EOTD: Too Faced Chocolate Bars...

Well now, here's a post I thought was highly unlikely to ever appear on my blog - four eye looks by me using what I call "neutral" palettes! I'm a colour maniac, and have barely looked twice at shadows in the brown/taupe/beige spectrum, WAY too dull and boring for this rainbow gal, or so I thought... But Too Faced has changed all that, and I've fallen truly, madly deeply in love with their Chocolate Bar & Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar collections. Better late than never lol ♥...

Having said that I'm not a fan of the fact that these palettes are scented - I prefer my chocolate in a wrapper and edible, but I've overcome that little bugbear purely because these pigments are such utterly stunning hues, and the texture is so buttery and smooth. For this look I used the Semi-Sweet palette - matte Cocoa Chili (why does it only have one "l"?) over the whole eyelid and underneath, and then blended the fabulous Caramel from the inner corner. My base was Eye of Horus Bronze Amulet Goddess Pencil, and I used that on the waterline too...

Foundation was Mirenesse Velvet Maxi Lift Supreme, cheeks were DB Cosmetics Lip & Cheek Rouge in the shade Irresistible dusted with Hourglass Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze Light, lips were Milani Candied Toffees...

Most of these accessories came from Lovisa - powerless to resist, I am drawn to their store like a moth to a flame ♥

And here we have Truffled & Peanut Butter (inner third) also from the Semi-Sweet set over Eye of Horus Bronze Amulet Goddess Pencil (+ waterline). But what's wrong with this picture? Undoubtedly my WORST EVER mascara application! Note to self - it is far better to get the later train than to rush the finishing touches...

These colours go so magnificently with my new hair shade ♥

Same foundation and Hourglass bronzer, but I added the peachy Cheek colour from the BYS Sweet Contour palette, and lips were L'Oreal Color Riche Cristal Cappuccino...

More Lovisa loves, plus a twisted gold & pearl bracelet I picked up for a steal almost 20 years ago at Vinnies...

And this is Salted Caramel from the Chocolate Bar palette over Bronze Amulet Goddess Pencil (again!), waterline was Max Factor Charcoal Grey Kohl Pencil...

First try of DB Cosmetics Flawless All In 1 Foundation stick - True Beige is an astoundingly good colour match for me, coverage is excellent, and I love the creamy formula - only cooler weather wear though as it has a tendency to develop shine on my oily-T. Cheeks were Maybelline Master Glaze Blush Stick in Coral Sheen, and I added some Lacura Beach Babe Mineral Bronzer. Lips were Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in Snapdragon...

Huge peach pearl shell statement necklace from Lovisa, rose gold earrings were a gift from my beautiful friend Amy from Health and Beauty Girl, and the bracelet was a pressie from my Mama who also knows what I love ♥ ..

I created look #4 using the Chocolate Bar palette - Triple Fudge, Milk Chocolate and Creme Brulee over EOH Bronze Amulet Goddess pencil base (same on the waterline)...

It's SO easy to blend these shadows - effortless in fact. I often struggle to get a seamless transition, but it's a snap with these pigments...

Looking a bit pasty here - lippie was too pale I reckon. Foundation was Rimmel Stay Matte, cheeks were Hourglass Bronzer, and lips were Maybelline Color Sensational Honey Beige - I should put this away till Summer when I have an itty bitty tan...

And of course the jewellery - went through my box of 30 year old retro stuff and was delighted to find the "humbug lolly" striped ring that matched my top so well...

Both of these amazing palettes were gifted to me by a gorgeous and ever so generous friend - you know who you are sweetheart, and I can't thank you enough for converting me to these delicious muted tones that flatter my colouring like no other ♥♥♥

Take care of you,
kats xxx

LOTD: Mocha Chocolata YaYa...

Well now I even surprised myself with this lip colour :-) I've managed to try out just about every lip shade imaginable in my longish life, but somehow or other, hadn't gotten around to really giving chocolates and browny tones a whirl. I guess I thought they were a bit dreary for this vibrant colour-loving gal, but like so many other hues in the vast beauty world, I've now figured I probably just hadn't found the right shade. Not even sure if this is the "right" one, but it sure was fun experimenting :-)

To do this properly, I thought I'd better invest in a brown lipliner, and chose Rimmel Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses in the shade Cappuccino. Nice texture, moist without being so soft that the tip gets squished out of shape before finishing the application, and a bargain price point ($8.50). Was a little alarmed at how it accentuated the wrinkles and creases in my lips, but I reckon that's just because it's dark - same thing happens on my hoods when I use deep toned shadows...

Next I applied Innoxa Couleurs D'ete Summer Matte Collection in the shade Chocolate. Yet another item that came to me from a friend (in case you're wondering I DO in fact BUY makeup products lol, it's just that my darling friends always seem to choose what's perfect for me, I'm such a spoilt and lucky gal ♥) A most interesting colour, and a fabulously pigmented and super softening lipstick. I'm not sure why they call it matte because it has quite a glossy sheen, but who cares - it lasts really well and doesn't dry out my lips...

To shift the shade into something slightly more wearable for me and to lift it closer to a summer-friendly hue, I applied Mirenesse 3D Forever Lip Gloss in Slip of Beige over the top. It didn't change the colour all that much, just gave it a bit of softness and a smidgen more warmth and light. Of all the Mirenesse lip glosses, this is my favourite formula, and never disappoints...

I'll be playing around some more with these shades as we move into Autumn - meanwhile, how do you feel about chocolatey lips? Do you have a favourite brown toned lip product?

Take care of you,

kats xxx