I’m Taking The #Empties Challenge!

McKennaRishmawy#emptiesmakemehappy, #projectempties, #projectuseitup, beauty product empties, empties, empties challenge, makeup challenge, saving money, tips for saving money on beauty, waste reduction 3 Comments

I’m a self-admitted beauty junkie. My hairstylist back in California knows it, my friends know it, my family knows it, and the people in a couple local Sephora locations now know it. I know that I don’t buy nearly as much as some, and I did manage to whiddle down my hair products to a much smaller collection before I moved to Chicagoland, but I do love trying new things seeing what other people use, and I’d choose to browse around the Bloomindale’s beauty floor or book a Friday post-work blowout over a pair of new shoes or piece of new tech any day. I also manage to find ways to acquire things for free, whether through Sephora rewards (scored a full-size Bumble&bumble CitySwept this way at an event they held at an OC salon), gifts, giftcards, or knowing the right people. Life finds a way.

However, with a new job starting next week, added healthcare premiums with an impending new plan, the need to save up after not having income for two months, and a general desire to be more mindful with my purchasing, I cannot … and some of you are laughing at me for this because you know how futilely I sometimes try … but I cannot be making unnecessary beauty purchases these days! In fact, I don’t believe I can even justify acquiring more beauty products right now even if they don’t cost me anything!

However, making a vague and awkward rule for yourself of “no new beauty products” can be hard to stick with. It can also be easy to find ways of justifying a new find when you don’t give yourself clear guidelines, or when it’s free. So, in order to inspire and motivate myself, II’m going to try to a fun challenge involving the emptying (or finishing) of the beauty products I currently have. It’s important that I learn to appreciate my own stash and cabinets, and that I learn to actually acknowledge and use what’s already there. We’ll call this my own version of the #empties challenge, as inspired by the popular Instagram hashtag that I originally discovered with Eva Chen, former editor in chief at now-defunct Lucky magazine and current head of fashion partnerships at Instagram. You can see what others are doing with their “empties” through the following hashtags: #empties, #projectempties, #emptiesmakemehappy, or #projectuseitup .

None of these are empty. Yet.

For my own personal challenge, I’m instating a rule of no new beauty products or services (and this includes hair, skin, makeup, nails [now that they’ve grown back], fragrance, blowouts/hair services, and even massages which I only book maybe twice a year) without fully using up two products that I already own first. If I happen to be given a product for free (even if it’s just a free sample), I can keep it but I cannot use it until I have finished two full-size products that I already own first. If I am given a gift card or a gift certificate for a service, I cannot use it either until I’ve satisfied the aforementioned requirements. The only exception to any of this would be the offer of a free trim or blowout by someone I know personally that could take place in a home and not in a salon. However, I currently don’t know any hairstylists out here so it’s likely I won’t be encountering such an offer for at least a while!

So, here are the specifics I’m putting in place. The two empty products can be in any beauty category, but both have to be completely finished. I cannot be sneaky and choose to give away or throw away anything and count it as an empty (which I have done before with the reasoning of “Oh, I don’t like this color anymore” or “I’ll never finish this”, unless it is clearly expired as evidenced by odor or something like that). I have to finish off the whole thing myself for the product to count. Additionally, I’m adding price categories to this game I’m playing. If I use up two drugstore purchases, I can purchase a new drugstore product but I cannot purchase a new department store or specialty store product (which we’ll call a luxury product). That can only happen when at least one out of the two “empties” is also a luxury product. Example- finishing a L’Oreal gloss balm and a Sally Hershberger heat protectant spray from CVS will only merit a similar purchase at Target or a drugstore. Now, if I were to finish the heat protectant spray and a $32 NARS bronzer compact, then I’d be good to purchase one item from Sephora or the beauty department at Nordstrom. Get it? Good. And just so it’s clear, luxury empties will still only merit the purchase of one product- no extra rewards just because they’re more expensive! So, using up a Davines conditioner and Rahua shampoo will still only earn one purchase or service, and if it happens that I choose to buy something for $5 from a drugstore, then that’s it. Two empties, one purchase.

Lastly, if I desire to purchase a product at a drugstore that is priced above $16, it’s automatically bumped up to the luxury category. So for instance, there’s a Neutrogena anti-wrinkle serum that I’ve been eyeing lately as my possible first foray into the anti-aging category thanks to some creases cropping up on my forehead. The serum costs around $21 at Target and drugstores. It’s therefore in the luxury bracket and has to meet the requirements for the more expensive purchases. Same goes for the Burt’s Bees oil cleanser I’ve been eyeing that costs $17 at Target.

I’m actually very excited for this. I haven’t given some of my makeup much of a chance because I just haven’t used it enough to see its value or versatility! Additionally, my tastes and abilities have grown over the years so items that I got tired of a couple years ago are now met with new enthusiasm and skill. This challenge also forces me to deal with the consequences of buying. You wanted to own it? Now you have to use it, all of it, and make it worth your money. Moreover, this challenge will encourage me to be more creative with my personal styling. Want to get rid of that tube of high-shine TIGI hair gel? Better get used to a lot of sleek buns in the near future or experimenting with the “wet look”! That Dior eyeshadow palette just sitting there? Time to figure out a daytime smokey eye! And this is all more motivation to find people here to style and use my stuff on, too!

Anyone willing to take this challenge with me? I’ll be trying to upload pictures every time I get rid of at least two empties. I look forward to being more creative with what I have, and this gives me less of an excuse to not use my makeup, or to not style my hair. And in general, it’s just good for my personal economy, great for the environment as it lessens needless waste, and my hope is that it encourages me to just spend less overall. What do you say, people?! Time to wear eyeshadow every day! xo, MR

September 14, 2015the Friends stuff., the Makeup stuff.

With Love From Chicagoland- My Bride Erin

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So, it’s not like a lot hasn’t been happening in my life, but I admit that I am very late in posting my weddings from this past year. Very late. However, it is a sweet and beautiful thing to be able to sit down here in Illinois, after all this transition, and look back at an amazing day in California that was only four months ago.

I had the pleasure and the honor of making up my dear friend Erin on her wedding day. This day was a marathon because the party was an all-day affair, literally. We hit the ground in the early morning and things didn’t stop until late in the evening, and there might have even been a happy hour stop during an hour or so of downtime. There were a lot of tears, a lot of tacos, plenty of wine, and an abundance of good, good people.

I remember when a friend of mine suggested I meet Erin because he was convinced that we were sort of the same person. No two people are ever quite alike, but some of my most authentic, messy conversations have been with this woman. I have felt safe to be my unfiltered self around Erin, and I have received nothing but grace, edification, and laughter (loud, soul-empowering laughter) in return. There’s no conversation too frightening and no drink too strong for this girl, and I am thankful to be called her friend.

