More Holiday 2007 Stocking Stuffers
Two of my favorite things about holiday makeup are shimmer and glow!
Creamy shadows, pigments, sparkly highlighters — there are so many choices. Two of my favorites this season are from the Prescriptives line, The Illuminator ($35.00) and Colorscope Creamy Eye Color in Smoking Gun ($18.00).
For the past few weeks I’ve been raving about MAC Natural Flare Beauty Powder, but now my favorite highlighter of the moment is The Illuminator, a limited edition product in the Prescriptives Holiday 2007 line-up.
If you are looking for a multiple-shade, compact highlighter, then you’ve got to pick this up. I love the sleek and clean packaging, especially the cute lil’ chain hanging from the side, which has a tiny charm at the end. Awww, how precious!
Check out the beauty on the inside:
The mix of golds and tans — with a touch of peachy pink — give a warm, candlelit glow. On the face of the day below, I popped it on top of a pink cream blush, Laura Mercier’s Oleander. I also applied it down the bridge of my nose, temples and on my chin.
In addition to using it as a highlighter, you can also use it as a shadow. I’ve picked up the gold color in the middle with a small brush and applied it all over my lids for a sheer wash.
Another not-to-miss shimmer product that’s also been in heavy makeup rotation lately is Colorscope Creamy Eye Color. This long-wearing, cream shadow is a permanent part of the Prescriptives color collection. I like it mostly because (surprise, surprise) it’s super easy to apply and blend; I really like using the MAC 249 brush, a large, flat shader brush with a synthetic brush head.
I wasn’t initially impressed with the Smoking Gun shade, a metallic gunmetal color, when I first saw it in the pot. When I put it on my lids though — wow! It’s dark grey with subtle glitter flecks, and the contrast against my dark brown eyes really makes them pop.
In the face of the day below I concentrated most of the color on the lashline and lid and then gradually feathered the color out as I moved it into the crease.
I also like it as a light wash over the entire lid for a subtle glow!
Is your weekend off to a good start? I hope so! I’m having a mellow night at home because I have to wake up early tomorrow with the chickens. I’m heading on out to Walnut Creek with my girl Christine to attend the Nordstrom Cosmetics Trade Show. Oops, there goes my paycheck! If you’re going too, then stop by and say hi. I’d love to meet ya.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
If by good start, you mean I’ve immersed myself in reading the material to write my take-home final, sure!
The Illuminator is gorgeous! I want!
OMG, I’m gonna go to bed. I got 2 seconds of sleep last night and have been running around all day.
If I remember to I’ll bring The Illuminator with me so you can peep it IRL tomorrow. Yeah, I think you’d really like it too.
Oh, god, me too. I’m sick of law, and I need SOME beauty rest so I can kick my butt out of bed at 5am!
Or we’ll just have to scope out the Prescriptives counter, HA! Just as long as I don’t cave for custom blended foundation.
See you tomorrow!
The Smoking Gun is a fabulous color! Have fun at Nordstrom!
oOoh! That looks gorgeous on you! You are a natural beauty Karen! I love that hat! I own a lot of hats yet surprisingly I don’t wear them too often, you are now my inspiration to wear them now haha. I missed ya! Feels good to be back in Cali, New York was super cold!
Oh wow those are pretty good recs! When I go to Manila, I’ll definitely check these out! 🙂
great look karen! i love that hat =)
Hi Glosslizard! Thanks for your complement. Hope you had a fantastic weekend. 🙂
HEY Vanessa! Glad you are back! Did you have fun on your trip?
I here ya on the cold…I went to NY once and I remember it being cold on a completely different level. I remember the bones of my butt feeling cold and being very uncomfortable. I’m such a spoiled Cali brat!
And I want to see pics of you in your cute hats on your blog someday!
Hi Jane,
I think you’ll like it! One other great thing about the shadow is that it doesn’t crease and is very long lasting. It’s perfect for hot, humid or rainy weather. Have a good week!
Thanks Kia. 🙂 Hope you have a great week.
I’m embarrassed to call myself a makeup junkie and not even know about these kinds of shows! I’m going to have to check them out because I’m also just crazy enough to get up at 5am for makeup! You are a stunning beauty, btw!
-Tootsie (fellow California girl)
Thanks Tootsie! I instantly like anyone who’d get up at 5 to go look at blush! 🙂 And thank you for your complement, girlfriend. Have a fantastic week!
Gorgeous eye color! I just bought the Chai tea color and was quite disappointed with the outcome (on my Asian skin). Now having seen this color on you, I’m itching to go back and get this particular color that you have. The Chai tea color looks as though it’s caking. But your color seems so smooth and silky! Is mine caking up because I’m using my finger and not a brush? Also, what kind of eye primer did you use on this particular photo with the Colorscope creamy eye color? Sorry…so many questions but I’m just so excited that I found your review on this product in your blog (which is a wonderful and informative read for us beauty addicts!). 🙂
Hi Candy,
Thanks for stopping by! It’s very nice to meet you. 🙂
I haven’t tried putting Colorscope on with my fingers, so I can’t say whether or not either method is better to avoid caking. However, I *highly* recommend using a flat, shader brush w/synthetic bristles, like MAC’s 249. It gives me much more control over the product; I can move it around easily and make sure that it’s applied evenly. And, I also recommend going easy on the application and then building up the color slowly. I had to use several layers and noticed that if I put too much on it does get too cakey (but that’s kind of the case with all cream shadows I’ve found.) Once you get the hang of it though, it’s super easy.
Now I want to check out the Chai color 🙂
*gulp* That brush ain’t cheap (I checked out Mac’s website). Today I dabbed on a light layer of concealer on my lid to act as a base. Then, I used my finger to apply the cream eye color. It doesn’t seem as cakey anymore. Although I must say that with a brush, the color distribution will be more controlled (like yours in the picture).
You should start youtube videos!!!
Hey Candy,
Yeah, I thought about doing them but I wouldn’t want to do them unless they were really good (with good lighting, sound, etc.)
I totally forgot about the base for that shadow! I used MAC Selectmoisture. What did you use for a base?
And there are always great cheaper brush options! I know Sonia Kashuk makes some good ones. 🙂
I used YSL’s Touche Eclat as my base (since I used it as my concealer)…figured I’d give it a try. It’s come out less cakey (than without a base). Thank you for answering this question (and the advice on Sonia Kahuk’s brushes)!
Do you know “askmemakeup” on youtube? I’m subscribed to her tutorials. Great makeup tips! I can see you doing the same type of tutorial. 🙂 It would be fun!
Sure, you’re very welcome! I have the Sonia Kashuck powder brush and I like it alot. I’ve had it for a few years and it performs very well. It’s not the softest brush but it doesn’t shed and it works! Not bad for the price.
Thanks for the recommendation for the vids. I’ll check her out. 🙂