FOTD: Urban Sunset

I have my coworker to thank for this name.  He told me he really liked my makeup and it reminded him of the sun setting over an urban neighborhood.  I suppose that's a good thing, eh?

This is how my makeup looked for work:

And this is how I wanted to wear it:

Yep, you guessed it.  With a delightfully vampy lip like OCC lip tar in Black Dahlia.

Here's a closer look at the eyes:

Face: 

-Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer

-Lancome Teinte Idole foundation in Bisque 4

-Laura Mercier Translucent powder

-NARS Laguna Bronzer

-Illamasqua Blusher in Thrust

Eyes:

-UDPP in Sin

-UD Shadow Pencils in Delinquent and Sin

-Fyrinnae eyeshadow in Cuddlefish

-Too Faced eyeshadows in Sexpresso and Heaven

-Sugarpill eyeshadows in Bulletproof and @#$%!

-Inglot Gel Liner 77

-CoverGirl Waterproof LashBlast Volume Mascara

Lips:

-Quo lipgloss in Pout

-NYX Lip pencil in Auburn with OCC Lip tar in Black Dahlia

FOTD: Black Dahlia

Whilst making Christmas cards one day, I got bored and whipped out OCC Liptar in Black Dahlia.  I tried it on, fell in love, and threw on the rest of my makeup for work later that evening.

I didn't have a chance to take pictures until after work, so I made an effort to touch up my makeup, including reapplying foundation where needed and touching up the liptar.  Black Dahlia was not particularly cooperative, as it clung on to the dead skin on my lips and refused to apply evenly.  Now, I've used liptars before and I don't recall them being this stubborn.  Nonetheless, I love the color and decided to share with you guys.

Eyes: 

-UDPP in Sin

-Too Faced Natural Eyeshadow Palette: Heaven, Sexpresso, Pushup, and Silk Teddy

-Inglot Gel Liner in 77

-CoverGirl Waterproof Lashblast Volume Mascara

Face:

-Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer

-Lancome Teint Idole Bisque 4 Foundation

-Laura Mercier Translucent Powder

-NARS Laguna Bronzer

-Illamasqua Blusher in Thrust

Lips:

-NYX Lip Pencil in Auburn

-OCC Lip tar in Black Dahlia

Like I said before, I really love this color.  I'll wear it a few more times and see if I can get it to work.

FOTD: Smokes and Green (and contact lenses help please!)

I went out for dinner and drinks with some friends last night, and it's been so long that I've been on a girl date that I didn't know what type of makeup to do.  A friend suggested I do smoky eyes and incorporate some green in there.  By the time he sent that text to me, I had already slapped Chanel's Mirifique all over my eyelids so I threw the green in the lower lashline.

Face:
-Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer
-Lancome Teint Idole Foundation in Bisque 4
-Annabelle BB stick concealer in Medium
-Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
-NARS Laguna Bronzer
-Illamasqua Blusher in Thrust

Eyes:
-UDPP in Eden
-Chanel Illusion d'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Mirifique
-Too Faced Natural Eye palette: Sexpresso and Heaven
-Inglot Gel Liner 77
-UD 24/7 Liner in Zero and Covet
-MicaBella Shimmer Powder in Luck O'the Irish
-CoverGirl Waterproof LashBluast Volume Mascara
-Daiso lashes

Lips: 
-Lancome Color Fever Lipstick in Rose Tempest

So as you can all probably see, my eyes are pretty red.  They really do not like contact lenses, neither do they like lashes, and the two together give my eyes misery.  With contacts in general (I use acuvae oasis for astigmatism), they tend to dry out my eyes no matter how often I use eyedrops or take them out completely and wash them.  Anyone have some contact lens wisdom they could give me?  I would super appreciate it.

Photoshoot @ Academy of Art, SF

Hey everyone!

I just came back from a photoshoot and I wanted to do a real quick post and share the experiences with you guys.  My friend Kristine was kind enough to bring me along for this shoot.  For a change, I did hair only.  I was a little sad about not being able to do makeup, but not too much.  It lets me be more focused and lug a lighter kit over to San Francisco.

The shoot was a huge collaboration amongst the San Francisco Academy of Art students, some designers, models, and photographers.  It was overall a fab experience because the models were really nice and chill, and the photographer took some great shots.  Can't wait to see the real thing!

1st Model: Theresa

Kristine, Theresa, and me

What the set looked like.