When Erin and I talked about what she wanted for her makeup, she immediately mentioned Princess Kate. Inspiration like the Duchess of Cambridge fits well within my philosophy of “natural-but-enhanced”, with glowing skin and a bit of extra drama for the eyes. I even managed to pick up the exact lipstick used by Kate on her wedding day- Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Sandwash Pink. Nothing crazy; a perfect bridal neutral-pink. I also did some research and managed to use one of the eye colors from Kate’s wedding day- Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow in Taupe. I love this color. It’s not brown, it’s not grey. It’s perfectly in between the two and extremely flattering. You can wear it everyday as a liner or build it to create a slightly smokey eye as I did for Erin. I blended this shade with my trusty MAC Shroom, maybe a shade or two from Dior’s Earth Reflection palette, and Christian Siriano for VS Makeup in Royal (yes, I’ve had this shadow for YEARS and I’m not sure what I’ll do when it runs out because I’ve yet to find a perfect match). I used Bobbie Brown’s Long-Wear Gel Liner in Black to line Erin’s upper lids.

For Erin’s skin, we used her BareMinerals Original SPF15 Foundation after applying Hourglass’ Veil Mineral Primer. I used Urban Decay’s Naked Flushed palette in Native for some light bronzer-based contouring and blush, along with MAC’s Mineralize SkinFinish in Soft and Gentle for highlighting. Once I’ve applied everything (including lips), I tend to finish off the face with an all-over dusting of Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Mood Light and a couple sprays of setting spray.

We also put a lot of focus on Erin’s brows (never a problem with me, as you know) using a powder eyeshadow of her choice and a gel to set. We used accent half-strip lashes instead of full strips because we agreed (after some discussion) that while full strips work nicely for photos, they just didn’t quite fit the look we were going for. Moreover, Erin already has long, beautiful eyelashes that really don’t need much help.

I don’t know why but for some reason I’m obsessed with this shot displaying the finished product (minus the dress). It might be the fact that I would wear Erin’s shirt and sweatpants out to dinner, but it might also be that I am just really, really happy with how she turned out and I love shots of the bride looking down.

Seriously, would you check out those eyes?! She looked stunning.

And in case you’re dying of curiosity, here’s a shot of the dress, which was like nothing that I had ever seen before …

What a great day this was. I wish all weddings could be like this one, with this much laughter and this much open display of emotion and the sense that you have been invited into a marriage as a witness and an encourager. Love you so much, Erin, and oceans of love to you and Carp. I’ll be seeing you soon. xo, MR

All photography (except still shot of makeup) credited to the fabulous John and Michelle Klewer, who turned out to be a special find amongst the beautiful chaos of the day. If you like what you see, be sure to check out more of John’s work here.

September 4, 2015the Makeup stuff.

Brow Game Strong

McKennaRishmawyAnastasia Tinted Brow Gel, best celebrity eyebrows, best tweezers, Brett Brow Arch Control Gel, Brett Brow Pencil Duo, Brooke Shields eyebrows, Camilla Belle eyebrows, Cara Delevingne eyebrows, CK One Color Brow and Gel Duo, eyebrows, InStyle magazine, Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer, low maintenance eyebrows, Tweerzerman 1 Comment

Back in high school, I noticed this one girl, who had always been very pretty, suddenly beginning to look much more adult than the rest of us. I couldn’t put my finger on what had happened. And it wasn’t anything owed to physical development of the body; it was something different about her face. Her hair was perhaps getting lighter, but that just didn’t account for all of it. It was something in the expressiveness of her face that had suddenly become more mature and couldn’t be found on my own face.

I remember when I realized that it was the fact that she was now penciling in and defining her eyebrows that had caused this noticeable change. When I think about it, she didn’t really have standout eyebrows before (light blonde), and now they were squared off with a very angular arch, colored in with a chestnut-blonde pencil that was a couple shades darker than her hair color. It gave a very harsh effect in hindsight that I would never attempt to repeat, but I think that was the first time when I realized how powerful eyebrows can be. They are very easy to ignore, but it is truly amazing how much of a beautiful impact they can have on your look when you pay just a little attention to them (or, well, the right kind of attention I guess).

My mom began urging me to leave me own eyebrows alone around the same time I noticed this other girl’s. At that point, the trend was still to pluck them nearly out of existence and/or replace them with dark, harsh pencil lines, and it had been so all through the preceding decade. Natural brows circa 2003 were considered sort of weird. If you manage to find a picture of the Spice Girls, Drew Barrymore back in her younger years, and even Angelina Jolie around the same time, you’ll see that eyebrows were not recognized as the crowning glory of the face as many now see them. Women like Brooke Shields and Jennifer Connelly (who I am eternally and forever obsessed with) were considered sort of fringe-y and almost avant-garde for letting their brows remain strong and full (and not always in the best way). I remember my mom referencing Brooke Shields when encouraging me to leave my eyebrows alone, and though I didn’t yet have a grid for “different” being a good thing at that point, I listened to her. I thought maybe my eyebrows could be something special.

I probably did not pluck a single hair from my brows (save for the little rogues that tried to make their way out into No Man’s Land) until I was 22 or 23. At that point I began seeing the benefits of plucking one or two hairs that had come down just a tad too far; this defined the shape of my brow and prevented them from becoming a chaotic mess. I also began using my first product to fill them in a bit more and brush them into place- Anastasia’s Tinted Brow Gel in Espresso. I used this on my wedding day. I hadn’t thought of really paying much attention to enhance my eyebrows before all this.

And then it happened- Cara Delevingne happened. One model, over the course of perhaps just one year, exploded within the fashion world and seemed to singlehandedly make full, bold brows cool again. Brushing them up, and yes, making them darker but without sacrificing their texture (as in you want the hairs to be visible and not colored over) became acceptable rules to play by. And suddenly, everyone who had ever plucked their brows to death in the 90’s and 2000’s was at a disadvantage. I, however, rejoiced! And seemingly overnight, bold, statement-making brows were everywhere in the celebrity world- Camilla Belle, Lilly Collins, Keira Knightley, Diane Kruger, Megan Fox, and a million more. Finally- a beauty trend that I really, really felt like I could relate to, and one that didn’t demand alterations of what was natural. And it was finally okay to look like Joan Crawford again.

So what do I currently use? If a wily hair ever manages to make itself just a bit too present, I reach for my Tweeezerman tweezers (and they are truly the most precise) and yank that sucker outta my life. But not too much! I limit myself to probably three choice hairs that don’t belong. If I start hunting for more than that, I fear that things may get out of hand. So in short- extremely limited plucking, like maybe once every 1-2 months. I like how brows can almost take on a more masculine quality when you let them be. For the most part, I try to let them do their thing.

As for daily grooming, I often find that I won’t touch or brush my hair in the mornings, but I will tend to my brows. At the very least, combing them up into place happens with a brow brush or a clear gel. I once found myself using a plastic fork to brush them up at work when I failed to bring anything with me. My most regularly used product is the CK One Color Brow Pencil and Gel Duo in Crafty Raven. The tapered pencil is easy to use and the spooly brush with gel is a cinch. I’m on my third one of these currently.

