Editorial: Purple Smoke with Rouge Bunny Rouge

INSPIRATION is such a beautiful word. While it's been said true artists/writers are the ones who slough through regardless of its presence, I'm sure we all can agree that when it's there, life is a million times easier.

I've been meaning to feature a trio of shadows Rouge Bunny Rouge sent to me, but just couldn't figure out how to use them together, until I stumbled upon this photo.

The eyeshadows in question are Snowy Egret, Lilac Reef Curassow, and Eclipse Eagle — an icy gold mint, a lilac, and a purpled brown.

L-R: Snowy Egret, Lilac Reef Curassow, Eclipse Eagle

Here you can see them housed in a nifty little case (RBR' Trio Eye Shadow Keeper)

As you can see, I switched up the colors from the original photo (which are breathtaking, by the way. I want everything used on her), but conformed to the same shading shape. Basically, think of your eyelids in thirds. After applying primer, I patted on Lilac Reef Curassow to the center (2/3) of my lids. I then applied Eclipse Eagle to the inner and outer lid (1/3 and 3/3), making sure to blend, but not overly blend into the lilac. More detail went to shading the inner lid, as the makeup artist extended the shade to the side of her nose bridge instead of stopping at the edge of the lid. I applied Snowy Egret to the inner corners of my eyes and smoked out the bottom lash line with Eclipse Eagle.

I could discern only the faintest inkling of a line on the model's eyes, so I tight-lined using a black pencil liner. Two coats of black mascara, and done.

The Look

Rouge Bunny Rouge products are available internationally on rougebunnyrouge.com and zuneta.com.

Products Used:
Rouge Bunny Rouge Time Defying Foundation in Wheat Cream
Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in Light
Guerlain Meteorites Perles du Paradis
Shu Uemura Retractable Eyebrow Pencil in Seal Brown
NARS Pro Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base
Rouge Bunny Rouge Eyeshadows in Snowy Egret, Lilac Reef Curassow, and Eclipse Eagle
THREE Flash Performance Pencil Eyeliner in Eye On 08
Pop Beauty Peak Performance Mascara in Blackest Black
Addiction Blush Mix in Brown Toast
Cle de Peau Enriched Lip Luminizer in #201

Necklace from Intermix, dress from Free People.

Full disclosure: This entry contains sample products sent by PR or the manufacturer for editorial consideration.

Dior Twin Set Eyeshadow Duo in 090 Fishnet Black

Dior Twin Set Eyeshadow Duo in Fishnet Black ($30) is a new, I wanna say, thingamajig the brand introduced for spring. It is a double-sided eye pen housing two eyeshadows of different textures intended for layering. One side is basically a cream stick, while the other is a sponge that dispenses a sheer wash of color.

L-R: spongey side, creamy side

both layered

While the creamy side can stand alone (apply onto lid, then use finger to gently smudge out for a simple smokey eye), the sheer spongey end of the stick barely shows up on the skin. I had to pack on the pigment for it to show up in the photo above.

The duo makes for a beautiful smokey eye, but it takes much effort to achieve. In my mind, the main uses for a product like this is: 1) to simplify things for beginners or 2) as a one-stick-fits-all for travel/easy touch ups throughout the day. However, this duo is not particularly easy to work with. It actually takes me less time to do a smokey eye with eyeshadow compared to using the duo, because I have to carefully apply and blend out the cream, then rigorously pat down the eyeshadow to smoke it out. The only good thing is since so little pigment comes out of the spongey side, you create a natural smoked out gradient.

Also, while I believe most of us already wear primer as a necessary step in our routine, I think it's worth mentioning that this eyeshadow will not last on oily lids without a primer. By the end of the night, my right lid was completely mangled.

That said, with some patience and practice it could be a really good traveling companion. You won't achieve terribly sophisticated looks, but it is decent for a quick smokey eye, especially when you won't need a brush!

I received my Fishnet Black Twin Set from my internship and a quick search online suggests it's not for sale at the usual department stores, so I'm not entirely sure where you can go to purchase it. When I swatched the collection at Saks, I only saw the pink and gray duos. Perhaps this is an as yet released Sephora exclusive?

Products Used:
Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in Light
Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm
Guerlain Météorites Perles du Paradis
Shu Uemura Retractable Eyebrow Pencil in Seal Brown
Dior Twin Set Eyeshadow Duo in 090 Fishnet Black
Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Waterproof Eye Pencil in Black #1
Eyeko Black Magic Mascara
Korres Lip Butter in Quince

Guerlain Spring 2013: Météorites Perles du Paradis

Guerlain Météorites Perles du Paradis ($70) are – how shall I put this delicately? – giant balls of lightly colored pearls meant for highlighting the face. If you've been reading Messy Wands for some time, you'll know that pink is not my favorite color. Pink doesn't propel me into throes of I need them all like, say, dark blues sometimes do. But apparently there is a dainty little girl that isn't all that dormant inside of me, because I was enamored by the cotton candy pink box (never mind that it's made of cardboard instead of a sturdier material) and positively squealed when I realized it included an actual fluffy puff instead of the regular sponge.

