How to Wear Your Makeup with an Animal Print

Hello, my animal lovers…(we’re talking animal print here)!  Over the weekend, I decided to take a photo of my makeup to showcase how to wear makeup with an animal print.  I think for many people, coordinating makeup with a print can be a little bit of a challenge, lacking a sense of a style direction.  Keep in mind, there honestly is NO right or wrong on this subject, but here I will enlighten you with how I styled this look.

Makeup that I wore with an animal print top over the weekend

A break-down of the makeup look I created with the animal print top and a further explanation behind my color/styling choices:

EYES:  –  I wanted to stick with the shimmery brown and copper family in terms of my eye shadow selection because they compliment the colors within the animal print itself.

I did NOT want to go too smokey (the top in itself already has some drama being that it is a print, so no need to overkill with the eye makeup), nor go too natural (as I still did want the eyes to pop a little bit).  Basically, I wanted a nice balance where there was some emphasis on the eyes, but not too much. 

I started with a light shimmery copper lid color and then added depth by blending in shades of brown into the crease and outer crease.

Many people often question if a cat wing eye liner is necessary.  Potentially, I think you could do a cat winged eye liner effect with an animal print, but for me personally, that’s taking it a step too literally.  As I said, I’m not against the idea completely, it’s just not something I would do because it’s really not that original (I’ve just seen it too many times before).  (It’s kind of like wearing a red dress with a matching red lipstick.  It can be done, but it’s not the best styling choice because it’s too matchy-match.  Again, it lacks visual interest and creativity).

[FYI, black liner and false lashes are my staples with any look and this was no exception!  I am rocking my signature MAC #48 lashes of course!  They are dramatically long and full bundles of lash goodness…just the way I like my lashes to look!  No mascara could ever do that!] 

CHEEKS:  – I think there are a lot of options with the cheek color.  I chose a peach, which is typically the blush color family I stay in, but also what I think looks the best with this print.  I could definitely see a bronzy color though as well (or just bronzer if you’re blush-shy although I ALWAYS push some sort of blush on all people because it makes the face look youthful and happy).  Pink, maybe…just not my first choice.  Plum, not so much because it is a cool tone and I think the warm tones on the cheeks match nicer with an animal print.

LIPS: – I don’t know why, but I think CORAL hands down goes with animal print more than any other color for the lips.  Being that there are usually warm beiges/brown within the animal print, the lips should be a warm color as well.

And since the eye shadow colors are all within a neutral color palette, that leaves room for the lips to be a little more playful.  Coral coordinates nicely because it’s playful without being TOO flashy.  Hot pink or red would be a little too loud in my opinion as then you would be left with a look where the makeup and the clothing are BOTH competing with each other.

[As a general rule (which can sometimes be broken of course), choose to make a statement with your outfit OR your makeup.  Not both at the same time].  

I'm wearing the lipstick shade I created, "Malibu Creamsicle" in this photo!

DOES ANYONE NOTICE WHAT IS DIFFERENT in this photo compared to the original?!  Two styling changes…

1 – I changed my hair a little bit.  AFTER I took the first photo, I realized I wanted to style this with the original black headband, but WITHOUT bangs (I decided I didn’t want any hair to be in the front…for some reason, I think it looks more stylish).  This is a small nuance that to me makes a huge difference and I’m not even a hair person!

2-  I wanted to showcase that I’m wearing my “Malibu Creamsicle,” a GIELLA custom blend lipstick I created and just blogged about!  This way you can see what it looks like on and how nicely it goes with the overall look.  (As I said, it goes great with a lot of things, animal print is just one of many things!).  

(In the original photo, I’m wearing MAC “Costa Chic” lipstick, which I am a huge fan of.  Both of these lipsticks are coral, the only difference is that the “Malibu Creamsicle” is softer in terms of the brightness).

[Do you have any other ideas on how to wear your makeup with an animal print?]

My Thoughts on MAC’s Metallic/Shimmery Paint Pots

I’ve talked about MAC’s paint pots before and I think they are simply the best when looking for an eye shadow priming product.  As a recap, MAC paint pots are GREAT for prepping the lids prior to eye shadow application.  They allow for eye shadows to blend much smoothly and give shadows long-lasting power throughout the day.

I strictly use MAC’s “Soft Ochre” on an everyday basis, but also own a few others that I use sparingly throughout the year, depending on what kind of look I’m going for.

I was exceptionally excited when MAC released their, “Cham Pale” collection, which included four new paint pots (on a limited edition basis):  “Chilled on Ice,” “Dangerous Curve,” “Let Me Pop,” and “Vintage Selection.”

Limited edition MAC paint pots from Cham Pale collection

I was IN LOVE when I saw “Chilled on Ice” (reminded me a little of “Solar White,” my ALL-TIME favorite MAC eye shadow that I have been using as a highlight for the past 2 years and will continue to do so until I run out of back-ups) and also “Vintage Selection” (which kind of reminds me of “Grand Entrance” eye shadow from Star Flash).

Being that I have tons of makeup both in my professional makeup kit and my own personal collection, I have decided to cut back on new products unless it’s really something I feel is going to rock my world. I decided to limit myself to only one of the two paint pots I was most interested in and ended up with “Chilled on Ice.”