When I have a couple extra minutes, I use Brett Brow’s Duo Shade Pencil in Medium Brunette. I use the darker side on the inside half of my brows, carefully filling in the inner corners but without squaring them off (which scares me and looks a bit angry). It’s important that my brows look shaded, soft, and natural, and not as if they were stenciled in. It’s important to me that I still be able to see the individual hairs. I probably use the most pencil around the arch area, which is just off from the center of my eye. I then take the lighter shade and sketch a little more into the arch and then out (creating that so-called “ombre’d” brow effect). I then use Brett Brow’s Arch Control Gel that comes with a dry blender brush. I use the dry brush to blend in any sketched lines that are too harsh and visible, and then finally the gel to brush the brows up and in place, carefully tapering them off at the ends. This particular gel leaves brows shiny, which I love.

If I’m really going the extra mile, I’ll take a creamy highlighter like the NYX Wonder Pencil and draw just a couple tiny dots beneath my brows, blending them in thoroughly. This gives a lifting effect, and it highlights the brow bone in a very flattering way that opens up the eye area overall. The highlighter-concealers that I discussed in this previous post are also excellent to use for this technique.

And that’s about as crazy as it gets. I have never had my brows waxed, and their shape isn’t immaculate like much of what we see these days on Instagram, but I appreciate the low maintenance. I’d rather put money or time into a hair appointment or a nice skincare item, but I’ve had a couple friends with very high maintenance eyebrows that they love to invest in and treat beautifully. I remember InStyle magazine once describing high maintenance brows (think Camilla Belle status, possibly in need of frequent waxing appointments) as the “Celine luggage of brows”, referring to them as impeccably tailored and requiring the best of care. I love that idea, but I myself have not been quite that blessed. I guess the grass is always greener.

My next brow venture will probably involve attempting to trim my brow hairs (myself). Anyone do this currently? I’m curious to hear your experiences. Peace, love, and brows for now! xo, MR

September 1, 2015the Hair stuff., the Makeup stuff., the Skin stuff.

Drugstore Cowgirl Part 3

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I recently realized that I’ve lost my NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella. I have no idea where it is. It doesn’t help that I’ve moved across the country within the past month by car. That lip crayon could be anywhere. For all I know some lucky corn farmer in Nebraska discovered the greatest shade of red lying in his field just off the highway a couple weeks ago, and is now wearing it proudly as he drives his John Deere. Bless him.

The real bummer is that normally, I would take a jaunt down to my nearest Sephora this weekend and pick up a brand new lip crayon to replace my lost one. However, I am currently searching for jobs and waiting for many application responses. And while our bank account isn’t in dangerous territory by most standards, something about purchasing a … *gulps with guilt* … thirty dollar lipstick these days feels slightly out of responsible boundaries right now.

And now that I think about it, maybe the real, REAL bummer is the fact that I thought I needed a NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella when I also have a NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl, MAC’s matte lipstick in Ruby Woo, and MAC’s lipstick in Russian Red. Just silly. Maybe one shade of red can be good enough for now. After all, where did fifty shades of grey get us? It got us nowhere. In relationships, in literature, in filmmaking, as women- nowhere. And I don’t want to be ignorant of history and repeat humankind’s same mortal mistakes.

Anyways, now that you’re done being angry with me, we can move on to the main subject- drugstore finds! And I’m talking drugstore finds that I have purchased and then used multiple times, much more than once. With a renewed mindfulness toward money, I’m seeing that finding value in a great drugstore find is something to be relished. Finding something that really works well for under ten dollars is just the best. Sure, you’re lacking the “name”, or the pretty compact, or the lovely fragrance emitting from your mascara (I’m looking at you, DiorShow), but seriously- who cares?

Speaking of shades of red, Revlon’s Ultra HD Lipstick in Gladiolus is an amazing drugstore choice. I purchased it when I got the run-down of Emma Stone’s makeup at this year’s SAG awards, which I was obsessed with. Her makeup artist, Rachel Goodwin, has done a brilliant job at incorporating new Revlon products into Emma’s looks. What I really like about this formula is that it’s very comfortable. This is not a matte shade at all, which is what I typically go for, but after wearing so many matte shades you tend to forget that lipstick actually can be creamy and comfortable (and as much as I love Ruby Woo, it makes my lips dry as a desert). Such is the case with the Ultra HD; it’s very easy to wear. I find that this shade is not brick or orange-y, and not too blue-based either. It’s really beautiful on Emma with fair skin, but I also found it to be flattering on my skin tone which is more of an olive at times. If you’re looking for a cheap red to try, I recommend this to you.

I sometimes feel bad advocating for drugstore hair products because I know that salons rely heavily on their retail sales and I’m very much about supporting local salons. However, hairspray is one product that I have never purchased from a salon because I don’t use it very often, and I honestly haven’t seen much of a difference in quality between salon hairspray or drugstore brands. Moreover, some drugstore hairspray fragrances are so nostalgic to me. Aussie, anyone? And I will always associate Tresseme’s hairspray scent with my mom, who uses it every morning.

There was one occasion though when I needed a heavy duty hairspray that would hold an updo and help with teasing (which I hate to do). I was going to a Halloween party as Holly Golightly, and I needed to recreate her French twist with all the volume at the crown. L’Oreal’s Boost It High Lift Creation Spray is like the monster glue of hairspray, in my opinion. You know when a hairspray isn’t so much a mist as it is a web? That’s this stuff. It has a backcombing, mattifying effect that was perfect for my updo on Halloween. You can spray it and then tease a section of hair into Dolly Parton oblivion, or just mist it all over your hair and then watch it not move for the next 24 hours. And the scent is very addicting but very strong, so, it’s basically smack as hairspray. Proceed with caution.

I used CeraVe’s Hydrating Cleanser Bar for the first time one month ago when I was staying at my mom-in-law’s house after we’d moved out of our apartment. The scent is very clinical and soapy to me, but the soft texture it left behind on my skin was unmistakable. I couldn’t wait for showers when using this bar, and I’ve continued to purchase it out here in Illinois. I’ve always used body washes dispensed from bottles, and I have a tendency to probably use too much as a time and a lot more than is needed. You have that advantage with a soap bar in that you’re not squeezing too much out, but the disadvantage is that the bar gets wet over time and can dissolve when you’re not using it, causing you to lose soap that way. Regardless, I’ve been keeping CeraVe in rotation in our shower and will probably continue to do so when things get really windy in the winter.

