"That is Mahogany!" - My Step-by-Step Effie Trinket Look from The Hunger Games.

Ever since seeing The Hunger Games trailer and then of course the film, I have absolutely loved Elizabeth Banks' portrayal of the villain you can't help but love, District 12's Capitol Escort - Effie Trinket. From the Capitol accent, to the tittering stilletto walk, Elizabeth Banks brought the Effie that Hunger Games fans had imagined, to life in front of our eyes. But it wasn't just the acting that made Effie real, but the incredible work of the make-up & hair stylists that were put into creating the perfect Capitol look:

Taken from Google Images.

After seeing the film for the second time, I was set in my mind that I wanted to try and recreate the fabulously dramatic style of Effie for myself, so basing it on the picture above, this was my first attempt at that with my limited make-up resources (damn not having my own make-up artist/studio):

Here were the majority of products used

Step 1:

Mix of 'Stargazer' White Foundation & MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation in NC15

To achieve that off white paleness that Effie has, I had to mix my normal MAC foundation with quite a lot of white foundation that I bought last year for my Bride of Frankenstein make-up. Then using my fingers, I rougly applied it in two layers covering my lips & eyebrow as much as possible to create the 'sand-papery' effect that Gary Ross (Director of Hunger Games) wanted to achieve for Effie's skin. 

Step 2:

Now looking rather ghostly, it was onto preparing for the most time consuming part of this look - the eyeshadow. Using Boot's No7 'Stay Perfect' eyeshadow base/primer, I completely coated my eyelid & eyebrow to ensure that the eyeshadows to come would have a good base to start on.

Step 3:

This was easily the longest part of creating an Effie-esque look. It looks like just two colours right? That will be eaaaaasy... No! 

First, I coated my entire eye area in a light, glittery green shade that had yellow undertones from the Sephora Palette. I then mixed it with another yellow eyeshadow from my Colour Works palette to lighten the green further. Still not happy with the result, I used a shimmery white cream-based eye colour to get that all over shimmer to brighten it up further. Finally, after several applications of this green-yellow-white mixture, I could move on to the middle colour. I used my Sephora palette for all these colours, and went for a teal-blue mixed with a little emerald green shade, using two different eyeshadow brushes - one hard and angular for the first application, then a blending brush to soften it. Eventually, and I mean about 20-30mins later eventually, I could move on!

Step 4:

Onto the eyeliner portion! Using my Urban Decay angled brush, and a dark navy shade from the trusty Sephora palette, I did the first lining around my eyes. To add the shimmer effect that is key to Effie's style, I then blended the first liner with a glittery teal shade to just give it that extra effect. Finally, the look was starting to come together - woooohooo!

Step 5:

The final part of creating the eyes - a few lashings of Diorshow Iconic mascara on both the top and bottom lashes. Now, gladly burying away all of the eyeshadows it into the make-up bag, it was onto the cheeks & lips!

Step 6:

Using Benefit's 'Thrrrob', I focused on the apple of the cheeks for the flushed pink look that Effie has to show, you know, she's not a vampire. I then brushed it out a little across the cheekbone just to emphasise the angular look that Effie has. 

Step 7:

The lips - the ultimate Geisha influence with the small cupid-bow lips. I used Benefit's Cupid Bow to create this minitaure cupid bow lip look, and then sadly not having a bright lipstick about, used my pink Chanel lipgloss to add that bit of brightness.

And... Voila!

My amateur attempt at Effie Trinket's Perfect Capitol Look. Do you think I would blend in alright? I am thinking this is going to be my look for the next night out... Now wear to get that wonderful wig and couture wardrobe??????

What do you think? Do you like the Capitol look?

Love,

 

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Inside My Make-Up Bag #2: You collect stamps? I collect eyeshadows!

Hello m'dears! Hope you are having a lovely week, despite the lack of sunshine that is around, the rain definitely cramped any hope of me doing some outside photos - here's hoping the sunshine comes back soon!

