Let's Get Colorful!

When I got my first department store job (Beauty Adviser at Lancome haha) I was so excited to get to see the collections of what was launching around 6 months prior to the launch date.  All the colors, the textures, and to find out before anyone else knew!!!  Oh the joy in my lil' heart!  It was like God single-handedly wanted me to be trendy!  At least that's what I thought in my 18yr old head at the time... 

Then the launch date rolled around and as I looked around at all the other counters and what they had launched, everything began to look somewhat similar.  Lancome at the time launched a blue liquid eyeliner (can't remember the name), then I noticed Estee Lauder launched a similar color in an eyeshadow, and Chanel launched it in a nail polish.  Almost all the collections were like that.  Then you walk around the corner in the store and see the same color pallet repeated in the fashion!  And I got to wondering-- HOW DO THEY KNOW!?!?  How do they know what colors are going to be "trendy" and how do they all end up on the exact same shades?  Did they all have the same dream or something!?  I was 18- forgive me.  I really just couldn't figure it out.  So-- at the risk of making my boss' at the time wonder why they hired me- I asked.  And now, all these years later, I get to share all that information with all of you beauties!  I'm sure there is somebody out there that doesn't know this yet and would appreciate this post...  

It wasn't a dream or any super-fashion power!  I found out it actually gets decided by a committee.  They get together and decide what the "colors of the season" are going to be.  One of the most influential committees is a group of 10 people, whose names are a total secret.  They meet in Europe twice a year- May and November- at the invitation of Pantone, a company based in New Jersey, whose ONLY business is color!

They meet in an all white room so everyone can very clearly see what their colleagues brought as color inspiration.  Apparently one time a committee member brought in a basket full of onions and they chopped up all the onions to show just how beautiful the color of onion is.  When I heard this, I literally laughed because the most hilarious image came to my mind.  Everyone must have had irritated eyes in that room since they chopped the onions there, and so- I literally imagined ten grown adults standing in a circle appearing to be hysterically weeping (like, ugly-cry-weeping) over the beauty of onions.  Maybe it's just me- but I find that pretty funny!  But as much as that all may sound totally ridiculous, the artist in me completely understands how inspiration can come at any point, from any where.  So bring on the onions, I guess!?

I got into this whole story to share with you the color boards of 2014!  You'll be seeing (and probably have already seen) these colors pop up EVERYWHERE!  In furniture, paint colors, fashion, accessories, in all kinds of fabrics for all kinds of things, and of course- in makeup and nail polishes!  I wanted to equip you to have your color trendiest year yet!  

Color Report for Fall/Winter 2014 

Color Report for Spring/Summer 2014

Now you know what colors are "in" this year!  It's pretty awesome to feel like you're ahead of the style game, huh?  Have a great weekend and stay colorful beauties!

Love,

Michelle

PS- See you back on Monday morning for the next "Makeup Tip Monday!"

The Grand Grammys

It's the big party of the year for the music industry!  

And musicians for sure know how to shake it up in the fashion category- lots of light reflective and sheer fabric numbers.  In general, the makeup was balanced so to not compete with whatever they were wearing.  

 Following suit with my Tuesday review of award show style and makeup, here we go again!  Lets get to talking about all the faces that got it right!

Sultry Smoked Out Plums

Rita Ora

 

One of my favorite looks of the night!  The tone of the blue based purple with the tiniest bit of sparkle (check out Sugarpill's Poison Plum Eyeshadow) on her lids perfectly complimented the purple-y tone that reflected off her sleek sequined dress and the old Hollywood waves created a great balance to this look.  I love that she didn't do her signature bold lip (although that was a big trend on this red carpet) and she skipped a bold liner, she just went straight to her eyes and lots of lashes.  For every day you could just go to town with a great mascara (check out my mascara suggestions), but if you're headed out for a night on the town try Flutter Lashes' handmade mink lash in "Ashley" for the perfect bold lash.  They are averagely priced for handmade mink lashes but a bit pricey for a false lash in general, here's the thing- if you treat them right you'll get a ton of wears out of them!

Perfectly Pretty

Katy Perry

     

Miley Cyrus

These two ladies have almost the exact same makeup, the eyeshadows, lip color, and cheek color are all practically identical.  Katy just went a little bolder in a few areas, which takes this look to an intensified level.  Isn't it so interesting how just a few makeup alterations can do that!?  I think it's fascinating!  Lets talk about how they're different...   