As I continue to grow out my hair in my endless quest for whatever it is I think I’m looking for, I’m starting to refocus my efforts on maintaining healthy and full ends. This task used to be my number one priority when it came hair, but my recent chop has granted me some freedom in not having to think of split or broken ends so much. Though my hair hasn’t reached my collar bone yet, I’m trying to become conscious again about heat protectants, being careful with aggressive hair ties, and using products that help to at least give the illusion of fuller ends. I don’t think Garnier Fructis’ Full and Plush Ends Plumper Amplifying Leave-In Serum does a ton in the way of split end prevention, but it does at least temporarily seal ends to give them a healthier look. This is also a good thing for volume as my hair starts to grow out and loses its natural volume that came from such a short cut. I sampled Bumble and bumble’s new Full Potential line the other day and rubbed some of the Garner into my ends before hitting my hair with a blow-dryer for about three minutes, and wowie- my hair got huge, and not just from the scalp but all over.

Maybe one of these days I’ll suddenly find my lost Cruella in a box or jean pocket, but for now, I’m sticking with what I already have or learning to love the cheap stuff. I want to grow out my hair anyhow (so no frequent cuts), and sometimes I think all you need for good skin is water and sleep anyhow. I know I can afford that. xo, MR

August 18, 2015the Makeup stuff.

Average Makeup For Average People!

McKennaRishmawyBare Minerals Original SPF 15 Foundation, best mascara, Burberry Pale Barley, Ck One Color Brow + Gel Duo, concealer as highlighter, contouring, contouring for beginners, Dior 5-Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette, Dior Grege, easy contouring, highlighting, Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer, MAC Mineralize SkinFinish Soft And Gentle, Marc Jacobs Beauty, Marc Jacobs Love Buzz, natural makeup, Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara 1 Comment

If you know me, you know I’m a huge fan of trends. I always look forward to what’s coming out next season, and I’m the first one to jump aboard the bandwagon when everyone starts wearing their hair a certain way (hellooooo, ombre for life). And I love it! Trends are a fun way to keep my look dynamic, and I find myself trying things I wouldn’t normally try once something pops up on the trend radar.

However, when it comes to the beauty trends I’ve seen floating around Instagram these days, I’m not as keen. You’ve heard me say these things before- Kardashian-style contouring, so-called strobing (which is just a trend word for highlighting, which has been around forever), exaggerated lipliner, and the bright red cream blush that is suddenly being applied to everyone’s undereye area because it apparently cancels out green undertones … why? I will admit that all of these tricks can be exciting when it comes to the transformative power of makeup, but it’s become popular to go through these complex makeup routines for everyday life. The Kardashian-Jenner women look fully made up and one hundred percent camera ready every single day, and by sharing all of this with their followers, they have caused millions of other women to aspire for the same.

However, this is not a very realistic thing for most folks to aspire to. Wearing the kind of makeup each day that is meant for HD cameras is not only a lot of look for many people, but it is also difficult to put into practice. It can be time consuming and expensive to apply a full routine of makeup each day like what we see on Instagram, and many would find it uncomfortable to wear that much to work or just out running errands.

So what might a full (keep in mind, full) makeup routine look like for the more average person? One that still ups your typical makeup game, but doesn’t require any red undereye concealer or even false lashes? We can get to all of that, but let’s start with something basic. It is presumptuous of me to believe that I have any answers, but here’s my stab at it:

Start by prepping your skin. Got a good moisturizer? Slather it on. Or a sunscreen? Serum? Whatever it is, put it on to get your skin moist and ready to receive product.
.Take either your liquid or powder foundation and use a brush (fluffy or foundation, depending on whether you’re using liquid or powder) to apply a light layer. Be certain that there is no line of demarcation on your jawline. In other words, blend, blend, blend so there is no visible line where the makeup begins or ends. Check your hairline, the smaller areas around lips, and your nose!
Use an eyebrow pencil no more than two shades darker than your natural brows to lightly sketch in any gaps or anywhere that you’d like more definition. Use a brow brush to brush them up, and then use a brow gel to set them.
Take a blush or powder that’s just a shade or two darker than your skintone and, using a blush brush, make light, consistent strokes just beneath your cheekbones (and I used MAC’s blush in Buff, pictured below). This will create some light definition. I typically like to limit my contouring to this. You can also use bronzer for this step. Just be sure to blend well.
Next, apply a cream concealer to the couple darkened spots on your face such as the undereye area and beneath your nostrils. I like NARS Creamy Radiance Concealer, Kevyn Aucoin’s Sensual Skin Enhancer, and Yves Saint Laurent’s Touche Eclat, which all work as both concealers and highlighters.
1. Here’s where I add a bit of highlighting- Along with the darkened places of your face, apply small dots of concealer to areas where light hits your face naturally. See my picture below for a reference. I’ve actually mimicked Chrissy Teigen’s methods here and I’ve found that these little spots work nicely. I also added some around the lips.
2. Then, use a concealer brush (or your finger, which will work) to blend in the concealer. Try your best to find natural light when blending so you can see clearly. It is hard to blend accurately and thoroughly in a poorly-lit bathroom. Your face should appear to have some nice dimension and should appear highlighted, even glowing. Obviously, the picture below is pre-blending.

6. To add some extra shimmer (or “champagne pop” as some have called it), take any shimmery highlighter such as MAC’s Mineralize SkinFinish in Soft And Gentle and apply it to the apples of your cheeks, your forehead, and a bit on your chin.

7. For your eyes, I like to choose a neutral but flattering eyeshadow such as Burberry’s Pale Barley and blend it all over my lids, stopping at the browbone. For just a little extra drama, I line my eyes with a darker, matte shadow like the bottom-left shade you see in the Dior Grege palette you see below. Line the upper lid, line the lower lid. Add some brown eyeliner to the waterline. I’ve used the same CoverGirl one for a couple years.

8. The one thing I’ll go overboard on is mascara. I take as much time as I want on this. However many coats, however many different kinds. Everything else is so neutral and light that I like to add that small dose of glamour with a ton of thick lashes.

9. And finally, for lips, I just add a gloss! No lipstick, no liner, just gloss. Pick any flattering gloss you like. I’ve been using Marc Jacobs Enamoured Hi-Shine Lip Lacquer in Love Buzz.

Give all this a shot. There’s no filter here, so this is how it turned out in natural light in front of a window. I’d say the steps that make this a little more difficult for those who’d call themselves “beginners” are those involving the concealer as highlighter. You can always skip those steps and just start with concealing the darkened areas or problems spots (like zits), and add some shimmery highlighting powder to your cheeks. Play around with it, and let me know what works. xo, MR

August 14, 2015the Makeup stuff.

Pre-Fall 2015 Lip Picks

McKennaRishmawyberry stain lip, best lipstain, best lipstick, fall 2015 beauty trends, lipstick, lipstick trends, long lasting lip color, Revlon Black Cherry, Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick Leave a comment

Lipstick is probably the most popular, most familiar member of the makeup family. I mean, think about it. Your brother or boyfriend might make all those lame jokes about not knowing what mascara is, or they act like they don’t know what you’re talking about when you mention foundation (and I submit that they are all liars and most guys actually could pass a basic makeup identification test if needed; they just needlessly feign ignorance for fear of looking less than ‘dude’), but every person on the planet knows what lipstick is. Without question. I’d venture a guess that most any person, in any country, anywhere, would know exactly what to do with that bright red bullet in a Revlon tube. Now, how many of those red bullets we come across in a lifetime will vary from person to person, but generally speaking, lipstick is a globally known thing.

