Hollywood Noir Makeup

Gunmetal Grace Makeup Tutorial Featuring Luminata Cosmetics

October 5th, 2011

I was fortunate enough to try out a few mineral eye shadows from Spa Luminata and thought I would share some of my thoughts on the look. All of the colors I used can easily be swapped out with any brand, as long as they’re similar in shade. I think this cool color combination is easily transferable to any eye color and is perfect for a winter or even holiday look.

I decided on a subtle crease color this time and completely excluded black eyeshadow from the look. I wanted to create something dramatic, but experiment with the prospect of a softer smokey eye. I really like how the muted lid and pop of color underneath the lash line make for a unique alternative to the full on black and gray smokey eyes that are often popular in fall makeup trends.

The look is certainly different than what I am used to, but that is why I often like to step outside my comfort zone and experiment. Sometimes you end up with something beautiful and unexpected! So, keep that in mind when you’re playing around with your next cosmetic purchases. Makeup can always be taken off, so never be afraid to stray from your usual routine and try something new.

Products used:

Face:

Dear John Moisturizer

Lancome Renergie Lift Foundation - Porcelaine 10 (NC)

Smashbox HD Concealer in fair

Stila Perfecting Concealer - Shade a

Lancome Dual Finish Powder - Matte Porcelaine d’Ivoire I

Smashbox Blush - Chiffon

MAC Iridescent Powder - Silver Dusk (highlight)

Annabelle Eyebrow Pencil - Auburn

Eyes:

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin

Luminata Mineral e/s - Galveston Gumetal

Luminata Mineral e/s - Monaco Royalty

Bourjois Contour Clubbing Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil - Blue Remix

MAC e/s - Deep Truth (To set water line)

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil - Gunmetal (First quarter underneath the lash line)

Urban Decay Glide on Shadow Pencil - Delinquent (Outer corner of lash line)

MAC e/s - Shadowy Lady

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner - Indigo

Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara - Excessive Black

Duo Eyelash Adhesive

False Eyelashes

Lips:

Cinema Secrets Lip Palette - Soft pink (Third color in)

Lancome Juicy Tube - Simmer

Music:

A lot of you have been asking what music I used in the tutorial so I’ve decided to post the songs for future reference.

Johhny Hollow

Song #1- Johnny Hollow - Boogeyman

Song#2 - Johnny Hollow - Alibi

You can find the official band site here. Johnny Hollow has been one of my favorite Canadian bands for a few years now and I think they deserve to be recognized for their extraordinary talent and creativity. Visit their Facebook page and show them some love.

Posted in Blog, Glamour Makeup, Makeup Reviews Tags: Luminata, mineral makeup 3 Comments »

Glam Rock Makeup Tutorial Using Apocalipstick Cosmetics

August 14th, 2010

Products Used:
La Roche Posay Moisturizer for sensitive skin
Makeup Designory Primer
Vichy Aera Teint Foundation - Opal
MAC Studio Finish Concealer - NW15
Benefit Hello Flawless Powder
Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer - 01 Light
Lancome Blush - Rose Fresque
MAC Eyebrow Pencil - Strut
MAC Paint Pot - Bare Study
Bath and Body Works e/s - Silver
DUO Eyelash Adhesive
Apocalipstick Cosmetics - Glitter (Rainbow)
Apocalipstick Cosmetics e/s - Vampire Bruise
Sleek Makeup Palette - Matte black and iridescent e/s
MAC Penultimate - Rapidblack
Bourjois Contour Clubbing Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil - #46
Lancome Hypnose Mascara
Makeup Designory Lip Pencil - Natural
Cinema Secrets Lip Palette
MAC Lipglass - Feeling Dreamy

Apocalipstick Cosmetics: http://www.etsy.com/shop/abbylipstick
Abby’s Blog: www.abbylipstick.wordpress.com
Apocalipstick Fan Page: www.facebook.com/ApocalipstickCosmetics

Posted in Glamour Makeup, Makeup Reviews 3 Comments »

Balmshell Lipgloss Review

July 1st, 2010

Located in Toronto Canada, BALMSHELL is a fun and flirty cosmetics line created by identical twins Jennifer and Fiona Lees. I was recently approached by the lovey Karyn Johnson to review a few of their glosses and with a glamorous name like BALMSHELL, I just had to give them a try. I chose two glosses, one sheer hot cherry red shade entitled “Darling You Look Fabulous” and a soft retro mauve called “That’s so 80′s”. I really love experimenting with unique shades, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to play around with something little more daring than your average nude gloss.

Founders of BALMSHELL - Fiona and Jennifer Lees

The glosses are listed for $22 each and include a detachable top that contains a unique piece of flow art inside. I think this is a rather playful addition and would make a wonderful gift for anyone who loves to collect nostalgic packaging. The illustrations are all created by Mar Murube, whose art can also be seen in magazines such as Elle, Vogue and In Style. Along with their array of glosses, they also have a lip and cheek gel known as the smear campaign. Not only do their products look eye catching and chic, but they have the most beautiful, sweet vanilla scent as well.

