introducing...

tiny Frisco!!

she is ten weeks old and i have had her for about two weeks... she is a persian cross and is mainly monochrome (black, grey, white) with random ginger stripes like the one in the middle of her forehead.  she is adorable, however i do have the telltale signs of new kitten ownership: scratches on my thighs, forearms and chest... why, oh why, do their claws have to be so sharp ?!

on to the make-up: once again, silly Photobooth has made it look green-ish when really in was a combination of blues - no green at all!

shadow colours used:

- old Pola Cosmetics Blue Palette - dark matte navy

- Urban Decay Eye Shadow in Alice (bright mid-blue) mixed with Gesso, because i didn't have a pale blue colour

- MAC Eye Shadow in Gesso (matte white)

- Urban Decay Eye Shadow in Wonderland (glittery taupey-bronze)

• started with Urban Decay Primer Potion
• MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder (black) smudged over eyelid to create a dark base
• Alice+Gesso on a fluffy brush, over eyelid, and brow bone, blending out to create point toward the end of the eyebrow
• dark navy shadow on the outer 'V'/corner of eyelid, and around through the crease to the inner corner of the eye - still with the fluffy brush, to keep the look hazy and not too defined
• line eyes with Smolder
• MAC Penultimate Liner in Black (liquid liner) across top lashline, getting thicker as you take it out into the wing
• go over liquid liner and smudge underneath the lower lashline with MAC Eye Shadow in Carbon (black) - yes, this is a heavily, heavily lined look (not necessary if you don't like so much liner, or you could use a navy, rather than black)
• using an angle brush, create depth in the socket by drawing a line with Carbon back from the outer end of your liquid liner across the crease, almost to the inner corner
• smudge and blend that line using a bullet-shaped brush - i also fuzzed the end of the liner, so that the wing wasn't so heavy
• using your finger (or a brush) tap some Gesso or Urban Decay White Rabbit on the inner corners
• using your fluffy brush, blend Gesso with the top of the blue shadow up to eyebrow to highlight

other make-up notes:

- foundation: Revlon ColourStay in 110 Ivory

- cheeks: MAC Bronzer in Golden & MAC Mineralise Skinfinish in By Candlelight

- eyebrows: MAC Brow Set in Beguile

- lips: MAC Cremestick Liner in Summerfruit & L'Oreal Glam Shine Lip Gloss in a shimmery orange colour that i can't see because the label has come off

i made this bun really wide by doing two ponytails/pigtails, before backcombing and pinning it... however, looking at these photos i can see that it is a bit off-centre lol

hope you guys are all well!

i will try to do something a bit more exciting that navy smokey eyes next time!!

camera complaints

a disclaimer before reading this post:

i had to rush to get to work this morning, so i missed the flattering daytime sunshine that gives a much more realistic view of the colours.. :( boo, so my apologies for this look appearing very monotone and similar to 'ocean eyes'

also, i'm thinking i may need to upgrade to proper camera photography to give you a better idea of the colours... as opposed to using Photobooth like i do at the moment...

my aim was to do a generally green eye to go with my new jumper for work with a grey under-eye shadow to pick up the silver in my new singlet.  the look ended up being similar to lady gaga's make-up at this year's Grammies (except less round and dark all over the lid).

i used MAC Bronzer in Golden lightly along/under my cheekbones, then used a bright (almost neon!) pink blush from Lancome very lightly on the apples of my cheeks.

i lined my lips with hot pink liner from Chi Chi and used the MAC Viva Glam Gaga lipstick.

i am still in two minds about whether this lipstick actually suits me/looks good, or if i just love it because it's Gaga...

- began with Urban Decay Primer Potion all over the lids

- Urban Decay Drink Me, Eat Me (shimmery pinky-gold colour, a bit more orange than MAC Naked Lunch)

- Chanel Les 4 Ombres in #16 Murano

• light green just on the eyelid (under the brow bone)
  
• dark green on outer corner/'V' of eyelid and blend up through crease
  
• mid-green blended up from those colours over brow bone and out toward the end of the eyebrow - i was trying to keep it round, but it ended up in a point
  

- highlight between eyebrow and brow bone with Urban Decay White Rabbit (glittery white)

- using your finger, pat some more Drink Me, Eat Me in the inner corner, around your tear duct

- line your water line with MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder (or any black)

- using and angle brush take the dark green from the Chanel palette and smudge eyeliner under the outer third of the eye, drawing it up and past the outer corner to give you a guide  for your liquid eyeliner 'flick'

- follow the dark eyeshadow line, using a black liquid liner (MAC Penultimate Liner), back over the outer third of your lashline - in line with the outside of your iris - adjust so it's a smooth curve

- go over the liquid liner, either with black or dark green shadow, to set it in place

i included this picture so you can see the liquid liner shape :)

i think my next look for you guys will be a navy smoky eye...

any other suggestions or requests are welcome!

sugar doll from jenny

my apologies for being lazy and not posting for a while... either lacking time to do interesting make-up and/or lacking time to take good photos of it.

in place of a make-up post, i will complete this Sugar Doll award/quiz that miss jenny at monochrome factory sent my way...

How would you describe your style ?

two things about my 'style' - firstly, i feel that i'm not very good at dressing myself or putting outfits together.  i complain about this at work all the time - in particular, at the moment because we have to buy new season stuff and i can't work out what to get - if anybody has suggestions about CR Winter '10, let me know!!

secondly, i have rules about what i wear ('too many rules' according to jenny).  rules like: my legs must always be covered - either pants or opaque tights; tops must be long enough to fall below the waistline on low rise pants; tops can't sit to close to my armpits; tops can't be so close-fitting that the difference between my waist and hips is visible; no strapless dresses or tops...... there are more, but you've probably already established that i'm crazy, so i'll leave it there!

back to actual style - at the moment, mostly pretty simple, jeans and a loose t-shirt and ballet shoes or nike dunks; or a dress, cool tights and boots (over-the-knee, riding and ankle boots are on rotation); and, when my style isn't simple, it's wacky and random - an example of that is the main piece of clothing in the outfit below!

What wardrobe item can't you live without ?

my grey suede Miu Miu ballet shoes, my speedy and my shiny CR jeans - as far as i'm concerned, these three things go with whatever i put on.  and for relaxing times with JohnJohn, my NYPD hoodie and soft, wet-look leggings to be comfy :)

Who or what inspires you ?

Beanie, the most beautiful sister in the world

Jenny, the most fashionable best friend in the world

Kandee Johnson, the most fun and creative make-up artist in the world

MAC Cosmetics, my favourite make-up in the world

fashion/lifestyle bloggers, the best thing to read on the internet in the world

going out to eat

i feel very special to be included in jenny's blog :) and i appreciate her patience during the photo session because i'm the worst, most awkward model ever!

for outfit details hop over to Monochrome Factory.  the only extra in this photo is the eyewear... Burberry sunglasses from Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco - perfect size, darkness and no obvious branding.

also, i learned how to do my messy, high, full bun from Lady Melbourne, and i added the centre braid for interest :)

hope you guys are having a gorgeous weekend!!