Which is why I think it’s so well loved. Some form of lip rouge has been around forever, and it seems that every year there is some new shade, some new formula that the public goes absolutely nuts for. MAC has their annual Viva Glam lipstick shade that always debuts with great anticipation. People go on rabid Google searches for a certain lip color seen on a celebrity, causing it to sell out everywhere. New long-wear formulas like Stila’s Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick and Kat Von D’s Everlasting Liquid Lipstick have introduced a cult-like frenzy, garnering the praises of countless beauty bloggers and Instagram-ers. The new trend of blue, lavender, and pink hair has seemed to inspire a breaking of boundaries in lip color as well with shades of deep purple and dark blue showing up on both the runways and on the streets.

You don’t just buy your friend one shade of lipstick for her birthday; you buy her four. Many women don’t merely purchase one shade of lip color in a formula they love; they purchase multiples, if not the whole line. We seem to treat lipstick like candy. We want every flavor, every kind. I believe if we could eat lipstick, we would. And while this strikes me ultimately as bizarre and animalistic, I admit that I’m part of all this. I’ve never seemed to develop a loyalty toward one brand or one formula, but I can certainly play the game. And I would definitely eat MAC’s Candy Yum-Yum if I could.

I have two lipsticks that are inspiring me for the moment. One you could consider an easy, wear-everyday-if-you-wanted kind of color, and the other could be taken as your way to play with this fall’s trends.

Too Faced has had this line of Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick for a couple years, and I’d avoided them until now because anything with the words “long wear” tends to really scare me and make my lips turn reptilian. I harken back to my high school days when CoverGirl first introduced Outlast All Day Lip Color, and I remember feeling like I was literally painting cement on my lips with the comfort and ease of a brillo pad. That first go round at long-lasting lipstick was god awful, truly. I mean, how dry does something have to be to the point where they feel the need to include another product with it, a “moisturizing topcoat”?! Lord, no. And does anyone remember trying to remove that stuff? Might as well have used paint stripper!

But I feel that such formulas have improved over the years in comfort and practicality, with Too Faced having introduced one improved version. I can’t say that the shine lasts especially long, but the feel of ‘Melted’ is very pillowy and buttery. My lips appeared fuller as well, a result of glossy, light reflecting properties. I purchased this in a shade called “Melted Chihuahua” (insert mental picture of the Taco Bell dog being thrown into a volcano here), and it’s an easy color for everyday, a warm, nude-ish rose that’s “my lips but better”. The highly saturated pigment did linger for quite a while (through morning coffee, church, and brunch more or less), and the scent is tart and sweet. I would love to go for a full-on vampy look with the dark, purple-blue Melted Villain shade, but I’m playing it slightly safer when it comes to this fall’s deep berry trend.

Which brings me to the nearly-black bullet pictured beside the Too Faced. Revlon has a number of lipstick shades that have become cult classics over the decades. You’ve got Fire And Ice, Love That Red, and the color pictured here, Black Cherry. And no, the color doesn’t swatch as black but rather as a deep plum-berry stain. I love this color. I really, really love it. Darker colors do make your lips appear smaller, but I don’t mind. I like it when lips show a merlot tinge after a couple glasses, and I like how lips show all of their cracks and crevices when stained. I actually don’t prefer perfectly smooth, plump lips- there’s not as much character in that look for me. Even Angelina Jolie’s full lips have a lot of crevices and irregularities about them. So anyhow, the Black Cherry is a fun find. And for less than ten bucks at Walgreen’s, it’s nice to save a trip to Sephora and some cash that would otherwise have been blown on a lipstick I won’t wear super often.

Pictured here- Black Cherry while out and about in the Midwest suburbs of Illinois. Maybe the city will provide a better opportunity- I’ve always wanted to look like a wicked city woman (though I’m about as intimidating as a bulldog puppy). xo, MR

August 10, 2015the Makeup stuff., the Me stuff.

Hello, again.

McKennaRishmawybeauty blog, beauty blogger, beauty Instagram, Chicago beauty blogger, Chicago makeup artist, Chitown beauty blogger, freelance makeup artist, makeup blog, makeup blogger, The Bright Blush, thebrightblush Leave a comment

Hi.

My name is McKenna. I’m a California native, now living in the Chicago North Shore area. I like to read and write about beauty. I like to engage in beauty through social media, as well.

What this all looks like is following a variety of blogs, scrolling through Instagram, reading endless amounts of magazines, actually doing makeup when the occasion presents itself (on both myself and others), browsing without purpose through Sephora (or Walgreen’s, or the Saks beauty department), and just thinking about hair, makeup, and skincare in general on a pretty consistent basis.

It looks like taking selfies when I’m excited about how my hair turned out for the day, getting really pumped over an ‘Olivia Palermo for Ciate’ nail polish collection (even though I currently have no nails), smelling every perfume on the glass counters at Nordstrom, getting possessive and angry toward IntoTheGloss because you feel like Emily Weiss has sold out since you first read the blog six years ago, and flipping out over Kate Mara’s new pixie cut.

I’m not ashamed of any of this.

What this doesn’t look like, at least for me, is making how-to videos (though they have been requested and I am considering it), using a blur effect app on my photos, and doing a lot of contouring and strobing and lining outside the natural lip line. And no, contouring and strobing aren’t the latest moves or drug trends you’ll pick up on at EDM, though it sometimes feels that way.

My makeup muse is probably Keira Knightley. Which means my actual makeup muse is her regular makeup artist, Kate Lee. I’d be happy to discover what products are favored by Kristen Stewart, and I also admire Diane Kruger, who typically does her own makeup for red carpet events. I also enjoy makeup artist Nick Barose, who typically works with Lupita N’yongo and doesn’t seem to take his job so seriously that he can’t laugh at the ridiculousness that is makeup industry sometimes.

My makeup anti-muse is probably Kylie Jenner or any of the beauty Instagrammers/vloggers that seemingly try to emulate her techniques. It always looks good, but it’s just so much. I’m usually suspicious of anyone whose makeup is always “on point and flawless”. This is why I’ll probably never become a paid and sought-after professional makeup artist- I admit that I don’t like really “makeup-y” makeup. My favorite kind of look, by the standards of many, would probably be considered very basic and boring. My philosophy has always been “Skin first, makeup second” as Glossier puts it (and yes, I even go by this philosophy on your wedding day), and a lot of the makeup I see these days on social media doesn’t put the person’s skin first. I’m not about a transformation; I’m about an enhancing of what’s already there.

