Sunday 11 May 2014

HOW TO: EASY 1960S INSPIRED SULTRY LOOK


Inspired by the heavy liner dominating the catwalks for Spring/Summer 2014, I thought I'd show you how to recreate a very easy, pretty much fool-proof 1960s inspired look. Yes, I know, how on-trend of me. The tutorial is an example of how I would take inspiration from beauty trends and make them wearable. Truthfully, I wouldn't saunter to the supermarket in this look, but it makes a nice change from a smokey eye on a night out.

So, if you like the look of this homage to the screen sirens of the 1960s, but don't want the hassle of sitting with a makeup artist for several hours, then here's my step-by-step guide:


1. Put a base on your eyes. I actually used the base as the lid colour since I wanted something completely matte. Think of shimmer as your enemy in this look. My choice was MAC's Painterly Paint Pot but any matte skin tone shadow will do.

2. Use a cool brown in the crease for a slight definition. MAC's Omega eyeshadow was perfect here.

3. Using a smaller brush, apply a line of darker brown shadow over the top of the cool brown to create a cut crease. I used Paper Bag from the Sleek matte eyeshadow palette, but any mid-tone brown is fine.

4. Blend in this shadow until the line is softened but still slightly visible.


5. Using a black kohl pencil, roughly line your upper lashline, thickening it towards the outer corner and forming a subtle flick. Join this up with a thin line on your bottom lashline. It's probably best for you to refer to the photo on this one. A photo's worth a thousand words, as they say! You want to make sure the flick comes out quite far but doesn't go above your crease.

6. Using a matte black shadow (again, I used the Sleek matte shadow palette for this) smudge out the line you have create, especially the flick and outer corner. This will give the eye look a hazy, sultry effect.

7. Add as much mascara as you can physically get on your lashes, and remember not to neglect your bottom ones. After all, the 1960s were all about crazy doll-like eyes. I also added a nude liner to my waterline to brighten it up a little.



And that's all there is to it! Using a kohl pencil makes this look perfect for novice liner users because it is much easier to apply than the liquid or gel kind. Plus, it doesn't matter if it's slightly wobbly as you'll be smudging it after anyway.


For the face, I added only a contour and powder over my foundation because I felt the finish was more 1960s than if I had used a blush on the cheeks. I also decided to contour my nose with a small shadow brush to give that really perfect profile. 

Doing such a pale lip is quite new territory for me but I really loved the plumpness it gave. I used a nude ModelCo lip liner (one that I got free in a magazine *ahem*) and a Topshop lipstick in the colour Pillow Talk. 

I hope you like the look. I'm definitely going to recreate this for a few nights out! 

Monday 5 May 2014

THE VERY INSPIRING BLOG AWARD


I feel like a very lucky girl today. Why? You might ask. Well, I have been nominated for two Very Inspiring Blogger Awards by the lovely Eesha for Eesha's Glam and Sunna for The New Noir.

The Rules
1. Link back to the person who nominated you.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Nominate a list of bloggers who inspire you.
4. Inform you nominees by commenting on their blog.

7 Facts About Me
1. I travelled to Paris for the first time last week. I learnt that the Eiffel Tower is very, very tall and that I might have a slight fear of heights. It was incredible though!

The view from the top of the Basilica of the Sacre Couer (so impressed with my artistic pigeon!)
2. I have also been travelling to Bristol a lot recently. I feel like everyone I have known ever is moving there at the moment and it makes me want to move there too! Oh, if you do visit Bristol definitely go and eat at The Stable. Seriously some of the best pizza and cider I have ever tasted and I don't usually like cider.

The Suspension Bridge in Bristol. I took this when I visited the other week.
3. This month, for my birthday, my friends and I went for a drink at the Shard. I would definitely recommend it! The views are amazing and you don't have to pay the £30 you would if you went up to the viewing point.


4. I have a labradoodle called Jesse James (blame my father for the name).


5. I have never read Lord of the Rings, despite having seen the extended versions of the films far more times than is necessary. I plan to start reading it tonight so I'll let you know how it goes.


6. I watched The Amazing Spiderman 2 recently and it was one of the best films I've seen in a long time. Andrew Garfield is definitely a far better Spiderman than Tobey Maguire ever was.


7. I now have nearly 150 followers on Bloglovin' which is insane! Thank you all so much for subscribing.


My Nominees
1. http://touchscreensandbeautyqueens.com
2. http://sophieeteee.blogspot.co.uk
3. http://www.clutteredcloset.co.uk
4. http://onebeautyblog.blogspot.co.uk
5. http://mixedbouquet.blogspot.co.uk