Girl on Fire Week - FotD - The Parade

Katniss in her Parade costume. Scanned from the Illustrated Movie Companion.

I have been ramping up for The Hunger Games for almost a year now. I've read the first book twice already and I am preparing to read it for a third time next week in preparation for the movie.  I thought I would do Girl on Fire Week in order to lead up to the premiere of the movie this Friday.

Today, I have a look inspired by the above costume and makeup. This is the outfit that Katniss wears during the initial parade of tributes and where she earns the nickname "The Girl on Fire". The look is so simple, that I wanted to give some suggestions on how to do this look at home. It is subtle enough for every day wear as well as able to be spiced up for evening.

No flash...

List of items used:
Eyes:

• Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen
• tokidoki 24k eye shadow palette - Sabbia
• tokidoki Cromatico eye shadow - Adios Star
• Shiro Cosmetics eye shadow - Thinking With Portals
• Maybelline Falsies Flared Mascara - Blackest Black

Lips:

• Geek Chic Cosmetics Geek Gloss - Happy Ending

Cheeks:

• Wet n' Wild ColorIcon Bronzer

First, I put a dab of Laura Mercier Eye Basics on each eyelid and spread with my fingertips until smooth. This helps the eye shadow to wear longer as well as hide any imperfections on the lid. Then, I took Sabbia which is a pale off-white color (More info can be found here at Musings of a Muse). I chose this color because it's neutral and doesn't really stick out that much. The key to a lot of Katniss' looks outside of the interview and the parade are that they are very natural and they stay that way even when she's dolled up. Due to the nature of the Laura Mercier base though, you can choose to wear just that, I just felt that when it came to adding the orange flare, it was easier to blend.

Next, I took a flat liner brush and used Adios Star to tightline my upper lash line and add the tiniest flare that follows my lower lash line at the outer edge. This color is a glitter packed black, which I love. After lining, I used Maybelline Falsies Flared mascara in Blackest Black to further enhance my lashes and give them that luxurious and fuller look.

Onto the cheeks, this was the hardest as my skin isn't the best right now but I tapped my brush once in my bronzer and swept it across my cheekbones. No more than that. Also, for my lips, it looks as though she is wearing a clear gloss and my favorite is Geek Chic Cosmetics' Happy Ending. It is a glitter packed clear gloss and my go to for everyday.

Well, that's it for this intallment...

And may the odds be ever in your favor!

A Positive Note: Wet n' Wild

I wanted to take a moment a blog about a positive experience in the cosmetics world. I purchased the nail polishes from the Fantasy Makers line at Ulta recently in preparation for a month full of Halloween reviews that I wanted to do next month. Now, this one didn't go off without a hitch but I wanted to take a moment to highlight the fact that a larger company that has promptly replied to my concern.

The Black Magic nail polish that I had purchased from Ulta was described on the display as a "black sparkle" polish. Unfortunately, the specific version at Ulta is a solid black polish. I decided to go ahead and e-mail the company because even if I didn't get a reply, I hoped that my feedback would be taken into account in the future and even if they can't do different displays for different stores, to find a way to spread the word about multiple versions of the same color that are out an about, especially since the two different colors were released intentionally.

I was very pleasantly surprised to find a response in my inbox within about an hour to an hour and a half. I had sent the e-mail in the afternoon and kept it polite as it was just something I was concerned about for others who may be looking for something a little different in a black sparkle polish.

They offered to send me a bottle of the sparkle version and all I needed to do was confirm my full name and shipping address. I wasn't writing to them in order to get free product and I want to make sure this is clear however their prompt reply and courteous customer service is something that I didn't feel should go unnoticed so I wanted to write a blog post specifically about that.

Thank you, Wet n' Wild. This is something that is refreshing in this day and age.

EotD: Cunning and Wit

So, I originally thought I would have time to do an entire week of Harry Potter inspired eyes and looks but unfortunately real life got in the way (Curses!). I did, however, want to do a Slytherin inspired look at the very least as this is my house. I take pride in this. Also with the quality of the Fang Banger's Quartet from Geek Chic Cosmetics and in this case, Purity Burns. I knew it was the best color for this.