Tag teaming.  Cut the prep time in half.

Loooove this shot!

Touching up hair on set.

2nd model: Elle.  60s/Twiggy messy updo

Behind the scenes in the dressing room

L-R: Me, Kristine, Elle, design student, photographer Yesmenia

On a totally different note, my heart goes out to the families of the 20 children and 7 faculty members killed in today's elementary school shooting.  Nobody should have to go through such a horrific loss.

UPDATE:

Here's a little preview and behind the scenes video from the shoot!

First batch of Xmas cards!

Not exactly a beauty related post but I really wanted to share!  Besides, my makeup has been boring lately, hahhaha.

I started making cards loooong before I got into makeup.  I really got into it when I picked up a cardmaking book from Walden Books (which later became part of Borders...and later went out of business :[ ) and I was AMAZED at all the beautiful cards!  I started buying supplies like I buy makeup now.  I'm sure I have almost as much supplies as I do makeup.  But I always shove my cardstock, stamps, and ribbons aside in favor of my makeup.  I'm so neglectful :(

I did have to whip up some super fast cards for my teachers, though.  The semester is ending and I would be seeing some of these wise women for the last time.  I wanted them to know how much I appreciated them so here is what I came up with:

It's basically a bunch of paper glued together with some doodling here and there.  And to tie this post with makeup, all the silver you see is from a silver eyeliner.  All my gel pens are so old hey don't work anymore.   Haha!

I'm hoping to make tons more before Christmas.  Somehow.  Between looking for a new job and freelancing.  Oh boy.

FOTD: Mega Metal Shadows

I don't buy from MAC too often.  I'm not quite sure why.  It could be because MAC never has sales and I'm a sucker for sales.  I did purchase some items at The Cosmetic Company Store a good while ago and never opened the boxes.  Coupled with my determination to use pink eyeshadow (which I am not particularly fond of) I threw together this look.  The soft pink and purple MAC eyeshadows were much too girly for my taste so I threw in some green in the lashline.

Face:

-Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer

-Lancome Teint Idole Foundation in Bisque 4

-CoverFX Setting Powder in Light

-NARS Laguna Bronzer

-Illamasqua Blusher in Thrust

Eyes:

-MicaBella Eye Primer

-MAC Mega Metal Shadow in Mating Call and Noir Plum

-Sugarpill pressed eyeshadow in Bulletproof

-Too Faced Natural Eye Palette: Velvet Revolver and Heaven

-UD 24/7 Liner in Zero and Covet

-MicaBella eyeshadow in Luck O' The Irish

-Inglot gel liner 77

-CoverGirl Waterproof LashBlast Mascara

Lips:

-MAC lipstick in Syrup

In other news, I got my Cosmetology license on Thursday!  One of the most stressful things I've ever done in my life.  Thinking bout doing a post on that some time.  Would anyone be interested?

FOTD: Blogger Beauty

I truly hate how my eyes are so uneven.  I've noticed that this is a common trait amongst us, Asians: our right eye tends to be slightly hooded while our left eye is "normal," making our right eyes seem smaller than the left.  It really screws me over when I do my makeup.  And what's more frustrating is that I don't see how different my makeup looks on each eye until I take pictures and check it out myself.  This is probably because I'm too busy squinting at the mirror without my glasses.  Argh.

In any case, I find my eye makeup very very boring.  Always have.  When I'm in a rush, it's always so much easier to throw on something natural that I know will work.  I had a bit of extra time today so I threw on some colors I tend not to reach for: pink, yellow, and orange.

I originally wanted to do a bright pink look, but I thought orange and yellow would go well with the pink so I threw that into the mix as well.  I made an attempt at a cut crease which ended up being very sloppy, but ah well.  I will do better next time!

Face:
-Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer
-Lancome Teint Idole Foundation in Bisque 4
-Cover FX Setting Powder in Light
-NARS Laguna Bronzer
-NARS Blusher in Deep Throat

Eyes:
-UDPP in Eden
-Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy
-Fyrinnae e/s in Blogger Beauty
-Sugarpill Burning Heart Palette: Flamepoint and Buttercupcake
-UD e/s in Blackout
-UD 24/7 Liner in Zero
-Inglot Gel Liner 77
-CoverGirl Waterproof LashBlast Volume

Lips:
-Inglot 150

This will probably be my last post for a little while.  I have finals this week and my Cosmetology state board exam on Thursday.  Wish me luck!