Jinglin' Bling!

Salut mes belles! Happy December, I hope you're all happy and well :) This month is all about the holidays and I'd like to open the season with this glitzy, gold, glam glitter look. I think classic gold makeup is great for the holidays and can go with any outfit or style -- add the glitter and you're ready to rock & jingle!

In this post, I'm also including a quick "Why do you wear makeup" Q&A, addressing some questions outside of my FAQ section and tagged by the lovely Noire Dame -- I'm feeling talkative! Read on :)

Like this look? Read more for tips, deets & how-to!

My Go-To Classic

Joyeux Samedi mes amis :)))

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!! What are your plans for today? Whatever it is, I hope you enjoy it!!! In today's makeup post, I'm sharing with you my quick, go-to, no frills evening look--perfect for a Saturday day or night. This look is super easy to recreate and took me no longer than 15 minutes to complete. I've been getting a lot of requests for quick evening makeup looks, and this one never fails to deliver. My go-to classic is clean and polished, looks great in pictures, and always gets complimented. So, if you've got 15 minutes, this look can be yours too!! Read on and Happy Saturday :)))

 

Read more for the list of products & how-to!

Jewel Tones & Precious Stones

Salut mes amis :))

October has come and gone and November is officially here to bring 2011 closer and closer to the end. How quickly time flies--it seems just yesterday I was blogging about the beginning of summer, beach days, tan skin, and bright colors... Oh well... Now I get to talk about autumn colors!! I'm starting the month off by whipping out my Urban Decay Naked Palette (last month I've been challenging myself to use other products and I've missed my baby) and reviving my plummy, fall appropriate smokey eye and glossy lip. Here's a simple makeup look & jewel tone ensemble I wore last week to my bday dinner with my besties. 

Read more for pix, deets, & how-to :)

Sisterly Bridal

Salut mes amis :))

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of doing a bridal makeup trial on my beautiful friend Amelia and a couple of her gorgeous bridesmaids. I always get extremely excited when working on faces other than my own, so needless to say, I had a blast. Yes, I am a true makeup nerd and proud of it!!! Reason for this post--other than the obvious--is that I want to remember all the steps I took in creating Amy & her sister Lizzie's makeup looks and what better way than to blog it :))) Plus, just look at these two stunners, how can I not share this beauty with the world?!

Striking their signature sisterly pose: Amy--the bride to be (ironically in pink :) & Lizzie--the bridesmaid to be (in white :)

Read more for pix & deets :)))

Eartha Woods

Hello Lazy Monday...

I'm feeling very earthy today and what better way to bring this feeling to life than with rich earth tone eyeshadows, natural disheveled hair, and funky-chunky wooden & leather jewelry. This is how Maryam Maquillage does it, "Eartha Woods" style ;)))

Read more if you like this look :)

Starry Eyed Christen

Salut les filles :)

Today's post will be featuring my belle amie Christen as the muse and her starry eyes as mon maquillage du jour. I love applying makeup on my friends, it's fun and can be done over wine and girl talk!!! Hooray :)

This look was inspired by none other than Christen herself, I wanted to play up her beautiful luscious features with a quick and easy Glam makeup look.

Scroll through for more pictures of my lovely muse, read on for all the cosmetics/products that I used, and check out the step by step tutorial if you're interested in replicating this starry eyed maquillage.

P. S. As an added bonus, see (and hear) how this Star really shines by following the link at the end. I promise you'll be amazed!!

READ MORE!

Fabuleyes

Hellooo Old Friends and New :)))

Thank you all for following my blog and sending me such positive feedback. I really am inspired by all your interest and kind words. Merci!!!

