I wasn’t playing the other day when I said I’ve been all about NARS Isolde lately. Both it and NARS Cordura (LOVE YOU, C!!!) have been two of my full-time eye makeup BFFs for weeks, and even though I’ve mostly gotten over this cold of mine and want to wear more makeup again, I still don’t have the patience to sit still for 45 minutes and blend six different teals till my fingers fall off, ya know?
This week I’ve been using the timer on my iPhone in the morning to rein myself in. I set it for 25 minutes, and whatever I’m able to do in that time, that’s what I end up wearing for the day.
Before I even start, though, I keep all the basics, like foundation, mascara and concealer, etc., in a little box next to my desk so I don’t waste any time hunting stuff down. Then I also put whatever eye and lip products I plan to wear in the same box.
I like to spend the lion’s share of the 25 minutes on my eye makeup, so I’ll cut back on some things and spend less time on my skin, which is why more of my freckles are peeking through in these pics than usual.
Here’s the look I wore with Isolde yesterday to the salon (I finally got my hair done, YAY!), because there was no way I was going to sit there staring at myself in the mirror all that time without there being a little something-something on my mug, LOL!
There’s a full breakdown of the products below, but basically, I just mixed Isolde’s lighter peachy golden side with the copper side, then put that on my lids. Then I added two warm browns in the crease — first a lighter brown, then a darker shade for more depth. Then I added some black liner and lots of lashes, before finishing with neutral peachy pink cheeks and lips.
Not as exciting as a shimmering emerald green look with false lashes and the whole kit and caboodle (bronzer, highlighter, etc.), for sure, but you know what? Sometimes I really love wearing this kind of makeup (more often than not). You can’t go wrong with everyday neutrals.
Makeup worn in this look
- Brows — Urban Decay Brow Beater in Dark, Anastasia Clear Brow Gel
- Eyeshadow — NARS Isolde (lids), MAC Soft Brown (crease), MAC Saddle (lower crease and lower lash line)
- Liner — MAC Smolder
- Lashes — NARS Audacious Mascara
- Cheeks — Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blush in 20 Vibrant
- Lips — MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Oh Honey! and Vamplify Gloss in Spanking Haute
- Foundation — MAC Waterweight Foundation in NC42
- Powder — MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Tan
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
It looks lovely on you! Your hair is the bomb!!
1 – KAREN YOU LOOK SO GOOD HERE
2 – My wallet doesn’t appreciate this post or the other on Cordura. I need them both!
Hey Karen! Thank you for posting this! I’ve had Isolde for several months now but used it only once because it looked too metallic on me – I will try using Soft Brown and Saddle in the crease and also mix the two shades from Isolde before I apply them – I really like that approach 🙂 Thank you very much!
You look lovely! 🙂
I love the eye products you used. This definitely seems like something I could pull off. The neutral lip color looks really pretty too!
Love the look and the outfit you wore with it. Definitely channels the fall.
You are so gorgeous and so very talented with makeup and hair. I just discovered your blog today and am so happy to find a blog that doesn’t give everything glowing reviews and reviews a variety of price points! It is so refreshing. I signed up to subscribe right away and will use your links as much as I can.
Pretty!!!
Wow!!! So pretty and “seems” easy enough for me to do!!! I’ll def also use constructivist as a base to. I can’t wait to see how the paintpot intensifies the shadows. Thanks for the idea
Hi Hollie,
You can totally do this look! By the way, thanks for mentioning Constructivist — I wrote that down by accident, whoops! I was thinking of a different eye look. When you try this, leave it out.
Looks great, bet it would be pretty with blue eyed girlas as well!!
So pretty Karen, the makeup and the new ‘do! And can I say how much I love your lighting? 🙂
I love the way your shadows look, especially the hint of shimmer. I am going to have to try to mix my matte and shimmer shadows and try that. I find sometimes my shadows look too flat. I still have three of the shadows from my Telluride palette that fell out of my hands (a touch of arthritis). I love the liner look as well. Thanks again for the tips. BTW, I got the Luxe lip color (10% discount at Lord & Taylor). I am loving the feel on my dry lips and the Neutral Rose shade just screams JANE!!! An early birthday gift.
Lovely look! Subtle and elegant, I like it! And Isolde looks really gorgeous on your eyes.
So glad you did this look for us ! I have this and I’m going to copy your look! Girl you got that pregnancy glow going on!
This is a soft yet beautiful look! I love how you smoked out your liner on the bottom. It really makes your eyes pop!
I went into MAC recently and asked them to give me one single shadow that I could use to look cute and put together but simple, for days when I just don’t have time to do a real eye look. I walked out with Retrospeck, perfect with a little winged liner! I haven’t found the right one yet but I think a light NARS duo would be even better for this goal, but my skin might be a little too cool for Isolde.
You look beautiful Karen. Your hair is bouncing and behaving girl…
I do something similar re: timing! I put on a YouTube video and I need to get done in that time period (usually 15 minutes).
Beautiful look! I like the idea of only giving yourself a certain amount of time no matter what — I always take wayyyy too long to do my makeup!
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Stunning, Karen!!! I love the whole look. You should also try Alhambra; I like to use it with Madrague as if it’s a quad :).
Looks great! YOU look great! You really are glowing, girl! 🙂
Beautiful, as always! 🙂 Don’t spoil El Hub by using the timer too much, though. He’ll be sad if he doesn’t hear “just a minute” several times before you guys walk out the door. HAHA!
Dear Karen,
This is freakin gorgeous. The hair, the makeup, the resting *bish* face. Girl, you better give RuPaul a run for his money. You are killin’ it. Pregnancy becomes you.
The End
?
I never go to the salon without makeup! Staring at your tired self for the whole time is just way to depressing!
I have a feeling these will be your “mom looks” easy but still pulled together!