Happy Halloween (Fashion and FotD)

It's finally Halloween!  Time to binge on candy and horror movies!

I didn't do any unusual costume or makeup this year, but I went with a bit of a spiderweb theme for my clothes and jewelry for the day.

I just did some (what I think are) awesome smokey eyes for my makeup.

I used:
     from the Urban Decay Naked Palette--Naked (matte tan) in the crease
                                                                   Creep (sparkling dark gray) in the outer and inner corners
                                                                   Virgin (shimmery shell) under the brows
     from the Too Faced Pretty Rebel Palette -- Miss Sparkles (sparkling black) in the outer v
     Fyrinnae loose pigment in Velvet Vampire (sparkly rust red) in the center of the lid
   

I followed the same pattern as the upper lid on the lower lashline.

from left: Naked, Creep, Virgin, Velvet Vampire, Miss Sparkles

Velvet Vampire, Miss Sparkles (swatched dry 'cause that's how it used 'em)

  LORAC Front of the Line PRO Liquid Eyeliner in black along the upper lashes
  Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Perversion on the waterlines
  Mally Voluminizing Mascara in Black

Cheeks: BFTE Babycakes Blush

Lips: MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Natural in N9

from left: BFTE Babycakes Blush, MUFE Rouge Artist Natural in N9

This photo makes it look like I put my blush on weird and unevenly, but it's just the lighting.  I swear.

I found some cool nail stickers (the kind that are nail polish in sticker form, so they are long-lasting).

I kinda wish I had attempted some "spiderweb" eyeliner.

Did you dress up for Halloween?

P.S. The weather here was miserable for trick or treating (37°F and rainy).  Many of the kids that visited my house were wearing mittens.

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

Patriotic EotD

Happy Independence Day to my American readers!  I created a red, white, and blue eye look in celebration of the day.

I used:
  NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk (matte white)
  "browbone" color (sparkling white) from Wet 'n' Wild Shimmer the night Away palette
  Naked (matte tan) from the Urban Decay Naked palette (tiny bit in the crease)
  Benefit swingin' sweetie eye sparkle in Swing (sparkling red)
  Darling Girl Cosmetics loose shadow in You'll Shoot Your Eye Out (sparkling blue)
  CoverGirl Liquiline Blast eye liner in Blue Boom (royal blue)
  Sephora Outrageous Volume Mascara in Blue (lower lashes)
  L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara in Blackest Black (upper lashes)

from left: Urban Decay Naked, NYX Milk, Wet 'n' Wild "browbone", Benefit Swing, DGC You'll Shoot You Eye Out, CoverGirl Blue Boom, Sephora mascara

Have a happy 4th of July, everyone!

Look of the Day Gemstone Series: Ruby

Ruby, which is July's birthstone, is the gemstone that inspired today's look.

Rubies are harder than all other gemstones, except for diamonds.  According to the American Gem Society, the most prized color is a "medium or medium dark vivid red." Rubies are quite rare, and if they have too much purple or orange in them, they are considered a fancy-color sapphire.

source: American Gem Society

Eyes: Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara

Cheeks: NARS Laguna bronzer

Lips: Estee Lauder Pure Color Lipstick in Black Wine (discontinued)
           Estee Lauder Artist Lip Pencil in Apple Cordial (discontinued)

NARS Laguna bronzer, Estee Lauder Black Wine lipstick, Estee Lauder Apple Cordial lipliner

I really wanted to focus on the lips, so I only used a thin coat of mascara on my eyes, and a little bronzer to warm up my skin.  Quite a simple look, but lots of drama!

I'm wearing OPI Peru Ruby on my nails.

Thank you for checking out my ruby inspired look!

Have a beautiful day!

Opal

Diamond

Citrine/Imperial Topaz

Emerald
Tanzanite