Hiya, ladies! So, my BFF’s wedding is this coming Saturday, and I have yet to figure out what makeup to wear with my bridesmaids dress. I leave for Florida on Thursday. It’s coming down to the wire, yikes!
My dress
I’m thinking about this purple and brown smokey eye paired with a shimmery pink lip using the Laura Mercier Master Toolbox ($68), one of six new holiday palettes by Laura Mercier.
I heart this palette so verrry much! It comes with five lipsticks, five eyeshadows, two mini-brushes and a kohl liner.
All of these colors are highly wearable, with just enough pizazz for either day or night smokey eye looks.
- Black Violet Kohl Eye Pencil: matte dark purple-black
- Morning Dew Eyeshadow: matte pinkish beige
- Rose Eyeshadow: shimmery pinkish gold
- Fresco Eyeshadow: matte peachy pink
- Chocolate Eyeshadow: matte dark brown
- Twilight Grey Eyeshadow: matte blue-purple grey
- Tea Rose Lipstick: creamy nude pink
- Pink Champagne Lipstick: creamy cool rose
- Cinnamon Lipstick: creamy warm brown
- Amaretto Lipstick: shimmery mauve pink-bronze
- Garnet Lipstick: creamy purple-red
Top: Black Violet Eye Pencil, mini brush. Eyeshadows from left to right: Morning Dew, Rose, Fresco, Chocolate, Twilight Grey
Lipsticks from left to right: Tea Rose, Pink Champagne, Cinnamon, Amaretto, Garnet
Swatches from left to right: Black Violet, Morning Dew, Rose, Fresco, Chocolate, Twilight Grey
Swatches from left to right: Tea Rose, Pink Champagne, Cinnamon, Amaretto, Garnet
I used Morning Dew on the brow bone, Rose in the crease, Twilight Grey on the lid and Chocolate on the lower lash line. To draw out the eyes, I added POP Beauty Cat Eyes liner in Black Onyx on the upper lash line and *three* coats of MAC Dazzle Lash mascara in Black Dazzle.
To complete the look, I applied two layers of Amaretto lipstick on the lips and swept MAC Beauty Powder Blush in Shy Beauty on the cheeks.
I’m diggin’ this look, but after seeing it in pictures I think it’s more like something I’d wear to a job interview than a wedding. I’m starting to rethink the whole wedding smokey eyes thing because I know I’m probably going to cry. The last thing I want is purple eyeshadow running down my cheeks.
Now that you’ve seen the dress, do you have any ideas for my makeup? Should I go with this look? What do you think of the lipstick? Different shade? Am I on the right track, or should I start from scratch? If I don’t figure this out soon I just might show up to the wedding with a box on my head!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Love the lipstick but the eyes aren’t doing it for me…do you have satin taupe or something else that is in the brown/purple/ grey smokey family? What about mauvement pigment?
Ooh, I love this look on you! I can see you changing the purple for more shimmery browns and golds, maybe. It has the right level of impact (if that makes sense, lol) to work for a wedding. I love, love, love the lips and cheeks, though! It’s my favorite of the Laura Mercier/Stila looks you’ve done so far.
Having been a bridesmaid a gazillion times, I learned to wear makeup like a bride.. no ott shimmers.. more matte and subdued colors since you get photographed as much as the bride herself and matte makeup seems to do well in pictorials. I do use a highlighter and contour blush.. makes a big difference.
Although I did learn that no matter how perfect my makeup appear in photos.. can’t say the same for most of the dresses I was made to wear! *ugh* 🙁
Well at least you got lucky with yours 🙂 Good luck with the makeup!
I think you look fantastic! If you were going to tweak, don’t change the lips and the cheeks–they look great on your complexion and look good with the dress! Good luck 🙂
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I agree no sparkles, use matte colors as they do come out better in pix. A smokey eye would be ok, but subtle…We don’t want to out do the bride. Pinks are usually flattering on most, no?
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You look great and that palette is to die for!
Hi Karen!
First time posting! That look is way cute! I would keep the lip color though, it looks great on you!
