Friday, December 6, 2013

Holiday Party Makeup- The Modern Pinup


Its that time of year! There's always a party, get together or fancy occasion to get dressed up for. Its easy to feel like you have to go over board with your makeup when you're wanting to impress- but a fancy event isn't the time to experiment with makeup. Keeping it classic and timeless takes the stress out of getting ready. Here is an easy pinup look that will last through dancing, drinking, eating and smoozing the night away!



Start with a full coverage foundation, concealer and powder. When doing a classic pinup look, its important to have as flawless of a base as you can. I tried to pay extra attention to covering any blemishes and redness, especially around my nose and mouth. After your base is complete, fill in your eyebrows as usual. Its tempting to overdo your brows with pinup makeup, but I think its important to do your brows the way that best suites your face!


After completing my base, I applied an eyeshadow primer all over my eyelid to prevent my eyeshadow from creasing. I then swept a matte cream colored eyeshadow from the lid to brow bone.

I then used a mid-toned brown in the crease and blended it thoroughly. The goal of the brown shadow is to create the illusion of a contour under the brow bone, so keeping the color concentrated, but defused creates a more natural appearance. 




Using a black eyeshadow on a thin angled brush, I lined my upper lash line and created a small flick. You can darken the line further by adding more shadow, or a gel liner on top. I added gel liner on top, but kept to soft to avoid a harsh line.












To complete the eyeshadow, I added a matte white shadow to my brow bone, and a shimmery champagne shadow by my tear duct. Keeping the highlight near the brow bone matte keeps things classic, while using the shimmy shadow near the tear duct really opens up the eyes and keeps them fresh.


The eyeshadow is all done! Wasn't that easy? Now all that's needed is lots of mascara on the top lashes. I chose to keep the bottom lashes without mascara, but feel free to coat those babies too! If I was going to a fancy party, I'd also apply false lashes. But unless you're confident in applying them, false lashes can often be stressful- and no one needs that right before a big event!





Usually, I'd move on to finishing my face with contour and blush, but when you're doing a bold lip, I find it easier to apply the lip color first and then finish the face. Bold lip colors often show ever lip imperfection- especially if they are dried and chapped. 5-10 minutes before you plan on applying your lip color, put on some lip balm. After the balm has had time to sink in, use a q-tip to exfoliate the lips. Just rub the q-tip back and forth over the lips, and you'll start to see the dead skin slough off.



Once your lips are exfoliated, use your foundation to create a base for your lip color. Not only does it prep the lips for the color, but it also helps your lip color last longer! Lip liner also helps your lip color last- and can help avoid lipstick from feathering into fine lines. I used a color close to my lipstick color, but you can also use a clear lip liner if you want.


After lip liner, apply your lipstick. Pick a shade that you feel most confident and comfortable in. Remember you'll be wearing it while drinking and eating, so if you are a little apprehensive, try a sheer formula.
I applied my lipstick straight from the bullet, but using a lip brush will give you a more precise application. Once you've applied one layer, blot your lips and apply another layer. Layering your lip color helps create a stain on your lips, which gives you a lot more staying power! To finish off the lips, clean up the edges with concealer!


Now that you have your lip color on, you can assess your face and decide what contour, blush and highlight is needed. I felt like I looked a little pale, so I contoured my face up with the same mid-tone brown eyeshadow I used in my eye crease. I then applied a rose colored cream blush to the outer half of the apples of my cheeks. To keep the face fresh, I also applied a shimmery highlight to my cheek bones, cupids bow and the bridge of my nose.



The finished look!


Bonus look! :

Want a more dramatic look? Try bright red lips! I used a long wearing liquid lip color. This particular formula lasted all day (about 12 hours) with minimal cracking or wear. Perfect for a night out!
 


When wearing an intense lip color, its important to adjust your blush so you dont look washed out. I added a layer of pink blush on top of the cream blush to brighten my face.



There you have it- a stress free party look that will go with just about any outfit! Try it out with any lip color you want. If you're super bold, use a dark wine or even black lipstick. *Swoon!*

MERRY CHRISTMAS!


Products used:
 
Face- Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-1 Foundation in "Ivory"
Revlon Photoready Concealer in "Light"
Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer in "Fair"
Elf High Definition Powder
Wet'n'Wild "Vanity" Palette (Mid-tone Brown)
NYX Cream Rouge in "Natural"
Revlon Matte Blush in "Perfectly Peach"
Physicians Formula Pearl Highlighter
 
Brows- Avon Glimmerstick Brow definer in "Blonde"
Elf Single Eyeshadow in "Pebble"
 
Eyes- TwoFaced Shadow Insurance 
Wet'n'Wild "I Heart Matte" Palette (White, Cream and Black)
Wet'n'Wild "Vanity" Palette (Mid-tone Brown)
Avon SuperShock Gel Liner in Black
Avon Lash Conditioner and Primer
Jordana Best Lash Extreme Mascara in "Black"

Lips- Covergirl Outlast SmoothWear liner in "Ruby"
NYC lipstick in "Sheer Red"
Wet'n'Wild Mega Last Liquid Lip Color in "Red My Mind"