Happy Monday everyone! I hope everybody enjoyed a festive Paddy’s Day weekend – I definitely did (oops!). I had hoped to be on the ball and take photos of my nail art skillz – I did the standard green but with one thumb gold with a green shamrock, and the other a rainbow, which matched up to another nail on that hand with a pot of gold 
It actually came out much better than I expected, as I never do nail art, but sadly I got to the ‘other’ business of the day a bit too early and forgot (lol). Sorry!
Lately, I’ve been trying to brush up on my beauty know-how. Sure, I spend hours poring over photos and info online about every single beauty product possible, but I spend a very small amount of time learning how to use it. While I like to think I possess a fair amount of skill when it comes to makeup application, after idly watching a handful of Lisa Eldridge makeup tutorials, I realized just how much more I could learn – specifically about contouring and blush/bronzer application. In addition to discovering new and better ways to wear my makeup, I’ve also been trying to open my horizons to new colors and finding the best shades that compliment my skintone. For the most part, over the years it’s become a no-brainer, as through trial and error I’ve found which shades to lean toward and which to steer clear of. However, recently I realized that there is one shade that I’ve deemed ‘unwearable’ on my skin, but which was not given a fair shake.
We’ve all heard about the best shades for your eye color – purple tones for green eyes, browns for blue eyes, etc. Of course, these are just guidelines and by no means are rules or even not meant to be broken (and often!). As a brown-eyed gal, typically it’s said that we can wear most any color, but particularly greys and silvers should look exceptional. Well, let me tell you – over the past 10 years I have spent a lot of time avoiding these shades for the most part, as I found they totally clashed with my skin, and made me look sallow, not to mention not making my eyes stand out as promised. Maybe on other ladies, but not me!! But, I’m a firm believer that things change, and being a Gemini I rarely stick to an opinion forever, so when the fabulous Liz at Beauty Reductionista sent me Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Eyes liner in 21L – a metallic dark grey – I thought it would be ungrateful of me not to give it a shot.
With trepidation, I tried it on the following day, certain of what I would see. It’s a good thing I’m not a betting woman, because I was dead wrong. It looked FABULOUS!! Somehow, all the advice I read was right – it really made my eye color stand out; the dark brown looked browner, and more sparkly – and with surprisingly little effort! The picture below really doesn’t do it justice:
Instantly, I went searching through my stash to see if I had any similar-type shades…erm, yea. It’s pretty paltry! And two of the three shades are really more taupe than slate grey, but I’ll see what I can work with!
Clockwise from left: Avon True Color quad in Smokey Eyes; MUFE Aqua Cream in #2 Steel; MUFE Aqua Eyes #21L
theBalm Insane Jane eyeshadow
From left: theBalm Insane Jane; MUFE #2 Steel; MUFE #21L; darkest shade of Avon quad
Of course to be thorough, I went back online again to read up more about this fabulous ‘best’ shade for my eyes – tones in gray, slate, or dark pewter were repeatedly noted – and since I’ve been eschewing this color for so long, of course I had to research products to fill that gaping hole (below, some suggestions):
- Chanel Gris Exquis Soft Touch Eyeshadow
- Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Strut
- Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencil in Mercury
- Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner in Alloy (steel-charcoal)
So now I have a whole new slew of shadows to hunt down and play with – perfect excuse, eh!? Mwahahahaha…
Now, your turn: do you follow color guidelines when choosing eye makeup? Do you find the suggestions work for you? Am I the only one who seriously missed this brown-eye train or what??
#1 by Larie on March 19, 2012 - 9:14 pm
I don’t think I follow the “rules” per se, but I do have a few thoughts about what will or won’t look good on me. Sometimes I break those too, though, because how else will I ever know? And look! You made an awesome discovery! Sometimes it takes other people to tell you to try something, too
#2 by Latoya on March 20, 2012 - 5:55 pm
Exactly! It’s tough because sometimes you think you *know* it all, but I try hard to not get to set in my makeup ways – which is tough! I definitely can tell that you have fun and don’t get too caught up in ‘rules’ etc, which is awesome – you’re looks are always so fun and interesting, yet still work for you!
#3 by Emi (@projectswatch1) on March 19, 2012 - 10:40 pm
I totally agree with you regarding spending time learning about products, but not on application! I really want to take a makeup artist course, actually – I feel like I have so much to learn!!
Also, thanks for all the thoughtful comments of my blog – I love reading your thoughts!
#4 by Latoya on March 20, 2012 - 5:59 pm
I think a makeup artistry course would be amazing – the techniques you’d learn!! I know some of it is pretty out there, but some of it is exceptional in teaching you how to subtly contour etc. – I hope you get the opportunity!
I’m really enjoying your posts Emi, so you’re very welcome
#5 by Galen on March 20, 2012 - 2:51 am
I find that blue or green really make my brown eyes look even more brown – I tend to apply green or blue liner to my waterline to make my eyes “pop”.
#6 by Latoya on March 20, 2012 - 6:00 pm
I am always envious of those who can do this well – sometimes I can pull it off, and sometimes its just not working! Also I don’t have too many liners that work on my waterline (mental note: correct this ASAP!). It’s definitely an awesome way to make your eye color (especially brown) stand out – thanks for reminding me that I have to get on that more Galen!
#7 by Nozomi on June 1, 2012 - 3:43 pm
Liquid Eyeliner: Maybelline Waterproof liqiud liner, L’oreal H.I.P Cream Liner (i know its not liiuqd but it works just like it.)Eyeshadow: Physician’s Formula Shimmer strips for your eye color, Almay i-intenseFoundation: L’oreal True Match, L’oreal Bare Naturale, Maybelline Mineral Power
#8 by Liz (@Reductionista) on March 20, 2012 - 2:19 pm
OMG, f’ing WordPress ate my long helpful comment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *pulls out hair*
I was saying that I’m so glad the pencil found a new loving owner and of course I had NO CLUE you had this fear of grey/silver! I don’t really pay attention to the eye colour rule because I hate that being Asian limits me to hair colours in the first place and now eye shadows too? NUH UH! But that’s not to say I have a ton of fear when it comes to colours… lol.
Enjoy the pencil! The other metallic grey stuff look amazing.
#9 by Latoya on March 20, 2012 - 6:02 pm
I am LOVING the pencil Liz, it was an awesome gift and it just turned out to be perfect for me, so super lucky! I generally wear any color under the sun, but of course if it’s going to help my eye color look great, I’m all for that too
What shades do you gravitate toward normally?