AMW Version: Purples without the Black Eyed Peas

Happy Thursday! Sorry for the weird title!  Black Eyed Peas lover out there, don't hate me ok?  I just find the title unique and hoping it would catch your attention! (KSP kasi ako) :P  

When it comes to purples, clients would always shy away and say: "I'm not that fair, it won't look good on me, I'll probably look like someone with black eye!"

I actually went through the similar stage when I was still studying make-up!  There are definitely a lot of practice and a lot of color combining done before I found a way to use purples on a daily basis without looking tired or messy!

Note that this is a toned down version because this look is meant for daytime!  Yes, you can wear it at work without getting strange looks from colleagues!

Tips

• Try not to pile up a lot with a single shade of dark purple eyeshadow.
• Use different shades of purples to have "3-dimensional effect."
• Use at least 2 shades to create a purple look, one is any shade of purple while the other is a highlighter!  Could be golds, beige, etc...
• Use an eye primer or eyeshadow base and pat on the dark eyeshadow to prevent fall outs.
• For fall outs, do not use your fingers in wiping them off, gently brush the excess off with a big powder brush or fan brush!  *works ALL the time!*

AMW Diagram

Step 1:
It wasn't shown on photo but I actually applied Urban Decay Primer Potion all over lids.  Applied purple shade from Lancome Color Fan 6 Color Eyeshadow Palette.

Step 2:
With the same Lancome Color Fan 6 Color Eyeshadow Palette, use the shimmery gold eyeshadow on the inner corner of the eyes to create a "brigher" look!  This helps cast away the dark shadow that can make your eyes look tired!

Step 3:

For a fake "deeper set of eyes" look, I used a darker purple shade from my Sleek Divine Graphite Palette.

Step 4:
Apply eyeliner of your choice!  I always go for gel liners or liquid liners!  Pencil liners I use to tight line!

Drew my brows with Paul & Joe Eyebrow Pencil no. 2.  Curled my lashes and used Majolica Majorca Lash Enamel Glamour Volume on Mascara in Black.

Here's a daytime, non-tiring eyes

Workable for office girls!

 

Scroll down to check what's on the rest of my face

 

For the Face:
Kanebo Revue Powder Foundation BE-C

For the Cheeks:
The Body Shop's Autumn Leaves Compact

in Shade 02 Berry

For the Lips:
Stila Lip Pots in Amande

Top with Stage Wondergloss in Sophia

Get that lazy bum out of your room!
Face your day with a huge smile!  It's Thursday!
Friday is super reachable!

Have you perfected your purple eyeshadow?
What shade do you pair it with?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Version: "Work and Play"

(Note from author: All previous comments were gone due to Blogger issues)
Some of the AMW readers asked me what's the right look to sport that they can wear during the office that would still look perfect after office!  I understand how difficult it is to go to your office lugging your whole make-up kit or probably have your make-up done at home but really?  A party make-up inside the office? 

I've created a wearable look that's effective for "Work and Play" with the help of my new Revlon Colorstay 12 Hour Eye Shadow compact. 

How I wish I could brag about my "full lashes" ---> not real! :P

AMW Diagram

Prior to eyeshadow application, I primed my lids with Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer.  Using The Body Shop Kajal Eye Liner in 02 Evergreen, I applied this all over the crease going beyond.  I don't mind if its not drawn perfectly, this only serves as a base for my light colored shadow.

Step 1:

Apply the Green shadow on top of the TBS Kajal Eyeliner Evergreen base.  The pigmentation of the Revlon Colorstay Quad is not that dark, so a good base is important to make the color pop.

Step 2:

I used the same brush to apply the purple shade on the outer corner of my eyes creating a "fake" deep set eyes.  Same quad was used. 

With a smaller pencil brush, apply the same shade on the lower lash line.

Step 3:

With the eye shadow applicator, applied the pearl white shade on the brow bone area to highlight the area.  This trick helps create a bigger eyes.