On my eyes:

• Geek Chic Cosmetics Eye Shadow - Purity Burns
• Wet n' Wild Color Icon Trio - I Dream of Greenie (Browbone and Crease colors)
• Maybelline mascara in Black

I first started with the crease color from my Wet n' Wild trio along the lash line. Then I went over it and covered the main part of my lid with Purity Burns from Geek Chic Cosmetics. Then I put the browbone color from the same trio in the crease and blended upward and into the inner corner of my eye to highlight.

Then I finished with the mascara.

A relatively simple look but still something I wanted to share.

EOTD: Codex, the Healer

Do you know anyone addicted to an MMO? Are you that person? Either way, the hijinx of The Guild is for you. This wacky webseries follows the misadventures of members in an in-game guild as they band together in real life.

This EotD was inspired by the guild healer, Codex, as played by Felicia Day. While the colors aren't an exact match, I feel that it captures the feel of the character as well as accenting the eye in just the right way.

For the color on my eyes, I used the above trio, Spoiled Brat by Wet n' Wild. As always I primed my eyes with Too Face Shadow Insurance as well.

First, after priming my eyes, I patted the browbone color, which is a shimmery silver on the inside half of my eyelid. I didn't go too far up my browbone because I am doing half and half color. I also applied some of the silver on my lower lash line.

Then, I took the eyelid color, which is the bright deep pink and patted it on the other half. You don't want to blend the main pink too much or else it will fade the color and it may look more like an irritation than an awesome color. I blended by just patting a small amount of the silver over the middle line.

Then, I took a small brush and the sparkly black crease color and lined my lash line with it to give it a little bit of that smoky look.

The look was finished off with MAC False Lashes mascara on the upper lash line.

These photos taken in natural light. I will have photos with flash ASAP.

Swatches: Wet n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trios

So this is to supplement my previous review. Just thought I would post photos of some swatches in natural light.

L to R in natural light: I Dream of Greenie  the Eyelid, Crease, and Browbone colors.

L to R in natural light: Spoiled Brat Browbone, Crease, and Eyelid colors.

Spoiled Brat's colors made me instantly think of Codex from The Guild as her costume colors are predominantly a deep pink, white, and gold so I would subtitute the silver in for the white and probably use the black as a liner. This is probably going to be my next Eye of the Day as well. 

Also Note: These photos are swatches without primer. When I do my eyes, I always use a primer and my primer of choice at the moment is Too Faced Shadow Insurance. It increases the vibrance of the color and also increases wear time.

Review: Wet n' Wild Color Icon Trio Eyeshadows

So I had to go pick up my prescription today and I saw something I've been wanting to try. It was only $2.99 per trio so I though why not? Also I had heard that Wet n' Wild was an amazing budget cosmetics brand if you like high pigmented colors.

These are the two trios I bought. I used the one on the left which is called I Dream of Greenie in my EOTD: Patty O'Green entry from earlier today. On the right is Spoiled Brat.

Packaging:
Relatively simple for a trio, but what I love about these are the applicators. I've never been a fan of sponge applicators that come with eyeshadows but this one works really well. It's not hard to pick up color with a single, light swipe. The other applicator is a brush and is a little bit scratchy however even so, I like it because it's easy to blend into the crease. Each package has instructions on the back for a simple eye look as well. Another great thing is that they've pressed the locations for the colors right into the eyeshadow. True, it will wear down if you use it but by the time you do, you should know it by heart.

Color:
I... Love... These... Colors. From the moment I pattted the eyelid color in the bottom of the palette on, it was a vibrant green and has stayed that way. There's no creasing and the color isn't fading to show my skin very much. Both of the greens stay vibrant for a while.

Value:
Do I really need to explain how great of a value these are for $3.99?

Bottom Line:
I want the whole collection of colors, simple as that. They have great themes and range of color so one can get a natural or a dramatic look. I will probably pick up Walking on Eggshells next due to its neutral browns and cream colors.

4/5

EOTD: Patty O'Green

I love this look so far. It's a daring day look using Wet n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio in I Dream of Greenie. I decided to do what I've learned as a smoky eye. However I knew going in that it's wouldn't be that smoky. I'm really pleased with the results and the more I looked at it, the more I thought of Patty O'Green from Rainbow Brite.

As always, I primed my lids with Too Faced Shadow Insurance and the mascara was MAC False Lashes but otherwise all of the shadows are from the same Wet n' Wild palette. Even my eyeliner was the same brand.

After I primed my lids, I took the medium color and patted it all over the main part of the lid. I made sure to go all the way down the lash line but I was very careful not to blend it too much into the corners or the crease.

