Friday, November 30, 2012

Editorial: Copper+Blue


The title of this post could have been a lot of things. I briefly entertained:

How To Make Your Lips Look Three Times Larger Than Usual
I Didn't Know They Make Foundations Like This Now
The Tale of Two Clavicles
Erghfghgfgh Make Up!

But I suppose Copper+Blue will suffice. I have to thank Larie for assigning me homework yesterday and breaking me out of my makeup rut. I've been doing the simple brows/lashes/blush routine for the past two weeks and almost forgot what a good amount of color could do to my face.


Sung Hee in Elle Vietnam, September 2012 (source)

For the record, the above picture was the inspiration. Below is what I cobbled up.




I took one hour to recreate what seemed like a really simple look. There was a lot of prep and tweaking involved on my part. I wanted the lips to look like hers and I underestimated the amount of gloss needed. I also needed my skin to be absolutely smooth sans Photoshop. Those things take time, yo.

Anyway, first I applied a thin layer of Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Luminous Liquid Foundation in 78 Beige all over my face, blending it into the neck (my lines are deep and permanent, can't mask that). I've only used this foundation twice and so far I'm still in shock. I didn't know foundation could do this to skin! When I first had it on I wasn't used to it because I looked airbrushed. Best of all, the texture is so liquid-y and lightweight that I can't even feel it on my skin. It covered redness and evened out my skintone. I only had to add a dab of RMS "Un" Cover-Up #22 around my under eye area for, dare I say, flawless skin.

To sculpt the cheeks, I swept on Chanel Brume d'Or in a sideways triangle.


After prepping the skin, I sketched in thick eyebrows with a pronounced arch with my Shu Uemura Eyebrow Pencil. I used Le Métier de Beauté Champagne Dualistic Eye Pencil as an eye base, then layered True Color Eyeshadow in Jojo, Spicy, and Tuscan Sunset respectively over it. To emulate the gleam on Sung Hee's lids, I applied Sugar to the center of my eyelid. I highlighted under my brows with Revive Eye Brightening and Setting Powder.


I didn't have that beautiful green in my arsenal (of course, now I have to find one just like it) so I substituted it with the blue in the Oscar de la Renta Kaleidoscope Eye Kit. I applied Noir Precision Liquid Liner closely on the lash line and waterline, and finished with a big swipe of Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara.


For lips, I swiped on Guerlain Rouge G Guerlinade and topped it with Le Métier de Beauté Vanilla Rose then a thick layer of Creme de la Creme applied with a lip brush. It doesn't look much in the close-ups (in fact, shudder at those lip lines!), but my lips looked three times plumper from afar.


I really should do this when I go out sometime. It's sort of a pity (and a waste of perfectly good makeup) that I wear almost nothing when I step out of my house.

At any rate, happy weekend to all!


Products Used:
Face -
Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Luminous Liquid Foundation in 78 Beige
RMS "Un" Cover-Up #22
Chanel Brume d'Or

Eyes -
Shu Uemura Mechanical Brow Pencil in Seal Brown
Le Métier de Beauté Champagne Dualistic Eye Pencil
Le Métier de Beauté True Color Eyeshadow in Jojo, Spicy, Tuscan Sunset, and Sugar
Le Métier de Beauté Oscar de la Renta Kaleidoscope Eye Kit
Le Métier de Beauté Revive Eye Brightening and Setting Powder
Le Métier de Beauté Precision Liner in Noir
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara

Lips -
Guerlain Rouge G Guerlinade
Le Métier de Beauté Lip Crème in Vanilla Rose and Creme de la Creme

71 comments:

  1. I have the same problem. so much MU and usually I'm too lazy. wow the foundation!

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  2. I really admire your attention to detail, despite these professions of laziness. I also pinned and took off this look a few months back but as usual it was a 5 minute version....and it took your post for me to even notice the particularities of brows, blush placement and lips *hides*

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  3. I absolutely love this. It looks amazing on you.

