Face of the Day with Mac Matte2, aka When Purple Doesn’t Reign
Try as I might, I can’t seem to get it together when it comes to MAC’s Matte2 shadows. I’ve tried to do a full on matte eye a few times but it’s just too hard for me in terms of blending. Plus, I need a lil’ sparkle and some shine, ya know?
Here’s one of the attempts with three Matte2 colors:
Fig. 1 — eggplant purple
Copperplate — muted mid-tone grey
Poison Pen — deep mid-tone purple with grey
Although I originally wanted to do an all matte eye, I ended up using Next to Nothing (from the Smoke Signals palette) on the browbone to offset the dark colors.
I also used:
MAC Bare Canvas paint as a lid primer
MAC technakohl liner
MAC Plushlash in Plushblack
On my lips that’s MAC Mattene in Composure and on the cheeks is MAC Emote blush.
The colors were really hard to blend, and I had to really put that 217 into overdrive to avoid having stark lines of definition. I also had to work fast too, because once the Bare Canvas paint dried blending was virtually impossible.
And did I mention that I felt too purple to function?
I dunno how I feel about this. I guess next time around I’ll try it with a lighter hand, which I think will make me feel less, um, purple.
Dear Makeup and Beauty Blog…
You know that you need tough love some times. And that I’m here to give it to ya!
Dear Makeup and Beauty Blog,
I think my boyfriend is wearing my eyeliner.
I noticed a few weeks ago that I seemed to be going through my favorite eyeliner (MAC’s Technakohl in Graphblack!) really fast. I mean, I wear it every day, so I’m not surprised when it runs out. But lately it seems like I go through it so quickly. And one morning when I reached for it in my makeup kit, I noticed that the cap was off, which is something I never, ever do.
That night during dinner I mentioned it to my boyfriend, and told him that I thought there was a ghost or something in the house messing with my eye liner. He made a weird face and said that it was probably nothing and that I forgot to put the cap back on. Well, in between bites of pasta I looked closely at his lashline…and it seemed to look thicker, and bit more defined. That’s when it hit me: he’s using my eyeliner!
What should I do? Should I confront him about this? Should I just let it go? Help!
Sincerely,
Confused in California
Dear Confused,
It’s not the end of the world. Think about it: there are plenty of boys out there who work the lined eye with plenty of success.
Pete Wentz does Cleopatra liner
Prince does the cat eye
Jared Leto does a light smokey grey on the outer 2/3rds
However, if it really makes you uncomfortable, you might want to have a little discussion with him.
Here are a few approaches I’d think about taking if I was in your shoes.
Bait and Switch: Let the boy keep wearing liner…just don’t let it be your expensive eyeliner
I would hide my precious Technakohl away and replace it with a Prestige or Wet n’ Wild liner from the drugstore. I did this a few years ago when El Hub kept using my pricey Bumble & Bumble Gentle shampoo in the shower. He had no clue that it cost an arm and a leg, so I just replaced it with some Suave and he was none the wiser.
Full on Frontal: Ask him straight up why he’s wearing your eyeliner…but be mentally prepared for a potentially shocking conversation
This direct tactic is the one I’d be most likely to take in this situation, but I wouldn’t go into the convo without preparing myself thoroughly. First, I’d make myself a mental list of all the potential answers that El Hub could eventually give me:
“Honey, why are your wearing my eyeliner?”
Potential answer #1
“Because I want to be a rock star like Prince, so I’m quitting my job to start a band!”
Potential answer #2
“Because I’ve discovered that I like wearing makeup. By the way, those stretched out panties you’ve been complaining about? It’s not cause you’ve lost weight. It’s cause I wear them when you’re at hip hop class!”
You get the picture.
Next, I’d brainstorm all of the possible ways I’d react to these answers.
Would this exercise help me in the end? I don’t know for sure. However, I do know that going through the possible scenarios would get me thinking about how to handle each possible situation with compassion, dignity and grace. I would also hope that the exercise would prepare me for *anything* he threw my way. And should shit hit the fan, I would hopefully be mentally prepared enough to not lose my cool and be an understanding and open-minded partner during the conversation.
Make Him Up, 101: If he’s determined to wear the liner, make sure that it at least looks good
So if the boy is hell bent on wearing liner, then the least you can do is to make sure it looks good. I’d perhaps give my guy a lesson on blending and brushes, plus a fresh pot of his own MAC Fluildline in Blacktrack.