Anyway, venturing back into the depths of the monster which is my make-up bag, I've noticed just how much space is taken up by eyeshadow palettes or single eyeshadows... I mean, how can I possibly wear this many eyeshadows?! But somehow, at some point, I have done - and even though I have had to, sadly, cut some from the bag, they still outweigh pretty much any other make-up item I own at any one time (although lipsticks/glosses & mascaras come close...). So here they are:

The collection: Sephora palette; Colour Works Neutral Palette; No7 Palette; Urban Decay Naked2; Urban Decay Sustainable Shadow Box; Urban Decay's Half Baked pot; Benefit's 'Weather Girl' palette; Urban Decay Naked; Clinique Palette; No7 Purple palette; No7 individual colours; Benefit's 'is this going to take long?' palette; Benefit's 'Big, Beautiful Eyes' palette; No7 Autumn Palette.

Urban Decay

I love, love, love my Urban Decay palettes - seriously, one of the best make-up investments I have ever made were collecting their make-up! I have only used their eyeshadows, eyeshadow primer & lipgloss but even this limited exploration into Urban Decay has made me an addict - the colours are varied and strongly pigmented, lasting all day without fading or smudging, plus they do mint lipgloss - nomomnom.

 Sustainable Shadow Box: £27

This was my first ever Urban Decay product and I bought it on my way to the States after 'umming' and 'ahhhing' for a couple of hours - boy, was I glad that the air stewardess convinced me to get it! I absolutely adore the bright and sparkly range of colours that it offers - some having quite a bit of glitter fall-out, and others just being shimmery. It was also in this box that introduced me to my all-time favourite eyeshadow shade - Half Baked - the perfect gold. I use this palette for nights out or when I want to add a bit of brightness to my daytime look to match my outfits - OCD co-ordination right there!

Naked Palette: £36

After stealing swatches from my best friend's 'Naked' palette, I needed this in my life - and I have not regretted that decision since. This palette is the ideal day-time look colours for me, with the shimmer that I adore, but not being too dramatic for a day at work. It got me experimenting with blending different neutral shades for varied levels of the 'smokey' eye look, and literally had the colours I needed for both day & evening looks in one neat palette. Plus, only having to use two strokes to get the deep colour I wanted, means that this palette has lasted for absolutely ages without any colours running out and gave me a little bottle of Eyeshadow 'Magic Potion' Primer - WIN!

Naked2 Palette: £36

 

Having been in love with Naked since we started our committed relationship last year, when Naked2 came out, I was online at Debenhams ordering it at midnight - eager beaver much?! This palette is similar to 'Naked', crossing over with 'Half-Baked' and the neutral shades, but with new colours added in which moved away from just natural shades into more silver-y shades. It was definitely worth the purchase for a 'Naked' junkie like me - keeping within the shades that first attracted me to 'Naked' but giving me even more options to blend the two palettes together.

Benefit & Clinique

Big Beautiful Eyes Palette: £24.50

I've always had a special place for Benefit in my make-up loves, it was the first make-up I ever bought/had bought for me, and with its vintage packaging & product themes it is always going to be one of my 'go-to' brands. This palette I have had for absolutely years - shows how well it has lasted! With the mix of concealer, and three different shades to blend to make my eyes pop, its perfect for a day to look to make an impression with and with the instruction leaflet, even a fool like me can't go wrong in achieving this look!

Is this going to take long? Palette

 This palette is too old to mention - you can't even buy it on debenhams anymore! But I love it - its so glittery! Have you noticed a pattern yet with these colours, they're all neutral... I'm boring. I do get more exciting on weekends, but during the week going into school with bright pink eyeshadow maaay not go down too well in the office... But bless Benefit, they do make the ideal neutral shades that differ in each of their palettes making me feel like I am being that bit more adventurous.

Weather Girl palette.

These shades are similar to the ones above, but to be honest I bought this palette for the lipglosses that came with it and the foundation to try! But I do love having so many similar shades around - I'm pretty much set for life, right? Its not an addiction... no, no, its um, a hobby to collect these!