As some of you may know, New York has officially been welcoming the winter weather with temperatures falling well below freezing, leaving us New Yorkers with only one activity: sitting at home in the privacy of our heating systems. Since I'm not a polar bear and actually a hibernating bear (from Russia with love), I fully enjoy packing on the winter pounds while lounging in the comfort of my bear domain. However, as luck would have it, winter season for me means birthdays galore with the kick-off starting last night for my friend Karolina's birthday. Turning a rather monumental age, she did it up last night at the Four Seasons, cuz she so fancyyy :)) Great time had by all and happy birthday again my lovely!!! I must admit, it took me a while to come up with my outfit lol, given that I had to fit the dress code and also be able to keep myself from slipping on black ice that has covered the streets of New York City, as of late. Wrapped in several cashmere pieces and my fox collar, I took a change of shoes and was actually rather comfortable while the other 5 people I saw on the street were rattling their teeth. Needless to say, I feel accomplished... especially when I dress appropriately for the weather :))

One thing that cannot be affected by any weather WhatSoEver is my makeup... Thank goodness for that!!! The look that I'm presenting today is my party makeup from last night's celebration of the first birthday of the season aka Karolina's. Hope you all enjoy it :)))

Bisous,

Maryam Maquillage

THE LOOK is very simple, focusing on bringing out brown, light brown or hazel eyes. I kept the lips and the face very simple with my usual routine.

THE TOOLS: I never show the tools!!! Thanks to my homeslice Jo for pointing this one out :)))
1. For packing on the color, use a flat shader brush like this small eyeshadow brush from Sonia Kashuk. This brush is flat, dense and has a fine edge. Click on the pics to enlarge.

2. For contouring the crease or softening the edges of the shadow, use a fluffy dome shaped brush like this crease shadow brush from Sonia Kashuk. This brush is soft, fluffy and has a rounded edge.

3. For smudging out pencil eyeliner or shadow, use a smudge brush like this one from Sonia Kashuk. This brush is flat and has short, dense hairs.

4. For your highlighter or a "wash of color" application, use an angled eyeshadow brush like this one from Sonia Kashuk. The hairs on this brush are fluffy but angled, so the application is minimal.

5. For gel or cream liner, use a fine, pointed brush like this one... again from Sonia Kashuk :) I find that there really is not much difference between a straight one and a bent one. 

THE EYES are gold, bold, and glittery though it doesn't seem to translate in photos. I used my Urban Decay Naked Palette, and added MAC reflects gold glitter on top.

HOW TO: 
1. Start by priming the lids with primer. I used Urban Decay Primer Potion, as always.
2. Take your contouring crease brush or fluffy dome shaped brush and the color Naked (matte nude-beige) and apply in the socket of your eye using windshield wiper motions. If you're darker, use the color Buck (matte light brown).
Tip: For a more exotic eye, concentrate the color on the outer corner and blend it up toward the brow.
3. For more dimension, add the color Buck to the outer edge. If you're darker, take a matte dark brown eyeshadow of your choice.
4. For the gold lid part, take a gold base and apply all over the lid, staying under your crease color. I used NYX jumbo eye pencil in pure gold. Smudge it out with your finger.
5. Taking a flat shader brush (small eye shadow brush), apply the color Half Baked (true gold) all over the lid, leaving the outer third blank.
Tip: When applying metallic colors, use patting motions instead of sweeping motions. Sweeping the color on will produce a lot of fallout under the eyes.
6. Take the color Smog (metallic bronze-brown) on the same brush and pack in on the outer third that you left blank.
7. Clean the flat brush and take fine gold glitter and pack it all over the gold.
8. For your highlight, take an angled fluffy eyeshadow brush and apply the color Virgin (pearly pale pink) under the eye brow and in the inner corner of the eye. Sweep it on very gently.
9. Take a brown waterproof pencil liner like Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Whiskey and line the inner half of the bottom waterline and tear duct. Line the outer half underneath the lash line and seal with Smog on a smudge brush.
10. Line the top lash line with a black gel or cream liner and wing it out. I used Clinique cream liner in True Black.
11. Add your lashes if you choose or just add mascara and you're done with your Fabuleyes!!!

