FOTD - Sunset Eyes Or The Perfect Summer To Autumn Makeup

A few weeks back I visited Barcelona for a few days with my family. We did all the usual touristy things, of course, but I also took advantage of the fact there was a Sephora a short walk from our accommodation, because they are annoyingly not in the UK for some reason. Most of the brands were things I had access to back home, but one was not, that being Kat Von D, which excited me SO much. Her products are stunning and I've wanted them for ages, so, as a result, I bought an eye shadow and a liquid lipstick, which is showing extraordinary restraint.

The eyeshadow is called Thrasher and it is the most perfect gold I have ever seen. The swatch I took of it just made my heart fill with joy. I wanted all the eyeshadows, but I felt this would be the most versatile. I created this look a little while back on a beautiful Summer's day, which was incredibly hot, hence the visible sweat in these pictures (it passes as dewiness, right?).

I started by priming my eyes with Too Faced Shadow Insurance. I then used Red Ochre from the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette in the crease (I use a few shades from this palette). I then used Cyprus Umber from the aforementioned palette to deepen the crease, pulling it in to the outer third of the lid. I then used Nyx Jumbo Eye Pencil in Gold on the rest of the lid, setting this with Kat Von D's eyeshadow in Trasher.

I then used So Susan's Haute Light Highlighting Pencil on my waterline and in the inner corners of my eyes, setting the inner corners with Primavera from the Modern Renaissance Palette. Next, I used Cyprus Umber from the same palette underneath the lower lashes, extending it a little under the tear duct. I finished by applying mascara and creating a cat eye with liquid liner.

 For my skin, I first primed with Benefit's Porefessional. I then used Mac's Mineralize Concealer under my eyes and around my nose and mouth, setting this with Mac's Studio Fix Powder Foundation. I then used Benefit's Hoola to contour with and Sleek's Life's a Peach as blush. I highlighted with Subsolar from Sleek's Solstice Palette, and sweat, a lot of very attractive sweat.

For my lips I first lined them using Mac's Boldly Bare. I then used a nifty new product from MUA called Colour Enhance Lacquer, which is basically a white liquid lipstick. I applied a layer of this to my lips (which looks so odd), then immediately layering over a liquid lipstick of my choice, I used Mac's Dance With Me, which creates a lighter version of the colour, and it's looks super good with so many colours and still dries matte. I finished by using Make Up For Ever's Mist and Fix Setting Spray.

I was super happy with how this look came out, I think Thrasher is just incredible and really makes a statement.

Mac Retro Matte Liquid Lipsticks - I'm Still Only Using Liquid Lipsticks

I recently bought a couple more of Mac's Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolours from the Duty Free (the only positive part about the airport experience), so I figured I'd do a post about them, as they are rather lovely.

I've been riding the liquid lipstick train for about a year now and have had no desire to get off. I always get perfect lips with not too much effort, as long as I first line my lips with a neutral shade (my go to being Mac's Boldly Bare). Real lipstick seems like way too much effort now. I also get to fake that my lips are bigger than they are with matte shades.

The mac formula smells like almonds (which is great), and applies slightly drier than the other liquid lipsticks I use (MUA, Sleek, Kat Von D, Nyx), this is not a bad thing, though. Instead of feeling like a thick layer of liquid on the lips that dries to a slightly crusty matte, they apply and dry really comfortably, feeling nicer during the day. They wear really well, the only enemy being greasy food, and then, only the centre of the lips fades away. They retail for £21, so quite a bit more pricey than the MUA and Sleek ones that are my go to, but the formula is nice enough for me to justify it. Also, the range of colours is really good.

From Left to Right: High Drama, Dance With Me, Feels So Grand, Rich And Restless

High Drama

High Drama: This colour applies the most patchily out of the ones I have, but that can be attributed to it being super dark. Two coats does the job, three if you are doing close up, flash photography. Honestly, one looks fine in person if you apply it carefully. This colour is great if you don't have time to do much else to the rest of your makeup; it makes a look. I'm going to be wearing this all Autumn.

Dance With Me

Dance With Me: This is my favourite (possible of all my lip colours). It's a slightly darker, blood red, but not too dark to steal attention from the rest of the makeup, but dark enough to make a big impression on it's own. Again, a tad patchy, but fine for real life.

Feels So Grand

Feels So Grand: This is a perfect daytime red. It's just a bit brighter than a typical red that I would use (I always tend towards darker shades). This is a great standard red, that's not too intimidating. It also applied perfectly with one coat.

Rich And Restless

Rich And Restless: This is a beautiful peach shade that looks incredible with tanned, bronzed skin. England is actually having some Summer at the moment (meaning I'm sweating it out in my room with all the windows open), so this is a perfect shade to wear. It also complements strong eyes really nicely. I would say this needs two coats to look good in person, which very bright shades often need.

Overall, I really like Mac's contribution to the Liquid Lipstick game. They just feel so much nicer during the day and actually layer really well, rather than getting really crusty upon reapplication. They are pretty expensive though, so if you're near an airport, take advantage of that Duty Free, otherwise, see it as an investment piece and get yourself a damn good red.