The most obvious difference is how Katy amped up her eyes by adding in a winged liner and falsies.  Which is a really easy way to take any daytime makeup to something more evening appropriate.  

Katy added (well- her makeup artist did) a shimmery eyeshadow highlight on the brow bone and tear duct.  Try "Shroom" eyeshadow by MAC.  It's a soft white color with the perfect amount of shimmer.  It's a great way to brighten and "open up" the eyes.  

Katy's skin is more of a matte finish through the t-zone making her look a little more made up.  By no means is that a bad thing- it's just preference.  A little semi-dewy foundation looks more like natural skin verses one with a matte finish.

Katy's brows.  Miley looks like she has the smallest amount of brow powder through her brow and maybe a brow gel to set it.  While Katy's is filled in a bit more with a brow pencil.  Just that one thing takes this whole look from innocent (not a typical word people have used in reference to Miley Cyrus these days lol) to glamorous!

Smoke and Lips

Beyonce Knowles

This makeup is so beautiful.  A smokey eye and dark lip can be difficult to pull off without looking a bit drag-queen-ish.  She not only pulled it off- she made it look effortless!  The problem with making anything look effortless is that it actually requires a lot of effort!  Haha!      

The trick to this is to not go too sharp and structured on the eyes.  Pick one gray eyeshadow color and work on getting it blended seamlessly.  This is not the time or look for the perfectionist in you to show up and obsess over sharp clean lines.  The smudgier and smokier the better!  Just make sure it's blended, smudgy and smokey doesn't mean blotchy...  

Definitely contour your face, but I don't suggest going more than 1-2 shades darker or lighter than your natural shade in choosing the colors you're going to work with.  You're going to want to keep this contour subtle.  

This lip is absolutely amazing!!!  To replicate this I would use "Diva" lipstick all over the lip with "Viva Glam I" lipstick through the center of the lip for a red-er pop through the middle and line with "Burgundy" lipliner (all by MAC).  Then blot the whole thing and add the smallest amount of clear lip gloss to add a slight shine.  You can definitely choose to not blot this lip (it would be just as beautiful), but if you want to replicate this lip perfectly- take a closer look at the photo and you'll see it's not a perfectly sharp, cleaned up lip- it's a little disheveled looking and blotting it will get you there without having to worry about if you did it right.

Lots of Lips

There were a lot of rocking bold lips on this carpet.  So I'm going to go straight through the list and suggest what to use to get each of these lip combinations!  FYI- all the products will be MAC.

Lorde

   

"Nightmoth" Lipliner with "Cyber" Lipstick then "Heroine" Lipstick just popped through the center of the lip

Kelly Osbourne

"Rebel" Lipstick with "Beet" Lipliner

Rihanna

"Viva Glam Rihanna" Lipstick with "Brick" Lipliner

Madonna

"Cockney" Lipstick applied lightly so it looks like a stain then strategically place "Cherry" Lipliner where ever needed

Sarah Hyland

"Can't Resist" Lipstick with a bit of "Brick" Lipliner 

My Pick for Most Amazing Dress of the Night

Taylor Swift

I loved the choice of colors her artist used in her makeup.  Her eyes were a plum-y hued gray smokey eye with a navy blue winged liner and lots of highlighter, then the rest of her face was a blend of beautiful soft pinks.  When I took a closer look I noticed the application was not as perfected as I thought it should have been (I'm a stickler for a sharp winged liner), but overall she looked so beautiful!

I hope you beauties are having a great week!  Enjoy!

Love,

Michelle

May I Have the Envelope Please?

Gotta love all the inspiration that comes with award season.  All the gowns, all the hair styles, and of course... all of the makeup!!!

The Screen Actors Guild Awards is always the "fun one" for the actors, and you could tell in the interviews down the red carpet.  Everyone just seems so much more comfortable.  They say the best part for them is that they get to vote for their peers and mentors.  I personally love admiring my peer's and mentor's work and I desperately wish I could give them all awards!  Wouldn't that be fun!?

The fashion down the SAG Award's Red Carpet is a little more fun and everyone looks a lot more relaxed.  I mean, Emma Thompson wore flat sandals and Julia Roberts wore a jumpsuit... it doesn't get much more relaxed for award season than that!  

As far as the makeup was concerned- everyone played it cool, fresh, and simply pretty.  It was all around approachable and easily achievable.

Here are my painted face picks from the SAG Awards and a couple product suggestions for you to replicate them with!

