wing/flick at the end. I didn't completely cover the blue eyeshadow from before and left a visible line of blue on top of the eye. This eyeliner is great as it's waterproof, doesn't smudge and literally stays on all day.

Kevyn Aucoin The Mascara 'Volume'

(Black)

$40 AUD

I used this mascara on the top and bottom eyelashes. I think this mascara is great for everyone (except those who prefer waterproof mascara). The thin brush allows precise application from the roots to the end of the lashes and doesn't flake, smudge, or melt. It's also infused with volume building fibres which thickens, separates, and lengthens without clumping - thanks to advanced Japanese technology.

Nars Semi Matte Lipstick 'Funny Face'

(Fuchsia)

$39 AUD

Love this lipstick as its velvety, long wear, and very highly pigmented. It also has a blend of conditioners and antioxidants to hydrate and protect the lips. 

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KIT Diamond Nail Bows

 Today I'm wearing these cute diamond nail bows from KIT. They are so easy apply and you can even re-use them again provided you take them off carefully.

The procedure to put it on is quite simple really - All you need to do is paint your nails first with nail polish (and top coat if you like), then squeeze a small dot of glue on the nail you wish to stick the bow on and then hold the bow on the nail for about 20-30 seconds until dry/secure.  

You can put it on however you like e.g. in the middle of the nail, on the bottom of the nail, or on the top of the nail slanting on an angle (kind of looks like hello kitty this way).

They're really sturdy, wont budge, and give your regular old boring nail colour a bit of bling.

What I used on my nails:

- KIT diamond nail bows $23.95 AUD

- O.P.I 'Tickle My France' Nail Polish $19.95 AUD

- Sportsgirl 'Fruit Salad' Nail Polish $7.95 AUD

- Ciaté Speed Coat (Leaves a nice shiney coat and dries super fast!) $24 AUD

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Too Faced Buodoir Eyes

Last week I experimented with the Too Faced Buodoir Eyes. After playing around with this eyeshadow palette and using their How-to Glamour Guide provided, I would say that this palette was so-so for me.

Blend ability: 6/10

It was quite hard to blend the colours nicely at times, especially when following the instructions in the How-to Glamour Guide.

If you aren't careful with applying the eyeshadows, the look can very easily appear 'muddy'. My theory is that the colours in the palette don't compliment each other very well and there are too many shimmers in contrast with mattes. Often when you mix shimmers together with colours that don't compliment each other very well, it can give you that 'muddy' kind of effect. Also, I find that the shimmer colours in this palette aren't very nice to blend with.

Pigmentation: 8/10

Of course the shimmers aren't as pigmented as the mattes but I would say the colours are relatively well pigmented.

Staying Power: 9/10

The eyeshadow will stay on well throughout the day but thats provided you use an eyeshadow primer. My favourite is the Too Faced Shadow Insurance!

Overall Rating: 7/10

It is quite a versatile palette and very easy to take around with you whilst travelling however I didn't really like the mix of eyeshadows recommended for use in the How-to Glamour Guide provided for you. Although there are no set rules on how to use the palette, I would've much preferred to use it in a different way (e.g. I would've mixed the colours from here with colours from another palette).

If you are beginning with makeup then I do think it's quite handy to have this as you have an instructional leaflet book to give you ideas on how to use the eyeshadow colours. But I would still prefer and recommend the the Urban Decay Naked or Naked 2 over this as you get a lot more colours which compliment each other very well, get a lot more looks out of it, and the colours are more pigmented.

Below I have recreated the 3 different looks (Day, Classic, and Fashion) that they have provided for you in their How-to Glamour Guide.

 DAY 

1. Sweep In The Buff from lash to brow.

2. Press Fuzzy Handcuffs onto the eyelid.

3. Blend Voulez-Vous into the crease and outer lash line.

4. Apply black gel liner to the top and bottom of your eyes (apply as you like or here I have done a slight wing at the top and only applied the eyeliner half way on the bottom - using Loreal gel liner).

5. Curl your lashes and apply mascara to top and bottom lashes (here I am using Shiseido eyelash curler and Helana Rubinstein Lash Queen Sexy Blacks mascara).

CLASSIC

1. Prime eyelids and apply Satin Sheets from lash to brow.

2. Sweep Sugar Walls onto lid, crease and around tear duct.

3. Smoke upper and lower lash lines with Garter Belt.

4. Apply black gel liner to the top and bottom of your eyes (apply as you like or here I have done a slight wing at the top and only applied the eyeliner half way on the bottom - using Loreal gel liner).

5. Curl your lashes and apply mascara to top and bottom lashes (here I am using Shiseido eyelash curler and Helana Rubinstein Lash Queen Sexy Blacks mascara).

FASHION

1. Prime eyelids and sweep Birthday Suit from crease to brow.

2. Blend Lap Dance into crease and onto lid. 

3. Apply French Tickler to upper lash line and extend outward, then blend into lower lash line.

4. Apply black gel liner to the top and bottom of your eyes (apply as you like or here I have done a slight wing at the top and only applied the eyeliner half way on the bottom - using Loreal gel liner).

5. Using a pointed eyeshadow brush, smudge the eyeliner out to a little to create that smokey effect.
6. Curl your lashes and apply mascara to top and bottom lashes (here I am using Shiseido eyelash curler and Helana Rubinstein Lash Queen Sexy Blacks mascara).

Below: Full face of the 'CLASSIC' look.

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In Beauty + Ricky NYC No-Crease Hair Clips

Recently I popped into Magnation to have a bit of a browse whilst waiting for my train. If you don't know what Magnation is.. It's a little magazine store on Elizabeth Street, Melbourne that stock many different titles; from popular mainstream ones to niche ones. So while I was there I found this awesome beauty magazine called In Beauty. I may be out of date as I just discovered it but this magazine is great! It showcases intricate visuals of the very latest fashion/runway makeup artistry and is especially useful for aspiring makeup artists out there who are seeking for inspiration. 

 Oh and I also managed to pick up a nice graphic design magazine to give me some ideas for my folio. Pity these magazines are so expensive though...

While I was flicking through In Beauty, I saw the exact same clips I have featured in the Marc Jacobs section.

I love these clips and highly recommend them to any makeup artist or to anyone who doesn't like their hair getting in the way when applying makeup. Unlike normal hair clips, they don't crease your hair and leave that nasty fringe bump after you take it out. They are super cute too!

RICKY'S NYC No-Crease Pastel Bow Clips

Purchased from Mecca Maxima ($7 AUD)

 

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