Anyway, I wore a dress almost the exact same brown as a bridesmaid this summer. I wore a pale-ish matte pink and brown eye, highlighted in the middle with a low-shimmer pink/gold and then used black Liquidlast. The Liquidlast did not move at all despite high temperatures and I even had trouble taking it off that night over 12 hours later. If you think you may be crying, consider that? Good luck!!!
I loveee this look! Im not too sure about the eyes for the wedding, but the lips look REALLY good. I am thinking maybe you could try a cream/offwhite ish type of color on the eyes? That would be pretty and look good on you without taking any attention away from the bride. Im glad to hear your hubby is back, you guys just need to stay strong and know that your whole family can pull through. 🙂
Hi Karen !
Love the dress, very nice and elegant.
I like the eye colours of the palette, the lip colours are too dark for my colouring and I can nevr rock darker lip colours 🙁
I like it, but I don’t love it. I know it’s almost winter outside, but it’d be great to see you in something warmer. I think I’m still leaning towards Stila’s FCL #2. I love the pink cheeks but the lips are too bright. I’d love to see some really strong, fierce eyes and a more neutral lip. Try a smokey taupe/brown eye with some copper as an accent maybe?
Have you tried the Beiges de Chanel quad? With that cheek and lip that you’re sporting above (gorgeous!), it might look nice with the dress??
Great dress!! It is refreshing when the bride picks out something nice.
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I think you have a palette winner! You look beautiful – your cheeks are glowing!
I think it compliments the dress (which is so cute) well!
I think it looks beautiful! I have this palette and have really been enjoying it. The lasting power of the kohl liner is superb and I’m enjoying her new eyeshadow formula!
i think this is on the right track
beiges de chanel with a touch of warm gold i think would complement both your skin and the dress a little better
the warm undertone of this dress would really look great with some gold accenting
dont change the lips! or blush for that matter
but this look is fab! i love it but not for the dress esp since your gonna be crying !
Hey Karen,
Have you tried the “Cargo Color Palette in Vienna look” with the dress? I loved that FOTD.. the colors are quite neutral.. blush and lips are perf.. subtle but not washed out. Also, do an outdoor photo after you put together the look see how it photographs in sunlight..
great palette, great look….but not sure it goes with the dress/event. Now that I’ve seen the dress this is what I would do:
gold and brown eye-soft gold on the lid or crease, brown/deep bronzy liner (a gel if you’ve got it!). Make the top liner a bit smudgey so it’s slightly smoldery but not full out “smokey” and over the top for day and church.
I agree with others about shimmer and photos-not too much shimmer on the cheeks due to photos. Do a peachy-rosy matte cheek (if that exists!) and a medium rose lipstick with just a *touch* of peach gold gloss….
I’m not sure if all this exists in ONE palette though…good luck, can’t wait to see what you do. I’m sure it will be fab.
ok, me again. I was curious and went back and looked. I totally agree with Luv J above-the cargo vienna palette look is awesome!!! I would just swap the blue liner on top for a dark gel liner, and add a darker lipstick under praline. But the chanel blush looks PERFECT in that photo, and the colors of the vienna palette are right on for the dress….just my opinion of course. 🙂
I think you look fabulous!
I’m with the other ladies in that the cheeks and lips look great and that something with some gold tones would look really nice on the eyes. I think you’re going to look lovely, that dress is really flattering – props to the bride for not putting you in an organza toilet roll topper.
Hmmm, the look is great but I agree that it would look prettier with the dress to go more into the browns/golds family. Maybe with a little copper accent? I think that would look fab.
Love the lip colour just the purplish isn’t doing it for me.
I agree totally with Yadiq – go for the Chanel quad!!!
Hey Karen!!
I’ve been so busy! I’m still lurkin’ the site but don’t have much time to comment at work. You look fab and give Jen my regards! I’m in the midst of planning Cindy’s wedding festivities myself and with the same dilemma as you…”how should wear my makeup?”
I love this look – my favorite of all the ones you’ve tried. I hear you on the crying thing – I was maid of honor at my best friend’s wedding and even though I thought I wouldn’t cry, I totally did. Let us know!
