I’ve come to the sad conclusion a while ago that no matter how much I try, an all-brown smoky eye does not look good on me. I end up looking bruised or tired. Are there any eye shadow looks that just don’t flatter you?

Miraculously though, the NYX 10 Color Eyeshadow Palette ($9.75 US) in Champagne & Caviar I reviewed last week works for me. I’m certain that it’s because there is a mix of different colors like black, pink, and peach and not just browns.

I’ve played around with different looks and here’s a step-by-step tutorial on one of my favorites with this palette.

Step 1: Curl eyelashes and apply an eye shadow primer. Then use a flat shader brush to pat Beige Shimmer onto the lid going slightly above the crease. This is going to be our lid color.

Step 2: Using a pencil brush, apply Warm Medium Brown into the outer 2/3 of your crease and blend. You may need to apply more of the lid color if it has faded while you were blending.

Step 3: Line your waterline carefully with Matte Black to add an intense contrast. Lightly pick up some of the Baby Pink Shimmer with your ring finger and pat it above the Warm Medium Brown in your crease. This will act as a highlight color.

Step 4: Use the flat side of the eyeliner brush to take Shimmery Golden Peach and brush it directly underneath the Matte Black on your waterline. This tiny step brightens the look considerably.

Step 5: Apply mascara and pink blush. I chose to go au natural with the lips, but your favorite nude lippie or even a pink lipstick would complement with this look.

How do you wear your brown eye shadows? List some of your favorites along with your skin tone and eye color in the comments!

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Feeling inspired by Crystal’s sweet, sun-flushed look in her MAC To the Beach FOTD last week, I felt compelled to check out the collection and create my own pretty, pink look.

I love the beautiful To The Beach Eye Shadow shades of the tropics – peaches, mossy blues and greens – but I hardly have the time to construct a colorful look that doesn’t look like a little girl playing with mom’s makeup 

Instead, I reached for To The Beach Eye Kohl ($14.50 US) in Float on By, a beautiful turquoise teal.

The soft pencil glides easily on the lashline and has the longevity to stay put.  But is also soft enough to smudge for a sultry look suited for the beach – I just love it.

To off-set the bright eyes, wear a understated coral blush like To The Beach Powder Blush ($18.50 US) in Hipness (repromote).  It’s soft but still makes an impact for the hot summer season.

I finished my look with a healthy dose of To The Beach Tinted Lipglass ($14 US) in Splashing, a light pink with a very subtle golden shimmer.

The blue undertones in Splashing really helped to bring out the teal of my liner.  I added a sweep of MAC Shell Pearl Beauty Powder for a glowing sheen.

MAC To the Beach collection is on counters now.  What have you picked up to create your summer looks?  Tell us what your favorite combos are!

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Summer makeup is coming out to play, are you going to join in on the fun? If you haven’t already, take a look at the MAC To the Beach collection for an inspirational insight into what’s coming your way this season.

Bronze skin, coral cheeks, and bright lips are some of the trends I spy already, so that’s what today’s look is going to be all about.

Calling the MAC High-Light Powder in Marine Life ($26 US) a highlighter shames this little seahorse, it’s simply too bold and pigmented! Behind the mesmerizing gold overspray is a stunning coral that you can utilize as a highlighter or blush.

Intimidating in the pan only, the reddish coral part blends out seamlessly and the baby pink section keeps things fresh. In this specific look, I used Marine Life to warm up the cool undertones of the lipstick.

To add a refined touch, compliment your glowing cheeks with lovely pink lips. The MAC Lipstick in Lazy Day ($14 US) is a gorgeous milky, lavender pink that’s actually wearable on a variety of skin tones, not just lighter ones.

The moisturizing lustre finish glides onto the lips effortlessly, but manages to stay put for a good 4 hours at the least. Even though you can go for retro mod lips, the buildable coverage ensures that a sheerer application looks just as great.

Since the focus of this FOTD is concentrated in the cheeks and lips, the eyes are very subtle. I simply applied Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in R.S.V.P. ($19 US) over the eyelid and onto the lower lash line as a liner.

I’m in love with the eye brightening effect I get from this shimmery champagne color!

Were you inspired by this collection as much as we were? Share your favorite blush and lipstick match with us in the comments.

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For most, Memorial Day kicks off the summer season of barbecues and picnics and lazy days at the beach.  And with all of these outings come a substantial amount of time spent in the sun.