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  4. Stunning, as always. Your bone structure is...to die for.
    xxkarima

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  5. Love this look and love the lips gloss <3

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  6. this looks stunning on you! I love that pop of blue :D

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    Replies
    1. I'm SO happy I rediscovered that blue! That kaleidoscope has been hidden in a drawer somewhere for far too long

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  7. Replies
    1. I should remember that :P I keep wearing neutrals recently

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  8. This is beautiful! I love the title you came up with for this post (and all of the other ones too!) I can also say I totally relate to your comment about leaving the house without makeup on - I will remember your words that it is a waste of makeup, and hopefully I will take the few minutes (or an hour for me too, lol) to use some!
    That foundation is perfection! I am itching to try a new foundation, so I will add this to my list of "must try".
    I also wanted to say I am a newer reader to your blog (I discovered you a couple months ago through Beautezine) but have not yet commented - and wanted to let you know that some of your lipstick posts have stuck in my mind, particularly some of the vampy lip ones - so much so that when I go out looking for that perfect shade that I imagine in my head will look as good on my lips as it does on yours (that probably sounds strange, lol) but I have not found it yet - ha! BUT I did purchase a Guerlain Rouge G L'Extrait, and thanks to your swatches I was able to purchase it online and I am in LOVE! <3 Let's just say Guerlain and I have had several sweet moments together this week and will be making our debut together soon. ;)
    Anyway, long comment here (my apologies!) but I did want to be sure to tell you I enjoy your blog and your makeup looks!
    Angie

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Angie! And please never apologize - all bloggers appreciate thoughtful, well-crafted (and not to mention super nice) comments like yours and we always wish to get them :)

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  9. Wowwww you nailed it, girl! Too amazing!

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  10. You look stunning. This foundation is beautiful!
    Sxx

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Seonaid! Best finish I've ever tried

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  11. This is a lovely look and it's a great way to add some color without being colorful. You really should wear it outside of your house :) I was thinking about your short hair... I really do love it shorter than the earlier short!

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    Replies
    1. It probably doesn't do as well irl though. Some looks just do better as editorial :(

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  12. Absolutely gorgeous! Very intrigued about the foundation now!

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    Replies
    1. Ugh you must try it! Sad D&G is not available close to you :(

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  13. you look amazing!!! will try (although will probably not even come close) this look this weekend..except i am so not a lipgloss/lipstick girl. i'm trying to change that, but i think it's b/c i'm constantly snacking..? but thanks for showing me that asian girls can wear copper.

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  14. Okay, so now I'm intrigued about the foundation but I have never seen Dolce and Gabbana products in person. And you look stunning! Of course you need to go out like this :P Very awesome recreation. And now I'm scared :P I don't want to try mine any more!

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  15. It is really pretty! But I guess this remains editorial because the blue tones under the eye makes the model look sad. T_T Like tear-filled eyes.

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    Replies
    1. Eee I didn't see it that way :( But yeah under eye shadow is a little tricky to maintain especially when my eyes water easily

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  16. Ok, I need that foundation in my life because HOLY SMOKES, that is the BEST I've ever seen your foundation look on Messy Wands! How's the staying power?

    Oh, and absolutely GORGEOUS look! I almost ALWAYS do the same thing when I go out, too (champagne eyeshadow, contouring, flicked liner, blush) and I'm getting bored. BOARED, I SAY!

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    Replies
    1. It has a lot of slip if you don't powder (which I didn't this morning and it's MOVING. But the finish is so awesome that I'll let that slide).

      BOARED HAHAHAHHAA

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  17. Lovely look on you! And your face is luminous and perfect! :)

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  18. What a stunning look on you! I think you could have gone even bolder with the eyes - I adore it either way, though!

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  19. Beautiful! You look absolutely stunning! As much as I love a red lip on you, I think I slightly prefer nude on ya! Your lips look luscious as hell!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Annick! In real life I wear more nude lips anyway :)

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  20. Beautiful! I am dying to try this foundation now. Unfortunately, no Saks near me carries it. I am wondering if your shade, 78 Beige, would work for me (NC25ish)...

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    Replies
    1. It is just a tad lighter than what I usually use. but I like to go just a little darker on foundations usually

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  21. OMG Xiao you are breathtakingly beautiful!! consider to be a model?? you have all the potential!! love love this look on you!
    The foundation looks amazing! too bad we dont have dolce & gabbana beauty here in germany T__T

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  22. Girl, I hope you are keeping that haircut - you look so unbelievably chic! And yes, the makeup is superb.... But your hair! Your face! So stunning.... Rock on

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    Replies
    1. I'll definitely keep it for a while :) Thanks for the nice words!

