The mystery of colors

In all honesty, Makeupforever's flash palette is the palette I reach for whenever I feel the urgency to release my creative drive. The texture of this cream shadow palette is smooth, velvety, and easy to blend. There's 12 colors in total in this palette, but you can actually recreate hundreds of different shades and tones with a little bit of mixing or color wheel knowledge. Maybe for my next post I'll give more details on this so called "color wheel" that I learned during makeup school;) Sounds boring and simple, but trust me. It'll make your life easier for creating editorial looks! This look was inspired by spring colors, so I decided to create a look using cool and warm tones. To balance out the strong shadows, I opted for longer, fuller lashes on both my top and bottom lash line.

Blessings,

Carmen



Classic Red Lip

lipcolor: Edward Bess (Eternal passion) x MAC (Neon orange)

lipcolor: Edward Bess (Eternal passion) x MAC (Neon orange)

Left: Edward Bess Eternal passion- swatched once
Right: MAC Neon Orange- swatched once

Left: Edward Bess Eternal Passion swatched multiple times

Right: MAC Neon Orange swatched multiple times

Left: Edward Bess Eternal Passion

Middle: MAC- Neon Orange

Right: Edward Bess mixed with Neon Orange

All images taken under natural lighting

I had never exactly been a fan of red lips, partly due to how I've always had the fear of it giving me "sausage-looking" or "clown lips." It all comes up to what tone of red you choose that compliments your skin tone, and how well you line your lips (following your natural lines, making sure you don't over-exaggerate). If you have cool skin tone like me, use a blue-based red lipstick such as Edward Bess's Eternal Passion. You can get this product for around $32- $36. I must add, it smells amazing. Like flowers and fruits, but better. It's super moisturizing too and does not dry up your lips!

Instead of using a gloss or highlighter to get that desired illusion of a "pout," I opted to use an orange lipstick in the centre of the lips for a matte finish. I chose to use the color "Neon orange" by Mac (around $20cdn). I then blended the color in with eternal passion and... voila! A beautiful cool-toned, red-orange color awaits for your eye's pleasure.

To balance out a red lip look, go for a smoky brown, black, or grey eye. This is a very classic look, and goes well with any formal event with a simple black dress. Celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Fan Bing Bing, Taylor Swift, and Scarlett Johansson to name a few, are always seen sporting this glamorous look.

PS: Total crushed my Edward Bess lipstick when I was putting the cap on. My heart broke a little. (jk haha. But no...seriously...)

That's it for now! Hope everyone has a blessed day! =)

Love,

Carmen

Jill Stuart- Mandevilla Dress

Lips: Jill Stuart Mandevilla Dress (1 coat for a natural look)

Swatches: Top- swatched once

                 Bottom- swatched two times

I graduated the University of Alberta in 2013 with a Bsc., and was involved in a few fashion shows during my schooling years. I often had to fill in with doing makeup for a show when an artist was in need, so with having no prior professional knowledge in this area of artistry, I stumbled into the field. It was then that curiosity was spurred, and I realized that I had a passion for the art of makeup. I had always been fascinated with colors and how they compliment (or not compliment) each other, and how different shades can be created with just a few primary colors.

Aside from colors, I had always been the biggest sucker for pretty packaging. Check out this Jill Stuart lipstick in Mandevilla Dress made in Japan. Not only is the color a beautiful pink, but the packing is just so high quality and gorgeous! It also includes a mini flip mirror with a pink gem! I got this lipstick not too long ago as a gift from a friend from Asia (Thank you!). This is one of my all time favourite shades. The formula is super moisturizing (no chapstick needed!) and lasts pretty long as well.  Would I get this again? Of course! The only downside is the price. It is averaged at around $46 usd, which is very expensive for a lip product.

PS: excuse my overly chapped hands. Its what Edmonton weather does to you haha.

Blessings,
Carmen

Flawed Perfections

Images taken by my cousin D and I. All makeup by me.

Above is a compilation of a couple of my own favorite makeup artistry creations. I get inspired by runway looks around the world, especially in London, NYC, Seoul, Tokyo, and also from editorial looks by Chanel, Dior, and Tom Ford. I also tend to mix in street style and grunge looks with high fashion makeup.

It breaks my heart to see people nowadays with low self esteem, low self confidence, self hate, and just being non-appreciative with what they have. I believe each and every one of you are carefully crafted and made beautifully, and everyone is unique in their own ways. Therefore, I encourage you readers to appreciate and respect yourselves, and know that there is more to this world than what we see. Makeup can be used creatively to express ourselves and for us to have fun, but always remember that it is ultimately used to enhance and bring out the natural features that were gifted to you. Makeup is not a mask, and by no means is it to hide who you truly are.

Feel free to share with me your favourite makeup looks or your favourite makeup gurus. I'd love to check them out! All of the photos above are also on my instagram @ carmen_cl91

Love,
Carmen



New Beginnings

Photos taken by my cousin D. Reblogged from theandrogyneus.ca



Hi!

Some of you may actually already know me as Carmen (one of the duo from the Edmonton-based fashion and style blog the-androgyne-us.blogspot.ca). For those who used to follow that blog, you may have noticed that D and I had stopped posting for a while. We both got busy, so getting together to do shoots was very difficult with our staggered schedules.

With that being said, this is my own personal blog as now a certified freelance makeup artist, and as an alumna from the University of Alberta. This blog is dedicated to share any skin care, beauty tips and advices, and to share with you guys my creative works. All images and makeup are done and taken by me, unless otherwise stated. With this blog, I'd like to focus on wedding makeup, everyday-wearable makeup, editorial, and even runway-creative looks! I also may do some hair styling here and there, so really... the sky is the limit!

I've always had a strong passion in health and wellness, fitness, art, design, photography, fashion, hair, and makeup in one package. My faith holds firmly with Christ, and I believe that beauty or attractiveness is never based on wearing provocative or revealing attire (1 Peter 3:3), nor should beauty be based on what you wear or how you look like. With that being said, I love the joy of reaching out to women to help them find, appreciate and respect the inner and outer beauty they are already blessed with.

I believe marriage is a sacred promise therefore, I take weddings very seriously! My favourite type of specialized makeup is bridal makeup! I'm still working on improving my skills with this type of artistry, so hopefully there will be some of my works up on this blog for you all to give me feedback on. I don't own a professional camera, and I love instant photography so most of my works will be taken via my Samsung Note II. You can also find me lurking around on Instagram @ carmen_cl91. Let's connect!

That's it for now! Blog still in process =)

Love,

Carmen

Art Tools!

 All 3 images and artwork on this post by yours truly.



Creation was when it all Began

And here it is...first post! Love art, love people, and...love God. Let's journey together! If you love art, creativity, or animals, we already have something in common;)

Love,  

Carmen

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Disclaimer: I am not associated with any brands, products, or labels mentioned in this blog. All products mentioned in this blog is purchased with my own money, unless otherwise stated.