I’m no different.  This past holiday weekend, I spent a good 8 hours at the park on Sunday for a friend’s birthday barbecue.  Knowing that I was going to be out and about all day, I made sure to stick a tube of Bobbi Brown Treatment Lip Shine with SPF 15 ($22 US) in my jean pocket.

I gotta say, I love the texture and pigmentation of these lip shines!  I was wholeheartedly expecting a sheerer finish but my Treatment Lip Shine in Berry, a sassy, bright pink/red berry, is a great summer lippie when you want the finish of a lipstick but don’t want the heavy, weighed down look.

I’ll be completely honest, I hadn’t worn any gloss or lipstick in a week since I’d been nursing a cold (stuffy, runny nose – the whole bit!).  No one really wants to wear lip color when you’re rockin’ the uber chapped lip look.

Finally feeling well enough to wear make up again, it only took two swipes of my Berry Treatment Lip Shine to make me feel normal again.  It’s the shea butters, jojoba, and Avocado oils in the formula that feel like a drink of water for my lips.

And the SPF in it helps to protect against sun damage – making me feel that much better about not applying a regular lip balm all day

Bobbi Brown Treatment Lip Shines come in 12 shades plus one clear stick for all the purists out there.

If I were you, I’d splurge on Berry (left), Moonlight Rose (a dusty pink for everyday, right) and Pink Glisten (a bright fuchsia, not shown).  Pink Glisten is my MUST pick for a sizzling summer look.

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Last night I went to a birthday dinner for my cousin and a few other May babies at Kerry Simon’s new restaurant, LA Market in downtown Los Angeles (more on that soon!).

I wanted a low-key look that would still sparkle and found inspiration in this promotional image for MAC’s recent Prêt-à-Papier collection.

For tonight’s look, I reached for my MAC Passions of Red Smokey Eye palette from two seaons ago.  I know this palette was limited but don’t fret, the Satin Taupe, the mushroomy taupe shade that I used on my eyes is available in MAC’s permanent line.

On my cheeks I applied MAC Powder Blush ($18.50 US) in Instant Chic, a mid-tone muted coral, from the Prêt-à-Papier collection.  The shade is a sheertone so you’ll need to build layers if you’re looking for a more pigmented finish.

To finish my look, I slathered on MAC Tinted Lipglass ($14 US) in Fold and Tuck, a midtone bright coral with soft pearl, also from the Prêt-à-Papier collection.

I almost went a little bolder, like the model, but opted against it at the last minute and layered MAC Lipstick ($14 US) in Archetype, a sheer light gold, underneath the gloss.  Tip: Lipstick underneath gloss helps to keep your color lasting longer too!

If you haven’t peeped the MAC Prêt-à-Papier collection, I actually love the warm and subtle beige and coral shades in this set.

Chromagraphic Pencil ($14.50 US)
NC15/NW20 (LE)
NW25/NC30 (LE)

Impeccable Brow Pencil ($15 US)
Dirty Blonde Blackened dark neutral-brown (LE)
Taupe Mid-tone dirty taupe (LE)

Studio Fix Lash ($13 US)
Black Fix Black

Blush ($18.50 US)
Instant Chic Mid-tone muted coral (LE)
Garb Light golden suntan (LE)

Mineralize Blush ($23 US)
Light Over Dark Light yellow brown / dark peach (LE)

Paint Pot ($16.50 US)
Coral Crepe Soft coral (LE)
Groundwork Mid-tone neutral taupe

Lipstick ($14 US)
Archetype Sheer light gold (LE)
Dressmaker, Dressmaker Creamy light peach coral (LE)
Made to Order Creamy mid-tone dirty coral (LE)
Kraft Creamy mid-tone warm brown (LE)

Lipglass ($14 US)
C-Thru Peachy beige with shimmer
Fold and Tuck Mid-tone bright coral with soft pearl (LE)
Pret-a-Papier Dark reddened bronze with pearl (LE)

Eyeshadow ($14.50 US)
Tissue Weight Frosted pale peach (LE)
Bamboo Light beige with peach
Cut to Fit Frosted red bronze (LE)
Gazette Grey Dark green-grey with gold pearl (LE)
Memorabilia Dirty purple (LE)

Nail Lacquer ($12 US)
Brown Bag Mid-tone warm dirty beige (LE)
Originality Sparkly copper bronze (LE)

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