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  23. This is beautiful and so are you of course. I love how the lips look especially and I want to try to pull that off. Its like the perfect nude but not. Gsdfhkjhk!

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    Replies
    1. I'm SO happy I found this combination as well! I have plump lips now :)

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  24. Beautiful look! Makes me want to recreate it too :-) And the foundation...eeps! It might be your flawless skin too, you know.

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    Replies
    1. Hehe Lily. My skin doesn't look *that* good

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  25. I like your version more than the original :) Stunning as always :)
    I wonder if that green can be recreated by custom blending because that photo looks over processed in photoshop to tell what it was.

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    Replies
    1. :D! Yeah I realize that the photo has a very yellow tinge. I don't think that green is all that hard to find, just need to put some effort into it :)

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  26. I love your take of copper + blue. Fabulous job on the lips, which I think echo the coppery lids. And another vote for the foundation. You do look airbrushed. Everything is flawless!

    Claire

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  27. Great idea, blue color under your eyes suits you so good!

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    Replies
    1. It works better in picture than in real life, but I wore it out on Friday!

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  28. I love the product images scattered around with all of the complementary colors, and of course the look, both inspiration and the your version. Have you thought about doing a review on the foundation you used? It would be awesome! It is very hard to find reviews for D&G foundations.

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  29. This is just gorgeous!! I've been loving adding a smudgy pop of color on my lower lashline too--so fun and glam all at the same time! :D And that foundation really does look gorgeous on you!

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  30. saw that green at tom ford. i am wearing it now.

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  31. Both the original image and your recreation are stunning. Your cheekbones are just amazing.

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  32. Xiao, what eyeshadow palette is shown at the top? The eyeshadows look like LMdB permanent line colors but I can't remember ever seeing this palette!

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    Replies
    1. Ah, I was afraid someone would ask. It's actually an empty palette only given to LMdB makeup artists (and from what I know, it's already discontinued). I procured one from a friend after incessant begging :)

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    2. Oh, that's upsetting... I wish I had at least three of these since I have no place to put all their singles, and I would really like to keep LMdB eyeshadows in 10-pan palettes. Too bad they're not making them anymore - these palettes would be very convenient and would save me a lot of space! Anyway, thanks for info, Xiao.

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  33. Let's be honest, the model is gorgeous. There is no comparison between the model and this blogger. The make up does not suit her.

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    Replies
    1. I have to disagree with you here. I think Xiao looks beautiful enough to be in a magazine with this look. The makeup enhances her features and look great against her skintone. But to each their own, I guess.

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  34. This is such a stunning look! It may be "editorial", but I want to recreate this look and wear it out!

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  35. the copper and blue are amazing! i have been in a makeup rut for awhile [years] and found your blog - via larie via laura. hopefully i can figure out how to imitate some of your looks. they are beautiful and i need more asian makeup inspiration in my life! love the short hair too!! i regularly chop all my hair off and definitely find i can wear more makeup and giant jewelry with shorter hair

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  36. Wow! You could definitely be a model with that bone structure and those features. I love how your rendition of the look seems softer and more feminine with the blue eyeshadow instead of turquoise. So gorgeous. I got a sample of the Dolce & Gabbana Luminous Liquid Foundation after seeing how beautiful your skin looks and it is the best foundation I've tried. Giorgio Armani's Maestro Foundation and YSL's Touche Eclat Foundation are two of the most hyped foundations of this year, but I think the D&G blows both of them out of the water. I normally don't even like foundation (I prefer using tinted moisturizer and concealer) but I'm itching to plop down $60 for this baby. In case anyone was wondering about shade matches, I'm an NC30 in MAC and Caramel matches my skin perfectly. Thank you so much for featuring this foundation so the rest of us can know about how gorgeous it is. Keep up the good work, Xiao!

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  37. I really love this look! So much so that I was inspired by it and wore a similar look recently. I just posted about it on my blog and gave you all the credit you deserve. :) Thanks so much and I look forward to more wonderful looks from you in the future!

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