1960's Beach Bombshell

One of my favourite periods for makeup is the 1960's, where the eyes were big, the hair was bigger, and the complexion was flawlessly matte. Here I took inspiration from the beachy bombshells of the 60's and kept the look modern with glossy touches on the lips and cheeks.

Pro Tip
Use a thick eyeliner brush and light shadow to map out your shape before committing to a strong cut crease. When you're happy with the placement and symmetry, build the intensity of your colour slowly by using consistent pressure and small strokes. 

Complexion

Nars Sheer Flow Foundation

Benefit Fake Up Concealer

MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural in 'Light'

Givenchy Healthy Glow Powder #2

Benefit Boxed Powder in "Rockatuer'

Eyes and Brows

Shu Uemura Brow Pencil Hard 9 in 'Seal Brown'

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural in 'Light' - All over the lid

Tarina Tarrantino Eyeshadow in 'Butterfly Black'

Laura Mercier Creme Eyeliner in 'Noir'

Nars Eyeliner Pencil in 'Iceberg'

YSL Faux Cils Mascara

Lips

Buxom Full Bodied Lipstick in 'Nudist'

Nars Larger Than Life Lipgloss in 'Candy Says'

Starry Eyes

I really love the dimension that "bracketing" your eyeshadow gives. The touch of light in the centre of the eye really makes the eyes pop and sparkle when wearing a sultry smokey eye. And what better way to do it than in my favourite Fall shadow colour? Navy!

Pro Tip

Dark matte colours can be tricky to blend and have some fall down. Take your time building colour and try doing your eye makeup before foundation for easy clean up. Ensure you have a great concealer to keep the under eyes looking fresh and bright!

Complection

Bobbi Brown Stick Foundation

The Balm Time Balm Concealer

Tarte Smooth Operator Setting Powder

Hourglass Ambiant Light Powder in 'Moon Light'

Eyes and Brows

Shu Uemura Brow Pencil Hard 9 in 'Seal Brown'

Too Face Shadow Insurance

Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow in #60 and #00

Hourglass Ambiant Light Powder in 'Moon Light'

Too Face Starry-Eyed Glitter Liner

Stila Smudgestick Waterproof Eyeliner in 'Bluefin'

Nars Eyeliner in 'Iceberg'

Buxom Mascara

Lips

Bite Luminous Cream Lipstick in 'Retsina'

Nars Larger Than Life Lipgloss in 'Candy Says'

The Day I Met Alex Box

On Monday evening I met a Make Up Artist who has been one of the biggest inspirations in my journey through artistry. Her body of work is absolutely breathtaking and her instinctual knack for colour and placement is incredible. Meeting Alex Box was a dream of mine and I'm so excited to be able to share it with you guys.

(Alex & I rocking Lipstick in 'Box' - one of my favourite reds)

The Illamasqua counter at The Bay Queen Street was buzzing while dozens of us adoring fans crowded around to catch a glimpse of the infamous Alex Box - Illamasqua Creative Director and Co-Founder.

Julian Kynaston, Illamasqua Founder, gave a wonderful introduction and truly energized the crowd as he showed us how humbled he is at the success of his five-year-old brand.

Powder was smoking in the air and brushes were gliding all over. I watched Alex dig into Powder Eyeshadow with the blunt end of her brush to create a loose pigment and press it into the skin with exceptional prowess. It was so incredible to watch her work.

After the demo, Alex mingled with us and we were invited to shop the counter with the Illamasqua team. 

I'm so happy that I was able to take part in this event and hope that my path will someday cross with hers again.

Monochromatic Purple Paradise

Purple is one of my favourite colours to work with because it looks good on everyone! In this monochromatic look I used one of my favourite purple eyeshadows (Make Up For Ever #09) on my eyes, brows, and cheeks and gave the look dimension with complimentary cool toned pinks.

Pro Tip

With a fluffy crease brush, lightly apply your blush along the edge of your eyeshadow to create a cohesive look with a perfectly blended gradient from brow bone to crease colour! This tip works no matter what eyeshadow colour you're wearing.

