June 17, 2013

Beauty recycle: dusting off a few old and new favourites

June 17, 2013/ Nicole McIntyre

On a typical day you'll catch me wearing a basic makeup look which I'm able to complete in less than five minutes.

On Saturday night I upped the ante by experimenting with a slightly smoky purple eye.

Shop my stash..

NARS' Eyeliner Stylo in Koala
YSL's Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara
Giorgio Armani's Flash Lacquer in Pink 524
Burberry's Trench
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill in shade 3
Estee Lauder's Pure Color in Electric Orchid

To get the look above, pick a deep purple, a slightly brighter and lighter purple and a neutral colour to be used all over. Also make sure you grab your favourite liner, mascara and lippie.

Start by applying a neutral eyeshadow from your lash line and stop at your brow bone. Burberry's Trench, MAC's Shroom or Maybelline's Silken Taupe are your best bets.
Next grab an angled eyeshadow brush and focus on applying the deepest shade of purple at the outer corners of your eyes. Sweep and blend any excess colour along your crease and stop about half way in.
Then grab a stubby eyeshadow brush (MAC's 239 is quite simply the best) and pat the lighter shade of purple on the centre of your lid. Repeat the sweeping and blending method in your crease and stop just shy of the inner corners of your eyes. Want more colour? Line your lower lids too.
To illuminate the inner corners of your eyes, blend in a small amount of your base shade.
To finish line your upper lash line, paint those lashes and dab on a neutral gloss :)

When was the last time you shopped your own makeup stash?

November 10, 2012

Eyes to mesmerise: Estee Lauder's Pure Color Gelee Eyeshadow in Arctic Sky

November 10, 2012/ Nicole McIntyre

Estee Lauder was the lure and Electric Orchid was the hook -- I'm stuck on Pure Color Gelee eyeshadow. It's official, just don't throw me back, I beg of you.

Arctic Sky is as sweet as blueberry pie with a healthy scoop of softened vanilla ice cream. When the melt-y vanilla pools into the gooeyness of the filling, the combination gives way to Arctic Sky. It's the apple to Electric Orchid's eye. Arctic Sky performs just as well as Electric Orchid and they also make for a powerful duo.

Purple smokey eyes are in my opinion easier to achieve and wear versus your typical black/silver look. Here's how I created this look in about five minutes.

Start with an eye primer and apply from your lash line to just above the crease.
Next apply Electric Orchid over the same exact area as above with your favourite fluffy eye brush.
Then grab Arctic Sky and focus the colour on the inner corner of your eyes; drag a bit of colour out along your crease line.
Finally, line your lower lash line with Arctic sky.
Once you've achieved your desired amount of colour payoff, finish your look with liner and mascara.

I tempered my eyes with Illamasqua's Naked Rose (on cheeks) and Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Lip Stain in Honey (on lips). Yes, Priceline finally put out the display yesterday. Aussie ladies rejoice!

So, what do you think of Estee Lauder's eye shadow - yay or nay?

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Estee Lauder’s Pure Color Gelee Powder eyeshadow in Arctic Sky:

$42.00 AUS / $24.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

10 out of 10 bags -- best. eyeshadow. ever.

Likelihood to purchase:

Lilit of Makeup and Macaroons spiced up her FOTD with Cyber Copper; it's not your average brown.

October 13, 2012

Eyes to mesmerize: Estee Lauder's Pure Color Gelee Eyeshadow in Electric Orchid

October 13, 2012/ Nicole McIntyre

Whenever I think of Estee Lauder a mental image of my Grammy pops up; I honestly associated this makeup brand with women of a much older generation. Well, I can now swipe that narrow generalisation out of my mind's eye. Estee Lauder's Pure Color eyeshadow is intense! It lasts, doesn't crease and the color performance slaughters its competition. This is the first time my mind has literally been blown by an eyeshadow; I repeatedly commented to Scott last Sunday about how amazed I was.

Pure purple power. If Punky Brewster was a colour, this would be it right here. Pure Color Gelee Powder eyeshadow first graced the shelves last year as a limited edition collection, but I missed the boat. Thankfully, Estee Lauder released 16 new shades for Autumn 2012.

This super hero of an eyeshadow is comprised of gel, powder and liquid; the combination lends itself to ease in application, durability and an effortless finish. I used MAC's 217 and dabbed Electric Orchid all over my lids -- I probably could've skipped the primer. For added dimension I used MAC's Petalescent (soft pinky purple) on the inner halves of my lids; I then lined Electra (frosty silver) on the inner portion of my lower lash line and blended that into Electric Orchid.