Vivacious violet eyes and righteous red, glossy lips today because, ya know, it’s Monday. Why not? 🙂
This is the flashiest look I’ve flaunted in a while! I’ve been kind of stuck in a neutral eye/nude lip rut, so this is my makeup version of Stella getting her groove back, except instead of me working it out on a tropical island with a hot, young thang, I’m working purple eyeshadow, red gloss and red lipstick…
I’m wearing stuff from the new MAC Toledo collection.
Toledo as in the fashion designers, Isabel and Ruben — not “holy Toledo!” or Toledo, Ohio, in case you were wondering.
MAC is so educational!
Honestly, I hadn’t heard of them before…but I’m also not hip at all, so there’s that.
The eye-catching 31-piece collection comes out next month with limited edition white, black and red packaging.
I’m most interested in the three six-pan palettes, like the purple one I’m wearing here (there’s also one with green and olive shades, complete with baby-poo green eyeshadow, and I’m so not kidding about that; and another palette that’s blue).
Oh! — and there’s also a lot of red for lips. When I was looking at the packaging this morning, I thought, “Yeah, let’s do red. And purple. Why the heck not?”
The thing is, with bold eye and lip looks like these, I’m trying to strike a delicate balance between dramatic and cra-za-zy. To that end, I follow some basic guidelines…
The first is to chillax on the brows, son, because with a bright purple eye and glossy red lips, there’s already a lot going on, and full, bushy or blocky brows would just be one more thing competing for attention.
Also, I like to wait until my eyes are done and I’m already wearing lipstick and/or gloss before moving on to blush. That way I can sort of gauge how much color to put on my cheeks.
Most of the time when I do looks with bold eyes and lips I don’t wear a ton of color on my cheeks, because it can easily go all-out ’80s, which is totally fine if that’s what you want. I mean, there’s a time to channel Tess from Working Girl, but for me today wasn’t one of those times.
I am wearing blush in these pics, by the way. It’s MAC Blush Ombre in Ripe Peach (the light coral) from the Toledo collection, but it doesn’t really show up to the party. On my skin tone, it’s not very noticeable, which works out fine for this look.
As for my outfit and accessories, I went with dainty jewelry and a delicate headband, instead of the oversized bling-out Kate Spade Studs I first wanted to wear (same reason as the cheeks, because I didn’t want anything to compete with the eyes and lips).
I felt like anything too bright or shiny would have been distracting, and that’s what the bright pops of color on the lids and lips are for.
More on MAC Toledo…
The limited edition 31-piece release for eyes, lips, cheeks and nails arrives online January 29 and in stores February 5 through April 2, 2015.
The collection includes…
- Eye Shadow X 6 in Bellgreens, with Fresh Blade (a pale frosted yellow with a Veluxe Pearl finish), Gorgeous Gold (a muted yellow with a Veluxe Pearl finish), Savant (a mid-tone mustard lime with a Stain finish), Vicuna (a light neutral olive with a Frost finish), Charcoal Brown (a matte muted taupe-brown with a Matte finish) and Sushigreen (a charcoal olive with a multidimensional pearl and a Velvet finish). $44 US, $53 CAD.
- Eye Shadow X 6 in Violetwink, with Sweet Allure (a soft light pink with a Satin finish), French Clay (a white gray with a Frost finish), Stars ‘N’ Rockets (a purple with pink pearl and a Veluxe Pearl finish), Tendersmoke (a muted silvery lilac wtih a Frost finish), Frizzyplum (a dark violet with multidimensional pearl and a Frost finish) and Overnight (a cool black with a matte finish). $44 US, $53 CAD.
- Eye Shadow X 6 in Moodyblu, with Midnight Snow (a pale silver with a Frost finish), Idol Eyes (a silvery violet with gold and a Lustre finish), Deep Truth (a true dark blue with a Frost finish), Knight Divine (a black with silvery pearl and a Veluxe Pearl finish), Exotic Purple (a dark navy with a Satin finish) and Indigogo (a blackened navy with multidimensional pearl and a Veluxe Pearl finish). $44 US, $53 CAD.