Monocromatic Amazing-ness

Cate Blanchett

So beautiful and so simple.  This is a perfect, everyday, pretty makeup.  Going with the same color on the eyes cheeks and lips is the perfect way to look polished but not overdone.  You can easily get this look by taking your blusher of choice (I'd suggest Dame by MAC for Cate's soft pink) and popping it not only on your cheek but in your crease as well.  Then match a lipstick/gloss (try Snob Lipglass, also by MAC, to match hers) to finish off this fresh, youthful look.  

Ethereal Beauty

Hannah Simone

     

Check out her gorgeous cheek highlight!  It's all about the cheeks in this one, since everything else is so muted.  We have the usual suspects of bronzer and contour and then we have the stars of this makeup, the blush and the highlight.  For blush I'd go for something like Warm Soul by MAC and for the highlight Whisper of Guilt by MAC (limited edition) or BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfecter in Rose Gold.  And can I just say- THIS-DRESS-IS-STUNNING!!!  I love the super pale blue color!

By the way-- if you're into Jennifer Lopez/ Kim Kardashian glowing skin and have never checked out BECCA's highlighters-- you're missing out on some seriously beautiful glow-y goodness.  Go to Sephora and have a look for yourself.  They won't disappoint!

Subtly Smokey

Sasha Alexander

           

Glamorous and natural all at the same time.  This look is an extra easy one.  It's all about the eyes but also all about not making it too complicated.  Line your eyes with a soft brown pencil eyeliner that is smudge-able (Like Make Up For Ever's Kohl Pencil in Matte Mocha Brown 9k), and then take a shimmery golden brown eyeshadow (Like Urban Decay's Darkhorse) on the tip of a pencil/ bullet brush (like MAC's #219) and press it right over top of your eyeliner.  The Eyeshadow will set the eyeliner in place all while creating a soft smokey effect up from the lash line.  Then take whatever is left over on the tip of that brush and lightly line your lower lash line with it!  

Bronzed Bombshell

Katrina Bowden

     

Makeup artist secret- warm browns make everyone look great!  Seriously!  Whenever I change my hair color (I've been all kinds of brunette, all kinds of blonde, and am currently on a redheaded adventure) you'll find me in bronze-y, golden, reddish, orange-y, brown tones for a few days until I've adjusted to my new do!  Exactly the type of makeup on Katrina!  It's just something about wearing these colors.  The only way I can think to explain it is the colors themselves are so warm and sultry then that somehow transfers to your face and making you feel instantly warm and sultry... That made sense in my head...

A few MAC eyeshadows and placement for them that I'd suggest are Woodwinked on the lid, Saddle all through the crease and blended upwards, and then Folie just through the curve of the crease to intensify the look!  Then lash it up with your favorite mascara.  This particular look is better with lots of mascara, so- go for it!

Funky Fresh

Lupita Nyong'o

     

First of all- the blue of this dress is just out-of-this-world fantastic! The cut, the shape, the flowers, the everything is beautiful!  Well done Gucci!  The dress is fun and her makeup artist went fun with the makeup.  Blue can sometimes be a tough color to pull off, especially when you place it like a light wash across the lid.  It can go very 80's very quickly.  She did it perfectly.  This eye creation is a blend of Chanel Quadra Eyeshadow in Fascination and Chanel Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow in Amethyst.

Red Lip Glamour

Michelle Dockery

     

The classic combination of black and white with a pop of red never gets old! To get this classic red lippie there is no other place to turn but MAC, and no other color combination to go for but Russian Red lipstick with Cherry Lipliner.  End. Of. Story.

Super Smoked

Sandra Bullock

     

Pick a color and stick to it!  I'd go for a charcoal gray/brown (check out charcoal by MAC) from the lash line blended the whole way up.  As easy as this sounds it can go into punched-in-the-eye territory if you're not careful.  The part that gets tricky is the intensity of your brushes.  Go for something flatter and stiffer at the lash line and press the color on and start working your way up, then as you come up on the crease switch to a firm but fluffy brush and start to sweep the color, as you pass the crease do a final switch to a super soft super fluffy brush and continue sweeping.  The fade up has to be seamless so just keep blending!  When you are done and it's blended to your liking I suggest taking a soft shimmery highlight color (like the color Sin by Urban Decay) and pop it right on the tear duct to brighten and open up this eye look.

