holiday sparkle: going nude for new years.

Are you scared of color? Maybe you plan on wearing a bold lip color, but still want to sport a striking eye look? Or possibly you are just tired of seeing the same classic silver and black smokey eye on New Years Eve? Whatever your situation, I have the answer. This look shows you how to go strikingly nude on New Year's Eve with out loosing one ounce of drama. As always please try this out with products already in your collection. Get your money's worth girlfriend! Also look out for my next post which will not feature a look, but all of my favorite products from 2013.

P.S. I still need help figuring out how to stop blogger from altering my eye color when I upload photos. Any help would be so appreciated!

the eyes:

-As always, begin by priming your entire eye area with eye primer of choice. (Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer)

-Next pack a shimmery champagne cream shadow across the lid, stopping at the crease. (Maybelline Color Tattoo #Barely Branded)

-On a fluffy brush mix both a taupe and mauve matte shade together and blend through the crease to serve as a transition shade. This will help other shadows after this blend more easily. (Lorac Pro Palette #Taupe & #Mauve)

-Then with an angled brush, pick up some of the taupe shadow and draw a line from the outer corner of your upper lashline outward (mimicking the shape of a winged liner). Then with the same bruch draw a line through your crease and connecting to the wing shape you just made. (Lorac Pro Palette #Taupe)

-With a blending brush, buff the edges of this taupe "triangle" inwards toward the lashline. 

-Using the angled brush again, mix a medium brown and dark brown matte shadow together and trace the lower lashline. When you reach the inner tear duct, disconnect from the lashline and draw the liner straight (refer to last picture in post for best explanation). This will leave a gap between the brown shadow and your inner tear duct. (Lorac Pro Palette #Sable & #Espresso)

-Pack a shimmery or holographic nude pigment all over the lid. I recommend using a mixing medium, water or setting spray to dampen your brush and increase color payoff when using any pigment. (L'oreal Infallible Eyeshadow #Strawberry Blond & NYX Matte Setting Spray)

-Next with a black gel liner, line the upper lashline and create a dramatic wing shape. (Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Liner #Blackest Black)

-To line the lower water line, apply a nude eyeline pencil to the inner third and a brown eyeliner pencil to the outer 2/3. (Rimmel Scandaleyes #Nude & Jordana 12hr Made to Last Liquid Eyeliner Pencil #Espresso Last)

-With a frosty or duo chrome pigment, place the product along the inner tear duct and neatly fill in the gap above the brown eyeshadow on the lower lashline. (Make Up Forever Star Powder #942 & NYX Matte Setting Spray)

- Next, highlight your brow bone with a matte shade a few steps lighter than your skin tone. (NYX Nude Matte Shadow #I Have a Headache)

-Apply your mascara of choice to top and bottom lashes. (Smashbox Photoop Eyebrightening Mascara & Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara 

-For lashes I cut mine into tiny sections (about 1/4") and glued them on spaced apart for a piecey and fluttery look. (Ardell Demi #120)

the lips:

-I chose to keep the lips sheer and nude, to make the neutral eyes pop. However this look would also pair beautifully with any bold lip color you chose. (NARS Lipstick #Damage & Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss #Bejeweled)

other products used:

-Korres Mattifying Primer

-Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24hr Makeup #Ivory

-L'oreal Truematch Concealer Crayon #N-1-2-3

-Revlon Colorstay Concealer #Fair

-NARS Light Reflecting Setting Pressed Powder #Translucent Crystal

-NYX Set It & Don't Fret It Matte Setting Powder #Light

-NYX Nude Matte Shadow #Tryst (as contour powder)

-Physician's Formula Bronze Booster #Light/Medium

-Revlon Powder Blush #Oh Baby Pink

-NARS Powder Blush #Albatross (highlight)

-Milani Brow Fix Kit #Light

 I hope you try this look out whether its for New Year's Eve or any night occasion. If you do want something with some more color check out the rest of my Holiday Sparkle Series featured here on the blog. Please tweet me a pic of your recreations or send it to me on any other social media (all my username info is listed to the top right of the screen). Don't forget to hastag #iamalizarin so I can see! Please have a safe and blessed New Year's and thank your for all your support in 2013!

FIN

holiday sparkle: evergreen. everglam.

 You may or may not know that the Pantone Color of the Year 2013 was Emerald. While Sephora and Pantone collaborated to release several products featuring emerald green, many people are intimidated by the color. I thought that the color was perfect for this holiday season, reminiscent of the evergreen Christmas trees and incorporating the biggest color trend for 2013.

