day | walker
noun
1 a sub-species of vampire from European folklore, which, unlike traditional vampires, is able to survive in full sunlight; still must drink the blood of the living by biting their necks with long pointed canine teeth.
Yesterday, as I was “dropping the kids off at school” (ha, ha, TMI, I know!), I spent some quality time perusing this month’s issue of Sephora Beauty Authority magazine. The model’s dark, matte lipstick reminded me of vampires and MAC’s Kirsch Mattene.
I wanted to try a similar cat eye-dark lip look but had to keep it responsible enough for the office (boo).
Fun with MAC Kirsch Mattene
Guess who just watched Zoolander
The lips are my favorite part of this look! Following Gordon Espinet’s dark lipstick application method, I lined them with Chanel Nude Lip Liner followed by two layers of Kirsch, applied with a lip brush. Watch out, Count Chocula!
To balance out the look and keep it suitable for work, I didn’t want too many striking elements. To offset the bold lip, I kept the cheeks light with MAC Emote blush and went with a less dramatic cat eye done with gel liner on the top lash line only.
The Eye Products
MAC Painterly Paint Pot
MAC Ricepaper Eye Shadow
MAC Brown Script Eye Shadow
MAC Blacktrack Fluidline
Lancome Le Stylo Waterproof Eye Liner in Noir
MAC Prep + Prime Lash
MAC Zoomlash Mascara in Black
The Eyes: Step by Step
1. First, I covered the entire eye with a light layer of MAC Paint Pot in Painterly.
2. Then, I dusted MAC Ricepaper eye shadow on the entire eye.
3. I swept MAC Brown Script eye shadow into the crease (adds subtle definition).
4. To brighten the eye (because you know I need all the help I can get, homies), I patted Ricepaper into the inner corner.
5. Next, I drew a thick line with MAC Fluidline gel liner in Blacktrack on just the top lash line.
6. Then, I applied Lancome Le Stylo Waterproof Eye Liner in Noir on the upper waterline.
7. Finally, I curled my lashes, and applied two coats of MAC Prep + Prime Lash lash primer followed by two layers of MAC Zoomlash mascara. All done!
Kirsch wasn’t as scary as I thought she’d be. I actually really like Mattenes. I think they have the perfect amount of shine for work looks, vampire or otherwise, and Kirsch (part of MAC’s Cult of Cherry collection) makes a great choice for fall.
I’m up early this morning to get some work done before meeting a friend for coffee. If I can get a couple friends together, I’d like to go out dancing tonight. It’s Prince vs. Michael night at the Madrone club in the city! I went two years ago, and after six hairstyles over that time, my hair has come full circle (I’m in the top pic on the left holding a glass, LOLZ), all the way back to long and black.
What are your plans for the weekend? I hope you’ll have time to play with makeup. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I think the Kirsch mattene looks gorgeous on you and not scary whatsoever. Have a great weekend!
Hi Julia,
LOL, I was surprised at how *not scary* it was. Do you have any of the Mattenes? I sorta forgot how great they were!
I don’t have a mattene yet, but really want one. But honestly, what do I not want? My wish list is seriously a mile long! LOL
Yah, mine too. Does one need another pink lipstick and brown shadow? Apparently the answer is YES! 🙂
OK, not only is that look awesome (and I think this collection will signal my first mattene purchase…never tried them for fear of my lips being too dry from them, but you’re making me change my mind), but your other article literally had me laughing my ass off. Yes, I’m still giggling. My old roommate used to use some Bath and Body Works body sprays that she’d spray in the bathrooom after taking care of her bidness, and she’d say “Ugh this doesn’t work. The pear-berry just ends up smelling like poo-berry!”
(Yes, I have the sense of humor of a 8-year-old). 🙂
Hi Elle,
Ha! Me too! I still tote that lil’ bottle with me when we have to stay with relatives. Nobody needs to question why it smells like a mint gum in the bathroom whenever I leave, LOLOLOL…
Where can you get this Sephora Beauty Authority book
Hi Miacah,
They send it to ya in the mail! I think you can pick it up for free at Sephora stores, too.
Kirsch looks great on you.
