The Makeup Box

[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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Lavender-Chocolate: Soft luminous purple andbrown eyeshadow look that goes with pretty much any Lip color

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This is a color combination that is not a typical beige-toned neutral, but still goes with pretty much any lip color you want to wear. It’s also soft enough that you can use a light hand (skip step 3) and just wear it in the day for work or school.

I used just 2 shadows:

• A pale lavender (Coastal Scents Hot Pot in Ice Ballet)
• A deep rich brown (Coastal Scents Hot Pot in Rich Walnut)

Other than this, I had a chocolate brown pencil and black mascara.

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My 5-minute Colorful Half-Liner Eye Look

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This is a super quick eye look that I always pop on when I don’t have a lot of time to do my face, and want an eye that is subtle but still has a shot of fun color. I tend to pair this look with a strong blush and bright lips (a coral-pink mostly).

Image notes: 1st image was taken over the weekend for Instagram, with a translucent gold glitter shadow on (Chanel Illusion D’ombre in Vision). For the other images, I used a shimmery beige to demonstrate. Hence the slight difference in finishes!

You don’t need to be an expert or to have a very steady hand to do this. Plus you have tons of shade options. Any colored liner pencil will work as that accent shade, so pick a violet or a royal blue, even a lime green; whatever you like!

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Smoky Eyes with a Pastel Accent: Great with any pastel blues, greens, violets, gold, etc!

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I’ve gotten quite a few questions on how to work pastels, blues and greens into a smoky look because we always end up buying so many of those pale shimmery shades and they look so nice in the pan, but quite unflattering all over the lid.

Here’s a quick way to add a dash of “pretty” without ever losing your “sultry” or looking “like a harlot” (as i-remain-nameless so hilariously put it).

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[Requested] Jade Thirlwell makeup in DNA makeup tutorial: Classic Neutral Glam Eyes and 3D Burgundy Lips)

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Seems Jade Thirlwell’s makeup in the DNA video is causing quite a stir.

Basic theme:

Now, the video has special lighting and some color editing so there’s a noir sort of atmosphere, and the skin of all the girls looks a little sepia-toned and monochromatic. You won’t see any blush on their faces. There’s just matte, clean skin and a bit of matte contouring around the cheeks. Contrastingly, their hair and lip colors are processed to show up more visibly.

Each girl has a slightly different neutral glam eye, and “3D lips” done in different shades.

Jade Thirwell’s Look:

Jade’s lip was colored in deep berry tones to match that incredible burgundy hair. Her eye makeup is a slightly softer and more romantic than some of the smokier or cattier looks the other girls sport. There isn’t any obvious contouring; just thick liner along the upper lash line.

I would say ANYONE can do this look, although the effect will be more dramatic if you are very pale, with dark hair.

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Soft Spring Morning: Simple, Subtle Taupe Eye with a Blue Crease

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This is the simplest trick in the book for anyone who wants to incorporate a little pretty color into their neutral look without going over the top.

You can choose to do just Step 1-3 for the day and add a colored crease at night, OR you can easily wear this whole look out from day to night.

This look is good for:

• Brown, blue, grey eyes
• All eye shapes and skin colors

If you have green eyes, you can switch the crease shade to a bright violet or a green.

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