The Makeup Box

Easy-to-Wear “Monochrome Matte Mauve” (3M) Look

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This is a simple pink-purple themed look featuring matte textures, and a light hand.

I used an old MAC matte eyeshadow duo called “Dynamic Duo 4”, which is a pastel pink and a deep dark purple. You can easily find similar shades in something like the 88 matte palette or any matte budget eyeshadow palette from sites like coastalscents.com or bhcosmetics.com.

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Step 1: First use a fluffy brush to apply the pastel pink from the central area of the lid towards the outer corners. Leave the inner corners of the eye bare.

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[Requested] Simple Glamour: Smoky Brown Evening/Prom Eye (a la Bruno Mars “Just The Way You Are” Music Video)

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Perfect opportunity for me to combine 2 requests; one for a dark brown prom-makeup done using the 88 Matte Palette (the Warm palette has the same shades needed), and one for the smoky eye look worn by the gorgeous model in Bruno Mars’ Just The Way You Are video.

Dissecting the Look

The lighting in the video is extremely orange/yellow and the moving images aren’t crisp and clear (you can click on the images for a closer look at my screen grabs). From what I can tell, she is wearing:

• a matte chocolate brown smoky eye
• an eyeshadow shape that wings straight out, and emphasizes the outer halves of her socket line
• very defined and thick black liner but it’s not a very hard and precise line (i.e. does not look like liquid liner)
• full false lashes that are a “rounded” shape, longer in the center instead of at the outsides

It’s a very straightforward and flattering look as long as you can get the shadow shape correct, and it doesn’t matter if you have mono-lids, hooded eyes or double lids; blue, green brown, hazel or grey eyes. But in real life, it probably works better for an evening out clubbing or at the prom than to school.

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Matte Rainbow Eyeshadow Tutorial (88 Original Eyeshadow Palette)

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I got some requests for brighter/stronger colors so I’m going to do a few that are fitting for Spring/Summer!

One of the things that you might want to consider owning if you are into colors and or just starting out with makeup is something like the 88 original eyeshadow palette. For very little money, you get tons of pigmented shades to experiment with, in one portable palette. This is the same thing as you’d find on places like Coastalscents.com and eBay. Everyone gets them from the same source even if the brand stamped on the top is different, so it makes sense to look for the cheapest option around.

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Reverse-Color Lid (88 Matte Palette)

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I did a look a year ago inspired by the Queen of Blending. This year, I’m revisiting the look using different, stronger colors. Do note that you don’t need to use the exact shades I did. Just look for 3 colors that are sort of complementary, and line them up from light to dark.

Just make sure to apply an eye primer so the shadow goes on with maximum intensity.

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Step 1: Imagine an invisible line along your socket. Below the line, you want to pack the palest shadow onto the inner portions of your lid, and along the inner corners of the lower lid. Apply the same color ABOVE the socket line on the outer portions.

Just remember not to pull the color too far out at the outsides or your lids could look droopy.

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Step 2: I accidentally deleted the image I took when I applied the center shade (rich blue), so bear with me and look at the portion I marked out right down the center of the lid.

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Step 3: Using the darkest shade (purple), I applied the color in the opposite areas to the teal at the start. Above the socket on the inner corners and below the socket, on the lid at the outer corners. The color on the lower lids should match what is on your upper lid as well.

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Step 4: Using a fluffy brush, I blended out the inner corners. This is the tricky portion as a dark shade above the socket line at the inner corners can look very tacky and messy if not softened out.

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Step 5: I finished by using a fine brush to apply black kajal along the waterline, and then thickly along the upper lash line. Then curl lashes and apply mascara to finish.

Champagne and Grapes: Gold, Purple and Plum Tutorial (88 Matte/Original Palette)

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This is a versatile, colorful look that works with most skin tones and eye colors, and can be worn for both day and night. for those who are on a budget, or looking for ways to play with your 88 palettes!

The 2 shades I used from the palette are ringed below. The shades are near the bottom center of the palette, but you don’t have to use the exact colors I did since there are so many options.

You just need a soft medium matte purple and a deep plum. Aside from this, I also used a pale champagne gold (Sephora Prisma Chrome shadow in Moon Beam*). Any pale shimmery beige/gold would work fine.

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Step 1: I packed the matte medium violet shade onto the center of mobile lid area (beneath the socket line), leaving just the outer and inner corners bare.

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Step 2: Flip your brush around and apply the deep plum shade to your outer V and draw the color in along your socket line, smoking out the line so it’s soft and nicely blended upwards. 

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Step 3: For highlighting, I just dabbed the pale champagne gold into the inner corners of the lids and gently blended into the purple. Don’t blend it out too far as you want the contrast against the matte purple to stay very strong.

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Step 4: Using black liquid liner (as before I’m using Lime Crime’s Quill) along the upper lash line, ending in a short flick. You can always use pencil or gel if you prefer more control and a softer finish. 

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Step 5: Soften out the black so it blends into the look a bit more by dipping a flat brush into the plum shade in the 88 palette and then running it over the black liner. This will take down some of the harsh black color and allow it to meld into the look.

Then apply black mascara to finish!

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*I got one of the bad batches of the Prisma Chrome Moon Beams, where the color was a champagne gold instead of the opalescent pink it is supposed to be.