FACE AND LIPS: After doing my regular face routine, Bare Minerals matte foundation and Benefit Hoola bronzer, I highlighted my cheeks with MAC mineralize blush in Earth to Earth and sprayed 3 spritz of Mac Fix+ finishing mist to keep the makeup lasting all night. BTW, these pictures were taken after I came home from the dinner and I did zero touch-ups on my eyes or face. Mac Fix+ really really works. For the lips, I used NYX lipliner in soft brown and Coastal Scents plumping lip gloss which is unfortunately discontinued.

P. S. I used these Ardell whispies about 5 times, 

so they've lost their original shape, but I kind of 

like it. I think the look is more natural.

This is me hibernating...

Licorice flavored cotton candy @ Four Seasons

I ONLY LIKE ONE SEASON

GUESS WHICH ONE :)))

Glamour Puss: Silver Screen Siren

Hola chicas y chicos ;))

After going through my makeup picture archives, I realized I only have a few more looks to showcase before I have to start coming up with new creations. The makeup I chose for today isn't for your Sunday church service, so I hope you're not disappointed, but I'm no church girl. On the contrary, I'm... this look is about full-on glamour and is best suited for a sexy night out. The emphasis is made on the heavily lined eyes and contoured cheeks, which are balanced by a neutral glossy lip. In the pic, I'm wearing all black, however, this makeup can be worn with whatever colors or outfits that you please. The eye makeup is particularly versatile because it complements all eye colors, shapes and sizes. In this blog, I will provide step by step directions on how to achieve the look, so go ahead and follow along if you're interested in duplicating it. If reading directions isn't your thing, you can simply look at the pictures and let them guide you. If you're just curious about makeup, scroll down and check out my tips and tricks, which are sure to be of use to any chica out there!!!

bisous,

Maryam Maquillage


ABOUT THE LOOK: Bronzed glowing skin meets dramatic silver eyes meets contoured features + a glossy pout. Best for: dinners, outings, clubbing, lounging, birthday, new year, party and more.

HOW TO: Start by moisturizing and priming your face and lids. You can choose whether to start with the eyes or the face first, it doesn't matter for this look.

Face: Dot your concealer under the eye and blend either with your finger or a clean fluffy dome-shaped brush. With a kabuki brush, apply your mineral foundation starting at the jawline and making your way to the center of the face. Take a flat brush and pat the foundation over problem areas to cover the imperfections.

Tip: Do not apply loose powder foundation underneath the eye using patting motions. Instead, lightly swipe or brush on a little bit of product to help seal the concealer. Patting on the foundation will make the concealer appear cake-y which will settle in your fine lines making them seem more pronounced.

Tip: Take your bronzer and apply it all over the forehead and around the frame of the face. Next, suck in your cheeks and follow the groove, blending the product into the hairline. Take a finer brush and contour the sides of the nose and under the chin. Voila!!! You've now shed about 5 pounds :)

Eyes: Take a metallic silver eyeshadow and apply it all over your lid, stopping just above the crease line. Take a white shimmery color and place it just in the inner corner of the eye, on top of the silver. This will open up the eye, making it appear bigger and brighter. Next, take a flesh toned eyeshadow on a fluffy dome-shaped brush and blend the color with the edge of the silver shadow you just applied. This step will soften the harsh line, making the transition more natural. Take the white shimmery shadow again and apply directly underneath the high point of the eyebrow, blending with the flesh toned shadow. Take a black shadow, preferably matte and apply it to the outer corner of the eye, on top of the silver, to give the eye extra dimension. Line the eyes entirely, creating a slight wing at the outer corner. Next, line the water lines, top and bottom and make sure to rim the inner corner of the eye.

Tip: Rimming the waterlines will make dark eyes lighter and light eyes brighter :)))

Finish the eye look with two coats of black mascara and fill in your eyebrows where necessary.

Lips: Keeping the lips simple yet glamorous, line them with a neutral lipliner and add lip plumping gloss on top.

Face: Add a cotton-candy pink blush to the apples of your cheeks, blending it up toward the hairline. Finish with a setting spray, 2-3 spritz to melt the layers of makeup together and to keep it lasting all night. My 2 favorites are Mac Fix Plus and Urban Decay All Nighter.