Green is good
Oh, oh, oh! Ever since MAC Parrot eyeshadow entered my life I’ve been a little obsessed with greens, and I’m not talking collards or peas, girl. Behold my current green shadow crushes, from the left to the right: Maybelline Antique Jade Expert Wear Eye Shadow, Lancome Ombre-Eclair in Emerald and L’Oreal’s Pure Pigment Shadow Stick in Mesmerizing.
If you’re still green-shy, then consider Maybelline Antique Jade Expert Wear Eye Shadow (about $3.50), a very pretty true green with no blue undertones. Its soft, pearl finish gives it a subtle shimmer, and in my experience shimmer shadows are easier to blend than mattes and more forgiving.
Because the shadow isn’t as pigmented as MAC or Shu Uemura eyeshadows, you have lots of room for error. I like lining both my upper and lower lashlines with a creamy liner like MAC Technakohl, and then applying Antique Jade to “set” it in much the same way that loose powder sets foundation. Layering the shadow on top of your eyeliner gives eyes a different texture and color than using eyeshadow or eyeliner alone.
Didja ever make chalk drawings on the sidewalk when you were a kid? I dig L’Oreal’s Pure Pigment Shadow Stick in Mesmerizing ($9.99), an olive-green shadow that comes in a stick, not only ’cause it looks like chalk, but also for its flexibility. My lazy beast self likes to use it when I’m in a hurry because it leaves out the middle man, aka the brush. I apply the stick color directly on my lid along the upper lash line, and then smooth out the edges with my fingers for a sheer, shimmery green lid. Two coats of mascara and I’m done!
If I want a bolder look I run the stick briefly under water. Wetting it intensifies the color, turning it into a metallic gold-green. Don’t you love having options?
Last but not least there’s Lancome’s Ombre-Eclair eyeshadow pencil in Emerald ($20.00), a bold green shadow with color punch that comes in an easy-to-use pencil. Soft and creamy, it glides onto my lids without any tugging; just one swipe over my top lid leaves a bright, shiny burst of color.
Be warned: because the formula is smooth like buttah, it does have a tendency to migrate into the crease, so I use it with an industrial strength lid primer like Urban Decay Potion Primer on my top lid. I usually don’t like Potion Primer because it makes shadows hard to blend, but if I’m only going to use one swipe of color it’s fine.
Another option is to layer a dry powder shadow like Antique Jade or MAC Vex on top to prevent color from migrating and create lotsa different effects.
Are ya ready to go green? 😉
Here I go again on my own, going down the only road I’ve ever known…
I don’t have to go to work tomorrow, so it doesn’t feel like Sunday at all! Not having the gnawing feeling of “Here I goooooo again!” in the pit of my stomach sure helps my mental health.
Mega super props if you can name 1.) the video this pic is from and 2.) the woman who made gymnastics on automobiles an art form
Today I did a *ton* of cleaning and then went for a looooong run in the cold (LOL, it’s 55 degrees here in Northern California. I know that’s practically tropical compared to most parts of the country). Now, El Hub and I are off to the movies to elevate our minds with the fine feature film, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. Marcello Mastroianni it ain’t, but I need a good mindless flick from time to time!
Are your stockings stuffed? What are you hoping Santa will bring you this Christmas? I’m really wishing for a vat of peppermint ice cream from Baskin Robbins.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Your weekend isn’t complete without the weekend round up of the best posts from the Beauty Blog Network!
I know you didn’t miss Bag Balm Udderly Fantastic.
Temptalia reviews MAC’s latest launch — The Originals and has the swatches and product photos to entice you!
Makeup Loves Me gives you a sneak peak at Lancome’s last pout-a-porter, pixel pink!
The Muse reviews Guerlain’s Forever Gold from Guerlain’s Holiday Collection!
Savvy Skin is having a contest: Win Yourself A Holiday Gift.
Beauty Anonymous is loving Lilac Collection’s Cosmetics Case and Makeup Brush Roll from Smythson.
