Chinese (Secret) Garden

Ni-hao friends :)) Spring has officially sprung, and although it is now much cooler in NY than it was about a week ago, every aspect of life seems to be blooming and flourishing. With spring colors so fresh, one doesn't need to go far in search of inspiration and I found mine right outside of my home.

Read on for pix, tips, deets!

(: Blossoming Eye Buds :)

My inspiration for the eye look above came from the glorious Magnolia (?) tree right outside of my building (pic below). This tree blooms every April-May, blessing me and my neighbors with so many smiles and good vibes. This year, the giant lily looking flowers sprouted about a month early, but I'm not surprised considering the non-existent winter we had in New York. I'm just hoping that Mother Nature doesn't punish us with the same vigor as she has been blessing us with... we haven't been too kind to her :/ but I won't get into that...

Just look at those juicy petals, isn't she a beauty, this tree? Anyone knows her name?

More like baby showers than April showers if you get my drift... ;p

The Look: Secret Garden meets Chinese Calendar Girl :)) The skin is pale, but dewy; the makeup is soft, but vibrant; the hair is traditional, but asymmetrical. This look is ready-to-wear and versatile: dress is down with jeans & t-shirt for a pretty, casual daytime ensemble or play it up paired with your favorite little black dress for an unexpectedly fresh "Japonesque" evening look.

On my EYES, I'm wearing:

• NYX Eyeshadow Base in White -- applied and blended using a concealer brush. I love using this primer under Coastal Scents eye shadows to help them adhere easily.
• Coastal Scents 88 Original Palette(e/s in cream, pale pink, med. pink & lime)
• MAC pigment in Fuchsia (used in the outer corner)
• MAC pigment in Kitschmas (used in the inner corner)
• MAC Fix + Spray (used with Kitschmas)
• Clinique cream liner in Black Honey
• Bourjois duochrome eyeliner in Vert Doré
• Carlo di Roma nude liner in the waterline
• Darkness false lashes in K-ma 6 -- Darkness lashes are especially made to fit Asian eyes. The bands are much flatter and stiffer than regular false lashes, which works really well with almond eyes.

On my FACE:

• Bare Minerals matte foundation in Golden Medium
• Benefit erase paste in 02 (medium)
• MAC powder blush in On A Mission
• MAC mineralize blush in Moon River (highlight)

On my LIPS:

• NYX lip liner pencil in Soft Brown
• Revlon superlustrous lipstick in Coralberry(applied with finger)
• Revlon superlustrous lipstick in Temptress (center of lips)

HAIR: To get this easy side bun hair style, I simply brushed my hair to the side and secured it in a low ponytail using a large clip. Next, I gathered my hair and twisted it loosely around the clip to give it some body. I pinned the ends under the bun using bobby pins and pulled out some strands from the center of the bun to disguise the clip. 

P. S. The MakeupBee competition has been extended!

Get your look in before March 31 and don't forget to tell 'em who sent ya!!!

PLEASE VOTE FOR MY "EYE OF THE TROPICS" Look on Makeupbee: (if you're already a member of Makeupbee, just click on one of the of the links below and hit LIKE with the ♥ so it turns pink)

1. Log in to themakeupbee.com

2. Go to Current Competition: Bee Colorful

3. Vote by Liking my look "Eye of the Tropics"

Thanks a BEE-LLION!!!

bisous,

Maryam Maquillage

♥

Photos: Le Var (merci!)

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