Ingredients:

* Jojoba oil - brings moisture to the lips.
* Lanolin oil - locks in moisture.
* Perfume-free, flavored with a hint of natural fruity vanilla.

Another positive aspect is their non-sticky texture. I know a lot of women avoid cakey lip glosses that feel heavy on the lips, so if you’re looking for a lightweight yet build-able gloss, then this is the perfect investment. Something to note about these glosses is that some of them are not as pigmented as they appear in the tube. So, don’t be intimidated to experiment with the wide selection of colors they have to offer. The shades range everywhere from neutral pink tones to bolder, raspberry shades and everything else in between. If you would like to purchase some of their products or learn more about the company please check out their official website.

Darling You Look Fabulous, That's So 80's

Check out their official website:
www.balmshell.com
twitter.com/lovebalmshell

Posted in Makeup Reviews Tags: Balmshell, review No Comments »

Illamasqua - “Make-up For Your Alter Ego”

May 15th, 2010

Even though Illamasqua is a relatively new cosmetics brand when compared to most, their unique brand of Gothic fantasy and noir aesthetics have set them apart from the rest. The visuals that accompany the line are reminiscent of sultry screen vixens combined with the dark and almost unpredictable pomp of rock and roll. Their tag-line “Make-up for your alter ego” encourages a more daring path of individuality, beckoning us to unleash our inner femme fatale.

I was first introduced to Illamasqua by the lovely Pixiwoo sisters on YouTube when they reviewed their Spring/Summer 2009 collection Sirens back in April of last year. I was enamored by the beautiful imagery of ethereal Sirens and a kind of mythological whimsy that I had only dreamed to find in a makeup line. I was instantly captured by their exotic images and penchant for a less conventional standard of beauty.

One of my favorite makeup artists is the legendary Alex Box, whom is the leading artistic director at Illamasqua. Her flare for alternative fashion and design is refreshing to see in a time where most cosmetic lines have retreated to a more natural marketing approach in order to appeal to the masses. Alex’s eye for detail and knack for intricate design, have always left me in awe of her talent. If you haven’t checked out her self-titled makeup book, you should definitely consider adding it to your collection. Paired with the iconic photographer Rankin, this artistic masterpiece is a must have collectible for any visual artist. I think what I love most about Alex’s vision is that she isn’t afraid to push the boundaries and in turn challenges us to rethink our own ideas on the sheer mechanics of any creative process.

The newest edition to their line is the 2010 spring/summer collection entitled Body Electrics. The line is said to be “inspired by the power of kinetic energy and the fluidity of the body in motion.” Illamasqua’s attempt at conveying even the most abstract concepts prove successful and just further reinforce the fact that playing it safe isn’t always the key to success. I haven’t been this excited by a makeup brand in a long time and I think it is a testament to their individuality that makes their success and wide spread appeal all the more deserved.

Official Website: www.illamasqua.com
Blog: http://www.illamasqua.blogspot.com/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/Illamasqua
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Illamasqua

Posted in Blog, Makeup Reviews Tags: Alex Box, Illamasqua 1 Comment »

Detrivore Cosmetics Review

May 2nd, 2010

When I stumble upon a new cosmetics brand the first thing I take note of is the packaging and overall theme the company portrays. What’s different about this makeup line is the clever and often bizarre names that accompany their various mineral products. I think Detrivore has a unique talent for conjuring up rather Gothic imagery through their names and I sure this is partially the reason why I was drawn to the line in the first place.

Distorria, the creator of this deliciously quirky line remarks on her website about her disappointment with other makeup brands and their inability to live up to the demands of the every day makeup wearer. With that being said, she decided to create her own mineral makeup line and launched Detrivore Cosmetics in late 2008.

The first time I had the opportunity to try their products was in early February when I stumbled across Detrivore’s eBay store. What really impressed me was the fact that the first fifty shadow samples in her collection were being sold for $25 US. Not only is that a great price for such a wide range of products, but it allows you to test out several different shadows before buying a full sized 5 gram jar.

Last month I was graciously sent the six newest shadows in the collection to review. The six eye shadows I received were: Gourd, Golgotha, Condemned, Plague, Dreary and Ominous. Although I love every shadow I received my favorites were Plague, Condemned and Gourd. I found these particular shades unique and the fact that Gourd and Condemned were low sheen only added to the appeal.

From top left: Ominous, Golgotha, Gourd, Condemned, Plague, Dreary

I tried each shade over the course of a couple of weeks to test their longevity and each time yielded the same results. The shadows were long lasting, brimming with pigmentation and blended effortlessly together, no matter what base I used. They can be worn wet or dry and used with a variety of different eye shadow brands or bases. One of the most beneficial aspects of this company is the devotion to customer service and affordable pricing. I believe this company is accessible to almost anyone and would be perfect for any starter kit or seasoned enthusiast.