I’ve got deadlines galore (the beauty book editing and writing another Hawaii story…yay!) but here’s a quick face of the day using MAC Smoke Signals.
The look:
The Smoking Eyes Quad: Next to Nothing, Satin Taupe, Smoking and Showstopper
Raven Kohl Power pencil
Emote blush
Brew Lipstick
Illicit Lipglass
The skinny:
If you are on the fence about the smoking quad lemme tell ya – the Smoking shadow (applied with a fluff brush on the upper lash line and brought barely to the crease; also on the lower lash line layered over Raven Kohl) on the lower right hand side makes it all worth it. This is a beautiful rich black with gold flecks, and when applied with a fluffy angled brush like the 275 it is *very* pretty AND beginner friendly. Next to Nothing is pretty, it reminds me of Shroom. I like it on my brow bone because it’s not too disco or silvery. I have lukewarm feelings about Satin Taupe – I find it really difficult control for some reason. I have to really watch how much I put on otherwise it overwhelms the other colors. I used Showstopper on the outer v. If you are a beginner then you may find this hard to apply. It’s dark and very matte and it can go very wrong very quickly, so you’ll have to watch how much you apply and apply it carefully.
I give this a Makeup and Beauty Blog rating of an A-. I think it’s a great beginner palette for smokey eyes, and seasoned MAC makeup junkies will GO FRICKIN BUCK WILD over Smoking.
Emote is another not to be missed part of the Smoke Signals collection. It looks kinda gross and brown and blah in the pan but it gives me the perfect warmed cheek without being too orange. It’s easy to apply, too, which I love! I think it will become one of my go to 5-minute makeup blushes. VERY beginner friendly!
Emote gets a Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating of A+! I love the color, the application and like that I can use it as both a blush and a contour color.
If you like multi-dimensional eye pencils you’ll love Raven Kohl Power Eye Pencil. I put this on the top and bottom lash line and layered it with Smoking! The color is gorgeous – kinda bronzey/black. It was very soft, didn’t tug, and made a nice, smooth line. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+
As for Brew lipstick, Illicit Lipglass and the “natural” lip … what’s kinda funny to me is that to achieve this “natural” lip takes a lot of work. I just can’t slap the Brew on and throw some Illicit over it because it looks chalky and weird and kind of scary lunch lady wrong. In order to make this work I had to use a 316 and take the time to carefully put two layers of Brew on and then one layer of Illicit. I like the look of this nude lip but I wish it was easier to achieve. (What can I say? I’m lazy, ya’ll.) If you’ve got Viva Glam V then you don’t need this. However, if you have a natural lip fetish then you still might want to try this. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B-
Have a wonderful Thursday, friends. =)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Ok I am caught in a quandry because I am over my makeup quota for about 2 years LOL, but I am feeling the Emote blush. I will have to put that on my list. I look the look…the look is very subtle, yet sultry.
When are you going to do a writing assignment in the Midwest. Hawaii is overrated, if you ask me. j/k LOL
karen, i love it! can’t wait for more pics.. okay.. i think the deal is official.. i’ll have to get the smoking eyes quad.. see! it’s your fault karen! lol
Apple Diva, You better get it. I’m telling you the EMOTE will make you feel some emotions. (I’m sorry it didn’t work out for ya, KIA!
And believe it or not, I would love to go to the Midwest on assignment one of these days (I’ve never been!). =)
cool pics.. very pretty! thanks for the reviews! yay! i don’t need brew and illicit =)))
you look so pretty in your smoke signals! nice work!
I’m having mixed feelings about Emote. I looked at in the pan and just decided it wouldn’t work for me. It looks much too greyish brown and blah and I figured it wouldn’t work on a brown-skinned gal. I immediately put it on my Makeupalley swap list. You’re making me think I should give it a try first … hmmmm.
You’re beautiful. ^_^
Will you marry me…?
Thanks Makeuploves me! I can’t wait to bust into the second Smoke Signals Quad…we’ll see what happens. Please come back again soon =)
Hey Toya! I didn’t think I’d be so moved by it either when I first saw it. Try it! You never know…
Aww, Blue! I only get married on Tuesdays! =)
i will – i love your work! you helped me to get ready and know what to expect for nyc fashion week. check me out (www.makeuplovesme.blogspot.com) too if you get a chance 😉
Karen, I have to say that all of you FOTD have me just in awe, and such great pics as well! Keep up the great work!
Awesome Makeuplovesme! I will try to visit soon. What shows are you going to cover in NY? I was kindly invited by MAC but can’t make it this year. Next year though, hopefully!
Heya Christine! Thanks so much for the complement =) FOTD’s are fun, yah? I will try to do more of them in the future. Have a great weekend!
i’m going to the MAC reception and *possibly* a runway show.
Awesome. I hope you get in! I believe security is tighter in the NY shows but hey, you never know. Carry and big camera and look like you belong there, right? (That’s what worked for me…)
Will this be your first time doing fashion event coverage?
this will be my first year going, but im hoping it won’t be a problem! i have an invitation for the show im going to, so *fingers crossed* thanks for stopping by makeup loves me! 😉
Makeuplovesme you better blog all about it! I look forward to getting your report! And I’m crossing my fingers for you too!