Affordable Face of the Day

I recently did a face of the day post using nothing but high end/expensive stuff, so I thought I'd do one using nothing but stuff available at the drugstore.

Michigan State Basketball Final Four Look of the Day (featuring Emma)

MSU is playing in the Final Four (the semi-final game in the NCAA basketball tournament) this evening, so I absolutely had to use some green and white eyeshadows today.  I went rather dramatic with this look.

New Year's Day Face of the Day

So, this is what I wore on my face for New Year's Day (yes, I am leettle behind in the blogging department).  I watched the Michigan State football game, so of course I had to wear some green eyeshadow.  I've done this look tons of times before, but I love it so much that I can't help but repeat it.

MSU Go Green Face of the Day

So, the Michigan vs Michigan State football game was a couple weeks ago, and I thought I would cheer on the team by going crazy with some shimmery green smoky eyes (MSU colors are green and white) and peach lips.  I also wore my blingy Spartans shirt.  Michigan State is playing Ohio State this evening, which is the other big game of the season for them, so this look would work for today, too.  Hmmm.  Maybe I need to replicate it seeing as how it worked last time (MSU won).

Eyes:
   from the Urban Decay Naked Palette -- Naked eyeshadow in the crease
   L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Golden Emerald on the lid and lower lashline
   Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Eyeshadow in  Bone under the brow
   Jordana 12 Hour Made To Last Liquid Eyeliner Pencil in Jade Jewel on the lower waterline
   L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara

from left: L'Oreal Golden Emerald, Urban Decay Naked, Elizabeth Arden Bone, Jordana Jade Jewel

Cheeks:
   Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush in Peach Beach

Lips:
   Too Faced La Creme Color Drenched Lip Cream lipstick in Shimmer Naked Dolly
       -- from the Too Faced Under the Mistletoe lipstick set

from left: Too Faced Peach Beach blush, Too Faced Shimmery Naked Dolly lipstick

The star of this look is definitely the L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Golden Emerald.  It is ridiculously pretty.

Blurry to show that sparkle!

It sparkles on the eyes.

I'm convinced that MSU won the game because of my smoky eyes and sparkling Spartans shirt.

Go Green!  Go White!

Hey, I have a question.  It is "smoky" or "smokey" with an e?

Look of the Day Gemstone Series: Garnet

The gemstone that inspired today's look is January's birthstone, garnet.

Garnets can be found in all colors of the rainbow.  According to the American Gem Society, the stone was named for its resemblance to a pomegranate seed (pomegranate's scientific name is Punica granatum --- so, it makes sense: granatum --> garnet).  There are six different species of garnet that differ from one another in chemical composition, but share similar physical characteristics and crystal forms.

According to Wikipedia, garnets have been in use as gemstones and abrasives since the Bronze Age (c. 3000 - 600 BC).  Crushed garnets are sometimes used to create "garnet paper", a kind of sandpaper which is primarily used for woodworking.

source: American Gem Society

Almandine garnets are most commonly used as gemstones, and they are the red color I imagine when I think of a garnet.

source gemselect.com

From the LORAC PRO Palette, I used the shadow called "Garnet" as it is the deep red color of an almandine garnet, and because it's named garnet.  ;)

I used Garnet on the outer 1/2 of the lid, crease, and lower lashline.

I used Nude on the inner 1/2 of the lid, under the brow, and in the inner corner.

I used Milani Shadow Eyez in Almond Cream on the lid as a base.

I added some of the L'Oreal Infallible eyeshadow in Glistening Garnet for a little extra color in the crease.  Yes, I also used it because it is named Glistening Garnet.

I also used L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly mascara, Sonia Kashuk gel eyeliner in Ebony on the upper lashline, and Tarina Tarantino Hyperliner eyeliner in Tommy Jet on the lower waterline.

I kept my cheeks and lips neutral choosing Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed, Milani Color Statement Lipliner in Nude, and Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick in Perfect Blossom (discontinued).

Swatches:

from left: Milani Shadow Eyez in Almond Cream, LORAC shadow in Nude, LORAC shadow in Garnet, L'Oreal Infallible eyeshadow in Glistening Garnet

from left: Tarte blush in Exposed, Milani lipliner in Nude, Elizabeth Arden lipstick in Perfect Blossom

I think this is actually quite a wearable look.  The "Garnet" shade from the LORAC PRO Palette has enough brown in it to make it seem more neutral than it looks in the pan.  It may be my favorite color in the PRO Palette.

Thanks for checking out my garnet inspired look today!

Opal

Diamond

Citrine/Imperial Topaz

Emerald

Tanzanite

Ruby
Amethyst

Colorful Purple and Green EotD

I couldn't come up with a good name for this eyes of the day post, so I thought I'd be descriptive.

Products used:
    Wet 'n' Wild Petal Pusher palette (left hand side) --
           "definer" color all over moving lid
           "crease" color in the crease and outer v
           "browbone" color under the brow (lightly) and inner corner
    Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Ransom on the upper lashline  
    L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Golden Sage on the lower lashline
    Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Liquid Eyeliner Pencil in Jade Jewel on the lower waterline
    L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara

from left: "definer" and "crease" colors from the Wet 'n' Wild Petal Pusher palette, L'Oreal Infallible eyeshadow in Golden Sage, Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in Ransom, Jordana eyeliner in Jade Jewel

I think some bright purple mascara would have taken this look to the next level of awesomeness.  Can anyone recommend a good one?

Fall Favorites: Eyeshadow Singles

Next in my fall favorites series: eyeshadow singles!

MAC Cranberry:  Pinky plum

MAC Woodwinked:  Golden bronze

 from left:  Woodwinked, Cranberry

L'Oreal Infallible in Amber Rush:  Shimmery copper

L'Oreal Infallible in Golden Sage:  Golden sage green

L'Oreal Infallible in Perpetual Purple:  Satin royal purple

from left:  Amber Rush, Perpetual Purple, Golden Sage

Smashbox Aquatica:  Deep shimmering sapphire blue

Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color in Golden Orchid:  Dusty lavender with lots of gold

Smashbox Aquatica

Elizabeth Arden Golden Orchid

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk:  brown-y plum with a little sparkle

Maybelline Pomegranate Punk

What are your favorite fall shadows?  Stay tuned for more fall favorites...