Step 4:

Used E.L.F. Cream Eyeliner in Black for eyelining with my favorite Ecotools brush.

Fill in my brows with the recently reviewed 

"The Face Shop Lovely ME-EX Auto Eyebrow Pencil"

Since this look needs to fit for after office "play", I chose to use falsies.  In this tutorial, I've used Eye's Chic Eyelashes no. 815 from KKCenterHK.

Note from AMW: I am loving the lashes from KKCenterHK because no matter how thick or long my lashes look, they remain to feel so natural and light!  I've used a lot of the lashes from the said company to my clients who are first-time falsies user and they told me that they feel surprisingly comfortable with it! 

My eyes are ready to work and play!

Now the rest of my face should also get ready!

For the face

CK Infinite Matte Oil-Free Foundation in Porcelain

Lunasol Micro Finish Powder to set

For the Cheeks

E.L.F. Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder

For the Lips

Revlon Colorburst Gloss in 004 Pink Ice Glace Rose

You can change your lip color into something brighter when you're off from work!  The nude lips work perfectly to counteract the dark eyes (dark in person).  At the end of the day, your eyeshadow may fade a bit so bright lips is going to rock the party world! :)

What's your Work and Play look?
Share to us for more inspiration!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder

I've been asked about inexpensive alternative to anything expensive!  I hear you, don't we all love good deals?  One brand that lives up that type of expectation is a brand we all know ---  E.L.F. Cosmetics.

E.L.F. Cosmetics obviously performed because the company grew bigger.  They even came up with E.L.F. Studio Line which includes more professional looking products and brushes! 

I finally have my hands on the Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder I've been eye-ing for a long time!  Keep that smile as you read on...

ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder says ---

Create a healthy and natural glow all year long. The Blush highlights the cheeks to add a flush of color, while the Bronzer accents and contours cheekbones for beautiful definition.

Ingredients: Talc, Mica, Magnesium Stearate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Paraffinium Liquidum (Mineral Oil), Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Iron Oxides (CI 77491 CI 77492 CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77981), Red No.40 Lake (CI 16035), Ultramarine Blue (CI 77007)

AMW says ---

Pros

• NARS-looking packaging without the rubbery feel.

• No animal testing as promised by EyesLipsFace (ELF) Company.
• Pigmentation of both shades are quite pigmented.  
• Though the Contouring Blush has specks of gold, it doesn't come out as Disco Ball!
• Inexpensive for huge amount of product!
• Versatile compact: Use the light pink shade to create a lightly flushed look.  Use the darker brownish shade as a bronzer for the sun-kissed look.
• No allergic reactions.

Cons

• Not a fan of shimmery powder?  You won't like this product!
• Staying power is not that strong, the color was gone in less than half the day!
• If you like the "obvious blush" look, will need to pack up more product as the shade comes off super natural and light on cheeks.
• The texture is a bit too powdery.  

• I personally like calling this a blush and bronzer duo rather than having the name "Contouring" in it, doesn't work effectively as a contouring powder.  Prefer matte powders for contouring.

Overall

A hit and miss!  The Pros and Cons are almost equal and I can't say I don't like the product as I don't mind using it on a daily basis, but I don't mind putting it aside as well!  Overall, the pigmentation and packaging is good but I'm not a fan of the chalky texture which makes it easy to over-apply!

Tips 
from ELF

• Brush on the “bronze” to the hollow of the cheeks for definition and dust around the face line to create a healthy glow. 
• Use the “blush” on the apple of the cheeks to create a subtle healthy glow.

from AMW

• Use a dense blush brush to apply the "blush" powder on the apples of your cheeks to create a nice, sweet look. 
• If product doesn't show up, feel free to use a cream blush underneath to make the blush powder appears more vibrant and staying power better.
• If you want to create a "slimmer" effect for your face, use a huge powder brush and lightly apply a tiny amount of the "bronzer" on the hollows of your cheeks, sides of your face and chin.  Blend, blend, blend!  
• If you have fair looking skin, mix the "Blush" powder and "Bronze" powder to make the product show up more.
• If your skin color is on the darker side, use the "Bronze" powder instead as your blush powder and use the "Blush" powder as a highlight!  The gold shimmer will give a nice glow to wherever you apply it!
• Less is definitely MORE with this product.  ]
• If you have friends who can order at ELF website, ask them to help you purchase as it's cheaper there.

