Trend Alert: Bold Marsala

After posting this picture on Instagram I received questions about how to achieve this color. I decided to dedicate a post, after all - it *is* Pantone's Color of the Year for 2015.

 

Photo by Ash Gupta/838 Media Group

This look was created by the talents of MKC, a renowned celebrity makeup academy in Hollywood, by mixing several shades of earthy red, richly pigmented rouge, with pink shimmer.

Ben Nyne iridescent powders seems to be the preferred choice of many of the makeup artists I’ve worked with over the years. Small amounts of powders were mixed on a little stainless steel palette with ‘Mixing Liquid’ (you can use water and get a similar effect). This will create a luminescent paint that will stay bold and won’t fade throughout the day. Apply with a blush brush. The more condense the brush is, the more intense the color will be. A good brush is key when using wet blush so everything is blended before it dries and sets. I love It Cosmetic's 'Live Beauty Fully Flawless Blush Brush #227' available at Ulta.  Please note that you have to mix all the desired colors *before* applying, once the ‘paint like mix’ sets it will not blend.

According to Pantone's Executive Director “Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability. Marsala is a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us in to its embracing warmth. ” Um.. Ok, I wouldn’t mind my makeup doing all of the above LOL ;)

Happy Holiday Weekend,

Pink Chocolate

Several years ago I bought on a whim what turned out to be one of the best makeup purchases I ever made. 'Clinique Shimmering Tones Powder' in 'Pink Chocolate' was this radiant blend of shimmering cocoa bronze and pink tones that swirled together to a natural blushed, sun-kissed glow.

Although meant to be used as a bronzer, I used it as an eyeshadow, blusher, everything!! It’s all I needed in my purse aside from lipstick. But as with all good things, turns out it was a limited edition. You know how it is - we all went throughout this - it's like the worst sort of breakup: You fall in love with a product, use it every morning, learn to rely on it--and then suddenly, it's gone, discontinued. It was heartbreaking. I mean, how could they do that to me!!

I missed my Pink Chocolate …. until …. Clinique came out with 'All About Shadow Quad' in PINK CHOCOLATE!!

You can mix the colors together, or for a more dramatic look layer the colors from light to dark according to the suggested steps on the container, to create some depth.

Photo by Samrod Shenassa

To create this spring look I mixed the 3 pink colors skipping the darkest brown on the palette.  I then used a black eye shadow as a liner wetting an eyeliner brush and followed with mascara.

 
For a bronzed glow I swirled a blush brush on all the colors in the quad, tapping on the brush and blowing any access before highlighting my cheekbones. It's a subtle luminous flash of color that's pretty universal and works with all skin tones.





Wishing you a beautiful spring,

Jumper Romper

I was inspired by my fashionista friend Amber to add some style to my blog.  I decided to dedicate my first post to Jumpers. You gotta love’em. If you ever stood in front of your fully packed closet thinking ‘I got absolutely nothing to wear!!’, then a one-piece is your best friend. Especially on those mornings when you hit the snoozer way too many times - it's like a superhero right there in your closet saving you. A chic jumper will make you look stylish and put together in one quick moment. Did I mention how comfy it is?! Yeah- jumpers rule my closet!! Amber and I put together our favorites for this spring. Watch out for her own fashion blog coming soon - Bella Loves Blog (bellalovesblog.com). Until her blog is up you can check out her style tips on instagram.

The red jumper I'm wearing is from the Marilyn Monroe Juniors' collection available at Macy's (and now 20% off!!). Amber is wearing a jeans jumper by Zara

Happy Spring!!