Good luck, and keep on trucking.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
You look good in that purple smokey eye, though!
I’m glad that is one problem I don’t have to tackle. My boyfriend won’t even let me spritz Charged Water on him (even as a joke)!
You look beautiful Karen!
You should tell him that Charged water smells like those wipes from Kentucky Fried chicken!
Next time around I’ll add a glossy lip. I can’t handle too much matte!
Thanks Vanessa. 🙂
Your purple FOTD’s gave me some inspiration!
lol! Yeah, I have to add gloss – I was able to wear Composure without gloss for a little bit, but I have to be so ultra natural with the makeup otherwise I need gloss!
I know, right? I feel lame putting gloss on an intentially matte lipstick but hey, this isn’t 1995!
Thank god it’s not ’95!
Ah, well, I love playing with new color combos, which is one reason just a lipstick doesn’t do for me.
Love the purple look! You think you could do a tutorial on that look?
LOL – Your writing is SO funny, it cracks me up! And the advice is so en point with the black liner thing 🙂
The FOTD looks great too, not 1995 at all! But if it were me, I’d do a gloss on the lips since matte lipsticks always seem to dry out my lips. Anyone out there have a great tip on keeping our precious pouts from drying out?
karen you look beautiful! it’s important that you like your look, but i’m here to tell you that those eyes are hot.
ummm man liner is a don’t.. i doubt her boyfriend is a rockstar or a celeb. great advice to mentally prepare, but i would also practice how to tell him that sharing liner and wearing man liner is not attractive. (imo) =) for the other guys out there that are rock stars, celebs and just plain comfortable with manliner… do your thing!
that looks awesome on you!!…would you recommend bare canvas as a primer than, if it dries out fast? thanks
Your purple EOTD looks wonderful! I agree with Tiffany (#8) that a tutorial on this would be much appreciated. 🙂
How would you compare Fig. 1 to Nocturnelle? I already have Nocturnelle so I wonder if I can save some money and pass on Fig. 1.
BTW – your site is so helpful and inspirational.
girl, if this was 1995 I’d be your babysitter, ha!
I need to get more adventurous with lip combos. I usually get stuck on a combo and then keep using it ’till I lose either the lipstick, lipgloss or liner. It’s only then I move on to somethin’ new.
Hi Tiffany!
Sure, I’ll try and to a tutorial. I’ll have to sucker my photographer (aka my husband) into working on the weekend ’cause it’s kind of a difficult eye to stretch out over time because of the blending issues, but I’ll do my best. 🙂
Hey Nilla Cookie!
Hmmm, I get dry lips too…especially if I use too many drying products, like the MAC Lipglasses. I try to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated. And at night I slather on some Kiss Me lipbalm from Philosophy. It’s really hydrating and in the morning my lips feel really soft!
kia, you crack me up! one thing i can’t stand: MAN-PRIS, aka, the men’s version of capris. now to me that is the ultimate violation and a true DON’T.
and thanks for your very nice complements on the look…i think i just have to get more comfortable with the color, then i’ll feel less Barney.
Hi Mary,
Thanks! Yes, I’d recommend either Bare Canvas or a layer of your favorite concealer. I tried working with several different bases, including Paintpots, MAC concealer, Makeup Forever concealer…(I’m telling ya, this eye gave me a *really* hard time). Blending was still very difficult (especially when I tried to use matte-only shadows), but it seemed to be easier for me when the base was a moist product.
Hi Kate,
Thank you, girl! If I were you I’d save my $ and pass on Fig. 1. It is pretty, but I don’t think of it as a staple. Plus, it’s not the easiest color to work with.
I’m saving my pennies for MAC Holiday! WOO HOO!
And thanks for visiting the site. I’m always happy to hear that I can help someone. Have a wonderful rest of your week!
karen,
i had a terrible day and reading this wonderful post actually made me feel better!
xoxo
Wow, you really worked those matte shadows! I think you look gorgeous, and those Prince and Barney clips are just too funny! 😀
I’m so glad, Makeuplovesme!
Tomorrow is a new day, and I hope that it goes better for you.
XOXO!
Hi Jane,
Thanks, girl!
And every time I see that pic of Barney I start giggling, ha!
I would like my boyfriend to wear eyerliner – it looks great 😀