Was it functional? Maybe. I didn't wait to find out before I bought it.

Perles du Paradis contains silver, light pink, dark pink, and lilac pearls. While Guerlain's météorites products are meant for color correcting and highlighting, I believe this particular iteration serves another purpose. Because the pearls are so large (twice the size of regular météorites), it is simple for me to use a dense blush brush to pick up certain pigments (darker pink and lilac). The result is a light lilac pink on my cheeks. For highlighting, I use an extremely fluffy brush (like the Suqqu Powder brush) and gently sweep it around the box, careful to target the lighter shades, then apply it all over.

Like all other météorites, Perles du Paradis casts a veil of glow over your face. It's a finishing powder that just makes you look better even though you can't pinpoint exactly why. Larie, my fellow bandit and shopping Jiminy Cricket, asked me if I thought it was too pink, but you can see from the shot above that it just adds radiance to the skin.

I will be the first to admit I didn't need this. After all, I already have Teint Beige, Perles de Nuit, and Perles d'Azur, and while the imparted effect is different, it's not so different to the naked eye that would justify the purchase. But there's just something about these boxes of pearls that's hard to resist, especially when it comes with a giant puff. I mean, there's no harm in collecting pretty things... right?

P.S. Shout out to my lovely friend Angela who made me this amazing slouchy mustard beanie to keep my ears warm! I look at her handiwork and wonder why I even bother with store bought knits. I should just pay her to make them for me.

Products Used:
Shu Uemura Retractable Eyebrow Pencil in Seal Brown
Clinique Chubby Stick for Eyes in Whopping Willow (out February!)
Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Waterproof Eye Pencil in Black #1
Eyeko Black Magic Mascara
Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in Light
Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm
Guerlain Météorites Perles du Paradis
Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Graped Up

Pretty Little Things

image from my Instagram

While being sick is generally an unfun thing to do (I say "do" as if it's something one actively pursues. Uh, no), as a beauty blogger it comes with a specific territory of challenges - redness, dry and flaking nose and mouth - on top of the general malaise. My body decided to stick it to me all at once too, so on top of that, I have a huge pimple above my mouth and, I kid you not, one on my bottom eyelid that's basically on my eye. Who has energy to think about makeup when they're so busy feeling sorry about themselves?

Not me. I have been on-and-off almost sick for a week (hence the silence. Sorry) it's like those diseases are taunting me. Perhaps I should be grateful I'm at the stage where I'm not sick enough to warrant being in bed all day, but being on the brink for this long quickly gets old.

I have nothing to give you beauty-wise, except I have been makeup free for an entire week, and as much as I dislike admitting my mom is right, my skin does fare better from this imposed holiday. My skincare routine is also nonexistent, basically only three drops of Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate at night to soothe the dryness.

The ring above was one of those little indulgences that turned out to be so worth it considering its increase to my personal happiness. Throughout the years I've accumulated tons of jewelry that I barely wear, even though I was tempted to procure it at the time, so by now I am well-versed with avoiding those purchasing pitfalls. While the majority of rings on Catbird make me clutch my heart for both pretty and monetary reasons, this dainty alphabet band is a (relatively) palatable $96. It has not budged from my finger for the past month, and though it becomes a problem when in contact with knitted sweaters, I continue to take my chances.

2012 Introspection

I know I'm super behind on this, but I just simply can't get on with the usual until I "look back" at 2012. My 2011 Introspective was one of the best things I've done for myself, because throughout the year I kept going back to that post to remind myself what I learned from the year before. I told myself I had to do one every year, so here goes:

I experienced so much change in 2012. For the first five months, I was a beauty intern at Vogue and was lucky enough to even have two published pieces on Vogue.com (here and here, if you wanted to take a peek). I also met my girl crush/idol Eva Chen, who gave me wonderful advice about everything from working at Vogue to career to life, really.

I graduated in May and moved to New York City in September. And if my exultations through my posts and social media accounts aren't apparent enough, I am absolutely head over heels in love with this city. I don't think I'll live here forever, but for now and (hopefully) for a few more years to come, this is where my heart will be.

Funny story! My roommate and I met each other on Craigslist. We were both in desperate situations and had to find whatever we could, but we ended up in a great neighborhood and a nice apartment and are now having the time of our lives. Everyone who knows us tell us they would never ever have paired us up to live together, but it works so well that she's now one of my best friends and confidantes. I was never really a big believer in soul mates, but now I am pretty sure she and I are meant for each other. The picture above is a good representation of how it's like living in our apartment. I love that girl.