- Modern Twist Lash in Vynil, a black. $24 US, $29 CAD.
- Modern Twist Lash in Caligrafy, a navy. $24 US, $29 CAD.
- Modern Twist Lash in Taro, a purple. $24 US, $29 CAD.
- Modern Twist Lash in Cholorafill, a lime. $24 US, $29 CAD.
- Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner in Designer Purple, an iridescent violet. $17.50 US, $21 CAD.
- Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner in Chlorafill, a green lime with pearl. $17.50 US, $21 CAD.
- Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner in Petrol Blue, a deep navy with pearl. $17.50 US, $21 CAD.
- Matte Lipstick in Oxblood, a light peachy nude. $17.50 US, $21 CAD.
- Matte Lipstick in Barbeque, a vivid orangey red. $17.50 US, $21 CAD.
- Matte Lipstick in Victoriana, a mid-tone pinkish red. $17.50 US, $21 CAD.
- Matte Lipstick in Tenor Voice, a true classic red. $17.50 US, $21 CAD.
- Matte Lipstick in Sin, a deep blood red. $17.50 US, $21 CAD.
- Lipglass in in Oxblood, a light peachy nude. $16.50 US, $20 CAD.
- Lipglass in Barbeque, a vivid orangey red. $16.50 US, $20 CAD.
- Lipglass in Victoriana, a mid-tone pinkish red. $16.50 US, $20 CAD.
- Lipglass in Tenor Voice, a true classic red. $16.50 US, $20 CAD.
- Lipglass in Sin, a deep blood red. $16.50 US, $20 CAD.
- Blush Ombre in Ripe Peach, a light coral. $32 US, $39 CAD.
- Blush Ombre in Azalea Blossom, a light cool pink. $32 US, $39 CAD.
- Blush Ombre in Kindergarten Red, a crimson into a pale nude. $32 US, $39 CAD.
- Nail Lacquer in Faint of Heart, a pale milky nude with a Cream finish. $13.50 US, $16 CAD.
- Nail Lacquer in Venus Red, a clean true red with a Cream finish. $13.50 US, $16 CAD.
- Nail Lacquer in Vixen, a deep burgundy red with a Cream finish. $13.50 US, $16 CAD.
- Isabel and Ruben Tolden 129SE Powder/Blush Brush. $38.50 US, $46 CAD.
- Isabel and Ruben Toldeo Makeup Bag, $35 US, $42 CAD. Available in select MAC stores.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Whooooo, girly! You’re making me want to all sorts of play!! I’m especially loving the lower lash line in this look. I need to work some purple eyeliner into my makeup this week.
Hi Alison,
Thank you. 🙂 Designer Purple liner is a repromote so yay! — you can find it in the permanent collection. It has the CUTEST little pink sparkles. You will love it!
What eye makeup did you wear today?
I had on NARS Eye Paint in Mozambique (such a killer smoky eye base) topped with one of the shimmery browns from TF Chocolate Bar and blended out. I put just a touch of Ardency Inn Manuka Honey Pigment in Sunday over the top. Loved it! Have you tried Ardency Inn’s pigments? They are pressed (no mess, hurrah!) and by far the most amazing texture ever. If you want to check them out at Sephora, my hands down favorite shade is Hell because it is such a unique red-grey and makes a stunning single shadow smoky eye. And I know you love a good smoky eye… 😉
I need that peach blush. Desperately. I’m interested in the one lipglass you didn’t get 🙁 or maybe the lipstick version of Victoriana.
Hi Breyerchic04,
What shade are you in MAC-speak? If you’re around NC42 (like me) you might have some trubs getting it to show up… I had to really build it up in order to see it on skin.
Hope your week is off to a good start!
Victoriana!