Will I repurchase?
No, one compact is enough!  Like to use this for personal use, won't use this on clients as the staying power is not that good.

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes to try light colored blush and a bronzer at an affordable price!

Where to purchase and how much?
International readers may order via ELF website for $3.00 (approx $129.00).
Local readers may find these at local beauty sections of selected SM Malls, Robinson's Department stores, etc... for Php250.00 (approx $5.80)

ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder

Blush = rosey coral shade with flecks of gold (Almost similar to the sheen of NARS Orgasm)

Bronzing Powder =  reddish brown powder with tiny gold sheen

"Bronze" powder used as a contour powder as shown on photo below but make sure to blend well after application.  To make this work as a contour powder, set with a powder foundation or setting powder with matte finish to remove the tiny gold shimmers.

Here's how the blush appear on my skin  

(MAC NC20, Paul & Joe 20, Revlon Nude 

or in other liquid foundation I am Light or Light Medium)

Any users out there?
I'd love to read your thoughts and we can all decide if we should...
Keep it or Lose it!

Have a wonderful day!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Version: Opening My Eyes with Purples

Purples has always been a challenge for most of us because it can either make you look sweet or the outcome could be "domestic violence".  I am quite lucky I can play around with purples without looking like  "My Husband Hits Me When We Argued".

Neutrals after Neutrals, I think its time to show some colors because summer is coming up!

AMW Diagram

Before we start:

Applied a good amount of Benefit Lemon Aid all over lids to "brighten up" the lid area at the same time, this act as an eyeshadow base.

Step 1:

Using L'Oreal Open Eyes Pro Palette 05, apply shimmery lilac eyeshadow all over lids going a bit beyond your lids for a nice base.  Using a pencil brush, apply a bit on the lower lash line.

Step 2:

Using the darkest purple color of the palette, gently sweet on the purple eyeshadow on the outer corner creating an illusion of deeper set eyes.

Step 3:

With the silver shadow, apply a bit more on the inner lids, patting motion would be better!

Step 4:

With a sponge applicator, apply the shimmery white powder on the inner corner of your eyes and a bit on the brow bone.

Step 5:

I needed a dark black shadow to create more "depth", with Sleek's Graphite palette, I chose the darkest metallic black to make my eyes bigger by applying a bit on the outer v.  Blending as the colors were packed.  With the same eye shadow, I used pencil brush to line the outer lower lash line to create a natural liner.

I gave false lashes a skip and decided to use what God has given me, my natural, non-existent lashes!  :)  I curled my lashes with Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, applied coats of Maybelline Magnum Volum' Express mascara in Black.

I filled my brows with Paul & Joe Eyebrow Pencil no. 2

I lined the upper lash line creating a tiny wing with ELF Cream Eyeliner in Black

AMW Opening Up Her Eyes

with L'Oreal Open Eyes Pro 05

Here's what I used for the rest of my face

For the Face:

Avon Ideal Shade Dual Powder Foundation

in Shell with Kabuki Brush

For the Face:

Contoured with Stila Contouring Trio

For the Cheeks:

MAC Mineralized Blush in Super Duper Natural

Applied The Body Shop 02 Cheek and Face Powder in Berry on top 

for a healthy looking cheeks!

For the Lips:

MAC Viva Glam V

make sure to prep your lips with balm 

prior to lipstick application

Fix your hair and you're ready go on a date :)

Have you braved purples?
What's your best purple eyeshadow?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!