Maryam Maquillage: Bling Bling Xmas po-Russki

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Bling Bling Xmas po-Russki

Thanks my lovelies for all your supportive comments on my first blog entry :))) Please keep them coming so I can cater my next entry to your liking!!!

I will now align my entries to the left so it doesn't read like a poem, Ilan... bisous

Anyways, about ze look, I wore this on Xmas day when I went to pick up my gorgeous Russian bff Elvina from the airport. As you may know, I consider make up an art form, and applying it daily has somewhat become my version of meditation. With this look, I was trying to represent several things: holiday glitz and glam, winter chic and chill, as well as Russian opulence, in honor of Elvina. To me, Christmas isn't about green and red or candy canes, rather it's an excuse to dress up and be merry and as much as I hate winter, I find that dressing up in crappy weather makes you feel instantly better. The Russians are certainly known for that and it is clear that no one does it better in the cold winter months than the Russkys. Pravda!!!

In this picture, I'm proudly wearing my Russian shawl, and my fox collared coat, of course. Can't be a Russian without a good fur... it's a no, no (net, net). Although, the Soviet tradition is to celebrate the New Year rather than the 25th, we still use the help of Santa Claus or Ded Moroz (Grandpa Frost) to ring in the festivities. Ded Moroz's granddaughter (really his 18 yr-old girlfriend) Snegurochka was my inspiration for this makeup look.

ABOUT THE LOOK:

This look is all about the eyes. First, I primed my lids with Urban Decay primer potion in order to keep my eye shadows from creasing and melting. Next, I lined my upper and lower lash lines with a navy blue eyeliner pencil, smudging it with a navy blue shimmery eyeshadow and sealing the eyeliner. Then, I took a pointed brush and drew a crease with the same blue shadow (I do this because I don't have much of a natural crease). Next, I applied a lighter blue shadow to the outer corner of my upper lid, between the crease and the lash line, blending it inwards toward the center of the eyelid. I left the inner portion of my lid blank, added some glitter, and a frosty lavender eye shadow color underneath my eyebrow, blending it with the crease color. I filled in my eyebrows, following my natural arch, and added some fantabulous rhinestone eyelashes from Ardell. I finished the look with Rimmel lipstick in Airy Fairy, a pale purply-beige, which is one of my favorite lip colors of the moment. My lip liner is NYX Natural.

TIPS AND TRICKS:

☭ Don't be afraid of blue shadow, when used in moderation it can actually make brown eyes warmer and blue eyes bluer, just don't use it all over unless you're a pro.

☭ Rimmel lipsticks are comparable to Mac and happen to be my favorite of the drugstore brands. Their formula never dries out the lips and never settles in the lines. Go Rimmel lipsticks!!!

☭ Glitter and rhinestones aren't for everyday use, save them for a special occasion or a night on the town. This should go without saying :)

☭ False lashes can be used and reused, so don't be hesitant to purchase those $18 pairs if they are truly magnificent.

☭ Keep lips and face neutral when going for a bold eye look.