I’m NW20-25 so I think it’d probably work.
Yeah, it should. If you get it send me a pic of you wearing it. Would love to see it on lighter skin!
OMG — is it Friday yet?!
Friday means that we skip my birthday (tomorrow) so NO!
Girlfriend, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! What are you doing to celebrate, and where’s the party? I’ll bring the chips and salsa. lol
Going to Kate Spade for a new purse!
Nice! That is the best kind of b-day present. 🙂 Are you getting something trendy or classic?
Probably classic, and smaller than the coach bag I’m carrying right now. The Cedar Street Large Monday is really pretty!
I like that one. I don’t have it (on the wish list) but would love to someday. Right now I’m kind of obsessed cross body bags — I keep trying to avert my eyes from the ones by Rebecca Minkoff but it’s so hard!
I don’t think I can afford Rebecca Minkoff, even on my birthday. And i feel right now like Kate Spade is SO ME. If you know what i mean, I like every single item in the store. Crossbodies are amazing I love them!
Oh I guess Rebecca Minkoff isn’t all that different of a price range, hmm!
Karen this is the most gorgeous look I’ve seen in months. I’m in such a winter slump and this is so refreshing from nudes. I love it! Beautiful look!
Hi Michelle,
Thank you. 🙂 I’ve been kind of in a color slump, too, so I feel you! Now I’m craving bright blues, fuchsias and oranges. And summer, le sigh.
Hope you had a nice Monday. What makeup did you wear today?
Oh Karen, I’m in Canada in the dead of winter and have a really hard time getting up these days so it was BB cream, mascara, blush, lipstick and flying out the door. Pretty boring lol. I’d rather be sleeping in with mah kitty. 🙂
It’s dark and cold in the morning here too in California. Well, it’s “California” cold, which means low 50s. Cold for us is pretty lame, I know.
Aww, how is your kitteh doing? Tabs doesn’t know it yet, but he’s going to the vet tomorrow for a check up. OH NOES!
You mentioning Toledo, Ohio makes me laugh at the idea of a makeup collection based on the city. Nobody wants that.
The bellgreens palette has some nice colors!
Hi Chelsea,
LOL — I’ve never been to Ohio. What is there to do in Toledo? I’m sure there are some fun and fashiony things…
When I was a kid growing up in Michigan, we went to Toledo for the zoo — they had a great zoo, with a wonderful petting zoo section, which was quite unusual fifty years ago. I still remember petting the animals there. I’m pretty sure the city has fallen on hard times since then. Kind of like Detroit. But the zoo is still there, and I hear there’s an excellent art museum.
Zack’s sister and nieces live in Toledo, so we go there on a regular basis. To give some Midwest context, Michigan and Ohio hate each other,so my opinion is biased, LOL. Toledo has an okay mall, but is all around not very exciting.
I learn something new every day. I had no idea about the Michigan vs. Ohio rivalry! Thank you for preparing me for Final Jeopardy!
It’s a college football thing.
I love it. You managed to create a soft and chic look from such a bold color combination… I don’t know how you did that!
Unlike your reader Michelle, I am in Brazil under a 98 F temperature peak today… Ugh… not fun at all, cause I am in Sao Paulo, just a big city with no paradisiac beaches or palm trees. In days like this, I feel discouraged to play with makeup. So it was really fun to come across with this beautiful and inspiring Monday look.
I’ve been a reader for years, but it’s the first time I make a comment. Big fan here, Karen. xoxo
Hi Alethea,
Nice to finally meet you in the comments! I hope that when the weather mellows out that you try this look. If/when that happens send me a pic! 🙂
I think the trick to keeping it soft is to keep the cheeks from having too much color and to do the softest amount of bronzing. A deep contour would totally take this in another direction — more runway that real life, for sure. But still very cool.
Thank you for reading the site all of these years. You are very much appreciated!
I want Opera and Barbeque in my life! Oh well! MAC collections have never been a successful chase 😛
You never know! Maybe this is the collection that will turn the tide!