So what does my MUA resume consist of? A lot of good faith, the pictures you see here, and decent reviews from women I’ve worked with before (who are mostly brides and, admittedly, mostly friends). Yep, I’m pretty much a makeup artistry amateur and it will likely stay that way! But that doesn’t mean I can’t pretend to be professional when I talk about it.

My list of hair muses is endless, with some of the regulars including Charlotte Gainsbourg, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jennifer Connelly, Lily Aldridge, and a whole barage of women who’ve set the most unrealistic standards for hair since the Disney princesses of yore. For the most part, if it’s messy, wavy hair with some good texture and grit, I’m highly inspired by it. I love Tracey Cunningham on Instagram for her coloring wizardry, and Anh Co Tran for the imperfectly perfect texture he brings to his cuts. Oh, and Justin Kamm of Salon 9 in Orange County, CA is pretty amazing as well. I’m not sure what I’m going to do when the time comes for new color and I can’t get out to see him.

My skincare muse is the French woman. I mean it. That stereotypical image of the French woman who cares little about how sleek and shiny her hair is but cares obsessively over the condition of her skin- that’s what I like and feel I can relate to. It also makes it easier to walk out of the door for work without a stitch of makeup on, but with the knowledge that at least my skin is doing great. Downside- This makes me an easy sell for skincare product lines that apparently hail from the land of guillotines and fondue (and no, I’m not referring to Garnier), but hey, it makes life fun. Even though all such “French” products are probably being manufactured in Minnesota and managed out of New Jersey, or something.

Other sources of beauty inspiration for me come from movies, cities, and art. For some reason, all of these things seem to feed into my appreciation for makeup, skin, and hair. I think it has to do with the fact that I see them all as beautiful things. As it is with lovely hair or skin, a vibrant city, striking architecture, and a mesmerizing film all carry the common thread of beauty. So, this makes sense of how when I see a haunting movie, I suddenly have the urge to try something new with my makeup. Or, how when I walk through a museum, I feel the urge to do someone’s hair or write about beauty as I am now. It’s all very interconnected.

Anyhow, that’s pretty much me in regards to all this beauty stuff. Like I said in the beginning, I love to read and write about beauty. I kind of just really love to read and write (though not nearly as much as some people I know), but the whole makeup thing tends to kick these itches into overdrive.

So here I am, back after a long hiatus, re-introducing myself to you. I’m here to write about beauty.

My name is McKenna, and in this particular space I go by “The Bright Blush”. Nice to have you here.

xo, MR

April 6, 2015the Hair stuff., the Makeup stuff., the Me stuff., the Review stuff., the Skin stuff.

An Autobiographical Top Shelf

McKennaRishmawy#ITGTopShelfie, aveda, Bare Minerals Original SPF 15 Foundation, beauty, best balm stain, best black eyeliner, best curling iron, best drugstore makeup, best drugstore skincare, best gloss balm, best mascara, best moisturizer with SPF, best natural moisturizer, best natural shampoo, best nude lip color, best powder blush, best powder foundation, best texture spray for hair, bob haircut, Bumbleandbumble Cityswept Finish, Bumbleandbumble Dryspun Finish, Caudalie SOS Thirst Quenching Serum, Christian Siriano for Victoria's Secret, Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, davines cutting team, davines momo, davinesus, Desert Essence Daily Defense SPF 15 moisturizer, Dior Addict lipstick Tulle, Emily Weiss, graduated bob, hair trends 2015, Hot Tools, Justin Kamm, kerastase conditioner, Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation, Living Proof Instant Texture mist, loreal colour riche balm, MAC Eye Kohl Feline, MAC eyeshadow Embark, MAC eyeshadow Sketch, NARS blush, NARS velvet matte lip pencil, oil cleanser, Old Town Orange, Orange County salon, oribeapresbeach, Origins A Perfect World, Origins Clear Improvement, r&co, r&cojackpotstylingcreme, Rahua shampoo, Salon 9, uniteeurotherapy, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Vice, www.intothegloss.com, Yes to Cucumbers facial wipes, yves saint laurent rouge pur couture rebel nudes 1 Comment

This post is done in the style of Into The Gloss’s Top Shelf feature, which I’ve been obsessed with for about five years now. So basically, I’m pretending I’m being interviewed by Emily Weiss on all the products I love, in my own home, complete with “professional” photos/selfies. Fake it ’till you make it, right?

My routine is hard to explain briefly. I’ll say this, though- I am not low maintenance when I don’t have to be. There’s no shame in that. I’m addicted to haircare, skincare, makeup, all that, but I really don’t afford myself much time to enjoy it on a daily basis. I either want to spend an hour getting ready just the way I like, or I want to be out the door in five minutes. All or nothing. It’s part of how I appreciate beauty- I hate doing any of it halfheartedly. One of my least favorite things is when I try to quickly wiggle on some mascara in the morning on the way to work and then it turns out all sloppy and incomplete by my standards. It’s not worth it. I’d rather bite the bullet and go bare.

SKINCARE

So, what I do depends on the day. If I have time, I start from the bottom layer and work up, though I try to make the skincare thing happen every day. I typically begin with a serum, and I’ve decided Caudalie’s S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum is the best. I tried Shiseido’s Ultimune, but I like Caudalie’s better for the money. It feels so fresh on my skin, sometimes I forget to put on moisturizer afterwards. It’s been hard to pin down a great moisturizer for me because I’m always looking for something natural, but effective and with SPF that doesn’t leave a weird residue. I’ve been using Origins A Perfect World Moisturizer these past couple months. It smells amazing and has SPF 25. I’ve also like Desert Essence’s Daily Essential Defense Moisturizer from Sprout’s or Whole Foods, but it wouldn’t absorb well when it was hot out so I continued my hunt. When I checked out Origins, the lady helping me gave me a quick facial and she talked me into the toner from the same line. I haven’t used toner in forever because I feel it’s unnecessary and drying, but this stuff felt tingly and actually left my skin moisturized. There’s a lot of white tea in it. We’ll see if I keep it up.

For face wash, I alternate between Origins and Desert Essence, which is entirely made of oils and some castile soap. It sounds basic, but there’s a ton of random stuff in it like bladderwrack extract and goldenseal root extract that I hadn’t even heard of before using it. For a night cream, I’ve been using Acure’s for a couple years and it’s really rich with lavender and chamomile. It’s very calming. I think they sell it at Target now, but it’s been at Whole Foods forever. For zits, I’m pretty faithful to Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion. My husband loves it too. I try to just leave zits alone for the most part these days; I find that doing anything to try and “heal” them just aggravates them or doesn’t quicken their disappearance. Sometimes I’ll do a mask if I’m just watching Netflix late at night. I’ll use Lancome’s Hydra Intense Masque. It’s super cooling and smells amazing; I love putting on some I Love Lucy and having a late-night snack when I do a mask. Best ritual ever! I’ll also use Origins’ Clear Improvement charcoal mask for porous areas; the lady who gave me the facial at Origins gave it to me for free! I like face wipes too, and my favorite are the Yes To Cucumbers kind. I can’t tell you how many packs of those my mom has jammed into my Christmas stocking over the years. I buy them in bulk at Target.

