Tuesday, May 27, 2014

My Top 5 Favorite Foundations (and my first video!)

I just posted my first Youtube video on my Nicole Marie Makeup channel, and it's all about my favorite foundations! All of them look naturally beautiful on the skin and they photograph wonderfully! 

Here is a list of the foundations I mention in the video:

1. YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat
2. Make Up For Ever Face & Body
3. Nars Sheer Glow
4. Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish
5. Illamasqua Skinbase



Watch it on Youtube here for better quality!

Let me know what you guys think! Would you want more videos?

Friday, May 16, 2014

Soft Purple Eyes

This look is a delicate, soft smoky eye that can be created with any color combination. I chose to use purples because it reminds me of spring and it felt light and fresh. This look is perfect for any special occasion or for a daring bride. These shades of purple flatter everyone and feel very romantic and feminine, perfect for any summer night.



















Eyes
1. Prime the eyes to ensure long lasting, crease proof, intense color payoff; I used my Urban Decay Primer Potion.
2. Blend a medium matte brown into the crease to add shadow and to give the purples something to blend into.
3. Blend a medium purple shadow throughout the length of the crease and soften all the edges, this is the base of the whole eyeshadow look.
4. Softly blend a small amount of a dark purple shadow into the outer edge of the eye and drag it slightly into the crease.
5. Highlight the center of the eye and the inner corner with a light, shimmery lavender color in a pressing motion.
6. Press a tiny bit of glitter onto the center of the lid to add some sparkle, I used my Sephora Glitter Liner & Mascara in 'Sweetheart Pink'.
7. Add mascara to the top lashes and the outer corner of the bottom lashes.
8. Highlight the inner corner of the bottom lashline with the same light shimmery lavender and then blend the medium purple into the outer edge of the bottom lashline.
9. Finish the look by filling in the brows, I used my Anastasia Brow Wiz in 'Medium Ash'.

Face
Foundation: Nars Sheer Glow
Concealer: Mac Pro-Longwear
Powder: Hourglass Ambient Light in 'Ethereal'
Blush: Nars 'Deep Throat'
Bronzer: Nars 'Laguna'
Highlight: Laura Mercier in 'Highlight 01'

Lips
Liner: Palladio Herbal Lip Liner in 'Nearly Nude'
Lipstick: Mac 'Modesty' + Mac 'Creamcup'
Gloss: Laura Mercier Lip Glace in 'Sparkling'

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Femme Fatale - a.k.a. - The Perfect Smoky Eye


I love wearing sultry, smoky, sexy eyes because it makes me feel like a mysterious siren from the past. I love creating characters with my makeup because what you wear can really influence your mood and personality. This look is perfect for those who want to achieve the mystery and danger of a Femme Fatale. I used my Anastasia Lavish palette almost exclusively to create this look, but since it was limited edition, I would suggest the Kat Von D Monarch Palette for a similar color selection.


Eyes
1. Prime the eyes to prevent creasing and ensure intense, long wearing color payoff, I used my Urban Decay Primer Potion. 
2. Blend a matte peach shade along the whole length of the crease and up towards the brow bone, I used 'Orange Soda' from the Anastasia Lavish Palette.
3. Define the crease by blending in a darker rust color, I used 'Sienna' from the Anastasia Lavish Palette.
4. Darken the outer 'v' of the eye with a warm dark brown, I used 'Rum Cake' from the Anastasia Lavish Palette.
5. Pat a shimmery, mossy neutral over the inner third of the lid, I used my Laura Mercier Baked Eye Colour in 'Black Karat'. It's an absolutely gorgeous color that can go with so many looks, I think everyone should check it out for themselves.
6. Softly blend in the smallest amount of black on the outer edge of the lash line and slightly blend it upwards towards the crease, I used 'Black Diamond' from the Anastasia Lavish Palette.
7. Place a pop of gold glitter in the inner corners of the eyes to add drama and sparkle, I used my Sephora Glitter Liner & Mascara in 'VIP Gold'.
8. Define the top lash line with a strong winged liner, I used my Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in 'Trooper' and then add mascara to the top and bottom lashes.
9. On the bottom lash line, smudge a mix of 'Orange Soda' and 'Sienna' across the whole length and darken the outer third with the black shadow. Add a couple of individual lashes along the outer corner for intense drama.
10. Full lashes really make this look stand out, first I used a strip of Ardell Demi Wispies and then I interspersed super long individual lashes over the strip for extra length and volume.
11. Finish the look by filling in the brows, I used my Anastasia Brow Wiz in 'Medium Ash'.

Face
Foundation: Nars Sheer Glow
Concealer: Mac Pro-Longwear
Powder: Hourglass Ambient Light in 'Ethereal'
Bronzer: Nars in 'Laguna'
Blush: Tarte in 'Peaceful'
Highlight: Laura Mercier in 'Highlight 01'

Lips
Liner: Palladio in 'Nearly Nude'
Lipstick: Buxom in 'Nudist'
Gloss: Bare Escentuals in 'Show Off'

Here are links to my review and some other looks I've done with the Lavish Palette: Look 1.  Look 2.  Look 3.  Review.