As always do try out this look with products already in your collection. Enjoy!

the eyes:

-First prime your eyes with your eye primer of choice. (Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer)

-Next sweep a transition color through your crease that is very close to you skin tone. This will help all the colors we apply after blend more easily. (Urban Decay #Habit)

-With a flat shader brush, pack a shimmery emerald green shadow all over your lid. Make sure to stop at the crease. You can also use a setting spray, water or mixing fluid on your brush to make the eyeshadow standout even more. (Urban Decay #Damaged) (NYX Matte Setting Spray)

-Using a fluffy blending brush, sweep a warm tone brown shadow or bronzer through your crease. (Physician's Formula Bronze Booster #Light/Medium)

-With a smaller blending brush blend a warm purple shade through your crease. Do not blend it out past the warm brown, it should be contained with-in the crease. (Urban Decay #VooDoo) (NYX Matte Setting Spray)

-Next highlight underneath the brow bone with a matte shadow a few shades lighter than your skin tone. (NYX Nude Matte Shadow #IHaveAHeadache)

-For the inner tear duct, apply a shimmery gold shadow with a pencil brush. (Urban Decay Strike)

-On the inner 1/3 of the water line, apply a nude liner to keep the gold highlight bright. (Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeliner #Nude)

-On the outer 1/3 of the water line apply a black water proof gel or eyeliner pencil. (Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Liner #Black)

-In the middle 1/3 of the water line, finish off with a purple eyeliner pencil. (Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeliner #Purple)

-Using a flat definer brush, place the purple shadow again along the lower lashline to set the waterline liners from bleeding. (Urban Decay #VooDoo)

-With a black liner, line the upper lash line very thin and close to the lash line. I chose to skip the wing, but of course if your prefer you may go ahead and wing it out. (Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Liner #Black)

-Next, add your favorite lashes. (Ardell Demi 120)

-Lastly, coat your bottom lashes and blend the top lashes with the falsies with your mascara. (Smashbox Photo Op Eye Brightening Mascara)

the lips:

- For the lips, I opted for a sheer berry wash of color with lots of shine. (Maybelline Color Elixir #Amethyst Potion)

other products used:

-Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer

-Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24hr Makeup #Ivory

-L'oreal Truematch Concealer Crayon #N-1-2-3

-Revlon Colorstay Concealor #Fair

-NYX Set It & Don't Fret It Matte Finishing Powder #Light

-Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder #Fair

-Prestige Brow Perfection Brow Pencil #Med/Deep

-Milani Brow Fix Kit #Light

-Prestige Brow Perfection Clear Brow Gel

-NYX Nude Matte Shadow #Tryst (as contour powder)

-Physician's Formula Bronze Booster #Light/Medium

-Benefit Box Powder Blush #Rockateur

-MAC Mineralized Skin Finish #Lightscapade

As always if you try this out for yourself please tweet me a pic or send me something on my other social media which is listed to the top right of the blog. Don't forget to hashtag #iamalizarin so I can see! Please leave any comments or requests in the comment section below or on social media.

FIN

holiday sparkle: let it glow.

Alright, so I'm back again for you with another holiday inspired makeup look. Perfect for the many festivities this year, no matter what you choose to celebrate. This look is full of silver and shimmer, topped off with violet hues that will make brown and green eyes pop, and a fresh complexion. I hope you enjoy and as always do try out the look with things already in your stash!

the eyes:

-As always, start by applying your eye primer of choice over the entire lid. (Lorac Behind the Scenes Primer)
-Next, pack a shimmery silver shadow over your entire lid. (Urban Decay #Shellshock)
-Then, deepen up the outer half of the lid with a shimmery violet shadow. (Urban Decay #Betrayal)
-To define the crease, blend a matte light grey shadow through the socket. (Nars And God Created The Woman Palette.)
-As always, highlight the browbone with a matte shadow a few shades lighter than your skin tone. (NYX Nude Matte Shadow #I Have a Headache)
-Then create a winged liner along your upper lash line with a black gel or liquid liner. (Lorac Pro Cream Liner #Black)
-Next, apply a shimmery iridescent pigment or shadow to your inner tear duct. (Makeup Forever Star Powder #942)
-Go ahead and deepen up the outer corner of the lid just slightly with a dark grey or black shadow. (Urban Decay #Smokeout)
-Then tight-line your upper lashline with a waterproof black eyeliner pencil. (Jane Cosmetics Water Resistant Eyeliner #Black)
-Along your lower waterline place a eggplant or purple waterproof liner. (Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeliner #Purple)
-Using a flat definer brush sweep the shimmery purple shadow along the inner third of the lower lash line. (Urban Decay #Betrayal)
-With the same brush apply the dark grey or black shadow along the outer 2/3 of the lower lash line. (Urban Decay #Smokeout)
-If you like, you may now apply your false lashes of choice. (Ardell 120 Demi)
-Lastly, make sure to give all of your lashes a good coat of mascara. (Smashbox Photoop Eye Brightening Mascara)

the lips:

-Keep things simple and nude with a glossy pale lipstick of your choice. (Dior Addict Lipstick #Rose Deshabille)

other products used:

-Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer

-Laura Mercier Oil Free Supreme Foundation #Blush Ivory

-L'oreal Truematch Super Blendable Concealer Crayon #n-1-2-3

-NYX Set It & Don't Fret It Matte Finishing Powder #Light

-Revlon Nearly Naked Powder #Fair

-Milani Brow Fix Kit #Light

-Prestige Brow Perfection Revitalizing Clear Brow Gel

-NYX Nude Matte Shadow #Tryst (as contour powder)

-Physician's Formula Bronze Booster #L/M

-Nars Powder Blush #Sin

-MAC Mineralized Skin Finish #Lightscapade

There you have it! I hope you guys enjoyed and if you do try this out for yourself please tweet or instagram me a pic! Don't forget to hashtag #iamalizarin so I can see! Also, please do leave any comments or requests of things you would like to see below. Happy Holidays!

FIN

a look: a touch of romance

This is actually the look I wore on Thanksgiving to lunch with my family. It is inspired by the dusty rose/mauve eyeshadow duo from NARS called Charade. I absolutely love NARS shadows and highly recommend them if you are willing to purchase a high end product. However, please do search your own collection as always and switch out products you already have to achieve this look. To me this look is subtle, romantic, and very day time appropriate. Also, the purple tones used on the eye will greatly enhance honey colored eyes like mine or green eyes. 

On a side note I am having some issues with blogger. When I upload certain photos it changes my eye color to this dark muddy color that is not in the photo. If you know why or how to fix this pleaseeeeeeeeeeee help a sister out and let me know in the comment section below. Enjoy!

the eyes:

-As always, start by priming your lids with your favorite eye shadow primer. (Lorac Behind the Scenes Primer)
-Using a dusty purple shadow pack this shade all over the lid, stopping at the crease. (NARS Eyeshadow Duo #Charade)
-With a dusty rose matte shadow on a fluffy brush, blend this color through the crease. (NARS Eyeshadow Duo #Charade)
-Next, highlight your brow bone with a matte shadow a few shades lighter than your skin. (NYX Nude Matte Shadow #I Have a Headache)
-Then line your tightline with a black waterproof eyeliner pencil. This will make your eyelashes appear thicker. Also drag this pencil very close to the outer half of your upper lashline. (Jane Water Resistant Eyeliner #Black & Jordana 12hr Made to Last Liquid Eyeliner Pencil #Black Point)
-Line your waterline with a waterproof purple eyeliner pencil. (Rimmel Scandaleyes #Purple)
-Next take a shimmery taupe shadow and place this on your inner tear duck and along your lower lash line with a detail brush. (Prestige Longterm Relationship Eyeshadow #Bewitched)
-Lastly apply several coats of your favorite mascara. I skipped out on the falsies and opted for my natural lashes today. ( L'oreal Lash Out Butterfly Mascara #Blackest Black & Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara)

the cheeks:

-Sweep a contour powder or matte brown eyeshadow under your cheekbones to chisel out those cheeks. (NYX Nude Matte Shadow #Tryst)
-Next, warm up the perimeter of your face and neck with your favorite bronzer. (Physician's Formula Bronze Booster #Light/Medium)
-Then blend a purple/mauve blush along your cheek bones (not the apples of your cheeks) and up around the eye in a c-shape motion. Be sure to use a light hand and blend completely so this will not look like a bruise. (NARS Powder Blush #Sin)
-Lastly, give your self a marvelous glow by sweeping a gold toned powder highlight over the tops of your cheek bones, orbital bone, and cupids bow. (NARS Powder Blush #Albatross)

the lips:

-Finish off the look with a romantic pink lip. I chose a shade with lots of shine and a hint of shimmer to make the lips appear more full. (Dior Addict Lipstick #260 Rose Deshabille)

other products used:

-Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer
-Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream for Combo/Oily Skin #Light/Medium
-Revlon Colorstay Concealor #Fair
-NYX Mineral Set It & Don't Fret It Matte Finishing Powder #Light
-Prestige Brow Perfection Brow Pencil #Med/Deep
-Milani Brow Fix Kit #Light
-Prestige Brow Perfection Clear Brow Gel

That completes today's look. I hope you all enjoyed. I do try to keep my looks fairly simple so that you will not be afraid to master them at home! As always, if you do recreate this look please tweet or instagram me a pic! I would love to see it and don't forget to hastag #iamalizarin so I can see! Please do leave any requests you have below in the comment section or on any of my social media which is all listed to the top left of the screen.

FIN

a look: down and dirty

So this look is not literally dirty, but it is a beautiful earthy smokey eye. This look is very easy to achieve. It was my go to look all last winter and I am sure you all will see me sporting it on many occasions this year as well. I will say that for the day time I also like to skip all the steps for the bottom lash-line and it give the look a totally different perspective. This look will look amazing on any skin tone and eye color. As always do try this out with things you have currently in your collection and make them work for you!

the eyes:

-As always start by priming your eye lids with your favorite eye primer. (Lorac Behind the Scenes Primer)

-Next apply a black cream base or soft eyeliner pencil all over your lid, stopping at your crease. (Jordana 12hr Made to Last Liquid Eyeliner Pencil #Black Point)

-Now pack a matte dark brown eye shadow all over the black cream base you put down. (L'oreal HIP Eyeshadow Duo #Shady)

-Using the same brown eye shadow on a fluffy crease brush blend this through your crease. This will create a nice transition because the black base that was applied on the lid will give the brown shadow a deeper tone.