The one thing that’s still sort of a mystery to me is eye cream. I like ones that are cooling and depuffing, and I like rollerball kinds best because they’re more sanitary than dabbing your finger into a jar of cream and then putting it on your eye. Simple Skincare makes a good one, as does First Aid Beauty, but I don’t know. I’m just not there yet.

HAIR

My hair stylist knows I’m a major product addict. The funniest thing has been when I’ve asked him about products from lines that he uses before they’re even out yet or before he’s heard about them! I read about hair stuff in magazines and then I want to go out and try it. New hair products are what I get most excited about, so I’ve tried a lot but I can finally say I have favorites. I wash my hair every three or four days, and I alternate between two shampoos. I’ve been using Rahua’s shampoo for over three years now, and it’s pricey but I feel absolutely no guilt using or purchasing it because it’s so natural. There’s really no soap in it. It’s another product made up mostly of oils. I’ll use another shampoo every other wash, typically an Aveda one like their Color Conserve or Dry Remedy. I’ll try anything for conditioner. I’ve been obsessed with conditioners since my late teens because I was always trying to find ones that would make my hair grow or repair it, but I don’t really believe conditioner does that anymore. I’ve used one from Davines for a long time called Momo; I love it. I’ll also ask for Kerastase samples from my friend who works at a L’Oreal salon because I can’t afford Kerastase, but their deep conditioners have the craziest reputations so I’m always desperate to try them. I also like Alterna, mostly their treatments from their Caviar line. They’re good for when I want to grow my hair out. I use Unite’s 7 Seconds Leave-In Conditioner to detangle with a wide-tooth comb after I wash, but I think I like Bumble and Bumble’s Prep spray better for this. I’ll go back to it after I run out of the Unite. The Prep spray has hops and rosemary, the latter of which is good for lice prevention. I work around kids, and lice is one of those things that you can’t really avoid if you’re in that environment. It’s part of life, so you just have to do what you can. Tea tree oil works well for this too, by the way.

For styling, I’m a sucker for anything to do with texture. Living Proof’s Instant Texture Mist is great for giving that pliable “chunk” feel that I love for hair, and I also like Bumble And Bumble’s stylers like their Dryspun Finish and Cityswept Finish. If it mattifies, gives texture, or extends a blowout, I’ll try it. Anything for the second- or third-day hair look. I like Oribe’s Apres Beach Wave And Shine Hairspray too, though my hair does “beachy” really well on it’s own. I love Oribe’s products for their scent. And the best dry shampoo in the world is Klorane’s, hands down. The non-aerosol kind has stretched out so much time between washes for me. It can make your scalp itchy if you put too much on and don’t brush it out, but it’s still the best. The drugstore kinds suck. If I want a smooth or blown-out look I’ll use R&Co’s Jackpot Styling Creme. The scent is intense but it stretches out my hair beautifully, and the effect lasts around three days.

I got into the R&Co stuff because my salon started carrying it. I go to Salon 9 in Orange, and I’ve been going to Justin Kamm for nearly ten years! He’s a genius. He teaches workshops and is part of the cutting team for Davines. We finally, FINALLY cut my hair past my shoulders just this weekend. I’ve always had my hair long or mid-length, because I love long hair and I love playing with it. I miss topknots and ponytails and long waves, but the bob that Justin gave me feels so right. It’s good to do at least once, and I’m surprised at how comfortable I feel with it. I feel reeeeeally French. And the best part is, all those texture products work so well with this cut. I still put a bit of wave in it with my Hot Tools iron, but roughing it up with some kind of product gives it that grit that I’m always after.

MAKEUP

Makeup is tricky. I’ve tried a ton, but over the years I’ve come to find that I’m actually really picky and haven’t tried quite as much as other people (which is encouraging). Makeup is expensive, and I take forever to run out of anything so buying too much is a really wasteful choice for me. I don’t use primer much, but I like BeneFit’s The Porefessional when I do makeup for brides. It feels silky. I like to use Clarins’ Beauty Flash Balm on myself and then immediately put on powder or foundation once it absorbs. I prefer this to primer. It sort of gives skin a brightening effect. For foundation, I love Bare Minerals’ Original SPF Foundation because it still leaves a glow. I don’t like a matte skin finish; I’m all about dewy skin and mattified hair. The opposite feels too Vegas or Miss America for me. If I want a liquid foundation, Lancome’s Teint Miracle is nice but I still haven’t landed on a favorite. I just don’t think I like liquid foundation. I even have a BB Cream that I like but I just don’t use it too often. You can’t escape the feeling of liquid makeup on your face, which I hate. I immediately want to take it off. Concealer is nearly always Yves Saint Laurent’s Touche Eclat in Luminous Vanilla. I used to hate it, and I’m not sure why. It’s the most lightweight formula I can find that still gives coverage. However, I’m not too concerned anymore with getting rid of dark circles anymore because for some reason, I like them now. They seem to give a touch of character. A heavy concealer under the eyes looks too finished for me. You need that bit of wear in your face.

NARS Bronzer in Laguna is pretty standard, and I’ll try almost any blush. NARS has the best ones. I’ve liked their creme formula in Lokoum for a long time but I think it’s discontinued. Their other powder shades are bonkers; I love Exhibit A and Liberte. MAC has a gorgeous one from their Mineralize line called Warm Soul. It super pretty for everyday, but mineral blush on top of mineral powder it can make your skin look funny. I like it on bare skin. MAC’s Plum Foolery is also good; I wore it for my wedding day and my mom wears it, too. I have a couple Chanel blushes too, but I hate to admit that I bought them because they were honestly just too expensive and frankly, MAC and NARS make better ones. The Chanel ones have perfume in them. You feel glamorous putting them on, but they’re a murderous, stupid splurge. Spend that kind of money on groceries or not at all, for God’s sake.

Eye makeup is a journey for me. I take forever to decide what I’m going to do with my eyes. Eyeshadow feels like such a commitment, which is probably why I wear it the least out of anything. It’s takes me a lot of time and concentration, and I always need to put shadow primer on if I’m going to do it because it makes such an undeniable difference. I think I like purple shadows on myself best. It’s just enough of an interesting color to feel special, and it does wonders for brown eyes. MAC’s Sketch and Embark are good. I bought the Embark because it’s the closest thing I could find that matches this special edition Victoria’s Secret eyeshadow I have. Christian Siriano from Project Runway did a collection for them a long time ago and it included this eyeshadow that is literally perfect. It’s matte, smooth, has amazing concentration, and is this deep purple-brown shade called Royalty that, of course, ended with the collection. I’m going through it really slowly, but I love using it for smokey eyes. A lot of that stuff with a ton of MAC’s kohl liner in Feline, and boosh- I feel like Catwoman. If I’m really going for it I’ll use Urban Decay’s eye pencil in Vice, too, and smudge it out. The best is when a smokey eye looks sweaty and sparkly, like a hazy night at Studio 54 in 1978. This pencil does that. Oh and my mascara is pretty much exclusively CoverGirl. I swear, theirs are the best.

