Plush Red by NYX

This is the laziest post ever. (academics are closing in on me, guys. I'm cornered) Anyways…I REALLY liked my lipstick today. ^_______^ NYX Cosmetics Jumbo Lip Pencil in Plush Red.

Hugs,
Cat

Hi-Lustre Smokey Eye with Stila Magnificent Metals

So, I really tried to refrain from purchasing Stila's Magnificent Metals Foil Finish eyeshadows. Despite falling in love with the opaque, metallic formula…I just couldn't justify paying $32 for a single color. I went about foiling my metallic shadows and even read negative reviews about the Magnificent Metals to convince myself I didn't want them. Well, I found a 20% off coupon code a week ago and decided that $27, including tax and shipping for a single cake of Kitten wouldn't hurt. And now, Stila's website is having a 25% off sale with free shipping and no minimums…so I'm sort of eyeing the Emerald and Comex Gold now. XD

Anyways, here is a quick pictorial tutorial I did for the lustrous smokey eye I did the other say with Kitten. I chose this particular shade because it's a nude neutral with a touch of peachy-pink. I feel that it is among the most versatile of the Magnificent Metals. Therefore, if I could only have one, this one would be it.

Instructions:

• prime eyelid with UDPP in Eden
• apply Buxom eyeshadow in Pug wherever you would like to define your "crease". (because I have a nearly non-existant crease, I place the shadow in an arc above my natural fold)
• apply a soft pencil or gel liner to outer corners
• blend out eyeliner with Sephora eyeshadow in Starry Sky
• apply Stila Magnificent Metals in Kitten to lid
• line top and bottom lash lines. I used both liquid and pencil eyeliner.
• add a touch of Urban Decay's eyeshadow in blackout to deepen the outer corners
• highlight tear duct with a touch of shimmery, nude shadow
• to complete the look, apply Ardell Wispies eyelashes

A little of this stuff goes a long way. See that tiny little smudge on the brush? That was enough for one eye. This little cake will probably last me a lifetime!

I'd love to do a video tutorial on how to use Magnificent Metals as well as how to REMOVE them…I hear it can be challenging, but I've found a way to make it easy. ;)

Hope you guys enjoyed today's post! Happy Hump Day!

Hugs,

Cat

Teal Crease Smokey Eye

Hi, everyone! So, this is my last week of class before finals. You've probably noticed that I've slowed down a little. Can't wait till I'm on spring break so that I can, hopefully, make a couple more tutorial videos in order to catch up to tutorial requests! For the time being, here's a pictorial tutorial of a teal, smokey eye with a defined crease.

I used Urban Decay's limited edition 15 Anniversary palette for this. If you don't have one, just use another brand and similar colors…or even different colors. I'm just sharing the technique.

Thanks for reading and have a great Tuesday! :D

Hugs,
Cat

Horror Makeup Inspired by The Grudge

Oh, Mondays…lol. Just thought I'd share something a little different today. Horror makeup strongly influenced by the Japanese horror film, The Grudge. I have a supporting role in a student film that's being made this week.

BOO!

Normal Cat

What do you think? Have I found a new look? XD

- Cat the (not so) friendly ghost

Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire

Good afternoon, everyone! I am so excited to present a collaborative makeup project I've been working on with 3 other amazingly creative, international artists. We deified the four elements and interpreted them in our own, unique ways using makeup as our primary medium.

To view the complete photo set with detailed images of each look, CLICK HERE.

Ms. Saskia, the Earth deity on the top left corner has a delightful blog called Pretty Trivialities. I highly recommend you check her out, she does comprehensive product reviews and gives a lot of in-depth insight on beauty and other fun stuff. She also has a very engaging Instagram account.

Ms. Josephine, the Water deity on the upper right, is a consummate artist in many mediums…I've seen that she's amazing in makeup and photography, as well as digital work. She's a pure artist who simply enjoys art for art's sake, therefore you won't find her with a blog or Instagram…though she should really start one of the three so that her admirers, myself included, can stalk more of her creative work! She did start a YouTube, so, hopefully, more cool stuff to come from her!

Ms. Ayannah, the Wind deity on the lower left, flawlessly carries every look she creates. Not sure at the moment if she has a blog or YouTube yet, but you can see more of her work on her Instagram account. If she isn't already, she can definitely pass as a high fashion model and makeup artist, but I have a feeling that this is just a fun hobby for her, as it is for the rest of us. :)

Anyhoo, here are additional, detailed images of my interpretation of FIRE:

This was such a fun shoot and collaboration! It was a lot of work, but totally worth it. I'm really happy to have met and bonded with these ladies and look forward to doing more creative work like this in the future! :)

Hugs,

Cat

Chrissy Teigen Inspired Makeup

Ok, so we can't all be born looking incomparably gorgeous like Chrissy Teigen or live her incredibly charmed life - Hello! Making $$$$ off of your good looks and being married to John Legend, to boot! However, I CAN steal her makeup. That's the best li'l ol' me can do. Anyhoo, I suddenly felt the urge to recreate a celebrity look the other night and Chrissy came to mind. Being half Thai, she and I sort of share a southeast Asian background. Also, our coloring and facial structures are similar enough that I figured I could make something work. I came across a fabulous red carpet image of her while browsing Google and knew it was the one. I just adore this glowing, golden look with a warm, smokey eye. How do you think I did?

Haha, I don't think I'm any closer to looking like her, but I do think that this color scheme is pretty flattering on my complexion. I'm a little yellower than Chrissy and wasn't as heavy-handed on the blush as her makeup artist. Overall, I like the way it turned out. Here is a close up of the eyes, created with the original UD Naked palette.

I went a little heavier on the highlight and contour than with my normal makeup. I definitely don't see myself going out every day like this, but heavier makeup does look wonderful in photos. I think I'll reserve this look for special occasions.

Isn't it amazing what good lighting and makeup can do? I did not use ANY filters for these images. Anyhoo, thanks for reading and hope you guys enjoyed this post. Happy hump day, until next time! :)

Hugs,
Cat

Shimmery Purple Smoke with YSL Pure Chromatics #13

Good evening, everyone! Hope you're all enjoying a lovely Saturday. It's raining here in my neck of the woods, but temperatures are still in the mid to high 60's and we're in a drought so it's much needed. Why am I blogging at 8pm on a Saturday? Because I'm staying in this weekend, and for the next two, in order to finish this leg of my graduation project. :P

Anyways, just thought I'd share my EOTD that I created with the Yves Saint Laurent Pure Chromatics Wet & Dry eyeshadow quad in #13. It's a really pretty, purple toned set of shadows that's decently pigmented when dry and very opaque and metallic when wet. Here is a smokey look that I did dry over primer:

I used the same technique for this look as I did with the Rose Gold Smokey Eye that I did a video demonstration for the other day.

Anyways, back to work for me! Hope you all enjoyed this post, however brief. :) Happy Saturday, everyone!

Hugs,

Cat