Karen, love love love this look!! Can you describe how you layered the eye shadows to achieve this? I would so appreciate it!!
Hi Dyan,
I did the darkest purple, Frizzyplum on the lids (just up into the crease), then Stars ‘N’ Rockets (the lighter purple) in the inner crease. Outer crease and upper crease is MAC Texture (a reddish orangey brown; something like Saddle would work too). I lined the lash lines with MAC Blacktrack and then smudged out the edge with the Overnight, the cool toned black. If you have any other Qs please let me know.
I’m actually thinking about possibly doing a video for this… I have to get over the trauma from last week’s attempt first. lol
Thanks for replying and the detailed info!! I am going to try to replicate your look. I’ll let you know how it goes!
Purple eyes red lips make for such an unusual combination but you totally rock it. I feel like trying it out though it would be out of my comfort zone. Loved it <3
Thanks, Dollie! XO
Sad panda eyes. I wanted Ripe Peach but it won’t show up on my complexion. Well, perhaps one of the reds could fit my fancy 🙂
Hi Kwmechelle,
Le sigh! I wanted it to work too. You could try it as a highlighter — I did that here with the lightest shade, but it was SO subtle. I love a nuanced finish but it was a little too quiet.
I’m thinking you’d look great in that deep wine color!
Loooove the look Karen, so rockabilly
oooh and that hair band
Thanks, Icequeen. The hair band is an old fave! I got it on sale at Sephora years ago. It’s kinda Chanel-esque, yes?
sure it is
I love your eyeshadow here!
Thank you, Phyrra!
I’m so excited for this collection! I’m loving Opera lipstick, Oxblood lipglass and the makeup bag.
Hi Tiffany,
I’m digging Oxblood Lipglass too. There’s something kinda MAC Spite about it!
This look is absolutely gorgeous. I’d probably never think or try purple eyes with red lips but it works perfect. I want to try this look.
Oh I love this, I’ve been looking for a plum/purple eyeshadow palette. I love the blushes too. I’m going to add them to my cart online.
Dang you look great, Karen! Made me think if I should get all the things you wear in the picture :D. (Tbh, I have tons of purple eyeshadow and red lipstick… but no gloss :P) Thinking about Ripe Peach for that subtle look… I’m NC42ish too. But I want to get Oxblood for sure!
Bravo on the look! I love it! I specially like that if feels like you used some kind of burgundy shade on the outer corner. Am I right?
As for the products, they sure do look nice. I wish that we had gotten to see the rest of the lippies as as pretty as opera is, I think it will surely be very very similar to the gazillion reds that MAC has launched in the last year.
On the other hand, I am really liking the blue and purple liners!
The lipstick bullets look adorable!! You make me crave from them!!
Beautiful look, Karen! I like to wear purple eyes — I’ll usually wear a soft blue-based pink lipstick with it, ‘cuz nude lippies look so awful on me, but occasionally I’ll do a bright purplish-pink with it, keeping the cheeks and brows on the light side like you did here, but now you’ve inspired me to try red lips with purple eyes 🙂
I love the packaging on this release. And I’m looking for dark blue shadows that don’t fade by the end of the day. Love the colored mascara, although I don’t have many occasions to wear it. The red blush interests me, too.
I’m glad you explained the Toledo part because I was totally thinking “Ohio?” and wondering if I’d missed the memo on that town being colorfully trendy. 🙂 There is so much that pops in this collection, I can see MAC fans being really excited. This is a really stunning look on you, btw. I always think of the 80s when I see bright eyeshadow but you’re definitely not in Working Girl territory. HAHA! The Ripe Peach blush looks beautiful in the pan. It reminds me of a tequila sunrise.
Your eye look here is gorgeous, Karen, well done! You look sooooo good in purple! I like that there are so many unusual colors in this collection, I can’t wait to see more.
I would LOVE the skills to pull that off. Wow!