Hope you have fun tonight, sounds like a lot of fun. It’s Paulusfeesten here in Oostende (like a smaller version of the Gentse feesten in Ghent) but I don’t think I’ll go. I don’t have anyone to go with *pouts*
Karen Bs last blog post..Picspam: Valerenga – Liverpool FC August 5th 08
Kirsch looks awesome on you!!! Very B.A. (bad ass, lol). I think I prefer your look to the Sephora one. I think the Sephora look is a little….much. I know, I know, it’s Sephora, but I definitely prefer your look!
& OMG COUNT CHOCULA!!? Do they still make that stuff?
Tanyas last blog post..WWYD? – Here Comes The Bride(smaid).
Hi Karen B.,
Awww! I’d go with you if I could. 🙂 What do you think you’ll do instead?
I am LOVING the dark lips for fall! Rock it, Mama!
Toyas last blog post..Total Beauty’s 10 Makeup Felonies!
Hi Tanya,
Thanks! 🙂 LOL, I dunno if they still do… I must’ve been composed of 80% sugar when I was growing up! I loved Count Chocula, Corn Pops, Lucky Charms, Coco Puffs. It’s amazing that I was actually able to sit still for any duration of time.
Got any plans for tonight?
TOYYYYA!
Hey girlie! Thanks! What are your favorite dark shades for fall so far?
Happy Friday. 🙂
*picks up Tabs and cuddles him*
Hi Tekoa…
Tabs gives you a big kitty hug back!!!
I am sooo buying that mattene when it’s released! I can’t wait!
I am going to a cookout on saturday and hosting one on sunday! It’s the last weekend before class starts again, so I gotta enjoy being outside while I can! Hope you have a good weekend, Karen!
Sexy look Karen! It’s like Amy Lee from Evanesence’s office look. LOL I’m not going to be having much fun with makeup as I have a pancake feed to work at tomorrow. So unglam! I do need to find some way to organize my makeup as it’s taking up half of my bathroom counter and my bathroom counter is huge!! Happy Friday Karen!
Hi Tiffany,
How fun! I love summer barbecues. Are you ready for school to start again?
that’s hot girl – as always! so yesterday after denting my credit card at my local Nordstrom, a very nice girl at the MAC counter let me look at the new Cult of Cherry pallets and even let me preorder. It’s a very tough decision but I decided to go with the Shadowy Lady pallet and the creme cerise lipstick but after reading this blog my inner goth wants that kirsch matte lipstick! Ugh just when I thought I was done buying makeup!
Okay your look was my everyday look in high school – ha but yours is more professional of course!
No, I am so not ready to start classes again *sobs*
Usually I look forward to starting school, with the fall weather (which hopefully will be arriving soon), it’s kind of a fresh start. But now I’m just over it 🙁
Karen,
I love the mattenes also, all of them rock! The cult of cherry collection has an great selection of lip products this go around. Love the polish too.
Stephs last blog post..MAC Cult of Cherry: Nail Polish Swatches
Hi Karen,
Love your posts…you crack me up! lol
(love the tutorials too! :P)
Is that Blue Steel? I may try it when the Cult of Cherry collection comes out. It looks very high fashion.
I just tidied my room and worked a bit longer. But it’s okay, I’ll probably go tomorrow evening and I do have to start work at 8.30 am tomorrow (with that cute guy ;)) so beauty sleep is essential 😉
Karen Bs last blog post..Picspam: Valerenga – Liverpool FC August 5th 08
I’m always a little weary about doing a cat eye and have an overwhelming fear of stepping out the door looking like Amy Winehouse… but you got it perfect, girl! And going sans liner on the bottom lash line really helps bump up the sophistication factor of this look, making it perfectly wearable for a day at the office.
I think if I were a little more tan, I could (maybe) pull off a lip this bold!
yeah, you’re first bold lip of the season, LOL. I should have done one today as it’s cold and rainy and *feels* like fall but I just couldn’t bring myself too, I kept thinking “it’s still August!.
