EOTD: Radiant Kats 2 by RitualEyes...

Today I'm posting a very special EOTD - been saving this one for a while, since early April actually. Some time ago I asked the beautiful and talented Michelle from Ritual Eyes to blend a shadow pigment that was as close as possible to the Pantone Colour of the Year, Radiant Orchid. She sent me three samples of her work (as well as a few other delightful goodies) and I've been playing with them ever since. This DARLING gal named them "Radiant Kats" (how thrilling to have a shadow tailor-made and named for me!), and of the three, I reckon this one is the closest to what I was after - Radiant Kats 2.

I'm not used to working with loose powders, so it took a few goes to find the right base that would allow the pigment to both adhere well, and show off it's vibrant beauty - interestingly the best results came from a $3 lipliner pencil, Nabi Dark Fuschia... 

I added Orbit from the SleekV2 matte palette in the crease, and used a Nabi eyeliner pencil in the shade Emerald Green along the lower lashline. For the waterline, I applied essence waterproof gel eyeliner in BBC ALL NIGHT BLUE (can never figure out this name - it's more green than blue!)...

I think these two colours work magically together, and of course the pink shadow is exactly the right blend of goodness knows how many ingredients, but it's PERFECT, and with a soft delicate shimmer - ahh Mich, you're an artist and a gem, and I thank you with all my heart ♥

And to complete the look, for lips I used Nabi Bright Pink lipliner, Bloom Chile lipstick, topped with Mirenesse Velvet Lip Lift Moisture Shine in shade #41, and the blush is the middle hot pink from the BYS On The Bright Side trio...

Have you found the perfect Radiant Orchid shadow yet?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

LOTD: Radiant Orchid...

Good grief, I've just realised it's almost the end of the month, and I haven't posted one LOTD, quelle horreur! I don't know why but I keep forgetting about all the ones I've stashed away (almost every day). Will have to set myself a little reminder on my computer, because what's a beauty blog without a colourful lip or two hey?

So this is my first attempt at a Radiant Orchid lip - I'm actually really happy with it, and reckon it's a pretty good match. As always, I tend to make the particular shade I want using a combination of a lip crayon, lipstick and gloss, so here's what went into it...

I started with a Nabi lip liner in Dark Fuchsia...

And then added my favourite purple lipstick, L.A.Colors Grape Crush...

To tone it down, make it considerably less purple and a tad more pink, I applied Mirenesse Lip Lava over the top...

Whaddya reckon gals - close enough? 

Take care of you,
kats xxx

EOTD: Pink & Purple...

Well this is definitely pink and purple, but on closer inspection, the pink part might just well be my best shot so far at Radiant Orchid!  It's almost a match, just needs a tinge more blue, but I'm getting there lol...

This was an interesting experiment. Decided to use a Nabi Lipliner (!) pencil  in the shade Dark Fuchsia as my base. Fabulous hue, deliriously pigmented, and I love these crayons as they leave a hearty stain on the lips, BUT, this little fella also left a decidedly pink stain on my eyelids - gaaahhhh! I always use Neutrogena Eye Make Remover because it's so gentle, doesn't sting, and it's the only one that takes absolutely everything off, well...almost... The remnants of this crayon refused to budge, and I went to bed looking like a poor little bunny with myxomatosis. After the morning cleanse and shower, my lids were back to normal, but be warned :-)

On the inner corner went Jordana 06 Pink Color Effects Bright Eyeshadow (I call it Barbie Pink lol), the middle is Highness from the SleekV2 Matte palette, and the outer corner scored Ink from the same palette. Underneath I blended Villan (I'm sure they meant to spell it Villain) also from SleekV2. This is such a brilliant offering from Sleek - the pigments aren't the slightest bit powdery, there's barely any fallout, includes a beaut assortment of shades, they don't crease, and the pigment is intense...

To finish off, I lined the waterline with my precious NYX Wonder Pencil ♥ I'm so much more comfortable with this natural shade than white, although I won't ever stop using my essence kajal - some colours just show off far better with a white waterline, but I wanted to keep this area a little more low key because of the vividness of the pink..

In hindsight, I probably should have done a green and gold or red, white and blue look to kick off the Australia Day long weekend, but hey, it's only Friday - I'll see what I can come up with that's a bit more patriotic :-)

Take care of you,

kats xxx

EOTD: Radiant Orchid 2...

Wasn't happy with my first attempt at "creating" the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2014 (Radiant Orchid) from the shadows in my kit, but this one is far closer to what I was trying to achieve. Still not vibrant enough to do justice to this fabulous shade, but I'll keep at it until I'm satisfied :-)

For comparison, here is my original attempt - not pink enough!

This colour is really more pink than purple, so I started with a dark red base - MNY Colour Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk. This worked far better than using a violet or purple as both have too much blue in them. Over this I blended UD Fishnet, essence hyped up & Sugarpill Dollipop. I smoked the outside and underneath with Sleek Villain from the V2 Matte palette. 

On the waterline is Mirenesse Superlong Wear Gel Mineral Face Colour in Purple Tart. In hindsight, white probably would have worked better here, although I was aiming for something smouldery...

Of course the more red that a shadow has in it, the more dangerous it gets for my old eyes - have to make sure I have an early night if I'm planning to wear this shade the next day :-)

Attempt #3 will be sometime in the next fortnight - a darling friend suggested a particular L'Oreal shadow (which I've managed to get hold of), and I'm determined to get this right!

Have you found an eye shadow that is a true match for Radiant Orchid? If so PLEASE let me know it's name and who makes it ♥

Take care of you,
kats xxx

EOTD: Radiant Orchid...

Well hello Pantone Colour of the Year 2014 - Radiant Orchid! As you can probably imagine, I'm over the moon that such a gorgeous shade is making the headlines, and taking the spotlight. But I'm also hanging out till the various companies come out with some affordable examples of this delicious hue in their ranges. I actually had quite a time of it trying to create this pretty shade for this particular eye look, and I'm definitely not satisfied with what I came up with - not enough pink content, and nowhere near vibrant enough. Sigh, I'll just have to wait, meanwhile here's what I put together...

For a base I used essence stay all day long lasting eyeshadow in the magic must go on - this had great potential as it's pretty close to the shade in question, but I always struggle when trying to apply this cream. Not sure what the problem is but it never comes out intense enough or sticky enough to enhance and hold the shadow I pat down over the top. Definitely more research required :-)

Over the top I blended a couple of the purply pink shadows from the L.A.Colors Venus palette - I normally have no trouble with these powders, but today they wouldn't stay put, and seemed to fade within hours. Just goes to show how important the right base is :-)

I used a more definite purple on the lower lashline as I have to be careful with pinky hues - in the wrong spot, they make me look like I've been crying boo!...

Not quite the right shade, but it will do till I stock my kit with something closer :-)

What do you think of Radiant Orchid? Do you love it or will you shy away from it?

Take care of you,

kats xxx