I would never have dared to pair a purple eye with a red lip, but you look amazing!
Another amazing thing is waking up to a blog comment telling me “Karen and Tabs sent me”. Totally made my day!
“Ripe Peach” is one of my all time favorite blushes. Lucky me I am NC 20, so it shows up very well.
Oh em! I’m now excited about this collection. 🙂 I love the purple eyeshadow, looks fresh and gorgeous on you. Will also try if Opera would look good on me. I’m glad that the prices of the items in this collection are not overly-priced as the ones in Prabal Gurung.
Eek! I also like the purple shadows with a bold lip! Hmm. What to do! I’ll test out both 🙂
xx
Everything about this look is just…perfect! I’ve never done purple with a bold lip but now you make me want to try it!
High C for Opera!
High C for every color note!!
High C for Opera!
High C for every color note!!
(B flat for me not getting my own email right the first time.)
Beautiful, glamorous look! *applause*
Karen, Karen, Karen, you enabler! After much deliberation I’d decided to just stick to the lipsticks — and now I want it all! My bank account will surely cry.
That purple looks GORGEOUS on you! I want!
I’m loving violet wink but I can’t see spending $53 for it. I do know I’d use EVERY shade in it, unlike half the palettes I see!
This is a really exciting collection! I love the eyeliners and mascaras but I think I might indulge in the blue eye shadow palette
You are working that purple palette! Lol I just realized Savant does look like baby poo but I just adore it. I’m thinking about getting the palette just so I can have it lol
first thing first, that stella was something, wasn’t she? tee hee
i really like the idea of an ombre blush but yet, not sure about ripe peach. decisions!
gorgeous look tough, karen!
Karen you are being my inspiration for makeup looks.. Every time you amaze us with the combination of shades and this time I am just bowled over.. 😉
I would try to recreate the look with the help of steps u mentioned above and if it does turn out well .. Will share too 😉
the collection has pretty palettes.. Liking all of them and that oxblood lip gloss is a star.. Deceiving name but a beauty 🙂
I would NEVER have thought to pair a purple smokey eye with a red lip but oh my, do you look stunning, once again. I must admit, the combination is amazing and I’ll definitely have to try it out myself, now I’m pretty hooked on this combo! <3
Love,
Stefi
I want the blush in peach
Pretty look! I was going to use my MAC gift card to buy the Bellgreens palette but the swatches don’t look good. Violetwink looks pigmented and pretty but I own several purple palettes already. I want something from this collection but don’t need anymore lipsticks. I own the eyeliners and 2 of the blushes from previous collections. Love designer purple but it hurts if it gets in my eyes due to the sparkles. Not sure what I’ll end up buying from this collection.
I’m loving the warm crease vs the vivid purple smokiness. Sultry!
You always look awesome in your pictures, K <3 Not even fair.
Dear Karen,
That’s so utterly beautiful!!!!! So you mind telling me the complete breakdown of your eye makeup? So it’s the violetwink palette with the purple eyeliner from the same collection? What’s the brown/ orange eyeshadow?
Thank you so much!
I so love the Opera Lipstick ! I am so glad we purchased the same lipstick , I already burned money on the Cinderella collection this month, i don’t want to burn more lol Thank you Karen for all the amazing blogs you write,very informative,organized and fun! I always check your blog for any MAC collection that interests me because i think we have the same skin tone..Are you Filipina btw? =D i am =))
You look utterly gorgeous! <3
I loved this review. I have to wait three extra months for collections to be released in Dubai. How unfair is that?! This is coming to Dubai next week and the lady at the store had samples yesterday, big yey! I have reserved the oxblood lipstick and lipgloss. I also reserved the moody blue palette as I recently bought the very gorgeous Marc Jacobs The Tease palette, and the peach powder. I swatched the green palette and was a little put of by how it looked on the back of my hand. Did you do a look with the greens as I would be really interested to see how it looks?