VALENTINES LOOK . MAKE UP FOR EVER . GIVE IN TO ME KIT

My loathe for Valentine's Day stems back quite a few years. To be truthful I can't recall ever celebrating the hallmark holiday, despite having a boyfriend/man friend in my life for the past decade.  But my strong feelings against Valentines didn't stop me from creating a soft and romantic look for the day with the new Make Up For Ever x 50 Shades Of Grey Give In To Me Kit [*]($90). I did a complete review on the kit earlier this week, seen here, and even got to attend a pre-screening of the movie. It was a great night with a lot of ooh's and ahh's every time Jamie Dornan shed an article of clothing, but to be honest the movie itself had no plot and I probably wouldn't spend money to see it. However, I was inspired by Anastasia Steele's humble, 'girl next door' makeup seen in the movie and decided to create this ethereal look for Valentines using the Give In To Me Kit. 

After applying my typical base of makeup I began creating a neutral eye look with underlying pink and lavender tones. I swept the lightest shade, I-514, all over the lid to create a shimmering base then to add depth to the eye I worked small amounts of the taupe grey, S-556, and continued blending to create a shadow in the crease. I then took a shader brush with the metallic copper brown shade, ME-612, and packed this shadow onto the lid to add warmth. I finished the eyes with the Graphic Eyeliner along the upper lash line, followed by 3 coats of the Smoky Extravaganza Mascara. For the lips I simply layered the products in this kit: the Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick in N4 and the Lab Shine Lip Gloss in D14. I love how simple this lip is from afar but how dazzling it becomes up close thanks to the gold shimmer seen in the lip gloss. Definitely a look I will be re-creating in the future. 

THE KIT

What style are you wearing this Valentine's Day? Romantic or Sexy?

AM¥     XO

[*]The items in this post have been sent to THE PRETT¥ VAIN for purpose of review. All views expressed reflect my own opinion on the product. For additional information please see the Disclaimer.

MAKE UP FOR EVER X 50 SHADES OF GREY . GIVE IN TO ME

It's finally here. This week marks the release of the movie we've all been dying to see... 50 Shades Of Grey. I never read the book, nor do I have any desire to, but the idea that Jamie Dornan could potentially pull a tampon out of a girl on screen means I'll be going to the theatre this weekend – alas, that'll never happen. But I do truly plan to see it, and in between the shots of Jamie Dornan and his room of sex, I'll be admiring Dakota Johnson's makeup, which was created by Victoria Dawn, Head Of Makeup for the film, who consistently reached for Make Up For Ever. Now, Make Up For Ever wants to take you backstage with a limited-edition collection inspired by the movie, including a cheek set, two lip sets and an entire makeup kit.

I got my hands on the Make Up For Ever Give In To Me Makeup Kit [*]($90 CAD) early last week and have not only been loving the five products it contains, but also their ability to transform my look from natural, to sultry to sophisticated. The products are housed in a a keepsake box, which even includes a secret compartment with a key – although I've never read the book something tells me that Christian Grey would house some toys of his own in there. Not sure that the average consumer is interested in a keepsake box that says "Mr. Grey will see you now", but we'll leave that debate for another time. It's the products inside that are of interest to me, and they include:

• 4 x 0.08 Artist Shadow Palette in shades I-514, ME-612, S-556, I-625 
• 0.03 oz Graphic Eyeliner 
• 0.16 oz Smoky Extravagant Mascara 
• 0.12 oz Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick in N4 
• 0.09 oz Lab Shine Lip Gloss in D14

THE E¥ES

This kit is all about creating enchanting, and intoxicating eyes. With the help of the earthy Artist Shadow Palette, Graphic Eyeliner and Smoky Extravagant Mascara, one can easily create a variety of looks that can readily be transformed from day to night. The eyeshadow palette contains four shades – I-514, an iridescent pink ivory, ME-612 a metallic silver brown, S-556, a satin taupe grey, and I-625 a limited edition iridescent khaki taupe shadow. There's also a pamphlet accompanying the kit, which features step-by-step guides to create three different looks from the movie. But my absolute favourite way of wearing this travel-friendly palette is quite simple; I-514 swept across the lid and onto the brow bone, S-556 and I-625 blended into the crease, and ME-612 smudged along the lower lashline. Add a small cat-eye with the Graphic Eyeliner, and make the most of your lashes with the Smoky Extravagant Mascara, and you're good to go. 

Artist Shadows Swatched L-R – I-514, ME-612, S-556, & I-625. 

THE LIPS

The lip products tell the softer side of the 50 Shades Of Grey romance – there is an innocence seen in the shades and finishes of the Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick in N4 and the Lab Shine Lip Gloss in D14. This combination is verging on the ideal 'Girl Next Door' lip, but with a slightly more demure undertone. The Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick in N4 is described as a pink beige, but given my skin tone it appears slightly more salmon when applied. It wears nicely on the lips, feels comfortable and imparts a luminous finish. It's a beautiful shade, although I prefer it when the Lab Shine Lip Gloss in D14 is layered over top. There is something about the gold shimmer, seen in this indian pink gloss that makes anything underneath look spectacular – even bare lips. 

Swatched L-R – Lipstick in N4 & Lip Gloss in D14

Will you be seeing the movie, or trying any of Make Up For Ever's 50 Shades Of Grey inspired kits?

AM¥     XO

*]The items in this post have been sent to THE PRETT¥ VAIN for purpose of review. All views expressed reflect my own opinion on the product. For additional information please see the Disclaimer.