I ended a 5-year relationship in November, and since then what I've been trying to do is make more friends and expose myself to new food, new adventures, new things, new people. I've been posting less recently because a huge part of me wants to take the time to relax and enjoy life outside the screen. For the past year, my daily schedule had Messy Wands stamped on it, and while I love it like it's my child, I have to say it's pretty liberating to actually feel like a girl in her early 20s.

That said, Messy Wands has grown too. I love the new lighting and new design, and I'm hoping to diversify content in 2013. I am still very thankful and grateful to each and every one of you who took the time to comment and give me ideas when I was in my rut. It seems that some of you would like to read lifestyle/fashion posts (feel free to share your thoughts below!). I can't promise that I wear very interesting things, but I do like other pretty things besides makeup, and I would love to share them with you moving forward.

People say some of biggest changes you'll go through in life is after high school and college graduation, and I guess they're right. For 2013, I would like to be proactive and reach for what I want, because if there's one thing I learned by now, it's that you won't get what you want if you don't ask/fight for it. Nicely, of course.

Have a good year ahead, lovelies!

A Year Of Faces

I thought of compiling my favorite looks throughout the year in one handy little post, but it just ended up being a lot of my face, so I realize this post may be a little narcissistic, but let's trudge on. It's kind of fun to see how my face changed throughout the year (or thankfully, didn't. Yes that clock has started ticking). I'll say my eyebrows looked fabulous in the beginning of the year, though. I wonder what I was doing then?

As much as possible, I tried to find photos previously unpublished. There may be some repeats, but I hope you enjoy!

February

Emulating Laura Mercier Spring

Paul & Joe Color Powder CS in Siamese, Please 

March

Guerlain Rouge G Garconne

Le Métier de Beauté Northern Lights

June

Le Métier de Beauté Pallid Incandescents

July

NARS Vent Glace and More

August

I don't think I ever posted this, but I like this particular blush placement and the nude lips. Now if only I knew what I used /cries

Lipstick Bandits: Sheer

How To Fake A Higher Nose

September

Le Métier de Beauté Nouvelle Vague

Didn't publish this Peter Som NYFW Fall 2012 runway recreation because I laughed at myself after.

I combed through the archives and couldn't find this, so here! I think this was taken the week I started having the urge to chop off my hair and I remember I wanted to have a photo of myself in waves before it was all gone. I was wearing literally only one product on my face/eyes/lips - Mistura 6-in-1 Beauty Solution. It worked, but it did make me look a little warmer than usual.

Clean Lines And Cat Eyes

Rouge Bunny Rouge Raw Silence

I did this look after I procured Chanel Notorious but for some reason never published it. I think it was a recreation of Vera Wang NYFW Fall 2012, but I cannot be sure anymore. Burberry Porcelain on lids, Notorious to contour!

Suqqu Kakitsubata and Paul & Joe Color Powder CS in Inseperables

October

Recreating Armani's Fall Campaign Look

Chanel Rouge Allure Rouge Noir #109

Burberry Lip Velvet in Military Red No. 310

Addiction Arabian Nights Makeup

November

3 Looks, 1 Palette: Ecrin 6 Couleurs 2 Place, Vendome

Tarte Liners Work As Shadows Too

Keira Knightley Harper's Bazaar Editorial Recreation

Dolce & Gabbana Ultra

MAC Grey Friday

Editorial: Copper + Blue

December

Suqqu EX-08 Hanamari and Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro #200 Terra

I hope you've enjoyed reading and found inspiration from Messy Wands throughout the year!

New Year Sparkle: Ushering In 2013 With Style

Today's post will be a little unorthodox. It was supposed to be a post featuring the de facto New Year's Eve look (metallic lids and vamp lips) in collaboration with a few of my blogger friends. I did the look, but instead of taking my usual slew of deer in headlights close-ups, I invited my housemate for a fun photo shoot instead. We've been living together for three months and have since became best friends, but we didn't even have a blurry iPhone of each other. It was time.

An embarrassing amount of pictures were just of us howling in laughter, but for the sake of relevance I picked the few that most clearly showed my makeup.

She insisted a family picture includes our large soft toys

And we needed props for uh, festive points

For the look, I used Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Intense #19 on my eyelid and smoked out the crease with Addiction Midnight Oasis. I tightlined with a black eye pencil and layered on the mascara. Lips are Chanel Rouge Allure Rouge Noir #109 layered with Dior Addict Ultra Gloss in Black-Tie Plum #982 (as seen in this post) and Burberry Lip Velvet in No. 310 Military Red layered with Guerlain Rouge G Garconne. There was no particular reason for using two red lipsticks. I just wanted a sheen instead of a matte but didn't want to go through the hassle of removing the Burberry, which I was already wearing.

Do remember to see how my other friends are ushering in the new year:
A Little Bit Of Everything
Beaute Fabuleuse
BellaChique
Bronzer Bunny
ChloeAsh‎
Eye Heart It
Joey’space
Messy Wands
Mostly Sunny
Musing On Beauty