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For summer, I’m currently all about alternative smokey eyes – anything but basic black, particularly if it pops with color. Today I did a purple smokey eye, and it definitely felt bright and fun!
First I moisturized my skin with Garnier Skin Renew Daily Moisture Lotion. I just started using this lotion, and I’m quite liking it. Even though I’m starting to age (ugh!), I still have normal-to-oily skin that easily gets clogged pores, and this lotion is just moisturizing enough to keep me feeling plump and comfortable but doesn’t get greasy, even by the end of the day.
Next I spot-concealed with MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC15 under my eyes and around my nostrils. After blending that out a bit, I set my whole face with NYX HD Studio Photogenic Grinding Powder in 01 Nude. I usually like to wear tinted moisturizers, but as this powder is just a touch too dark for me (and it’s their lightest shade!), it’s simply too much and oxidizes too dark if I use it over anything with color. Used purely to set a clear moisturizer, though, it is just enough to blur any imperfections and even my skin tone without being noticeably off-shade.
For the eyes, I first primed with Urban Decay Primer Potion. I received a small sample of this with one of my last Urban Decay hauls, and really, I’m just trying to use it up. I far prefer Too Faced Shadow Insurance to UDPP. I started the color by applying MAC Eyeshadow in Beautiful Iris all through the crease and then added Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadow in Ransom (discontinued) all over the lid and along the lower lashline. Using a fluffy brush, I then blended them out for a smokey effect and applied a touch of Sephora Collection Colorful Mono Eyeshadow in Aspen Summit (discontinued) to highlight the browbone.
To define my brows, I’ve been using and absolutely loving the Maybelline Master Shape Brow Pencil in Blonde – the waxy formula clings more to the brow hairs than it does the skin, so it’s impossible to apply so much your brows look painted on (you only wind up defining the hairs more and more). And the little spooley brush does a great job of combing your brows into shape while the waxy pencil holds them in place all day. Lastly for the eyes, I used Maybelline The Falsies Big Eyes Waterproof Mascara in Very Black on both top and bottom lashes. While I’m a definite fan of a certain high-end mascara, I find the entire The Falsies line to be an excellent drugstore alternative – at a third of the price!
I always make a point to contour, and my favorite product for that is MAC Sculpting Powder in Sculpt. It’s perfect for super-fair skintones like mine. So often contour/bronzing products look ridiculously orange- or red-based on me, but Sculpt is a perfect neutral that isn’t too grey-tinged. It works beautifully for carving out hollows under the cheekbone and along the temple.
Next is a hint of Urban Decay Afterglow Powder Blush in Score (discontinued) swept up from the apples of my cheeks, all topped with Sephora Prisma Chrome Eyeshadow in Moon Beam No05 (limited edition) to highlight my cheekbones. I honestly did buy this to use as an eyeshadow, but I wasn’t a fan of the slight pinky-mauve tint anywhere on my eyes. One day I decided on a whim to try it as a highlight, and ta-da! It was absolutely stunning. The rosy shift works perfectly on cheeks, and the shimmer is just enough to look glowy without being glittery.
Lastly, on to lips… I laid down a thin base of Fusion Beauty LipFusion Lip Conditioning Stick in Clear (discontinued) and let that soak in a while. This is absolutely my favorite lip balm on the planet, and I’m so bummed they’re discontinuing them. It’s definitely a plumping balm – at least for me – and it moisturizes beautifully without feeling slick and greasy like most balms. The best thing about it is that it’s petroleum-free. I’m super-sensitive to any petroleum-based beauty products, and if I use one on my lips, my usually rarely-chapped lips will break out in a horrible rash and become painfully chapped. I’ll be in the market shortly for a replacement to this fave, sadly…
Once the balm had set, I topped it off with MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Love Long Distance (limited edition – Beth Ditto Collection). It was the perfect pinky-plum, sheer shimmer color to complement the purple smokey eyes without detracting from them.