Elke visits Space.NK for the Total Beauty Event.
Stylish Opinion approves the Body Shop’s Holiday Gel Set as a gift giving do.
The Beauty Blog Network welcomes Purse Buzz as it’s newest member.
A Touch of Blusher recaps the 10 best Holiday 2007 collections.
It will be a white Christmas for Spoiled Pretty, thanks to Aquafresh White Trays.
Beauty and Personality Grooming – 11 things you can do with olive oil.
15 Minute Beauty Fanatic spends the day with Max Factor & Makeup Artist Jake Bailey.
Makeup Moxie gets her holiday face on with the Tarte We Wish You Health gift set.
Bionic Beauty reviews Boots No. 7 Volumizing Mascara after a two week trial.
The Beauty of Life falls in love with products from Space NK for the holidays.
All Lacquered Up’s Nail Tip Of The Week – Fake A Pedicure.
Ok, well I think my neutral-loving self can commit to Antique Jade by Maybelline. I can’t see myself investing $14 into Parrot until I’m convinced I can pull this kind of look off… Fortunately, I have a coupon for Ulta so I may pick up Antique Jade this week.
Thanks for some other alternatives, Karen! I can’t wait to play around with some colors.
Do it, girl! With that coupon you can’t say no! 😉 I really like trying drugstore stuff first ’cause that way it’s not that much of a commitment.
Alrighty that vid is Whitesnake’s Here I Go Again and the flexible diva is Tawny Kitane (sp?). I remember seeing this vid when I was little she’s the reason why I stretch like everyday!! Deuces!!
Oh, I know what it means to walk along that lonely street of dreams! 😉
I love greens! Teals too, for that matter (Urban Decay’s Flipside is really pretty)! I think I might check out the Mesmerizing pigment stick (love the gold iridescence)! I already have a lot of emerald and jade shades, I tend to grab them when I find them ’cause they seem to wander in and out of availability!
Ooooh, Christmas Eve! I’m all excited!!! 😀
dang! i knew the answers to those questions… i’ve watched enough vh1 to answer LOOLL!!! happy holidays karen!
Tania, you rule. If only we could all be so talented as Tawny.
I gotta get better about stretch, sigh. Happy holidays!
Glosslizard, you just cracked me up.
“Like a drifter I was born to walk alone …”
Mesmerizing is beautiful when wet. The color is very vibrant and it pops! I’m not a huge fan of Urban Decay (long story) but I’ll check out Flipside next time I hit sephora.
What are you and fam doing for Christmas eve? El hub and I are going to my parents’ house for food, family and (sigh) karaoke.
Happy Holidays, Kia! Big hugs to you and Baby Yum! 🙂
Hi Karen!
We’re going to my in-laws too! No karaoke, just family, lots of food and probably some bad tv! Maybe you can sing “Here I go again!” 😛
Someday I wanna know the story behind Urban Decay… I’m not a particular fan of the line, I just saw that shade in their summer collection and had to have it! It’s actually a little like Parrot….
Hope you have a faboo Christmas Eve, even though by the time you get this it’ll be Christmas day (or later)! May Santa leave you lots of Chanel!!
Love the greens! Green is definitely in my top favs of color. Antique Jade looks amazingly pigmented for it being Maybelline. I’m starting to notice too that UDPP does make blending a bit difficult. It’s starting to get a little dry and patchy for me. And even moreso if I was to put Bare Canvas on top of that. I think my lids are changing on me. Weird things those lids, hah.
Btw, have you tried pistachio ice cream from Baskin Robbins? Yum…
Merry Christmas, Glosslizard! I hope you’re having fun at your in-laws and that Santa brings you lots of Chanel, too! 🙂
Merry Christmas, Mrs. Lynne!
Yeah, my lids and face skin in general are changing, too. Mine are def. getting more dry as I get older.
OH, and I love pistachio ice cream from BR! It’s one of my faves, along with Jamoca Almond Fudge.