The Makeup Box

I LOVE Kelly Osbourne’s gravity-defying top-knot and makeup at New York Fashion Week!

She hasn’t been this exciting since her lavender-hair look awhile back. 

Whether you like her or not, this miss has grown up from awkward angsty teen to fab fashionista, and she’s looking incredibly sleek in this retro-getup mashed with sci-fi neon colors. 

And damned if that slick hairdo doesn’t bring out her beautiful facial structure.

To recreate the look (on the face; I can’t help you with that hair!), you’ll need black liner and the most insane pink lipstick around. Namely MAC Candy Yum Yum Lipstick or Barry M Shocking Pink Lip Paint.

For those with darker skins, you can also try NYX matte lipstick in Shocking Pink or Nars Schiap.

—

[Main image from dailymail.co.uk; cropped image from newsday.com]

Black Smoky Eyes and Neon-Pink Glossy Lip Tutorial

—-

[Dramatic matte black eyes using Urban Decay Blackout, and hot pink “pleather” lips using Barry M 52 Lip Paint and clear gloss]

For this look, you want to start with a clean, matte canvas first. Apply matte foundation, concealer and translucent powder to set.

You will need:

• black kohl or kajal liner (or any good, creamy black base - don’t use something dry or that sets too fast. I’m using The Body Shop’s Limited Edition Eye Kajal)
• matte black shadow (I used Urban Decay Blackout but any black matte will do)
• A deep metallic gunmetal (I used Urban Decay Ace, also from the 15 Anniversary Palette)
• Black mascara (Smashbox Lash DNA - testing this out now that my Bourjois has dried up)
• Hot pink blush (NYX Pinky)
• Neon pink lipstick (Barry M # 52 Shocking Pink is my neon pink of choice)
• Clear gloss (Sephora clear gloss)

—-

Step 1: Apply the black kohl or kajal heavily to the upper and lower lash line. It’s going to be spread out all over the lid and eye area, but as you want the black to fade outwards from the lash line, always concentrate the black within the lid area and smoke outwards.

—-

Step 2: Use a flat brush to spread and even out the kajal, and go back in with a second or even a third layer until you build up a really smoky black look on the upper and lower lids.

—-

Step 3: You can leave it as is for a REALLY smudgy, distressed rock star finish but if you want more control, set everything with a black matte powder shadow, using the dry side of the flat brush. Don’t forget to run over the lower lash line and water line to minimize fading. Don’t sweep or buff. Just pat lightly to cover and set the kohl.

—-

 Step 4: For a finishing touch, dip your finger into a deep dark gunmetal and smear it  down the center of your lid for a gleam that adds dimension to the lid, but does not look like obvious shine against the matte black. It should look like you have your personal lighting crew running around with you and the light is hitting your lids just so.

Apply lots of mascara along top and bottom lashes to finish. (This is one time when you can really layer it and even clump it up if you want.)

—-

Step 5: To finish, apply blush, then make sure your lips are prepped with primer or a very thin layer of concealer (if you use concealer, blot on a sheet of tissue so that no excess concealer is left to muddy up your lipstick). 

Apply an opaque layer of neon pink lipstick to your lips - don’t be shy with it now! - and then dab a generous layer of clear gloss over it. Make sure the gloss goes right up to the edge of the pink so that it looks like stick-on patent leather lips. This means you should not over-draw your lips as it will look very fake and obvious with the gloss on.

There is absolutely no reason why you can’t do a strong lip when you’re wearing a dark matte black on the eyes, but this is definitely a look that will get attention, so be prepared!

For stage or a party, it’s fabulously fun.

Copper Lined Eyes with Electric Pink Lips

There is something slightly off-kilter and fun about pairing a warm, warm eye with a strong, contrasting blue-based lip. 

Here, I used the below products: 

• A warm shimmery amber beige metallic: MAC Tan pigment 
• A shimmery black shadow: Wet n Wild Greed Palette
• A coppery-bronze metallic gel liner (MAC Rich Ground Fluidline)
• Black kohl liner: The Body Shop Eye Kajal
• Minimal blush: Touch of NYX Angel with MAC MSF Natural in Dark for contouring
• Electric-pink matte lips: Barry M #52 or MAC Candy Yum Yum

—-

Step 1: Apply a wash of tan, shimmery pigment over the entire lid.

—-

Step 2: Blend a little smoky black into the outer corners and inwards along the outer halves of lash line.

—-

Step 3: Apply a coppery-bronze metallic liner along the lash line, extending out past the eye for a cat like effect. Then run thickly along the bottom lash line as well.

—-

Step 4: Run black kohl along the tide line and water line for definition, and then curl lashes.

—-

Step 5: Apply black mascara to finish the look.

MAC Rich Ground Fluidline with Tan pigment

—-

Step 6: The cheeks were kept deliberately light and neutral, with a bit of contouring at outer corners, and a trace of pale pink blush on the cheeks. Then finish by slicking on a dense, opaque hot pink lipstick to make your face pop.

MAC Tan pigment, MAC Rich Ground fluid line, and Barry M #52 Shocking Pink

Barry M 52 Shocking Pink Lip Paint: Swatches and Review

—-

This is the last of my Barry M Lip Paint features!
Shocking Pink is THE ultra-hot blue-pink in a matte, opaque texture. You’ve heard this is a dupe for Candy Yum Yum (which I did not purchase), but a little more pigmented and intense. Shocking Pink is also dryer in texture than Candy Yum Yum or NYX’s matte lipsticks, so make sure you pat on some lip balm and then blot off any excess product before applying this. 
 Swatches (L-to-R): NYX Cancun Pink (black label), NYX Louisiana (round), Barry M Shocking Pink, NYX Shocking Pink (matte), Revlon Fuchsia (Colorburst) lipsticks—-To better appreciate the brightness and “blue-ness” of the shade, I’ve swatched it next to a gamut of other “intense pinks”. As you can see, NYX Cancun Pink does not even look bright compared to Barry M Shocking Pink. NYX Louisiana, which many consider a hot pink, looks very red beside its strong blue undertones.Revlon’s Fuchsia is plummy in comparison, and NYX Shocking Pink looks almost mauve. 

If you are afraid of very blue or very bright pinks, feel free to check out one of the other shades listed depending on what you feel more confident wearing.

—-

The Pros?

I don’t find any lip liner necessary as this matte lipstick has not bled. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find any matching lip liner more intense and pigmented than this anyway. It also applies evenly, lasts for hours without touch-ups, and is one of the most incredibly unapologetic pinks you will find in the market.
—-
The Cons?
I don’t like lipsticks staining, and this stains big time. But I experienced this with pretty much all hot pink lipsticks of this intensity. It’s also not very moisturizing compared to other matte formulas like MAC Candy Yum Yum or NYX Shocking Pink. Then again, I have to say neither of those is this opaque and intense.
—-
Compared to other Barry M shades in my collection?
I do find the texture of the 3 stronger lipsticks (Sunset, Vibrant Pink, and Shocking Pink) more even and high-quality than the lighter shades (Peachy Pink and Baby Pink) which take a bit more work to apply.


The differences between Shocking Pink and Vibrant Pink are in the undertones (Vibrant Pink is more of a true-pink, and Shocking Pink more blue-based) as well as texture (Vibrant Pink is creamier). If you are afraid of wearing something that is too cool-toned, or don’t like a very matte texture, go for 62 Vibrant Pink.