Lips are simple. I do very little, unless it’s something like a red lip. I like lip colors that look like just a bit of something, because I usually like to focus on my eyes. A lot of times it’s just a few swipes of Burt’s Bees. Everything I like tends to be pinky-nude. I’ve liked Dior’s Addict lipstick in Tulle, L’Oreal’s Colour Riche Balm in Nourishing Nude, and Yves Saint Laurent’s Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in Nude Provocateur. I guess I gravitate toward balm stains, or gloss balms, or all those hybrid formulas we see these days. Nothing too lipstick-y. An exception would be NARS’ lip pencils. Those are brilliant.

Oh! I almost forgot about brows. I use one thing- CK One’s Brow Pencil and Gel Duo in Crafty Raven. I like thick, groomed eyebrows, but I hate how many rules and standards there are with them these days. They have to be perfectly shaped, tapered, filled in, not too thin, all that. I’m not into it, and same goes for the contouring craze. It’s just too much, too Kim with all the banana powder and shading and all that. I’m not into tricks that transform your face into another face, though it’s cool that it can be done. I like to look like myself, but with a bit of a wink I guess. That’s the best for me, at least. xo, MR

February 4, 2015the Fashion stuff., the Hair stuff., the Makeup stuff.

Best of the Awards Season 2015

McKennaRishmawybest dressed Golden Globes 2015, best dressed SAG Awards 2015, celebrity makeup artist, Chanel Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Tisse Gabrielle, Chanel Lumiere Facette Quadra Quadrille, Chanel makeup, Chanel red carpet, Dior Couture, Emma Stone, Golden Globes 2015, Kate Lee, Keira Knightley, Kerry Washington, Mara Roszak, Mary Katrantzou, Petra Flannery, Rachel Goodwin, red carpet 2015, Rosamund Pike, SAG Awards 2015 Leave a comment

So, awards season. It’s here. Wait, I mean, it’s been here and I’m just very late. Very, very late. How about I not waste any time and just get down to the point, which in this case would be my favorite looks of the 2015 Awards Season. This mostly revolves around hair and makeup, but there were two irresistible dresses that I’ll get to.

Keira Knightley, once again, proves to be my number one makeup inspiration (alongside Kristen Stewart). I am always impressed and delighted by however subtle or dramatic, feminine or cutting edge, new or same-ole’ her makeup is. I am never disappointed. The look above from this season’s Golden Globes is almost exactly what I go for when I do bridal makeup, and then work forward if the bride is looking for something more specific. It’s just a classic, beautiful look. I spoke to KK’s makeup artist Kate Lee on Instagram (!!!), and while she credited Chanel’s Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra in Tisse Gabrielle for Keira’s eye makeup, she let me know that you’ll want to mix in their Lumieres’ Facettes Quadra in Quadrille as well to create a more violet tone. Luckily, I own the Tisse Gabrielle, so I’ve been playing around with mixing in some of my purplish MAC shades like Sketch for a similar look. I’ve always said that if I were ever to have the opportunity to have a celebrity makeup artist play with my face, Kate would be my very first choice. Every little thing she does is magic!

Not much eye makeup. A matte-ish, more-tangerine-than-red lip. Shineless waves, and an asymmetrical cut. When dissected, so much about Rosamund Pike’s look at this year’s SAG Awards was unconventional and off-ish for the red carpet, and that’s why I loved it. No giant false eyelashes (maybe none at all?), no obvious slick of lip gloss reflecting so much light it could blind you, and a disheveled hair texture that felt different as opposed to all the perfect, 1940s Hollywood waves we typically see at these events. Seriously, who wants Pantene commercial hair any more?! Not me! Pair it all with that Dior Couture gown and you’ve got a look that I would literally wear myself, from the haircut down to the shoes.

One of the fun things about social media is you see a certain celebrity you love on the red carpet, and then they tag all of the people responsible for their look that night and you follow the tags down this rabbit hole of amazingness that enables you to discover exactly who is cutting whose hair, who is always doing whose makeup, and who is styling whose dresses. George Northwood cuts Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s hair, Nick Barose is always Lupita’s makeup artist, and Tracy Cunningham is the hair colorist of all Hollywood everyone ever.

There are certain dream teams, however, that seem to come together for one special celebrity for every important appearance of theirs. In this case, it’s the team of hairstylist Mara Roszak, makeup artist Rachel Goodwin, and stylist Petra Flannery that have managed to create moments of pure yes for the beautiful Emma Stone on a regular basis. This year’s SAG Awards were no exception. I’m apparently have a moment of affinity for Dior Couture (which is not usually the case), so it’s good to finally feel that I can relate to the fashion house which I’ve had a hard time with in the past. I tend to leave all the Dior for Marion Cotillard, and I’ve trusted it with no one else. However, Emma’s turn in black, sheer tuxedo-inspired Dior Couture gave me a case of the Honey Boo Boos, and I’m giving major virtual high-fives to Emma’s dream team here.

And let me just mention that I have never wanted to be a redhead so badly in my life. The funny thing about this kind of “red” hair is that it’s not actually an authentic red; it’s more of a brown-bronze that’s richer, more sophisticated, and more flattering than a fiery red (which Byrdie.com has so eagerly dubbed “ronze”). But beyond the hair color (pulled artfully back into a sleek, modern ponytail), it’s also the glossy lids, the perfect shade of red on the lips, the amazing lashes, the #flawless brows, and the unique ear cuff that make for those special details that turn a great dress on a pretty person into A) an entire look that I’d wear from head to toe and B) something that will be talked about in the fashion world for months and months to come. Congrats guys, it’s perfect!

And finally, we come to the one singular dress from the Golden Globes that really stole my heart and haters can SHOVE IT. A couple things here: A) If you wear Mary Katrantzou on the red carpet I automatically love you forever. B) This dress reminds me of Princess Aurora’s classic silhouette, which might be one of the reasons why I love it so much. C) That shade of mauve-ish purply pink is gorgeous. D) Again, I’m all about the weird little details with that box clutch, the dark nails, the matching pink lips, and the shoes that don’t really match at all or make any sense. Some have said that Kerry’s looking like “a very bold Easter basket” here, but I am almost always impressed and excited by Kerry’s uncanny red carpet choices as opposed to the same body-con piles of blah that we see all the time. Take a risk, people! It may not always pay off, but I will at least have a lot more fun looking at you on Instagram.

Questions? Comments? Bricks to throw? Bring it! But I’m tired now. That’s all. xo, MR

thebrightblush

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Category Archives: the Makeup stuff.