-Next, pack a matte shadow a few shades lighter than your skin-tone along your brow bone to help visually lift the arch of your brow.  (NYX Nude Matte Shadow in #05 I Have A Headache)

-With a black waterproof eyeliner tight line your upper lash line. (Jane Cosmetics Water Resistant Eyeliner in Black)

-Using a dark brown waterproof eyeliner to line your waterline. (Jordana 12hr Made to Last Liquid Eyeliner Pencil #Espresso Last)

-Staying as close as possible line your upper lash line with a black eyeliner pencil. (Jordana 12hr Made to Last Liquid Eyeliner Pencil #Black Point)

-Next, using a flat definer brush smudge the same dark brown shadow you used on your upper lid along the outer 2/3 of your lower lash line.

-For the inner third and tear duct of your eye apply a shimmery taupe shadow. (Prestige Longterm Relationship Eye shadow  #03 Bewitched)

-Lastly coat your natural lashes with a healthy coat of mascara. (L'oreal Lash Out Butterfly Mascara #Blackest Black & Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara)

the brows:

Since this look is quite dark, please please pleaseeeeeeeeeee don't forget to fill in your eyebrows. If you don't this eye look can easily be too heavy for the rest of your face. The brows are the frame for your entire face so show them some love! Okay end rant.

-First, fill in and define your brows with a brow pencil that is closest to your hair color. (Prestige Brow Perfections Brow Pencil #Med/Deep)

-Next, set the brow pencil with a brow powder. I used the lightest color in the kit mixed with the dark color for the front of my brows, and the dark color alone on the tail end of the brow. (Milani Brow Fix Kit #01 Light)

-Lastly, don't forget to set your work with a clear brow gel to insure your don't get any rogue brow hairs throughout the day! (Prestige Brow Perfection Clear Brow Gel)

the lips:

-First apply a pinky nude lipstick to your entire lip. (MAC Lipstick #Flair for Finery)

-Lastly apply a warm nude gloss to your lips for some extra dimension and shine. (Nars Lipgloss #Chihuahua)

other products used:

-Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer

-Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream for Combo/oily Skin #Light/Medium

-Maybelline Superstay 24hr Concealor #Ivory

-NYX Mineral Set It & Don't Fret It Matte Finishing Powder

-NYX Nude Matte Shadow #07 Tryst (used as contour powder)

-Physicians Formula Bronze Booster #Light/Medium

-Wet & Wild Blush #Berry Shimmer

-MAC Mineralized Skin Finish #Lightscapade

That's All Folks! I hope you guys try this look out. It would be beautiful for any occasion. As always if you try this out for yourself please tweet or instagram me a pic. Don't forget to hashtag #iamalizarin.

a look: berry by day

Okay okay.. So my hiatus is over. I do apologize. But I am not going drone on with excuses, so lets just get into it. After a recent post on instagram featuring this look (which by the way if you don't follow me you should @gnombusiness or @iamalizarin), I decided to do a two installment post on berry lips. This look features the ever popular Rebel lipstick by MAC. Today's installment will be for a daytime look and a second installment will come in another post for a berry night look.

the eyes:

- First, apply an eye primer of your choice to your entire lid. (Lorac Behind the Scenes Primer)

-With a fluffy blending brush, sweep a transition color about one shade darker than your skin tone through your crease do give your eyes socket some definition. ( Loreal Hip Eyeshadow Duo in Shady)

-Next pack a shadow one shade lighter than your skin tone over your lid and brow bone. (NYX Nude Matte Shadow in 05 I Have a Headache)

-Tight-line your upper lash-line with a black water proof eyeliner. (Jane Cosmetics Water Resistant Eyeliner in Black)

-Line the inner 1/2 of your waterline with nude eyeliner pencil. (Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeliner in Nude)

-For the outer half of the waterline, apply a dark brown eyeliner. (Jane Cosmetics Water Resistant Eyeliner in Brown)

-With a flat definer brush smudge a matte brown eye shadow along the outer 2/3  of your lower lash line. (NYX Nude Matte Shadow in Tryst)

-Then create a wing along your top lash-line with a black liquid eyeliner or eyeliner pen. (L'oreal Infallible Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner in Black)

-Lastly, coat your top and bottom lashes with mascara. (L'oreal Lashout Butterfly Mascara in Blackest Black & Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara)

                        

the lips:

-First line your lips with a dark berry lip liner. (Jordana Easy Liner for Lips in Cabernet)
-Then fill in the center of your lips with a berry toned lipstick. (MAC lipstick in Rebel)
-Lastly if needed clean up around the edges with your concealer or some powder on a angled brush.