After this, I took what was supposed to be the crease color and blended it along the upper lash line. Then, took the browbone color and blended it into the crease. You can take this up to the browbone if you wish, but I wanted to keep this at least a little subdued (HA!) for daytime.

After the colors are blended together, I took a black eyeliner pencil also from Wet n' Wild and lined my upper lash line.

Then, I applied two coats of black MAC False Lashes mascara.

Pretty simple to do and a stunning look IMO.

FotD: Woman Warrior (for Team Pink Eye)

Hey everyone!

So I decided at the beginning of the month that I would participate in helping Team Pink Eye raise money for Susan G. Komen's breast cancer research efforts. I know many people who have been affected by breast cancer and this is really a great cause. I decided to do a wearable pink look so that any woman can feel beautiful.

 I decided to be a part of Team Pink Eye because within the past few years, someone I knew from middle school decided to have a double mastectomy as a preventative measure. I've never really heard of this being done but I still consider this a brave thing to do. If I recall correctly, she was 25 when the procedure was done which is very young.

 I will list the products I used but if you use, for example, a different foundation or you have a favorite pink lipstick, do not hesitate to use what makes you feel good. For the indie makeup companies, I will be providing links to the websites where you can purchase their products if you like what you see.

 First of all, I always use Laura Mercier SPF 20 Tinted Moisturizer. I feel it is the best for my skin without going too heavy on the coverage. It also evens out my skin tone quite nicely.

I almost always start off with my eyes because I feel like when blending colors,  it's something I need to make sure I have right before doing the rest of my look. I feel like my two best features are my eyes and my lips so I focus on one or the other. Too Faced Shadow Insurance helps take the worry off of my eyes a little bit. It extends to wear of my eye shadow and brightens the color.

 My first eye color is Rose Tint My World from Geek Chic Cosmetics' Science Fiction Double Feature limited edition set. As of this posting, you have a little over a week to order it and it's a nice peachy color. It makes a great base eyelid color for blending in other pinks which is what I did in my look. It also is packed with shimmer.

 Next, just on the tiniest outer corner of my lid, I blending some of Branchial from Linnaeus Cosmetics. This color is a part of their Axolotl collection. If you are a nature lover, I highly suggest these eye shadows that take inspiration from animals and nature itself. In this look, it helped give me an airbrushed gradient look. I initially patted the product on, cleaned my brush, let it dry, and then patted the edge to blend a bit more.

 Now, to finish of the eyes, we have another color from Linnaeus' Axolotl collection. This one is Puerile and I blended it to the browbone and used it as a highlight color in the inner corner of my eye. I love this color because it's so ethereal and it blends with light skin tones so it just adds a little sparkle and highlight.

Next, I lined my upper lash line with a black kohl liner. You can use liquid, pencil, or even a dark black or grey eye shadow. Anything to darken that lash line.

To finish off, I used some black mascara. It's really that simple. The product I used was Maybelline's Falsies Flared mascara in Blackest Black. I put my mascara on and use the brush to flare my lashes to the outer side of my eye.

 For my cheeks, I used just the tracest amount of Geek Chic Cosmetics blush in Touch Me. This is another limited edition item but you can order it up until Halloween. I highly suggest it because it will last you a long time. It's highly pigmented so you don't need much at all. I just lightly brush it across my cheekbone and then blend like there's no tomorrow.

For my lips, I used Geek Chic Cosmetics' Joystick in Back to the Fuschia. It is a wonderful bright bubble gum pink and I love that they use slimline tubes.

Please be sure to donate what you can to Susan G. Komen. Although I am not doing a giveaway, a simple $5 donation minimum will enter you in every giveaway this week. Please help us reach our goal!

Products Used:

• Face
• Laura Mercier SPF 20 Tinted Moisturizer - Porcelain
• Eyes
• Too Faced Shadow Insurance
• Geek Chic Cosmetics Eye Shadow - Rose Tint My World
• Linnaeus Cosmetics Eye Shadow - Branchial
• Linnaeus Cosmetics Eye Shadow - Puerile
• Wet n' Wild Kohl Eye/Brow Pencil - Black
• Maybelline Falsies Flared Mascara - Blackest Black
• Cheeks
• Geek Chic Cosmetics Blush - Touch Me
• Lips
• Geek Chic Cosmetics Joystick - Back to the Fuchsia