MAC "Chilled on Ice" - Beautiful to look at, but don't be fooled...(please read below for extended review).

Although this paint pot is absolutely beautiful to look at, surprisingly, I was EXTREMELY disappointed with the outcome and have decided I am NOT going to buy metallic/shimmery paint pots ever again.

Let me tell you why:

1- I only wore this one time and upon applying it with a brush (as I normally would with a paint pot), it just did NOT sit nicely on my lids.  It made the lids look like I had creases and just did not go on smoothly.

2- I applied shadow on it and it made my lids look scaly!  I tried piling a little more shadow, hoping to conceal the scaling effect and it appeared to make it look worse.  Blending was a disaster!  (Please note:  I’m sure that this won’t happen to everyone, but if it happened to me, I can’t imagine it being any more user friendly for someone not as experienced with makeup as I am).

My Conclusion: MAC’s paint pots are wonderful, but I highly suggest sticking to ONLY matte textured paint pots (such as “Soft Ochre,” “Painterly,” or “Groundwork.”) They work great under everything and you are guaranteed to be left with a smooth finish!

[Has anyone tried out MAC’s new paint pots from “Cham Pale?”  If so, what are your thoughts on these?]

 

MAC – “Peacocky” Collection REVIEW

Today MAC launched a new collection called, “Peacocky” and I must say, I am totally thrilled with the collection! The collection is full of vibrant colors while still incorporating neutral shades for everyday use.

The collection consists of a wide array of both eye and lip products (which are both new in the line on a limited edition basis):  Kissable Lipcolour and Mega Metal eye shadows.

MAC Peacocky Kissable Lipcolour and Mega Metal Eye Shadows

It goes without saying that I am OBSESSED with the new lip colors!!!  I love the ultra slim packaging and the consistency of the lipgloss.  It is very much like a melted lipstick.  It has a high pigmentation with a creamy shine (no shimmer). They sort of remind me of MAC cremesheen lipglosses, but have MUCH more substance to it (as much as I want to LOVE cremesheen, they are just a tad too sheer and wear off too quickly within the day).  My only complaint about these lipglosses is that I am not a huge fan of the “doe foot” tip applicators, I prefer brush tip as it picks up the product out of the tube much easier.

As for the eye shadows, they come in a bigger size (hence the “mega”) and all have a nice refined shimmer.  Although I am not as easily impressed with eye shadows, I must say the colors are beautiful and the consistency has a silky feel with a good color payoff (unlike the mineralize eye shadows) and extremely blendable.  My favorite eye shadow from the collection is “Noir Plum.”  This is definitely worth picking up if you like fun colors for the eyes.

My Must-Have List:

– “Vanity Fair”: (Bubble gum pink color — I LIVE for these colors and this just suits my personal style)

– “Woo Me”: (Nude shade with hint of dusty pink — THIS LOOKS LIKE A LIPGLOSS VERSION OF “BLANKETY” LIPSTICK!!  I AM TOTALLY OBSESSSSED as this is my favorite nude lipstick)

– “Flaunting It”:  (Grape plummy purple — I don’t know what about this color catches my eye, but it is SHARP and it is just captivating.  It’s very unique and unlike anything I’ve seen in a long time.  I think it’s cutting-edge and it requires an acquired taste)

I have a feeling that the MAC Kissable Lipcolour may eventually become permanent if they do exceptionally well.  The eye shadows have potential too, but I have not seen any limited edition eye shadows become permanent in a long time (such as Starflash eye shadows…MAC needs to incorporate some of these in the main line!  I especially LOVED “Grand Entrance”).

PS – As requested by blog reader, here is a photo of myself when I dressed as a peacock and did this really cool peacock inpired makeup!  (I’m wearing 3 pairs of lashes!!!)

Peacock makeup from Halloween 2009! :)

Closer look at the eyes in this photo. (I'm wearing a different lip color because I created this look for two separate halloween occasions. I like the lighter one better although this was also fun).

[What are your thoughts on the Peacocky?  What are your must-haves from this collection?]

Eye Shadow Fundamentals – The MAC brushes I use along with why you need a paint pot!

I really look forward to sharing my makeup expertise by making video tutorials and breaking down the process of how to achieve a look.

The other day I created a video discussing the essential makeup brushes needed along with a brief explanation on eye lid priming.  Although for many people, this information may seem like common sense, I understand that there are beginners out there and it’s extremely important to absorb all the basics before actually doing the makeup.

Being that I have an art background, makeup comes very natural to me while also being a skill that I have mastered over time.  In order to be your own best makeup artist, you need to start off with the right tools and understand the fundamentals of makeup artistry.

Please also keep in mind, all the information I share is based on my experience and what works best for me. With makeup artistry, there really is no right or wrong so if you do something different that works for you, stick with it!

Hope you enjoy the introduction video!  My next eye shadow video will focus on eye shadow blending.  Once I cover that topic in great detail, I am ready to share different eye shadow techniques and looks that you can do by yourself!  I’m always open to suggestions so feel free to send me your ideas!

PS- My video got cut off at the end.  I accidentally pressed the stop button before I was finished.  It was getting to be a little lengthy anyhow.  In time, I’m hoping to get more tech savvy with creating my videos!  ;)