Head to Toe Stunners (I tried to just pick one but I really couldn't)

Sofia Vergara

     

The glitter lover in me just couldn't say no!!!  The waves, the makeup, the dress!  So beautiful!  My absolute favorite thing about her makeup might come as a surprise.  I love that she rocks a full and not too perfect eyebrow!  Here's a little makeup secret- a full brow is youthful.  Combine that with a brighter colored blush, an instant 10 years comes off.  Careful though- I didn't say an un-kept brow!  Tweeze what needs to be tweezed, but avoid going too thin.  If you look closely you'll also notice that her contour and eyeshadow are pointing slightly upward which definitely works to her advantage.  And genetics, that plays a teensy-tiny role!  Haha!  
  

Amy Adams

      

By far- my absolute favorite dress of the night!  Head to toe she put this together famously!  She looks so classically Old Hollywood but then the orange lip and cut-outs on the dress bring it to a fresh and new level.  By the way- the blue color of the dress and the orange of the lip- remember my Color Theory post?  This is the way to work complimentary colors into your wardrobe!  I'm loving the lip with the classic winged liner and pinup inspired hair.  For the lip try Redd lipliner and Morange lipstick (both by MAC), the liner is that perfect red-orange color and then the lipstick is just the perfect pop of bright orange!  

Did I miss any of your favorites?  Please comment them below if I did!  Thank you for taking the time to read today's post!  I hope you feel inspired to try something new! 

Love,

Michelle

The Golden Review

My Golden Globes Face Favies!

The Golden Globes is not the award show to go too crazy in the makeup department.  Everyone played it pretty safe and stuck to the classics!  Nothing wrong with that, they're classics for a reason :)  

These are my personal top picks in each category and a few product suggestions along the way--

My Favorite Natural Beauties

Morgot Robbie

Sarah Hyland

I love a perfectly done natural face.  There are two main things to look out for when you attempt this look.  It looks easy and straight forward, but attention to detail is KEY!  

Pay attention to skin!  They both look flawless and have a demi-matte foundation finish.  Not too shimmery and not too flat.  Just right.

The second thing is a perfectly groomed brow.  Never underestimate how much eyebrows contribute to your face.  They deserve lots of attention, trust me!  The eyes are the window to the soul and your brows are the frame.

Favorite Red Lipped Ladies

Taylor Swift

Zooey Deshanel

Both of these ladies wear red lips as somewhat of a trademark look so it's no surprise that they both are my favorites in this category.  

To get Taylor's lip I would suggest lining and filling in your whole lip with Cherry lip liner and topping it off with the tiniest touch of Lady Bug lipstick.  

For Zooey's lip I would go with Redd lip liner, lined and filled into the whole lip and then topped off with CB96 lipstick for more of a gold frosted orange-y red! 

(all the lip products are by MAC Cosmetics)

Favorite Smudgy Smokey Yumminess

Kate Mara

Olivia Wilde

Always a go-to option for every lady-- you can never go wrong with playing up your eyes and keeping everything else soft and muted so you can draw all the attention to your stunning eyeballs.  

You first need a great eyeliner, my personal favorite is Urban Decay Cosmetics' 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil-- this stuff goes on without pulling or dragging and BONUS it doesn't budge! 

The next thing you'll need are some great blending brushes.  I'd go for the classics by MAC-- the #217 and #224.  You can't go wrong with those two.  They do the work for you.

My Favorite Overall Makeup of the Night

Kaley Cuoco

Similar to the last category in that it's the classic combo of smokey eye and soft everything else.  What I love that is different is that her smokey eye was a dark mossy green color  (like Juniper by Stila) and not just grey or brown like so many others that night.  I also love that the shape was slightly exaggerated.  She took a risk and did something different than everyone else but didn't go too crazy with it.  I personally think the makeup also complimented her amazing and fun dress, without being obnoxiously match-y match-y.  Perfect!

And Just for Good Measure-- These Gals Dressed to Impress

Cate Blanchett in Armani Prive (AMAZING!!!)

     

Lupita Nyong'o in Ralph Lauren (This one made me happy!  I literally smiled!)

Thank you for joining me for my beauty review of the 2014 Golden Globes!  I hope you like my product suggestions.  Comment below who your favorites of the night were!  Did we have any of the same!?  

Love,

Michelle

(Confession: I only ever watch the red carpet pre-awards show.  Once you've seen one award show, I think you've kinda seen them all.... whoopsie-daisies)