Clinique joined my collection when I worked in Disney, Florida. I was introduced into the world of Clinique by my roommate who bought me a Clinique lipstick & mascara as a present when she went out to the outlets on a day off. Since then, I was hooked - but this little gem was actually a present from the boyfriend when he went to France and it was the perfect pink shade. It's called the Strawberry Fudge duo, and being a dusky pink with gold undertones it is perfect - love it for a day look!

Boots No7 & Sephora

Sephora Palette

These palettes are my go-to evening/weekend colours - where going bright and dramatic are not going to be questioned by any students! I love how glittery the No7 palettes are - especially being in such a variety of shades which means that I can perfectly co-ordinate with my outfits. I've always found No7 is great for eyeshadows - both for colours & for lasting effect. The Sephora palette is a recent addition to the collection, but its awesome! Honestly, you get the chance to go to a Sephora, I recommend getting this palette - it covers practically every colour you can imagine, have matte colours and full on glitter shades and lasts all day - all round win!

So there you go, my massive eyeshadow collection that is always growing... Soon I will have to get a make-up bag dedicted just to them! If you made it to the end of this post, you get my heart-felt congratulations and some real will-power to make it through all this rambling! Seriously, well done!

Do you have a certain make-up item addiction like this?

Love,

Summer OOTD - Hath my eyes deceived me? Is that sunshine... In England?! Quick - get the dresses out!

Hello lovelies, isn't it absolutely glorious outside today? Well, it is here in sunny Essex anyway! It's one of those really pleasant spring/summer days where even the breeze is warm and it's not unbearably hot, but just right. This meant one thing for fashion - no tights and summer dresses!  That's right, me who is obsessed with wearing absolutely everything with tights is giving it a miss and fully embracing spring with bare, pale legs!  I've found ASOS have so many beautiful summery dresses they have brought out recently, and couldn't resist not to buy one, so to bring in spring I wore my new ASOS midi dress:

Dress: ASOS; Belt: Boohoo; Cardigan: New Look; Shoes: New Look; Sunglasses: Karen Millen

Yes, I went a bit picture happy, I blame it on the love of this dress & the sunshine!

 I got it during one of ASOS's free next day delivery deals and just had to buy myself it because of this fact... Not because it was gorgeous or anything, no no no! The dress costs £28 and comes with a candy pink skinny belt which works brilliantly with it to add a bit of colour to it. I find the dress is very 'Audrey Hepburn' style, with the long striped skirt and sleeveless roundneck top - elegance with a smidgen of nautical theme - the ideal summer dress! This is actually only my second or third midi dress, as normally I stick with a 'just-above-the-knee' skirt length, and midi lengths made me worry I'd  look even shorter, but I'm definitely coming round to them now for summer. Plus I broke out the sunglasses, oh yeah, I'm saying its summer now by wearing those bad boys - you hear me Mother Nature!

I went with a 1950s style today with a wide waist belt, a cropped red cardigan, with red flats and a red hairband, just to brighten up the outfit and give my waist a bit more definition! I love this belt from Boohoo.com because not only does it really cinch in the waist, but the cute Butterfly clip on the front gives that extra something - a bargain for £6 in clearance! 

To go with my summer 50s dress, I co-ordinated my make-up with light shimmery pink shades and a deep pink blush with catflicks, something nice and fresh:

Powder: Rimmel Matte Powder; Eyeshadows: Sephora Palette; Eyeliner: Rimmel Liquid Eyeliner; Mascara: Diorshow Iconic; Blush: Benefit's Thrrrob; Higlighter: Benefit's High Beam; Concealer: MAC Studio Sculpt; Lipgloss: Urban Decay

 I really, really love my Sephora eyeshadow palette - they seemed to have covered every colour and they are all pigmented deeply, so it only takes one or at most two applications to get the colour I want. If anyone gets the chance to go to a Sephora, I would highly recommend their eyeshadows from what I have been able to try out so far! 

I'm going to sign off now and enjoy the sun some more, hope you all get the chance to as well! 

Have you been spring shopping yet?

Love,