Put on your most fashionable thinking caps, gals, because Jessica needs our help. 🙂
Karen!
I’m hoping you’ve got the answer to my major problem!
I work on a cruise ship (I know, tough work) and I wear the TACKIEST red, white and blue tracksuit uniform.
What are some eyeshadow looks that I can wear every day that won’t make me look overdone, but still can help me look put-together and sassy in the world’s worst uniform?
Hi Jessica,
How super cool! I’ve seen every episode of Love Boat and circa 1982 had grand plans to become a cruise ship porter/activities director/bartender-extraordinaire.
Your uniform doesn’t sound too bad (well…). At least it’s stretchy, right?
As for your eye makeup, what about something neutral and work-appropriate that leaves room for flexibility when you’re feeling sassy?
Start with a shimmery neutral
You might start with a shimmery neutral like Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit ($19). It’s a shimmery champagne cream shadow that really brightens up the eyes and looks pretty much fab on *everybody*.
Apply over the entire eyelid with a finger or a synthetic brush (because they aren’t as absorbent as natural fibers, synthetic bristles work well for cream products) like the MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush ($25).
To complete the look when you’re pressed for time (maybe late for bingo on the ship?), just curl your lashes and add mascara.
Consider a black liquid liner
When time isn’t of the essence, sassify the look with some liquid liner along your upper lash line. I like Lorac’s Front of the Line Pro ($22), a new liquid liner pen that just hit shelves this fall. It makes lining a cinch, and the rich black color lasts all day long.
Do a thin line when you want subtle definition or a thicker cat eye line (with a flick at the end) when you want a more dramatic version.
Crank it up with colored mascara
Sassify the look even more by replacing your regular mascara with a tinted shade — perhaps a green, blue or purple. I totes adore Estee Lauder’s Sumptous Color Mascaras ($20). They deliver eye-popping color while adding lash thickness, length and lift.
Have fun on the high seas! 🙂 Drop me a line (or a message in a bottle) once in a while to let me know how you and your makeup are doing.
Ahoy, ladies! What else could Jessica do with her makeup considering her red, white and blue cruise ship uniform? Use your imagination, and share your ideas in the comments.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I think I’d embrace the uniform colors and have some fun with them without going over the top — don’t want to scare some conservative, elderly couple. Sheer red lip gloss. Blue eyeliner or nail polish on short nails (no blue talons) to match the uniform’s tone of blue. Just not all at once.
I think a neutral eye look and then adding a bold liner like blue to give it some POP!
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I with u on the black liquid liner… can never go wrong with a black winged line!!
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Hi Blovet Beauty,
Right? It’s a classic look.
I would do a nude eye with MAC Paints in Sublime Nature or Bamboon on the lid; use MAC Kid eyeshadow for the crease; and finish with MAC Fluidline Blacktrack lined thinly to define lashes, wing it out slightly. On lips I would use either a neutral pink or peach gloss or creme lipstick. For face I would use a gel or cream blush. I would go funkier with nails, to compliment the navy in your uniform I recommend OPI Dating a Royal. It is just bright enough without being a blacken navy.
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Hi Amy,
That would be a pretty look! I just discovered Bamboo. I love it for the brow bone or just a simple was over the entire eye.
Because she has to many colors on her uniform I think she must keep the eye makeup to a natural one and emphasises with black eyeliner (or navy blue) and lot of mascara (black or dark blue is also an option) or she can try some soft shimmery eyeshadows 🙂
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Hi Tavia,
Good call on the blue liner!
Definitely red lips and a contoured face.
Hi Sylvie,
Thanks for chipping in. How have you been? Things alright in your neck of the woods?
I would go for a more natural look, with a bit of soft reds to bring out the patriotic colors 😉
Hi Karen
Thanks for asking. I developed a blood clot in my leg 3 weeks ago from a 13-hour flight so there’s anti-coagulating medicine to take for 3 months as well as daily injections that lasted two weeks (which are thankfully over). It’s a messy business. You never think you’re a candidate for DVT until you’re it. Bottomline: never wear tight jeans for a long-haul flight.
Hi Sylvie,
Oh no. Well, at least you’re on the road to recovery. And I’m glad that the daily injections are at least over with, yikes. Noted: nothing but stretchy pants for long flights from here on out.
I’d go for a golden shimmer shadow. You can blend well and make it look more neutral, but I’ve found it works wonders when I’m wearing blue…and it isn’t matchy-matchy (which I’m not into). Also, to top that off, I’d go with Stilla’s “Kitten” shadow on the inner corner of my eyes and on the brow bone for hilighting. It’s a super-great neutral and will blend well in the crease with the gold shadow. Brown liner and mascara to top it off and a neutral (or red) lippie- depending on your mood. Fun! 🙂
Hey Karen,
I just recently discovered Bamboom too and I used to be all about Sublime Nature. I think Bamboom would make an excellent nude eye for your complexion!
.-= amy’s last blog post… FOTD Medusa’s Makeup Desert Storm, Full Moon, MAC Kid, Fluidline Blacktrack and MAC High Def Lipstick =-.
I’d go for a neutral eye, probably gold-based, Birthday Suit is a perfect suggestion! Then play with either lipstick or eyeliner… even though I don’t try to match my clothing, wearing red reeeeaaaallly makes me want to reach for a good, red lippie! Sheer red gloss would be pretty too! Then black eyeliner is fab, or a pretty navy would be nice too. Shu Uemura’s eye pencil in metallic blue is very pretty without being too in-your-face! Probably you could also find some great looks playing with Lancome’s Declaring Indigo collection, it seems right up this alley! 🙂
love karen’s suggestions as a starting point. I love to mix up the looks (and I’m always kinda matchy…) so here are a few more ideas:
-red lips! nothing says sass like red lips. do a matte one for night, or sheer red gloss for day.
-subtle smokey eyes w/ navy and lighter blue, peachy nude lips
-rosy cheeks, your lips but better lipstick, shimmery pinkish gold eyes (something like urban decay X)
-a bronzey look, you are on a cruise ship! assuming you are somewhere warm. 🙂
Hm, I think it’s best to work with the uniform, as opposed to despite the uniform. You can try to include elements of the red, white and blue nautical theme without going overboard (pun intended) with the matchy-matchiness. 🙂 I can think of two looks I would try. I would probably do a neutral metallic (but subtle) gold or champagne eye shadow, with a pinkish or peachy blush (depending on whether you have cool or warm undertones) and a bold, yet classy red lipstick. And for another look, I might do a navy smoky eye with a nude or beige lipstick and same type of blush as the previous face. Hope this helps. 🙂
Ooh, this is fun :). I would go with MAC’s Grand Entrance on inner corner of eyelid, Style Snob on rest of eyelid, & Satin Taupe in the crease. Go with a matte or satin highlight – something like MAC Vanilla and then black liner. One of my favorite looks EVER :).
black eyeliner, neutral eyeshadow and some bold red lips
that estee lauder mascara is soo amazing!
my aunt had a tube of the green one and i was just playing with some of her makeup and tried it on, not expecting much.
but once that miracle mascara was on my lashes, it proved me wrong! it’s absolutely brilliant.
I would go with a classy neutral eye, light, satin-y e/s (nothing too shimmery), navy blue liner (maybe line with an e/s instead of a pencil or gelliner, it creates a softer look)and transparent red lipgloss or a nude lipstick/gloss.
Red or blue nailpolish to match the uniform sounds like a great idea, too. And I second Steph B – short nails are a must! I think blue polish tends to look tacky or cheap on longer fingernails.