Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Introduction to New Lighting with Le Métier de Beauté Nouvelle Vague


can you tell I'm really excited about my new setup?

If you've been following the blog from the start, you'll notice that the lighting on Messy Wands changes with the seasons. Not only does the sun make intermittent appearances, but I've had the misfortune of needing to uproot myself every four months or so the past year. Not anymore! ...for at least nine months.

Anyway, it seems that fall is already tickling tree branches because the leaves look just about ready to hit the ground. Today I walked out in my boots and a sweater and I still felt cold. Winter this year promises to be miserable, but my pictures hopefully shall not!

I decided if I was going to take this blogging thing seriously (and you should know I take it very, very seriously) I will need to invest in some good lighting equipment. I popped by B&H Photo with my boyfriend in tow - and this was where I got ecstatic about his film degree - and came out with a light, a stand and some background paper. Some complicated-looking rigging later, I have a mini studio in my room.

I'm pretty happy with the new pictures (see below), but it does mean there will be some adjustments around here. For one, my close-ups may look different from now on, and um, I might play with my hair a lot more because it's now in full view. I'm hoping to change the layout of the site so it can accomodate bigger pictures. Little things like that.

As for now, I finally got around to playing with Le Métier de Beauté Nouvelle Vague (for swatches, see here) from the brand's fall collection. The three layers of pink are not nuanced enough for my liking, but it does make for a pretty barely there sort of eye look.




Cheeks: Chanel Rose Ecrin; Lips: Le Métier de Beauté Marrakech Lipstick topped with Sweet Creme Lip Creme

That said, the fourth shade is a decadently rich black shadow that spices up the palette. Below, I applied the three pinks over my eyelids to just a little past the crease, then layered the black only on the lid area. I messily swept some leftover black shadow on the bottom lashline, just for kicks.





Lips: Guerlain Rouge G Guerlinade topped with LMdB Creme de la Creme

I went a little hair crazy for this shoot because it was just so fun, but I'll (try to) tame it down next time. Hope you like the new look!

Le Métier de Beauté Nouvelle Vague* will retail for $95 and should ship to counters nationwide in October.

Product(s) marked with * is provided by the company for editorial consideration

28 comments:

  1. I love the new lighting and backdrop! :) You look especially stunning in your last pic! Love the swatches and overall yay for being back! Looking forward to your updates! x

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  2. I love the new lighting! You look even more adorable ;) can't wait for all the new pictures and all the FOTDs and also your hair experiments :) Lighting is so important and makes a huge difference / Claire

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  3. Loved your photo shoot- you looked gorgeous! Can't wait for more reviews....

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  4. CHEEKZ YOU GORGEOUS THANG!

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  5. WANDZ! You are so gorgeous! I love the new lighting and the "mini-studio" effect :) Gorgeous, gorgeous, GORGEOUS.

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  6. Wow, it's a very nice improvement for sure! You're so lucky you got your bf that knows those things :). Looking really pretty there :).

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  7. Your last picture is absolutely perfect...lighting, pose, everything!

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  8. I love the first picture, you look like you're having fun :)

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  9. GORGEOUS! Love your playful shots!

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  10. You look lovely and I'm happy your studio is making progress! :D

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  11. My heart stopped at that second look!!! So sultry!!!

    Love the new setup! I really need to look into something like this!

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  12. Holy smokes Xiao, that last picture of you...you look absolutely STUNNING. The set-up sounds (and looks) great! I probably should start getting serious about my lighting situation too...

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  13. Looks like you are having lots of fun with your new set-up, congratulations! I always thought your pictures looked great, but the ones you've shared in this post really do look stunning.

    I have about the least professional looking set-up anyone could have contrived, and I've been seriously contemplating investing in something like what you got when I get a job... Wish me luck!

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  14. You look beautiful in all the pictures! You could be modeling alongside Liu Wen!

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  15. Love it! You look great. :)

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  16. You are SO gorgeous, Xiao! Cannot wait to see get a peek at how you've set it up :)

    ♥ Jessica

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  17. amazing setup! colour is perfect ;)

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  18. Gorgeous look, outfit, hair, makeup - everything! Love the new lighting and setup :)

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  19. I LOVE your new pics--that sweater is just too cute and I am obsessed with your hair. It makes me really miss having long hair...ah well--soon! (in the process of growing it out--though it's nowhere near as luscious looking/shiny as yours!)

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  20. I do like the larger pics with the full length shots of the hair because you get to see a look how you would normally see it. I can't wait for more makeup looks. And you have amazing cheekbones!

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  21. I love your new setup and you look STUNNING!!! <333456

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  22. you look great! :) Glad the new setup is working out great! (but why only in the new place for 9 months...?)

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  23. Thank you girls for the nicest words!! <3 <3

    bronzerbunny- only if i don't get a job :x

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  24. Are you wearing the same lipstick in all of the photos? Can you please tell me what it is? It looks gorgeous, but changes color with the change in your eye makeup if it's the same one all the way through.

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  25. corkyb- I have two lip colors. The first five photos are LMdB Marrakech lipstick topped with Sweet Creme lip creme, while the subsequent four are Guerlain Rouge G Guerlinade topped with LMdB Creme de la creme

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  26. Does your hair have a slight purple tint, or am I imagining things?
    xxkarima

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