I would love to go to P vs M night, that sounds like a blast and I’ve been wanting to do a girls’night out dancing. Hope you get to go! We have a golf tourney tomorrow then I have a bridal shower on Sunday so that’s my week. Hopefully I will rest tonight since I was up way past my bedtime last night, once again.
Thanks for letting me know 🙂 have a great Weekend with lots of Makeup dreams 🙂
Hi Tania,
Thanks. 🙂 Yum, pancakes… are you making different flavored pancakes or the standard kind? I loves me some good banana pancakes.
Regarding makeup organization, one thing that helps for me are those clear plastic shoe boxes from (ugh) The Container store. They stack on top of each other, and you can see everything that’s inside them. You can label them, too, with painter’s tape and a sharpie, or use one of those fancy label maker things.
Hi Lexi,
Every girl has a lil’ goth chick hidden deep inside! 🙂
Shadowy Lady looks like it is in my future as well. I can’t wait until next week.
Hi Tiffany,
Yeah, but hey… school doesn’t last forever. Enjoy it while you can. (LOL, yes, I’m a nerd). Once you get to working it’s a whole different game. Sigh!
Hi Steph,
I have a few of them from their release last year. I think they’re going to make it into heavier rotation as the weather changes!
Oh yah! That’s Essie summer. It’s *quite* yellow, huh?
Hi Lucy,
Aw, thanks! 🙂 Hope you’re having a good Friday!
Hi Dao,
LOL, looks like you’ve been watching Zoolander, too! Yay! Soon, you too, will be part of the Cult!
Hi Karen B.,
Oh girl! Step away from the work romance! Just admire his cuteness from afar…
I will probably be doing something mellow tonight, too. I went out last night (movies and dinner) and now I’m just burnt out from the week. I need to chill and just “be.”
Get some beauty sleep!
Hi Tiera,
You could always just rock the stain! It makes it a bit easier to wear, fo’ sho!
Hi Amanda,
I hope I can go, too. I might end up going with friends from my dance class. I’ve been kinda unmotivated to go out (the whole no sleep thing) so we’ll see. Are you participating in the gold tournament? You are a very athletic young lady!
Hi Miacah,
You’re welcome! I hope you have lots of good makeup dreams, too! 🙂
Dude, you look tough! I am skerred.
I am meeting up some friends and we are going to SF for a dinner tonight. We were going to go to Jeanne D’arc but now we are going to Chaya Brasseire. Looking forward to it! The rest of the weekend I am hanging out enjoying the awesome Bay Area weather.
Enjoy your weekend!
Marisols last blog post..I WANT THIS PURSE!
Hi Marisol,
LOLOL. That’s right! You better join my makeup gang!
Chaya is fun! I love that whole area on the Embarcadero. I used to work down their FOR DA MAN, and even though I don’t miss my cubicle job I miss the energy.
It’s cold down here so bring a light coat. 🙂
Hi Karen,
thanks for the swatches in your other post of the three different MAC red lipsticks. I’m still on the fence about So Scarlett… only because I don’t know if I can rock a red lip like you can.. (NC 25-30). I always feel like it looks like too much on my face.
Anyway, your looks are AWESOME as always.
Quick question– when you use the MAC paintpots, do you just use your finger or a brush? Do you feel like you have to warm it up at all between your fingers? Thanks~!
Hi Sally,
The red lip can take some getting used to if you’re not used to wearing it. Try it just for fun when you get there and walk around with it for a few hours and see how it “fits”. 🙂 You can always just do a light stain, too, if you find the color overwhelming.
For Paint Pots I usually use a synthetic brush (MAC 249). If I’m in a hurry (or if I can’t find my 249, ha!) I’ll use my fingers. Both work fine, but I think the brush is a bit easier to use to build up the color.
Nice look Karen! Doesn’t look goth at all. Have fun getting your groove on tonight if you end up going out. 🙂
Hey Tanya! I think they do still sell Count Chocula (along with his buddies Boo Berry and Frankenberry). It’s actually a seasonal item now. I remember seeing it at Target around October last year in time for Halloween. Hopefully they’ll make a comeback this year!
I love the lip color – I have always liked seeing people use the “vampy” look and then pairing it with something soft as well. I love the cover of the Sephora magazine!