Judy
I’ve seen the Toolbox and I’ve swatched them. The lip colors are kinda similar in some way. And the brush, it is scratchy on my swatched backhand – i forgot if it was the lip brush or the eye brush. However, I am thankful that they put the lip color on top of the eyeshadow! Still havent decided to get it yet, but the eye colors sure are pretty.
the lash dazzle you are wearing, I can’t really see big difference. So, can you tell me how it looks with bare eyelashes only? thnaks 🙂
Feeling better today! 🙂
Don’t worry too hard, whatever you choose, you’ll look beautiful as always! Now not to sound too predictable here, but I want golds! Golds! You have such a perfect complexion for those warm shades, and the dress is perfect to complement that type of look! How about an eye look with the Shu Uemura Mystifier duo or the Laura Mercier Golddigger collection? Round it out with a warm blush (Enchanteresse?) and a neutral pink lip, maybe with a touch of Chanel Goldlights (if it seems appropriate)! I just love seeing the looks on you that I can’t pull off so well myself! 😉
Also, FYI, Benefit’s She-laq is excellent for setting eye looks but good!
The dress is beautiful! You look gorgeous, I love the lips!
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I like the look, but not so much with the dress. I’m for mattes and something with pinks and browns or taupes, or browns and golds. I think it will work well with the dress and compliment your coloring more.
Hi Meaghan,
Yeah, I have Satin Taupe. It’s not my most easily wearable color. I have a friend, though, who rocks it like there’s no tomorrow on the lids…
I’m thinking about abandoning the purple idea, sigh.
Hi Elena,
That’s a good idea. I’m leaning towards something like that.
Hi Luv J,
Thank you for these tips. I am going to raid my matte stash tonight.
This is my first time being a bridesmaid so I guess I got lucky with the dress. 🙂 I also already had a pair of shoes that match it perfectly (that I got on sale!).
Hi Thumper Too,
Thanks. 🙂 Maybe I’ll do a subtle brown and beige eye and add some black gel liner on the upper lash line a la Angelina Jolie.
Hi Erica,
Yeah, I hear ya. I’m lucky that my friend is pretty much letting us wear whatever hair and makeup we want… I gotta remember to keep it subtle. 🙂
Hi Tiffany,
Thank you!
Hi Lily,
Your look sounds really pretty.
I think I am either going to do a matte pink and brown or matte brown and beige eye with black liner on the top. Simple, elegant and not too much work!
You are so lucky that you can rock the Liquidlast. I have a really hard time with the application.
Hi Erica,
Thank you for this note, hon. We’re trying… it’s hard when your family is far away. Sigh.
Good call on the cream/off white. Others have suggested it as well, so that’s what I’ll probably go with in the end.
Hi Anna,
Thanks! The bride, Jen, let us choose the style of our dresses. I like
this one a lot. 🙂
The eye colors are quite beautiful in person! If you saw it in real life I think you’d fall in love. Ahh… maybe you could use the lip colors as a wash?
Hi Ms. Britt,
Good idea! I will see if I have time to try that tomorrow, too.
Hi Jaime,
I have that quad. It’s around here somewhere…
I think Tabs hid it from me.
Hi Katee,
Yeah, I like the dress, too. I think the sash adds a nice element.
Hi Laurie,
Thanks. 🙂 It’s a super cute dress. I think I might actually be able to wear it again!
I just want to say that the dress is fabulous! Have fun!
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I missed it if you mentioned what the other attendants and your BFF are doing makeup-wise. I think this has to be the most important consideration! I love the Laura Mercier look here. I may be being boring, but don’t go too strong and upstage everyone else. I’m surprised they didn’t demand a coordinated look from you considering you makeup chops! You look gorgeous, have a great time!
Actually, I’m changing my tune-I know you like shimmers, but I agree about mattes for photos and for 20 years from now-you might be dating yourself with shimmers. I got married in 1986 and I can’t tell you how glad I am that I kept everything very classic. Only my husband’s dorky oversized glasses give it away! We thought they were normal, honest… I still would e-mail the others and say “honestly, how much makeup are you wearing and are your colors more subtle or bold?”. You don’t want to all be changing your looks an hour before the show begins, believe me!