Complexion

Diorskin Airflash Foundation

Tarte Smooth Operator Concealer

Laura Mercier Translucent Powder

Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow #09

Stila Eyeshadow in 'Key'

Dior Rosy Glow Blush

Eyes and Brows

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow #09

Stila Eyeshadow in 'Key'

Dior Rosy Glow Blush

Too Faced Perfect Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in 'Perfect Black Orchid'

YSL Faux Cils Mascara

Lips

Revlon Lip Butter in 'Cupcake'

Wine Stained Lips

I absolutely love berry lips for Fall - especially when they're perfectly paired with a set of fluttery flasies!

Pro Tip

Carefully outline your lipstick with concealer as a finishing touch to achieve a sharp, crisp line when wearing bold lip colours!

Complexion

Bobbi Brown Stick Foundation

Benefit Erase Paste Concealer

Laura Mercier Translucent Powder

Nars Blush in 'Doucuer'

Benefit Boxed Powder in 'Rockatuer'

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector

Eyes and Brows

Shu Uemura Brow Pencil Hard 9 in 'Seal Brown'

Too Face Shadow Insurance

MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural in 'Light' - All over the lid

Laura Mercier Creme Liner in 'Noir'

Velour Mink Lashes in 'Oops, Naught Me!'

Marc Jacobs Mascara

Lips

Nars Lipstick in 'Scarlet Empress'

Graphic Navy and Ice

As the Fall season quickly approaches I've found myself completely obsessed with navy shadow and really enjoyed combining it with two of my other favourite things for this look - graphic lines and glitter!

This look was just for fun and was a great practice for my line work, blending, and symmetry!

Complexion

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation

The Balm Time Balm Concealer

Laura Mercier Translucent Powder

Nars Blush in "Doucuer"

Benefit Boxed Powder in "Hoola"

Eyes and Brows

NYX Jumbo Shadow Pencil in 'Milk' as a base

Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow #60, #00, and $72

Nars Eyeliner in 'Kitty'

Stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Liner in 'Curacao'

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in 'Snow'

Too Faced Starry-Eyed Glitter Liner

YSL Faux Cils Mascara

Lips

Bite Beauty Luminous Cream Lipstick in "Retsina"

Emerald Smokey Eyes

Here's a look I wore a few weeks ago inspired by Pantone's colour of the year: Emerald Green!
I love this colour because it's incredibly flattering on all eye colours and skin tones. It's also the type of colour that is really easy to wear if you want a bit of a pop but to still feel somewhat neutral. Enjoy!

1 Apply liquid foundation all over and let it naturally work into the skin. We will come back to it later.

2 Smooth eyeshadow primer all over the lid, and press an emerald green eyeshadow from the lash line to the crease. Wrap the emerald eyeshadow around the outer corner of the eye and along the lower lash line, stopping three quarters of the way in.

3 Apply a cool toned, shimmery highlight shadow on the inner corners of the eye.
4 Rim the upper and lower water line (inside the eye) with a black pencil. Be sure to smudge the pencil into the lash roots.
5 Use a matte black eyeshadow to smoke out the upper lash line, gradually thickening the line towards the outer corners. Do the same for the outer corner of the lower lashes, keeping close to the lash line.
6 Gently run a warm pink colour (in this case I used a blush) along the edge of the green eyeshadow where it stops and meets the crease. This aids in a more natural gradation and blend between the eyeshadow and the natural skin tone. It also adds depth, dimension, and interest to the look.
7 Apply concealer under the eyes to tidy up any shadow that has fallen, and to clean up the shape. Set with powder.
8 Generously coat the upper and lower lashes with black mascara.
9 Apply a punchy pink blush far back on the cheek bones, slightly blending onto the apple of the cheek. Pink plays exceptionally well greens, so keeping the blush closer to the shadow is very complimentary and ties the whole look together.
10 Finish with a swipe of light pink gloss or lipstick.

Products Used:
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation
Benefit Erase Paste Concealer
Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
Dior Rosy Glow Blush
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow in '168' (emerald green)
MAC Beauty Powder in 'Oh, So Fair!' (pink shadow)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in 'Midnight 15' (cool toned highlight)
Tarina Tarrantino Eyeshadow in 'Butterfly Black' (black)
Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in 'Zero'
Benefit They're Real Mascara
Shu Umera Brow Pencil in 'Hard 9 Seal Brown'
Revlon Lip Butter in 'Cotton Candy'

xo candice