Do you ever sit down to get ready for work and just…wing it? Sure, I have a few different go-to looks for different occasions, but sometimes I’m down for a challenge.
It usually goes something like “alright Nic, we’ve got 30 minutes to shower, beat thy mug, and be out the door.” I paw at my makeup till I see something sparkly like the pigment Countess by Sugarpill ($13) and some Eyelure lashes that kind of resemble black caterpillars. Then, I decide there is no way to continue on with my day until I have giant, sparkly cat eyes and dense, fluttery lashes.
Isn’t Countess stunning? It’s a deep maroon with subtle aqua reflects that are pretty difficult to capture on camera, but are definitely apparent in real life.
Luckily everything worked out this time, because I had to get to work.
I photographed one of my favorite shows, Baloney! Baloney is San Francisco’s first (and only) gay all-male revue. It’s part theater, dance, peepshow, and pays homage to classic burlesque and pantomime. The show was created and choreographed by some of my favorite artist friends and couple, Rory Davis and Michael Phillis. It is among the most visually stunning shows I’ve seen and is a total dream to photograph, let alone just watch.
What happens at Baloney usually stays there, but here are some of my favorite moments I’ve shot from Baloney shows both past and present:
What a gorgeous pigment! Loved how you showed a wearable way to use it! Great post!
Thank you! I feel like you can make next to anything wearable by wearing it as a liner!
It’s a very great color. Have you tried putting on your lips?
No, but thank you for the best idea ever!
Ooh, very pretty! Did you mix it with anything to get it to stay?
Yes! I put down a black base of NYX Tres Jolie liner (the best), and then patted Countess on top. I dipped my brush in Lit Cosmetic’s glitter base, then the pigment. While I like the glitter base just fine, it doesn’t do a thing to prevent transfer for me, but my favorite setting spray (blue marble) made it stay in place all night!
Loved how you used this as a liner. And a bold liner at that. Looks great on you 🙂
Thank you! I don’t know how to do a subtle wing with glitter in the picture. I get carried away every. time.
Nicole every time I see your photos I fell in live, they’re amazing and you have a beat face girl!
I’d love to watch Baloney.
Thanks, girl! Baloney is starting to travel to other major cities, so keep your eye out! It is such a brilliant show.
I’ve never seen a prettier colour for a winged liner! Soo gorgeous! Great idea nicole..
That’s what I’m here for!
My goodness! Your wing skills!
I wish I could wear sparkly eyeliner and incredible lashes to work, but sadly that’s not a thing. I’d be super-late trying to get my wings to look like yours!
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Tape! It’s all tape. And patience. And doing your base after your eyes. Ooh, and a side part. Side parts are great for a bad eyebrow day, uneven wings, unfortunate blending, spying, avoiding your ex on the street, etc. I switch mine depending on which side of my face looks more put together that day. Seriously.
Ha! I’m a tape fiend too! I’m glad it’s not just me with the side-part trick too. Why is one eye/brow/cheek always unruly!?
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Amazing color. And amazing that you have such a creative job. I would have gotten lots of raised eyebrows if I showed up for work like this. Even my red lips are usually commented on.
Thank you! Keep it up with the red lips. My mom has white hair that is reverse ombre to a deep burgundy. People constantly tell her they wish they could do something like that, and she looks at them like well, you can! I think bold moves say bounds about a person’s confidence, you know?
Gorgeous color! I loved that you used it for winged liner. Great photos, too!
Thank you!
Oh wow, I absolutely LOVE the eyeliner! Looks fantastic.
Thank you!
you look great (love that that’s a work look! 🙂 ) and your photos are fantastic! it’s not always easy to get amazingly lit (and focused) shots like that in a crazy (and dark) atmosphere, so mad props! I love the one where she’s bending forward blowing a glitter kiss!! also the first one, (I think) has great framing! 🙂 ????
Thank you! Having the right equipment definitely helps, and so does experience. It definitely didn’t start out that way! ??
I love that color. You look gorgeous girl
Thank you!
OMG GORG! I’ve legit had my eye on Countess for a good two years now, had it in my basket & taken it out at least 5x’s. I’m now sold (too bad it’s post-IMATS ha!)!
Did you use Duraline or Fix+ or anything to make it liquid, or did you just roll w/it over the primer?
Thank you! Get it get it get it get it. I’m pretty obsessed with burgundy anything anyway, but the aqua reflects stole my heart as soon as I saw it. I’ve never really seen anything like her before! I also have Lumi & Stella. Lumi is so great & versatile, and Stella has major potential but isn’t holo enough for me. It just looks black and honey, black pigment is easy to come by, you know?
I mainly just rolled w/it over a gel liner (tres jolie from NYX. if you haven’t tried it, stop what you’re doing and get on that), and for certain areas (inner corner & outer wing) I used Fix + . I also packed on some black shadow to hide my lash band and give it some overall dimension which I think does a look like this WONDERS. But ultimately, it is a pigment and is sparkly as hell, and anyone that blinks will have transfer. The best setting spray known to man is Blue Marble Sealer Spray. I set my face with it afterward, and thats the reason I had ZERO transfer w/Countess.