There you have it, berry lips appropriate for the day-time or anytime and right on trend for the season. I hope you guys enjoy this look and try it out for yourself. Remember to try it with products that are already in your collection if possible. If you do try it at home please tweet or instagram me a pic of the look! #iamalizarin

products on the rest of my face:

-Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer

-Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24hr Makeup #Ivory

-Revlon Colorstay Concealor #Fair

-NYX Mineral Set it & Don't Fret It Matte Finishing Powder #Light/Medium

-Prestige Brow Perfection Pencil #Medium/Deep

-Physicians Formula Bronze Booster #Light/Medium

-Revlon Powder Blush #Naughty Nude

-MAC Mineralized Skin Finish #Lightscapade

FIN

halloween celebration: ghostly geisha.

Many of you may already be familiar with Geisha culture, thanks to movies such as, Memoirs of a Geisha. However for those of us who are not.... In Japanese culture, a Geisha, is a woman entertainer and hostess that is skilled in many different areas of the arts. The Geisha culture evolved over time to include the beauty obsessed elite of Japan. Geisha have their own set of beauty ideals that include pail skin and   graphic makeup aesthetic. While the look I am sharing with you today is not traditional Geisha makeup, it is bright, colorful, and striking enough to fair well on any Halloween night. I plan to explore traditional Geisha makeup techniques in a future series. I hope you enjoy!

As always, try to use things in your current collection. Switch colors out to suit your costume and get

creative!

the skin:

-First apply a white cream base to your entire face. (NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk)

-Next, set with translucent face powder. (Covergirl True Radiance Face Powder in Translucent)

-Now you will need several different color eye shadows that complement each other. I used a matte orange, a dark purple, and a light iridescent purple. 

-First apply one of the colors, I started with the dark purple, to your temple area and blend upwards around the side of your forehead and up over the arch and tail area of your brows.

-With the second color, I chose the matte orange, sweep the shadow all along your cheek bones and leave the apples white.

-Using the last of the three colors, the iridescent purple, blend this over the tops of your cheek bones, and along your brow bone.

(Layering these in such a way should give the look more depth.)

the brows: 

-Using a black gel eyeliner, draw in sharp, flat and upturned brows above your natural brow that should be covered with white cream base and shadow at this point. (Lorac Pro Cream Liner in Black)

the eyes:

-Pack a shimmery white shadow all over your lid.

-Second, blend the orange shadow lightly along your lower lashline.

-Next, with the black gel liner draw an exaggerated winged liner taking the wing almost to your hair line. Also you can add the front wings and connect them over the nose as I did for fun if you like. (Lorac Pro Cream Liner in Black)

-Lastly, apply your favorite mascara to the top lashes only. (L'oreal Butterfly Mascara in Blackest Black)

the lips:

-First make sure your lips are whited out with the cream base. (NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk)

-Next, ignoring your natural lip lines, draw on a smaller bottom lip that is very rounded with a purple lipstick or lip liner. (Maybelline ColorSensational Lipstick in Violet Intrigue)

-Then repeat the same step on the top lip with a red lipstick, making sure to round out your cupids bow. (Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Standout)

-Finally, with your finger, apply a dark purple eyeshadow to the inner most part of your "new" lips.

There you have it folks! A colorful, ghostly pale geisha that is perfect for this Halloween! Please send me photos of any recreations your do on social media! Don't forget to hashtag! #iamalizarin

FIN

halloween celebration: ventriloquist villain.

Continuing our celebration of Halloween this week is this look, which was inspired by a ventriloquist dummy. But I wanted to put a more villain-like twist on it. This look is colorful and festive all while being just the right amount of creepy. This is about interpretation not being perfect. Try it out with products you have in your own house! So lets begin.

the skin:

-First apply a white cream base to your entire face. (NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk)

-Next, set with translucent face powder. (Covergirl True Radiance Face Powder in Translucent)

-With a small brush and matte black eye shadow draw lines from the corner of your mouth to your chin. Use a blending brush or your finger to blend the lines inward toward each other. (Black from the Lorac Pro Palette)

-Use the same shadow to draw a line under your cheekbones that with curve down toward your jaw line. Make sure to blend the shadow out. 

-Contour the sides of your nose using the black shadow, starting at the beginning of your brow and all the way down the bridge of your nose to the tip.

-With a red-brown shadow blend out the lines on your chin once more. (Garnet from the Lorac Pro Palette)

the cheeks:

- First using a small brush draw an imperfect circle on the apples of both of your cheeks with a matte black shadow. (Black from the Lorac Pro Palette)

-Next fill in the circles messily with a pink lip liner. (NYX Lip Liner in Sand Pink)

-Using your finger, dab a pink shadow over the lip liner. (Coax from the Urban Decay Vice 2 Palette)

-Also using your finger apply the reddish shadow over that. (Garnet from the Lorac Pro Palette)

the lips:

-First using a black gel liner and a detail brush draw the outline of your lips. When you reach the corners extend way past them in the shape you see above. (Lorac Pro Cream Liner in Black)

-Next fill in your lips and lip extensions with a red lip liner. (NYX Lip Liner in Hot Red)

-Then fill in your lips and lip extensions with a red lipstick. (Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic)

-Using your finger tap the red shadow from before on the perimeter of your lips messily, leaving the center open. (Garnet from the Lorac Pro Palette)

the brows:

-Draw on your brows with a high arch and long tail using a black gel liner. (Lorac Pro Cream Liner in Black)

the eyes:

-Pack a sparkly black shadow all over your lid. (Lovesick from the Urban Decay Vice 2 Palette)
-Blend the red brown shadow heavily through your crease and up almost to your brow bone. (Garnet from the Lorac Pro Palette)
-Pack a pink shadow along your brow bone and blend it into the red. (Coax from the Urban Decay Vice 2 Palette)
-Line your waterline, tight-line, upper and lower lash lines with a black pencil liner. (Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Zero)
-Blend the red brown heavily along your lower lash line. (Garnet from the Lorac Pro Palette)
-Blend the pink shadow very heavily far down under your eyes. (Coax from the Urban Decay Vice 2 Palette)
-Apply lashes of your choice. (Ardel Demi 102)
-Coat your lashes with your favorite mascara. (Smashbox Photo Op Eye Brightening Mascara)

FIN.

I hope you all enjoyed this look. I had so much fun doing it! Use your own products and just get into it don't be afraid. Be inspired! Have a blast on Halloween and tweet me pictures of your recreations. Don't forget to hashtag! #iamalizarin

halloween celebration: kitty say meow.

For the next few posts I will take a break from my fall trends series in order to recognize a special holiday. This will be one installment of several for Halloween. Afterwards we shall continue with our regularly scheduled programming. Muahahhahahah.

Here in the United States we celebrate a tradition called Halloween, or All Hallow's Eve. It is a time designated for remembering the dead. On this night many spend their time trick-or-treating, during which people dress up in costumes of their choice and go door to door in their neighborhoods asking for candy. Carving Jack-o-lanterns, playing pranks, watching horror films and attending haunted houses are some of the many traditions that take place on this night. Today I have created a look for any of you who might plan on dressing up as a feline this year. Feel free to alter your colors to suit your costume. Have fun with it! Also this look is messy on purpose. Do not over think it. No kitty is perfect, especially on Halloween.  

the skin:

-First contour your face using a cool matte brown eye shadow. Sweep the color under your cheekbones and blend upwards. This is supposed to be hazy and very dramatic, not your everyday contour. Also apply the color to the sides of your forehead, down the sides of your nose, around your chin. (NYX Nude Matte Eye shadow in Tryst)

-Next buff a warm matte brown eye shadow along all of the same places. This will give the color some dimension. (Taupe from the Lorac Pro Palette)

-With a brown pencil eyeliner, draw a line from your tear duct down the side of your nose, and continue in an arch shape over your natural smile lines. Also draw the outline of the underneath of your nose and from the corners of your mouth down to your jawline. Blend the last two lines from your mouth messily with your finger. (Kat Von D Autograph Pencil in Immortal Love)

-Then proceed with the same liner to draw in whiskers above your lips and create a straight line connecting your nose to your cupids bow.

-Lastly for the skin, apply a matte white eye shadow very heavily in an upside down triangle under your eyes, around your top lip, down the bridge of your nose, and on the center of your forehead. (White from the Lorac Pro Palette)

 the brows:

-First apply concealer over your entire brow. This will probably not conceal them completely but it will make your natural brow less prominent. (Loreal True Match Super Blendable Concealor in C-1-2-3)
-Then take the same brown liner your used before and draw flicks resembling fur at the front of your brow. I did mine in two layers. The first layer I blended slightly with my finger, and the second layer I left alone. (Kat Von D Autograph Pencil in Immortal Love)
-Make sure to use the same matte white eye shadow as before to highlight right underneath your brow along your brow bone.

the eyes:

-First apply your favorite eye shadow primer as always. (Lorac Behind The Scenes Primer)
-Next pat a medium warm tone brown all over your lid, stopping at the crease. (Taupe from the Lorac Pro Palette)
-Then draw a line starting from the outer corner of your eye up almost to the tail of your brow using the brown liner pencil once again. (Kat Von D Autograph Pencil in Immortal Love)
-With a small detail eye brush, apply a darker matte brown shadow starting along the line you just drew and blend inwards to create a gradient effect. (Sable from the Lorac Pro Palette)
-Apply a black gel liner to your lash line and trace over the brown line you drew at the end of your eyeshadow to create a crisp barrier for the shadow. Then draw a second, smaller line underneath that starting from your the outter corner of your lash line. (Lorac Pro Cream Eyeliner in Black)
-Then using the brown liner pencil once again, run this under the outer third of your lower lash line. (Kat Von D Autograph Pencil in Immortal Love)
-Line your waterline with a black liner pencil. (Jane Cosmetics Water Resistant Eyeliner in Black)
-Now go back to the gel liner and use a tiny brush to draw in hairs along the sides of your nose, connecting them at the top to your inner tear duct. Make it messy. This is not a well groomed kitty.  (Lorac Pro Cream Eyeliner in Black)
-Apply fake lashes if you like. (Ardell 120 Demi)
-Lastly, apply a very thin coat of mascara to blend your real lashes with your fake ones on the top. Don't over do it. You want these lashes to remain fluffy and wispy. However on your bottom lashes apply a generous coat of mascara. (Loreal Butterfly Mascara in Blackest Black)

the nose:

-Since you have already started a guideline on your nose with the brown eyeliner, trace over that with a black gel liner and curve it underneath your nostrils. (Lorac Pro Cream Eyeliner in Black)

-Then pack on a dark matte brown just underneath the line. (Expresso from the Lorac Pro Palette)

-Next, blend that edge out with one shade lighter of matte brown shadow also blend this color messily over the straight line connecting your nose and your lips. (Sable from the Lorac Pro Palette)

the lips:

-First trace outside of your natural top lip line with the brown eyeliner, making sure to round the shape out. (Kat Von D Autograph Pencil in Immortal Love)

-Next go over that with the black gel liner and blend slightly with your finger. (Lorac Pro Cream Liner in Black)

-Tap a tiny bit of  concealer over your bottom lip to neutralize your natural lip color. (Maybelline Superstay Concealer in Ivory)

-Lastly take a red or reddish brown eye shadow and use your finger to tap that along the center of your top lip. (Garnet from the Lorac Pro Palette) 

And there you have it! Kitty Kitty Bang Bang. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Halloween no matter what you are dressing up as. Please feel free to tweet me any requests you have at @iamalizarin and send me photos of your recreations! Don't forget to hashtag! #iamalizarin

Meow.

fall trends: The Nudist

Fall can get lost in clouds of dark makeup and heavy vampy colors, but this year at New York Fashion Week many designers decided to break away from the berries and oxblood with a simple and glowing nude face. The look I have done for today is inspired by the look above from the Alexander Wang Show. But knowing this might be intimidating for some, I have taken it down a few notches to become a beautifiul everyday look. Other designers that went the nude route were Jenny Packham, Oscar de la Renta, and many others. I encourage you to look at shots from their show for other inspiration. 

As always do not feel as though you must go out and buy everything I used to complete this look. Find things that are similar in your current collection and get your money's worth out of them!

the eyes:

This look is reversed from what you would expect as it keeps only the lid bright and smokes out the crease all the way up to the brow. This might make some of your feel uncomfortable since most looks employ a highlighted brow bone. But I promise you, if you follow these steps carefully with a light hand you will end up with a subtle and sultry look.

-First, start by applying your favorite eye primer so your look will last all day. (Lorac Behind the Scenes Primer)

-Next, apply a golden/champagne color to your entire lid, stopping at the crease. (I mixed together Dope from the Vice 2 Palette and Half Baked by Urban Decay)

-Then you will want to blend a matte middle tone grey through the crease and all the way up to your brow bone. To do this start with a light hand and a little product. Build up slowly and make sure to blend thoroughly. (I used the matte mauvey grey tone from the Nars And God Created the Woman Palette.)

-To highlight your eyes pack a shimmery champagne color into your inner tear duct area. (I used Dope once again from the Vice 2 Palette)

-Create as thin a line as you can with a liquid liner along your natural upper lash line. Do not wing it out for this look. I prefer a liquid liner pen as it is easiest to control, and I highly suggest these for beginners. They are essentially a felt tip pen. (Maybelline Master Precise in Black)

-Tight line your upper lashes with a waterproof black eyeliner to make your lash line appear fuller. (I used Jane Cosmetics Water Resistant Eyeliner in Black.

-Finish by applying several coats of your favorite mascara to your top lashes only! (I used Benefits They're Real Mascara.)

the brows:

For the brows in this look, I skipped out on the brow pencil and only used a powder. 

-First slightly dampen an angled brush and dip it into your brow powder. If you do not have a brow powder, a matte brown eye shadow will work. Flick the brush vertically into your brow in a random pattern, as if your were drawing in individual hairs. This will give your brow a less blocky and full on shape.

the skin:

- For the cheeks first contour under your cheek bones with a cool tone brown powder. If you do not own a contour powder you can use a face powder a few shades darker than your skin tone or a matte eyeshadow. Also contour the sides of your forehead and be sure to blend everything completely. (NYX Nude Matte Shadow in Tryst)

-Next, apply a bronzer to your cheekbones as you would a blush (not on the apples of your cheek) and to the sides of your forehead directly over the contour powder. (Physicians Formula Bronze Booster in Light/Medium)

-To highlight, I suggest using a cream highlighter and applying with your fingers to the top of your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, and across your cupid's bow. (Benefit's Watts Up Highlighter) 

the lips: 

-First apply a nude lipstick that is suitable for your skin tone. (Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Creme Brulee)

-Then top it off with a nude gloss for some extra dimension. (Maybelline Colorsensational Elixir in Nude Illusion) 

There you have it. Try going nude for this fall.. well you know what I mean. As always if you try out this look for yourself please send me a picture over twitter, instagram, or facebook. Dont forget to hastag! #iamalizarin 

If you are interested in the products on the rest of my face:

--Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Primer Skin Transformer
-Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation in #805
-Maybelline Super Stay 24 Concealor in Ivory
-Loreal True Match Super Blendable Concealor C-1-2-3
-Revlon Nearly Naked Powder in Fair

fall trends: Rachel Zoe's Bad Ass Lip

For New York Fashion Week 2013, Rachel Zoe opted for a brazen, multi-tasker aesthetic which she described as,"70's equestrian, then it gets super tough with baroque, medieval elements mixed in." Zoe wanted to steer clear of the girly image and go for something subtly masculine. Celebrity makeup artist, Charlotte Tillbury, gave her just that with fresh faced models sporting wine stained lips. The "bad ass lip", as Zoe refers to it, is definitely the statement of the look and can be easily achieved at home.

the lips:

To achieve Zoe's just bitten lips, all you will need is a red lip stick, and a darker plum lip stick. You wont believe how easy this is.

-First, apply the red lipstick (not a matte) using a lip brush to the entirety of your lips. This will provide a sheer wash of color rather than a full on red pout. If you do not own a lip brush, try dabbing the lipstick lightly on your lips and using your finger to move the color around. The lipstick I chose was Rich Ruby by Prestige Cosmetics.

-Next, apply the plum lipstick using the brush again to only the center of your lips. Start at the very middle and feather out slightly to your lip line. The lipstick I chose was Diva by MAC.

 the skin:

All you will need for this step is a cool toned contour powder (or cool toned brown eye shadow) and a blush or contour brush. Skip out on both bronzer and blush for this look, as we are going for a wintery fresh face. I chose NYX Nude Matte Shadow in the color Tryst.

-Lightly tap your brush into your product and lightly sweep the contour powder underneath your natural cheek bones. You will want to start at the top of the ear and glide down the hollows of your cheeks until the color is lined up with the end of your brow. Make sure to go back with no product on your brush and buff in light circular motions to assure everything is blended.

- Next, lightly apply the same powder to the temples and sides of your forehead. DO NOT apply to the top of your hair line. The goal is to slim the forehead, not to make it look dirty. Don't forget to go back and blend again.

*TIP: If you feel like you applied to much product, you can easily go back with the foundation brush you used previously or apply some face powder that matches your skin tone to that area to blend.

 the brows:

- This look calls for a more defined brow, which I achieved by lining them with a brow pencil (Prestige Brow Pencil in Light/Medium) and then filling in the entire brow with a brow powder (the darkest color in the Milani Brow Fix Kit 01 Light). I also carved out the arch of my brow with some concealor to clean up the line.

the eyes:

- First make sure to apply your eye primer of choice (Lorac Behind the Scenes Primer).

-Then take some of your regular face bronzer on a fluffy blending brush and blend this through your crease (Physicians Formula Bronze Booster in Light/Medium).

-Next, apply a shadow close to your skin tone to your entire lid (Habit from Urban Decay Vice 2 Pallete).

-If you feel comfortable, tight-line your upper lashes with a dark brown eyeliner (Jane Cosmetics Water Resistant Eyeliner in Brown). Also, line your lower water line with the same eyeliner. Then lightly run the eyeliner on the outer third of your lower lash line. Don't forget to blend that liner with a brush or lightly with your finger.

-Lastly, apply several coats of mascara to upper and lower lashes (Loreal Voluminous Million Lashes Excess in Blackest Black and Smashbox Photo Op Eye Brightening Mascara).

And there you go! The completed Rachel Zoe Bad Ass look, perfect for this fall. Because lets be honest here, Rachel is the trend. She would not lead you astray. As always I encourage you to try this fun and easy look out for yourself and send me a picture of your recreation! Don't forget to hashtag #iamalizarin

If you were interested in the products on the rest of my face:
-Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Primer Skin Transformer
-Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation in #805
-Maybelline Super Stay 24 Concealor in Ivory
-Loreal True Match Super Blendable Concealor C-1-2-3
-Revlon Nearly Naked Powder in Fair